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죽은 자의 스토킹
세계 1,700만 부 판매, 40개 언어 번역. 북유럽 스릴러의 새로운 흐름을 만든 작가 알렉스 안도릴이 『죽은 자의 스토킹』으로 돌아왔다. 스웨덴 출간 즉시 독자들의 주목을 받은 이 작품은 베스트셀러 『아이가 없는 집』을 잇는 율리아 스타르크 시리즈 두 번째 이야기로, 한층 정교해진 심리 추적과 촘촘한 서스펜스를 선보인다.
알렉스 안도릴은 사건 자체의 반전보다 인물의 심리와 관계, 감정의 균열 속에서 긴장을 증폭시키는 데 탁월한 작가다. 독자는 사건의 단서를 따라가는 동시에 인물들 사이에 얽힌 불신과 욕망, 죄책감과 집착의 흔적을 함께 추적하게 된다. 그래서 그의 소설은 단순히 범인을 찾는 미스터리를 넘어, 인간 심리의 어두운 틈을 들여다보는 경험으로 이어진다.
전작 『아이가 없는 집』이 숲속 저택이라는 폐쇄된 공간 안에서 재벌가의 비밀을 해부했다면, 『죽은 자의 스토킹』은 연극 무대라는 낯설고도 매혹적인 공간으로 독자를 데려간다. 화려한 조명과 커튼 뒤에는 시기와 경쟁, 은폐된 욕망이 뒤엉켜 있고, 배우들은 무대 위에서뿐 아니라 현실에서도 끊임없이 역할을 연기한다. 진심과 거짓이 교차하는 극장이라는 배경은 작품 전체를 감싸는 불안과 긴장을 더욱 증폭시킨다.
알렉스 안도릴은 사건 자체의 반전보다 인물의 심리와 관계, 감정의 균열 속에서 긴장을 증폭시키는 데 탁월한 작가다. 독자는 사건의 단서를 따라가는 동시에 인물들 사이에 얽힌 불신과 욕망, 죄책감과 집착의 흔적을 함께 추적하게 된다. 그래서 그의 소설은 단순히 범인을 찾는 미스터리를 넘어, 인간 심리의 어두운 틈을 들여다보는 경험으로 이어진다.
전작 『아이가 없는 집』이 숲속 저택이라는 폐쇄된 공간 안에서 재벌가의 비밀을 해부했다면, 『죽은 자의 스토킹』은 연극 무대라는 낯설고도 매혹적인 공간으로 독자를 데려간다. 화려한 조명과 커튼 뒤에는 시기와 경쟁, 은폐된 욕망이 뒤엉켜 있고, 배우들은 무대 위에서뿐 아니라 현실에서도 끊임없이 역할을 연기한다. 진심과 거짓이 교차하는 극장이라는 배경은 작품 전체를 감싸는 불안과 긴장을 더욱 증폭시킨다.
- GenresMystery
312 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2026
About the author
Alex Ahndoril
14 books42 followersThe pseudonym Alex Ahndoril is a new collaboration between Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril, the authors behind Lars Kepler.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 18, 2025
“Can she find the killer before the curtains fall?”
In A Play to Kill, Alex Ahndoril delivers a hauntingly theatrical mystery that blurs the line between grief and menace, illusion and truth. Set against the velvet-draped backdrop of a Stockholm theatre, this novel is a masterclass in suspense, where every spotlight casts a shadow and every actor harbours secrets.
Private detective Julia Stark is a compelling lead—sharp, intuitive, and quietly haunted herself. When she’s drawn into the eerie world of Bianca Salo, a celebrated actress convinced her dead fiancé is stalking her, the narrative unfurls with the elegance of a stage curtain and the tension of a final act. The ghostly premise—an impossible haunting, a fire in a dressing room, a cast full of suspects—evokes the gothic glamour of classic whodunnits, yet Ahndoril’s prose feels fresh, cinematic, and emotionally astute.
The novel’s brilliance lies in its layered atmosphere: the echo of Macbeth’s curse, the claustrophobia of backstage rivalries, and the slow, deliberate pacing of a thriller that knows exactly when to quicken the pulse. Julia’s partnership with her ex-husband Sid adds a touch of warmth and complexity, grounding the story in human connection even as the danger escalates.
