Most royal cities — former or otherwise — boast a rich heritage and more than a mere handful of spectacular buildings. Elegance and architectural-excellence comes with the territory, so to speak.
So what makes Stockholm so special? The easy answer is the water. The city rests on fourteen islands with a further 30,000 islands and islets in the archipelago nextdoor. Bridges and glittering waterways dominate the cityscape, as do copper roofs against the 'blue hour' sky.
I fell for Stockholm when I first visited the city in 1980. Two years later, while studying Scandinavian Studies at University College London, I embarked upon the research for an extended essay on The History of Stockholm from 1850 - 1914. This, of course, was all well before Google and mobile phones, so I began buying second-hand books. This collection has grown into a library of some 500 books et al. So far.
But something else of significance happened in summer 1982; I worked at the Grand Hôtel and learned about Wilhelmina Skogh. I was fascinated by the thought of a woman running a hotel of such calibre at the turn of the last century but also floored that I could find very little information on her.
Thirty-five years later, I told Pia Printz at Printz Publishing that I wanted to write a novel based on Wilhelmina. I finished the Halleholm series, and editor Christoffer Holst said: Isn't now the time to write your book about the Grand Hôtel? Start a new series?
And the rest, as we say, is history.
The Phenomenal Women of the Grand Hôtel is historical fiction based on a sublime true story featuring stellar female characters equipped with a large dollop of determination. Having been granted full access to the Grand Hôtel’s own archives, I’ll tell you the fascinating story of a forgotten chapter in Stockholm’s cultural history in the early 1900s. This is the first book in the Stockholm’s Treasures series and has sold over 300 000 copies in Sweden to date. (November 2024)
Find out moreKindred Spirits at Nordiska Kompaniet is historical fiction based on the admirable true story of Josef Sachs’ quest to build Stockholm’s premier emporium and the ladies who worked at the store. Having been granted full access to Nordiska Kompaniet’s own archives, I’ll introduce you to Stockholm’s fascinating retail and cultural history in the 1910 and 1920s. This is the second book in the Stockholm’s Treasures series.
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As mentioned above, the Stockholm archipelago boasts some 30,000 islands and islets and it also offers a rather unique way of life for those lucky enough to live along its shores. That my first novel would be set by water was a given. But where?
Vaxholm (up the coast from Stockholm) was a clear candidate, but Sigtuna (also north of Stockholm but located by Lake Mälaren rather than the sea ) is very picturesque and heaving in history. It's actually the oldest town in Sweden. So why not move Sigtuna to Vaxholm's location?
A fictional town requires a fictional name and that's harder than it sounds, but once I'd coined Halleholm, the story took root.
Throughout the entire writing process of the Halleholm series, I drove up to Sigtuna on many a morning for inspiration and a cinnamon bun.
Halleholm — Lovisa’s Choice is a modern Romeo and Juliet saga; the tale of a feuding family set in a picturesque town in the Stockholm archipelago, from the 1920s until present day. It’s a tale of love, loyalty and luscious cinnamon buns. The book is the first part of the Halleholm series. The rights have been sold to several countries.
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Christmas Chaos in Halleholm is the second book in this cosy family saga, where old traditions and quarrels encounter new relationships and intrigues — all served with Christmassy cupcakes and homemade hot chocolate!
Find out moreHalleholm — Heaven Can Wait is the third and final part of the cosy family saga, where new dreams encounter life’s harsh realities – over a glass of chilled champagne and a slice of wedding cake!
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