“Erica is my baby; TF1 and the producers are its nannies”

OThey call her the queen of Swedish crime fiction. And for good reason: published in more than 60 countries, Camilla Läckberg's novels have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and have been the subject of numerous television adaptations. This is the case in France, where the series Ericataken from her Erica Falk and Patrick Hedström cycle, arrives on TF1 this Monday, January 6.

Carried by Julie de Bona and Grégory Fitoussi, these six episodes take up the intrigue and the atmosphere of the first investigations of this heroine, novelist and amateur detective in her spare time, and of her policeman husband, recounted in The Ice Princess, The Preacher et The Stonecutter. And if the French series takes place in a fictional town on the Atlantic coast and not in Fjällbacka, a small Swedish fishing port, it proves faithful, if not to the letter then at least to the spirit of these whodunits published in France by South Acts. Camilla Läckberg made sure of this, with an assumed desire to explore and control everything.

We met her at the TF1 headquarters in Paris, where the resplendent fifty-year-old wanted to support the promotion of the series. She herself is followed by cameras, which film her as part of a docu-reality about her daily life with her family, Kardashian style. Because in Sweden, Camilla Läckberg is more than a successful author. Married to Simon Sköld, MMA champion and sports coach, this mother of four children is also an accomplished businesswoman, at the head of several companies, and a true celebrity, who does not disdain the spotlight… Back with her on his journey and his projects.

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The Point: What was your involvement in the series? Erica ?

Camilla Läckberg: The producers were generous enough to let me participate in the entire process. We first discussed their vision of the series and my contribution. Then I read all the manuscripts and was able to add little notes like: “Erica wouldn't do this, or would act like that.” » I was also kept informed of the casting. It made me feel confident. You know, this heroine, these novels, they are my babies. And the producers are the nannies!

France is the second most important market for your novels. Some 5 million copies of Erica's investigations have been sold there. What does this figure inspire you?

France was interested in my books very early on, even before those of Stieg Larsson [l’auteur de Millenium, NDLR]which is incredible! Since then, it has been a true love story. Many French tourists come to Fjällbacka in the summer to take part in guided tours. I myself am in love with France, whose language I learned at school.

In another life, you were an economist. How did you start writing?

I actually had another career in the business world. But since I was little, I have dreamed of doing this job. I read tons of books then, so much so that my mother sometimes had to force me to go outside and play! When I was 26 or 27, I took a writing course. And I started writing The Ice Princess at the same time.

Why did you choose the detective genre?

When I was a child I read Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie, I told myself that thrillers were the best novels in the world! It was also around this time that I started devouring Stephen King's books. Later, I continued with psychology books on serial killers and books on autopsies. Even today, I watch shows and documentaries from true crime. I have always been fascinated by the dark side of human beings. A good psychologist would probably have something to say about this. (She laughs). But I made it my job.

How do you keep up with one book per year?

My days are long but I am lucky to be able to work from home. In the morning, I take my kids to school, then I procrastinate a little. I'm very good at this. Then I start writing and continue until the kids come home from school. It's like going to the office, except that the office is the corner of my sofa.

How do you start writing your novels?

I usually have an idea for a title first. Then I wonder why it's called that. This is when the story begins to unfold. I really envy my colleagues who are very organized with reminders on boards that draw the overall architecture of their novels. I am a chaotic writer. I start with the first page, write chronologically, and make it up as I go. I let the story take me from the first page to the last.

Sweden is one of the most equal countries in the world. But this does not mean that women and men are truly equal.

Besides Erica, you gave life to another heroine, a businesswoman named Faye, at work in The Golden Cage et Silver wings. Does she look like you?

Faye is the woman I want to be or become because she's a badass! It was born from MeToo and was inspired by all these women who had the courage to come forward. I always write the book that corresponds to the psychological place I am in and on the subjects that concern me at that moment. When I wrote these novels, I was thinking about patriarchy and the place of women in the world…

You also co-founded an investment company, Invest in Her, dedicated to their projects…

Sweden is one of the most equal countries in the world. But this does not mean that women and men are truly equal. I always try to find concrete solutions to solve problems and this company is one of them. I also co-created a private clinic for women. But for me, the number one fight remains that of the fight against violence against women. They are very numerous, including in Sweden…

You also participated in the Swedish version of Dancing with the stars, wrote a song, co-founded the production company Bad Flamingo Studios… How would you describe yourself? A star, a businesswoman, an author?

I'm a bit of a mix of all that. I don't like to choose in anything I do. On the contrary, I love exploring different worlds. People have criticized me for that, but, over the years, I think I've worn them down a bit. Today, no one really reacts when I try something new.

In one of your novels, The Ominous Birdyou denounce the dangers of reality TV shows. However, you are currently participating in a reality documentary that follows you in your daily life…

I'm fascinated by this concept and I watch a lot of reality TV shows, like The Real Housewives. I am proud of my family and I see this reality documentary as a chance to show myself as I am. People have a distorted image of me, thinking that I am always well dressed and well made up. But my husband often says that I look like a homeless person when I'm not pretending to be Camilla Läckberg (She smiles). I want to show that it is possible to be both a businesswoman and a good mother. For the rest, I am co-owner of the company that produces this show. If I'm asked to do something I don't like, I object.

The original idea for the series remains mine and I therefore always have the last word!

What's next for you?

I'm writing Erica's new investigation, the title of which is The Mourners. It refers to a Russian and Finnish tradition: women are recruited to cry at funerals.

Erica and Faye are both from Fjällbacka. Could they cross paths in one of your next novels?

I didn't anticipate that they were both born there, like me. It must be believed that all roads lead to Fjällbacka (She laughs). I haven't yet thought about writing a crossover between these two universes but you never know. After all, Fjällbacka is a small town and Erica and Faye probably know each other! In the meantime, I signed the original idea and co-wrote the screenplay for The Glass Domea series that will be released on Netflix in the spring. It's a serial killer story. I always come back (She smiles).

Did you enjoy collaborating with screenwriters in the writing workshop?

A lot. It's very fun, like a game. We sometimes had great debates with the other authors. If one of them had better suggestions than me, I was happy. Otherwise, I stuck to my guns. The original idea for the series remains mine and I therefore always have the last word!

To Discover

Kangaroo of the day

Answer

Wouldn't you be a control freak?

Totally. And this is why this exercise was very stimulating for me. It was a bit like therapy. I need to learn how to “play” with other people.