The Beggar

By Sofie Sarenbrant

The memorial service is moving. A young woman has died under tragic circumstances, unfathomable for everyone there. But in the back, a person sits and observers the mourners with a suspicious gaze. Someone who will do anything to stay hidden – even if the price is painfully high. 

At the same time, beggars around Stockholm are falling victim to what appears to be a psychopathic serial killer. The police are clueless, and the only person who can stop the murders must do everything to stay in hiding. 
Sofie Sarenbrant has written a contemporary thriller on the abuse of power and how it affects the most vulnerable people in our society. 

The Beggar is the fifth book in the popular crime series about police detective Emma Sköld. The series has sold over 7 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 17 languages to date. 

Sofie Sarenbrant’s hugely successful crime series has been optioned by Breakable Films.

Publishing information

Year of publication

2016

Page count

390

Original title

Tiggaren

Original language

Swedish

Original publisher

Bookmark

Book series

Emma Sköld (Book 5)

Rights sold

  • German
  • Norwegian
  • Dutch
  • Finnish
  • Polish
  • Icelandic
  • Estonian

About the author

Sofie Sarenbrant is one of Sweden’s most beloved and successful authors. Her books have been translated into 17 languages and sold over 7 million copies to date. She was awarded the prestigious Swedish Crime Writer of the Year award in 2019 and 2020 and 2022 and has also won the Nextory E-book Award three times. Sarenbrant is most well known for her captivating and contemporary series following the police detective Emma Sköld and her team. The combination of suspenseful investigations, and unexpected cliffhangers with relatable depictions of self-doubt and courage has made the series a favorite amongst many crime readers. Sarenbrant’s way of storytelling reflects a genuine and deep understanding of different narratives and perspectives, while at the same having the page-turner quality. The series take place largely in Stockholm and the idyllic suburb Bromma, where the author herself lives with her family.  “Instead of a worn-out, alcoholic chief inspector in the lead role, I wanted a young, career-oriented woman my own age. Emma Sköld follows in her father’s footsteps, without his blessing. He thinks there are too many risks in police work, and it will turn out that he’s right. Emma encounters prejudice in her job as a police detective because she is young and beautiful. No one expects that she will be the most competent of them all and dare to question what no one else will.”  – Sofie Sarenbrant Sarenbrant has also written a psychological thriller Behind Your Back in 2017, and the acclaimed autobiography Muzzle in 2021.  In 2022, she made her debut as a children’s author with Mira and Moon, a new book series for middle-grade readers about a young girl and her strong bond with her favorite pony. Best-seller The Birthday is the first part of the new suspense series created by Carina Bergfeldt and Sofie Sarenbrant. The standalone sequel Good Friday was released in May 2024.In autumn 2026, the first instalment of the new suspense series by Sarenbrant will be published by Bokförlaget Forum.

Author page

Reviews

”The novel is both thrilling and dramatic, and is highly recommended.”

Litteratursiden.dk

”A furiously thrilling detective story.”

Ölandsbladet

“Speedy, well-thought-out, and entertaining ... A real page-turner.”

Damernas Värld Newspaper

“A real page-turner ... Thrilling, quick and entertaining”

Göteborgs-Posten Newspaper

”Without a doubt her best book so far ... An infernally well-constructed plot to lean on.”

Deckarakademin

“Fast-paced and well-thought-out with contemporary issues in center.”

Dagens Nyheter

”Easy to read and thrilling.”

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