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Malin Fors #6
Vattenänglar
Kriminalinspektör Malin Fors är våldsrotelns stjärna. Envis och skicklig, intuitiv och intelligent. Besatt. Ständigt på flykt från sig själv, ständigt uppslukad av arbete.
En septemberonsdag kallas hon till en villa i ett av Linköpings finare områden. Ett gift par har hittats döda i sin jacuzzi. Nakna och isblå i ett vatten som inte längre är genomskinligt klart. Deras femåriga adoptivdotter Ella är försvunnen och ett intensivt sökande inleds. Är flickan vid liv och har förts bort? Eller har hon försökt rymma från mördaren och drunknat i Stångån?
Medan tunga regnmoln vakar över staden dras Malin Fors och hennes kolleger in i ett fall där gränserna har blivit otydliga. Mellan döda och levande, mellan gott och ont. Utredningen tvingar henne att konfrontera sina egna demoner, och till slut kan hon inte längre stå emot begäret att låta alkoholen sudda ut verkligheten. Men hon vet att hon inte får ge upp. Hon kan inte svika Ella. Hon måste hitta henne och den som dödade hennes föräldrar.
Vattenänglar är den första delen i en ny serie om Malin Fors, inspirerad av de fyra elementen.
En septemberonsdag kallas hon till en villa i ett av Linköpings finare områden. Ett gift par har hittats döda i sin jacuzzi. Nakna och isblå i ett vatten som inte längre är genomskinligt klart. Deras femåriga adoptivdotter Ella är försvunnen och ett intensivt sökande inleds. Är flickan vid liv och har förts bort? Eller har hon försökt rymma från mördaren och drunknat i Stångån?
Medan tunga regnmoln vakar över staden dras Malin Fors och hennes kolleger in i ett fall där gränserna har blivit otydliga. Mellan döda och levande, mellan gott och ont. Utredningen tvingar henne att konfrontera sina egna demoner, och till slut kan hon inte längre stå emot begäret att låta alkoholen sudda ut verkligheten. Men hon vet att hon inte får ge upp. Hon kan inte svika Ella. Hon måste hitta henne och den som dödade hennes föräldrar.
Vattenänglar är den första delen i en ny serie om Malin Fors, inspirerad av de fyra elementen.
Audio CD
First published January 1, 2012
24 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Mons Kallentoft
53 books412 followersAfter being awarded the Swedish equivalent to the Whitbread Award for his debut novel Pesetas, Mons Kallentoft chose to give his own unique take on the classic Scandinavian crime novel. His success was immediate. The first book in the series about superintendent Malin Fors received unanimous praise from the national critics; it also conquered the bestseller charts and has today sold more than 300,000 copies in Sweden alone.
Was Mons Kallentoft born to be a storyteller? Yes, perhaps. Because, considering his upbringing, literature was not the obvious path in life. Mons grew up in a working-class home in the provincial town of Linköping, Sweden. Books were a rare phenomenon in his house; instead the young author spent his time playing football and ice hockey.
He discovered literature when he was about fourteen, and bedridden following a severe sports injury. Kafka, Hemingway and George Orwell introduced the young man to a whole new world.
The path to his own authorship led him through the advertising business, journalism and the shady side of Madrid. His debut, Pesetas, which was awarded the Swedish equivalent to the Whitbread Award, takes place among cocaine dealers and bankrobbers in the Spanish capital.
Following another couple of critically acclaimed novels (Marbella Club and Attractive, Healthy & Spontaneous), as well as an well-regarded travelogue/food essay (Food Noir), Mons Kallentoft chose to give his own unique take on the classic Scandinavian crime novel. His success was immediate.
The first book in the series about Superintendent Malin Fors received unanimous praise from the national critics; it also conquered the bestseller charts and has today sold more than 220 000 copies in Sweden alone. The novel recently appeared on the Norwegian bestseller charts and the series about Malin Fors will soon be published by leading publishing houses in nine countries.
