The queen of Scandinavian thrillers. Camilla Läckberg has sold more than 30 million books worldwide (published by Actes Noirs d'Actes Sud in France), notably thanks to her literary saga around Erica Falk and Patrick Hedström, a novelist and a police officer, married, who investigate together in a small town in Sweden. The first three volumes are adapted by TF1 in the series Ericabroadcast this Monday, January 6 and it is the first international adaptation for these characters! On this occasion, we met Camilla Läckberg, who revealed to us her secrets around her writing, her inspirations and her upcoming novels to be published…
This is the first time that an international series, based on your books, has seen the light of day. Are you happy that your storylines have been transferred to France?
I'm very excited and very happy that it's in France, because I have a long love affair with French readers, going back several years. They gave me so much love, I'm happy to be able to do this here.
Our country is very often mentioned in your books. What is your link with France?
I've been fascinated by France since I was little, I even studied French at school! I speak a little language, but I always loved the culture, the food, I love the wine (laughs). The first time I came to Paris was with my high school French class, I loved it.
You went to the filming of the series in Hossegor. What was it like seeing your characters come to life?
It was completely absurd to hear them speaking French! Erica Faure and Patrick Saab are very close to my characters in the books, which makes it all the more absurd, because I recognize them well, but I hear them speaking French. It's a bit weird!
What would you like to say to your French readers before the series airs?
I think they will recognize their Erica and Patrick. Patrick is prettier in the series than in the books, but I'm not complaining (laughs) ! I don't think viewers will complain about it. Erica, as always, is beautiful, warm and sunny. I am so happy with the actors who play them!
You have written eleven books with Erica Falck as the main character. What do you like about her?
I like the fact that she thinks she can have everything: children, working at the same time… She is very ambitious and determined, when she wants something, she does everything to get it.
What do you have in common with her?
Erica is greatly based on me (laughs). We have lived parallel lives, which intersect at times, over the last twenty years. We had children in parallel universes… I have a lot of love for her.
Your books always feature strong female characters. Why is it still so important in 2025?
It's more important than ever! I have two daughters, I think that contributes to the fact that I always return to strong women, to those who take their rightful place in society.
Can we expect a new investigation from Erica Falck in the coming months?
I'm currently writing the twelfth book in the series! I'm right in it!
Your third book, written with Henrik Fexeus, Mirage, is still unpublished in France. What can you tell us about it?
This is the finale of this three-book series and the ending of this book was the first idea we had for the entire series. That very last scene was written almost before we wrote the first book, so it was the place we wanted to go from the start.
Did you like writing with four hands?
I was scared at first, because I don't like to play with others when I write, I like to do it alone. But I said to myself that we would try and it worked very well, we didn't even fight once! We have a lot of respect for each other and we each have different skills. We gave each other the space to do what we knew how to do best.
Could you collaborate with someone else in the future?
I don't know if I would want to write with anyone else. At the moment, I like writing alone, but I also have several TV series projects at the moment, including one which is coming to Netflix in 2025. I already spend a lot of hours in writing groups!
You are known for the darkness of the crime scenes that appear in your books. Where do you find your inspiration?
I always think about the crime. It's very weird, said like that, but I'm weird, so it's a good description! I've always been interested in crime, I watch true crime, I think I've seen every one there is. I adore ! I draw a lot of inspiration from real cases in my novels.
Who are your favorite authors?
80% of the books I read are thrillers. I love those of Reginald Hill, Denise Mina, Elizabeth George… But also Michael Connelly: The poet is one of the best books I have read. The remaining 20% is a bit of everything, like “chick lit” with Colleen Hoover, but also novels, like those by Lucinda Riley, which I love.