With its theatrical setting, psychological depth, and a mystery that tightens like a noose, A Play to Kill is a chilling, elegant performance in its own right. The final scenes are as satisfying as a standing ovation—dark, dramatic, and utterly unforgettable.
My thanks to Alex Ahndoril, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
In A Play to Kill, Alex Ahndoril delivers a hauntingly theatrical mystery that blurs the line between grief and menace, illusion and truth. Set against the velvet-draped backdrop of a Stockholm theatre, this novel is a masterclass in suspense, where every spotlight casts a shadow and every actor harbours secrets.
Private detective Julia Stark is a compelling lead—sharp, intuitive, and quietly haunted herself. When she’s drawn into the eerie world of Bianca Salo, a celebrated actress convinced her dead fiancé is stalking her, the narrative unfurls with the elegance of a stage curtain and the tension of a final act. The ghostly premise—an impossible haunting, a fire in a dressing room, a cast full of suspects—evokes the gothic glamour of classic whodunnits, yet Ahndoril’s prose feels fresh, cinematic, and emotionally astute.
The novel’s brilliance lies in its layered atmosphere: the echo of Macbeth’s curse, the claustrophobia of backstage rivalries, and the slow, deliberate pacing of a thriller that knows exactly when to quicken the pulse. Julia’s partnership with her ex-husband Sid adds a touch of warmth and complexity, grounding the story in human connection even as the danger escalates.
With its theatrical setting, psychological depth, and a mystery that tightens like a noose, A Play to Kill is a chilling, elegant performance in its own right. The final scenes are as satisfying as a standing ovation—dark, dramatic, and utterly unforgettable.
My thanks to Alex Ahndoril, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
December 6, 2025
The second book I’ve read featuring Julia Stark. Welcome to Stockholm and the world of Private Investigator Julia Stark and her ex husband and DI Sidney Mendelson. Julia is the sole survivor of a plane crash in Romania which killed her parents and two sisters. Although scarred, needing a cane to walk, she is pretty good at her job.
Briefly, Julia receives a call from a stage actress wanting help. Bianca Salo claims she is being stalked by her former lover even though he died years before in Helsinki. She was playing the female lead in Macbeth when she leaned of his death and the run closed early. She is now reprising the role and Julia joins her at the theatre where she encounters the strangest group of actors, all seeming to have grudges against Julia.
Excellent read with shrewd use of the Macbeth play. Julia is a great character. I really like her. Yes she’s damaged, but who wouldn’t be after what she went through but she is intelligent and driven and you just feel you can trust her. I also liked her relationship with Sidney. There are a number of secrets revealed as the book progresses and the setting gave a slightly golden age/gothic feel to the story. I enjoyed this theatrical detective drama with its rather creepy narrative and I suspect there is more to come from the Julia Stark Agency.
Briefly, Julia receives a call from a stage actress wanting help. Bianca Salo claims she is being stalked by her former lover even though he died years before in Helsinki. She was playing the female lead in Macbeth when she leaned of his death and the run closed early. She is now reprising the role and Julia joins her at the theatre where she encounters the strangest group of actors, all seeming to have grudges against Julia.
Excellent read with shrewd use of the Macbeth play. Julia is a great character. I really like her. Yes she’s damaged, but who wouldn’t be after what she went through but she is intelligent and driven and you just feel you can trust her. I also liked her relationship with Sidney. There are a number of secrets revealed as the book progresses and the setting gave a slightly golden age/gothic feel to the story. I enjoyed this theatrical detective drama with its rather creepy narrative and I suspect there is more to come from the Julia Stark Agency.
March 21, 2026
Private detective Julia Starke is contacted by an actress saying she is being stalked by her dead fiancé, who passed three years ago. She is convinced he came to her apartment at night and took his cufflings back. Meanwhile odd things are happening at the playhouse where Julia is starting to get ready to perform a new theatre piece in the leading role. This is set in Sweden.
A Play To Kill is a well constructed crime mystery that has plenty little twists. I had to get used to the writing style initially but got into to it after a while. Interestingly, this is actually written by three authors using a pseudonym.
