Review: The Swimmer by Joakim Zander

The Swimmer

by Joakim Zander

Publisher: Head of Zeus

Pages: 432

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Klara Walldeen, orphaned as a child and brought up by her grandparents on a remote Swedish archipelago, is now a political aide in Brussels. And she has just seen something she shouldn’t: something people will kill to keep hidden. 

On the other side of the world, an old spy hides from his past. Once, he was a man of action: so dedicated to the cause that he abandoned his baby daughter to keep his cover. Now the only thing he lives for is swimming in the local pool.

Then, on Christmas eve, Klara is thrown into a terrifying chase through Europe. Only the Swimmer can save her. But time is running out... 


Kritters Thoughts: A political thriller that may have been originated in Sweden, but should not be grouped with the rest of the Swedish thrillers that are out there right now - this one is different.  

With a large cast of characters and chapters where a few get the chance to tell the story and taking place in different times and places, I was worried that it could get confusing, not to worry, this author sets the book up so well it was easy to read.  Klara is the main character and the reader learns about her past and some details even before she does.  Almost all of the characters revolve around her someway.  

There is quite a bit of action and maybe a little blood, so if you have a queezy stomach, this one isn't for you, but for the audience that does - it was great.  There were cars, boats, and everything in between.  It was nice to get a pure action thriller with no love, no heartache and just pure adrenaline!

I would liken this book to The Bourne trilogy where there are great chase scenes, but the audience doesn't know for a bit what the chase is about and why.  We finally learn the reason for the chase and I couldn't help but flip pages until the end.  Once you get to a point in this book, you won't be able to put it down until the end!

Rating: definitely a good, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.