Through the series about Malin Fors, Mons Kallentoft re-establishes his connection to his childhood home – a place that the truly cosmopolitan Kallentoft has spent all his life running from. The result is an innovative series of crime novels that are both poignant and packed full of suspense.
Critics and readers agree: Mons Kallentoft was born to tell the story about Malin Fors.
Series:
* Malin Fors
Was Mons Kallentoft born to be a storyteller? Yes, perhaps. Because, considering his upbringing, literature was not the obvious path in life. Mons grew up in a working-class home in the provincial town of Linköping, Sweden. Books were a rare phenomenon in his house; instead the young author spent his time playing football and ice hockey.
He discovered literature when he was about fourteen, and bedridden following a severe sports injury. Kafka, Hemingway and George Orwell introduced the young man to a whole new world.
The path to his own authorship led him through the advertising business, journalism and the shady side of Madrid. His debut, Pesetas, which was awarded the Swedish equivalent to the Whitbread Award, takes place among cocaine dealers and bankrobbers in the Spanish capital.
Following another couple of critically acclaimed novels (Marbella Club and Attractive, Healthy & Spontaneous), as well as an well-regarded travelogue/food essay (Food Noir), Mons Kallentoft chose to give his own unique take on the classic Scandinavian crime novel. His success was immediate.
The first book in the series about Superintendent Malin Fors received unanimous praise from the national critics; it also conquered the bestseller charts and has today sold more than 220 000 copies in Sweden alone. The novel recently appeared on the Norwegian bestseller charts and the series about Malin Fors will soon be published by leading publishing houses in nine countries.
Through the series about Malin Fors, Mons Kallentoft re-establishes his connection to his childhood home – a place that the truly cosmopolitan Kallentoft has spent all his life running from. The result is an innovative series of crime novels that are both poignant and packed full of suspense.
Critics and readers agree: Mons Kallentoft was born to tell the story about Malin Fors.
Series:
* Malin Fors
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 1, 2018
I've only read one book by Mons Kallentoft until ''Water Angels'', it was ''Earthstorm'' the eighth part of the series written by the Swedish author and having as a protagonist a hard-boiled female heroine named Malin Fors. I've enjoyed ''Earthstorm'' and Malin's character, nevertheless, I can't say that it was something original or so exciting and which the reader will never forget. So, when I purchased ''Water Angels'', I was at least expecting an entertaining novel but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The book is a bit dull if not plain boring at some parts and the details around Malin's personal issues don't manage to engage the reader enough in order to empathize with the character. There is almost none suspense in this more than clichéd plotline about shady child adoptions from Vietnam to Sweden and Denmark which also involves -no surprise here- a pederast ring taking advantage of the fostered children. I will seriously consider if I will choose a Mons Kallentof novel as there is a lot of much better Nordic Noir books waiting on my shelf.
February 29, 2016
dark and gritty thriller about a couples murder and the disappearance of their adopted daughter and the search to find the solutions to both takes the team finally to vietnam and the dark side of adoptions and peoples greed.
March 21, 2017
This is the second book I've had to get from 3rd party sellers in the U.K., Why are the books only sold in Europe and not the U.S.A.. I really like Malin Fors because she can hear the people she's looking for, the series is great. I like the departed people talking to Malin. Zeke who's her partner is having problems with Karin being one of the people that he has to use as necessary and has a crush on even though he is married. This story revolves around three people who were killed and a kidnapped girl.
I would recommend this series to anyone who likes who done-its.
I would recommend this series to anyone who likes who done-its.
February 2, 2018
Jag undrar om inte jag egentligen hade tänkt göra slut med serien om Malin Fors efter förra boken, men så hade jag ju vunnit Vattenänglar i en utlottning. Däremot vet jag med bestämdhet att jag var riktigt urless på de dödas röster. Det är förmodligen därför som den (och resten av serien) har stått oläst i hyllan sedan februari 2013. Fem år, snart, alltså. Men nu är det dags att ta tag i de här böckerna igen. Läs mer på min blogg
July 12, 2015
What I love most about Kallentoft's writing is not the gritty elements of procedural crime, it's the very human and fragile qualities of the characters. Malin in particular is an interesting and flawed character, she is strong and capable but wrestles with her own weaknesses.
October 13, 2020
Another Malin Fors story I love.
The end raced towards me. The entire series has been great. I recommend it any thriller reader. Read them all.
The end raced towards me. The entire series has been great. I recommend it any thriller reader. Read them all.
July 26, 2018
Mons Kallentoft is the Swedish crime writing phenomenon. Water Angels is a dark new mystery in the international best selling Malin Fors series. This story touched my heart.
I found the story unputdownable being tense and suspenseful.
This heart breaking first scene opens up with the violent deaths of Cecilia and Patrick Andergren being shot dead while relaxing naked in their Jacuzzi. They were found dead in the water in the churning bubble-pool turning red from their bullet holes.
But frightened Ella Andergren the five-year old girl Cecilia and Patrick had adopted that they brought to a strange country for a better life and unending love witnessed her adopted parents being shot and Ella is missing.
As the investigations takes the darkest corner it appears that Inspector Malin Fors believes that there could be a killer on the loose and possibly a child killer.
With the young girl remaining missing, and the murders unsolved the city is left in fear.
This was a splendid first novel that I have read by Mons Kallentoft. I would definitely read more by Mons Kallentoft.
February 4, 2017
This is the sixth novel featuring Malin Fors and her loyal and conscientious team of detectives working in Linköping, Sweden. A young couple are brutally murdered and their five-year-old adopted daughter is missing. The subsequent investigation soon leads Malin and her team (now augmented by the brilliant and statuesque Elin Sand) into the murky world of a dodgy adoption agency working out of Vietnam. The thrilling finale actually takes place in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).
As with previous novels in the series, I felt this did sometimes dwell too much on Malin's private life, although, thankfully, she has now dumped her waste-of-space boyfriend Peter after she discovered him having an affair. However, these discursions didn't spoil a well-plotted and original story.
As with previous novels in the series, I felt this did sometimes dwell too much on Malin's private life, although, thankfully, she has now dumped her waste-of-space boyfriend Peter after she discovered him having an affair. However, these discursions didn't spoil a well-plotted and original story.
January 18, 2023
Kallentoft is a gifted author. But would benefit greatly from an editor who controlled his weaknesses.
Kallentoft has developed a very interesting story. And he has stayed true to the history is Scandinavian crime writing in a story that features international intrigue, corrupt officials and corrupt organizations. Yet at times, his political commentary is ill-informed, juvenile and - worst of all - irrelevant to the story.
If you can make your way past that nonsense, you have a good story. Malin Fors is a well-realized character. Thus book is fine but Kallentoft is capable of better.
Kallentoft has developed a very interesting story. And he has stayed true to the history is Scandinavian crime writing in a story that features international intrigue, corrupt officials and corrupt organizations. Yet at times, his political commentary is ill-informed, juvenile and - worst of all - irrelevant to the story.
If you can make your way past that nonsense, you have a good story. Malin Fors is a well-realized character. Thus book is fine but Kallentoft is capable of better.
May 31, 2025
"Beter dan Stieg Larsson" stond er op de cover en het moet gezegd: het komt aardig in de buurt. Een echte page-turner en heel filmisch in de sfeer van de beste Scandinavische thrillers. Met voldoende psychologische diepgang. Ik had dit boek weggegraaid van de prijzentafel op een kwis, dus wist niet wat te verwachten. Het bleek de beste prijs te zijn die ik ooit al won.
February 15, 2015
Titul se dělí na tři části, můžeme v něm nalézt lehčí poetično a slabounký náznak paranormality. V souhrnu jsou Vodní andělé atypickým a ojedinělým dílem, na který si čtenář musí zprvu zvyknout, avšak poté co se tak stane, už ho nedá z ruky.