I enjoyed this and was intrigued what was behind everything, who was responsible. It followed a fairly usual pattern of cosy crime books and kept me interested throughout. I like the main character and thought she was unique and the storyline well balanced.
This is also great on audio, especially for all the Swedish names and pronounciations.
I recommend!
A Play To Kill is a well constructed crime mystery that has plenty little twists. I had to get used to the writing style initially but got into to it after a while. Interestingly, this is actually written by three authors using a pseudonym.
I enjoyed this and was intrigued what was behind everything, who was responsible. It followed a fairly usual pattern of cosy crime books and kept me interested throughout. I like the main character and thought she was unique and the storyline well balanced.
This is also great on audio, especially for all the Swedish names and pronounciations.
I recommend!
June 15, 2026
A gentle Swedish crime tale, A Play To Kill (2026), by Alex Ahndoril, is another Julia Stack investigation. Julia is a private detective hired by Bianca, whose dead fiancé keeps appearing to her. Much of the novel is set against the theatre backdrop, as Julie takes on the case and becomes more of a friend and personal security support. As Julia tries to identify and understand a stalker, she complicates matters by involving her former boyfriend, a police detective who is assisting with the case. Parroting a somewhat Christie-esque locked door murder feel, with the obligatory big reveal of whodunnit, this is an average soft crime tale with a three read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.
February 19, 2026
Did I realise this was book 2 in a series before I started reading it? No, but actually, I don't feel that it took away from this book at all.
Julia is a private detective who is asked to look into an actress' stalker. The actress thinks it's her ex, but he's dead, so he wouldn't be able to stalker her, would he?
This was a really good mystery book. I liked how the author dropped some hints but also left enough, so I had no clue really, who or what was the perpetrator.
Julia was slightly rogue, but I found that fun and the narrator definitely helped me pronounce the more Swedish place names.
Julia is a private detective who is asked to look into an actress' stalker. The actress thinks it's her ex, but he's dead, so he wouldn't be able to stalker her, would he?
This was a really good mystery book. I liked how the author dropped some hints but also left enough, so I had no clue really, who or what was the perpetrator.
Julia was slightly rogue, but I found that fun and the narrator definitely helped me pronounce the more Swedish place names.
January 8, 2026
Imagine you're a world-class private detective a famous actor has asked you for your help because …
She has a STALKER 😱
The plot thickens...
Can they figure out who it is before the curtain call
If you're a fan of easy reads and mystery murder books or thrillers this one is for you
This is a book to help you beat the January blues and kick off your reading goals
She has a STALKER 😱
The plot thickens...
Can they figure out who it is before the curtain call
If you're a fan of easy reads and mystery murder books or thrillers this one is for you
This is a book to help you beat the January blues and kick off your reading goals
February 19, 2026
Alex Ahndoril is a new pseudonym for the writers behind Lars Kepler so I was looking forward to seeing what it was going to be like I found it to be very similar to the Lars Kepler style of writing with its twists that keeps your interest to the end it’s worth reading especially for fans of Lars Kepler
February 23, 2026
Its a very simple detective story with some plot twist here and there but I kind of knew who was the perpetrator.
The ending left us in a cliffhanger and there is definitely a ton of unanswered questions.
The ending left us in a cliffhanger and there is definitely a ton of unanswered questions.
March 20, 2026
3.5 stars
A reasonable mystery - though it is fairly obvious whodunit from the get-go. However, this doesn't spoil the story too much. The majority of the characters are well-written and the plot moves at a steady pace. I would probably read more by this author.
A reasonable mystery - though it is fairly obvious whodunit from the get-go. However, this doesn't spoil the story too much. The majority of the characters are well-written and the plot moves at a steady pace. I would probably read more by this author.
February 9, 2026
Not quite as good as A key to kill. It had a suberb ending with all the characters in the same room
March 2, 2026
I still prefer Lars Kepler..
September 9, 2026
An interesting and gentle whodunnit. I rather enjoyed how the protagonist’s character was revealed over time, like layers of an onion.
October 4, 2026
I wasn’t completely engaged with this story
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews