This is one of those books that looks at gender issues but does it very subtly. Irene Huss is not a perfect character, she might not even be the smartest detective in the room, but unlike many other detectives, in particular nordic ones, that I can think of, she is one of the most well adjusted ones. She is an everywoman, and there is something comforting about that.

The mystery here is quite good and rather engrossing. It plays with the ideas of ghosts, both "real" and emotional.