September 28, 2012
Förmycket snack om sprit tankar på mord och man hatar och man kan döda . Rena ångest att läsa boken , inte min smak
January 24, 2015
Monssi se parantaa kirja kirjalta. Runollinen, erilainen dekkari.
May 26, 2015
Nä, nu räcker det Malin Fors. Iallafall för mig. Tack o adjö.
November 5, 2017
This is the sixth installment of the Malin Fors mysteries by Swedish author,Mons Kallentoft. As usual it is a page turner but with less violence than usual. Still, the story is as gripping and horrifying as the earlier stories, since the violence against Vietnamese adoptees is implied rather than described in detail. The story revolves around the violent murder of an affluent married couple in their hot tub and the kidnap of their adopted five year old Vietnamese daughter. There are no leads, no prints, no cartridges, nothing to give even a hint of who killed them or why. Yet, as the investigation unfolds the nefarious activities surrounding a very lucrative adoption racket are revealed. The more digging Malin and her fellow investigators do, the more it becomes evident that the root of the crime lies in Saigon.
As usual, Kallentoft also includes what is happening in the private lives of the police officers. This aspect of the book truly requires that the reader have followed them since the first book. It is not so integral that this book cannot stand alone but if one becomes interested in these people as men and women with more to their lives than the police work that takes up so much of each day, then to know them is to have read of them earlier.
Also, for the first time reader, it may be a bit disconcerting to find themselves privy to the thoughts of the dead and of the victim but it soon becomes a natural part of the story and actually, for me, and interesting aspect of the action.
As usual, Kallentoft also includes what is happening in the private lives of the police officers. This aspect of the book truly requires that the reader have followed them since the first book. It is not so integral that this book cannot stand alone but if one becomes interested in these people as men and women with more to their lives than the police work that takes up so much of each day, then to know them is to have read of them earlier.
Also, for the first time reader, it may be a bit disconcerting to find themselves privy to the thoughts of the dead and of the victim but it soon becomes a natural part of the story and actually, for me, and interesting aspect of the action.
April 23, 2023
This is the sixth novel in the Malin Fors series, and after the closure of the Maria Murvall story I was expecting a few new plot arcs to open. There is a villain who I suspect will end up as a recurring character, but I will need to read the subsequent books to find out.
At the start of the book, a couple is found gunned to death in their jacuzzi, and their daughter is missing. It becomes increasingly apparent that the death may be related to the fact that their daughter was adopted from the far east. There is also speculation caused by the fact that the foster father worked for a munitions factory.
This ended up as one of the best books in the series for me, with Malin having apparently put her alcohol addiction behind her. A few plot points in the book felt very clearly signposted, including the fact that one of the other characters was raising an adopted daughter.
As well as the main case, the book explores Malin's relationships with other characters, including her lover, Peter, and daughter Tove, the latter of which seems to be becoming quite strained. Near the start, Malin rejects a phone call from Tove and claims that her dentist was calling her. Later on, there seemed to be a hint that Tove is developing Malin's alcohol problems, as she arrives at the house drunk at one point.
I enjoyed the book's action-packed finale a lot, and I can't wait to see how the story develops in later titles.
At the start of the book, a couple is found gunned to death in their jacuzzi, and their daughter is missing. It becomes increasingly apparent that the death may be related to the fact that their daughter was adopted from the far east. There is also speculation caused by the fact that the foster father worked for a munitions factory.
This ended up as one of the best books in the series for me, with Malin having apparently put her alcohol addiction behind her. A few plot points in the book felt very clearly signposted, including the fact that one of the other characters was raising an adopted daughter.
As well as the main case, the book explores Malin's relationships with other characters, including her lover, Peter, and daughter Tove, the latter of which seems to be becoming quite strained. Near the start, Malin rejects a phone call from Tove and claims that her dentist was calling her. Later on, there seemed to be a hint that Tove is developing Malin's alcohol problems, as she arrives at the house drunk at one point.
