The Secret History meets The Alice Network in this riveting tale of murder and conspiracy in Sweden during World War II

It is 1943 and Sweden’s neutrality in the war is under pressure. Laura Dahlgren, a bright young historian who is the right hand of the chief negotiator with Germany, is privy to ongoing discussions about the transport of German soldiers to occupied Norway and German access to Swedish iron ore. When Laura finds out that Britta, her former best friend and fellow classmate, has been murdered in cold blood, she is determined to find the killer.

Laura learns that Britta had sent a report on racial profiling in Scandinavia to the secretary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jens Regnell. Jens, who is in the middle of negotiating a delicate alliance with Hitler and the Nazis, doesn’t understand why he has received the report. When the pursuit of Britta’s murderer leads Laura to his door, the two join forces to discover the truth.

But as Jens and Laura attempt to untangle the mysterious circumstances surrounding Britta’s death, they only become more mired in a web of lies and deceit. This trail eventually leads them to a shocking revelation, a conspiracy that could topple their nation’s identity—a conspiracy some elements in Sweden will try to keep hidden at any cost.

CECILIA EKBÄCK is the author of Wolf Winter, which won the HWA Goldsboro Debut Crown and the High Plains Book Award. Her second novel, The Midnight Sun, was published to wide acclaim. Originally from a small town in northern Sweden, Ekbäck now lives in Canmore, Alberta, with her husband and twin daughters.

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• High Plains Book Award for Woman Writer

“In this multi-layered, intense, compelling novel, Cecilia Ekbäck has created a world filled with secrets and lies—a dangerous, dark place that her characters must somehow negotiate to survive. I loved this intriguing, powerful book. A clever historical twist on Nordic noir.” — Saskia Sarginson, bestselling author of The Wonderful

“This book is as noir as noir gets. From the first word, I was unable to tear myself away from this brilliantly written thriller; each character more original and intriguing than the next. Ekbäck pulls you into darkness so subtly, you don't even notice the fall—and then suddenly your heart stops.” — Ruby Wax

“The Historians is both haunting and beautifully written. It is one of those books that you simply do not want to end, despite the urgency in needing to know how it will conclude.“ — Yrsa Sigurdardóttir, bestselling author of The Legacy

“The Historians blends a fascinating historical intrigue with the quick pace and excitement of a thriller. Cecilia Ekbäck's talent for storytelling and luminous prose shine in this highly suspenseful novel.” — Ellen Keith, bestselling author of The Dutch Wife