I enjoyed the book's action-packed finale a lot, and I can't wait to see how the story develops in later titles.
August 26, 2021
Took a few chapters for me to get used to the differing perspectives of a couple of characters and the narrator itself. But it was an easy read from then onwards. It isn’t a thriller nor it is a witty crime novel. It’s slow-paced and it’s not entirely about crime. Coupled with delightful prose, reading about the thoughts that go through the minds of certain characters, struggling to cope with facts about their lives, makes you feel sympathetic towards them.
Should you want to give this series a go, I suggest starting from the very beginning.
Now, what’s the story?
Detective Malin Fors of Linköping police and her colleagues investigate the murder of the Andergrens. They’re found dead in their jacuzzi without signs of struggle, and their adopted daughter, Ella, missing. Initial suspicions suggest Patrick Andergren took bribes whilst working in Vietnam and that this double murder may have been a result of that...or that he was on the verge of discovering deeply unsettling details about the agency he and his wife Cecilia used to adopt a child and that this double murder was to prevent the exposing of a wicked business ongoing in Vietnam and other Asian countries.
Will I read the rest of the series in the future? Ja!
Should you want to give this series a go, I suggest starting from the very beginning.
Now, what’s the story?
Detective Malin Fors of Linköping police and her colleagues investigate the murder of the Andergrens. They’re found dead in their jacuzzi without signs of struggle, and their adopted daughter, Ella, missing. Initial suspicions suggest Patrick Andergren took bribes whilst working in Vietnam and that this double murder may have been a result of that...or that he was on the verge of discovering deeply unsettling details about the agency he and his wife Cecilia used to adopt a child and that this double murder was to prevent the exposing of a wicked business ongoing in Vietnam and other Asian countries.
Will I read the rest of the series in the future? Ja!
March 25, 2020
On a roll of 5 star Scandanavian crime thrillers with this one based in Sweden.
A couple are found murdered in their jacuzzi and originally it seems like a straight forward murder to be solved. The assignment is handed to Inspector Malin Fors who is a brilliant detective with her own personal demons - she is an alcoholic, been on the wagon for many years but the cravings remain.
It quickly balloons out to so much more than a murder investigation as it appears the daughter of the dead couple is missing. Eventually they uncover a cruel and illegal world behind Danish adoptions of Asian children. The children are never willing participants in the process and the parents are 'paid' to hand them over believing they will see them back soon.
To muddy the waters the investigation turns on one of their own who is caught up in the adoption process by proxy.
A couple are found murdered in their jacuzzi and originally it seems like a straight forward murder to be solved. The assignment is handed to Inspector Malin Fors who is a brilliant detective with her own personal demons - she is an alcoholic, been on the wagon for many years but the cravings remain.
It quickly balloons out to so much more than a murder investigation as it appears the daughter of the dead couple is missing. Eventually they uncover a cruel and illegal world behind Danish adoptions of Asian children. The children are never willing participants in the process and the parents are 'paid' to hand them over believing they will see them back soon.
To muddy the waters the investigation turns on one of their own who is caught up in the adoption process by proxy.
December 12, 2025
Min recension är kanske helt rättvis för jag har inte läst tidigare böcker från serien om Malin Fors, jag hoppar direkt in i bok 6. Det är för jag har haft boken stående I bokhyllan I 10 års tid.
Handlingen är spännande, ett mord sker, utredningen leder till Vietnam och adoption av barn. Där har jag inget att anmärka på, men på grund av att jag inte har läst andra böcker från serien är jag inte alls insatt i varken huvudpersonen Malin Fors eller de andra personer som figurerat i berättelsen. Det påverkar enormt myckethur jag kommer in I handlingen. Jag hade säkert tyckt mer om boken annars, istället blir det ett betyg som är godkänd varken mer eller mindre
Handling & Tema : 4/5
Karaktärerna: 3/5
Miljöbeskrivning: 3/5
Språk & berättar konst 3/5
Handlingen är spännande, ett mord sker, utredningen leder till Vietnam och adoption av barn. Där har jag inget att anmärka på, men på grund av att jag inte har läst andra böcker från serien är jag inte alls insatt i varken huvudpersonen Malin Fors eller de andra personer som figurerat i berättelsen. Det påverkar enormt myckethur jag kommer in I handlingen. Jag hade säkert tyckt mer om boken annars, istället blir det ett betyg som är godkänd varken mer eller mindre
Handling & Tema : 4/5
Karaktärerna: 3/5
Miljöbeskrivning: 3/5
Språk & berättar konst 3/5
January 7, 2022
Varje bok stör jag mig på rösterna som Malin hör, offrens röst som talar till henne/läsaren i utredningen. Ändå fortsätter jag läsa serien. Varför? Det är ändå lättlästa deckare med lite variation i historierna. En kvinnlig huvudperson vilket alltid är uppfriskande. Malin har dock en massa problem och jag tycker det är så typiskt att huvudpersoner alltid skall vara trasiga. Jag kommer säkert läsa fler böcker av Kallentoft men måste ta en paus.
September 6, 2017
Tekstinä keskimääräistä paljon kunnianhimoisempaa tavaraa, noin ruotsalaiseksi dekkaristiksi. Hahmot ovat vähän kliseisiä - alkoholi- ja ihmissuhdeongelmien kanssa painiva mutta erinomaisen hyvä poliisi. Just joo.
Juoni on kohtuullisen hyvin kulkeva mutta ei mitään spesiaalia. Välikappaleiden taitsu-osuudet lähinnä ärsyttävät.
Juoni on kohtuullisen hyvin kulkeva mutta ei mitään spesiaalia. Välikappaleiden taitsu-osuudet lähinnä ärsyttävät.
September 23, 2017
Another gritty novel in the Malin Fors series. This book is based around the murder of a couple and their daughter who's missing. The plot moves along at a good pace and if you're following the series, you're all invested in the characters and know their personalities. Malin Fors is one of my favourite heroines and I love how strong and fragile she is at the same time.
June 18, 2021
Really enjoyed this book,the storyline was so sad and hard to read at times because it happens in real life. The voices from the dead is something I enjoy in these books and it was great to read about Malin again,Peter was definitely a character to hate and Tove was not as pleasant in this. Wonderful writing and great twisty plot,you don’t know who is bad or good.
January 28, 2025
På något sätt fängslande och jag vill läsa vidare för att få reda på hur det slutar, men jag stör mig ibland enormt på formatet där man får läsa de mördade personernas tankar som en del i berättelsen.
May 26, 2018
(2.5)
I think Malin Fors is a great character but this mystery felt a bit slow, and Kallentoft's distinctive writing style, which I normally quite enjoy, felt distracting.
I think Malin Fors is a great character but this mystery felt a bit slow, and Kallentoft's distinctive writing style, which I normally quite enjoy, felt distracting.
January 26, 2020
Lekkere thriller
February 5, 2020
Love it.
August 3, 2020
Wciągająca, świeża. Podoba mi się konstrukcja i forma narracji. Jednak te głosy zza światów nie przemawiają do mnie zupełnie..
August 25, 2020
Mám Malin čímdál radši a vždycky se těším na "setkání" s ní. A s panem Kallentoftem.
Hodně slušné tři a půl hvězdy.
Hodně slušné tři a půl hvězdy.
February 5, 2021
Bra Malin Fors-deckare överlag men den blev rätt klichétung och overklig mot slutet tyvärr.
Däremot var det som skedde i karaktärernas privatliv väldigt välskrivet och man kände verkligen med dem.
Däremot var det som skedde i karaktärernas privatliv väldigt välskrivet och man kände verkligen med dem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews