Helpful Score: 6
A well written police mystery introducing detective Kurt Wallander of Ystad, Sweden. A small town detective finds himself buried in big city problems.
Wallander investigates savage murder of elderly Swedish couple in climate of high racial tension. Mankell typically places the stories murder investigation into the context of Swedish current events. In 1990 for "Faceless Killers" it was Somalia refugees in Sweden.
Originally published in Swedish in 1990's, series continues as follows:
Mördare utan ansikte, 1991 (Faceless Killers)
Hundarna i Riga, 1992 (The Dogs of Riga)
Den vita lejoninnan, 1993 (The White Lioness)
Mannen som log, 1994 (The Man who Smiled)
Villospår, 1995 (Sidetracked)
Den femte kvinnan, 1996 (The Fifth Woman)
Steget efter, 1997 (One Step Behind)
Brandvägg, 1998 (Firewall)
Wallander investigates savage murder of elderly Swedish couple in climate of high racial tension. Mankell typically places the stories murder investigation into the context of Swedish current events. In 1990 for "Faceless Killers" it was Somalia refugees in Sweden.
Originally published in Swedish in 1990's, series continues as follows:
Mördare utan ansikte, 1991 (Faceless Killers)
Hundarna i Riga, 1992 (The Dogs of Riga)
Den vita lejoninnan, 1993 (The White Lioness)
Mannen som log, 1994 (The Man who Smiled)
Villospår, 1995 (Sidetracked)
Den femte kvinnan, 1996 (The Fifth Woman)
Steget efter, 1997 (One Step Behind)
Brandvägg, 1998 (Firewall)
Helpful Score: 2
An excellent read! One warning: not every part of the mystery is resolved. According to an online interview with Mankell, this question comes up again in future books.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the FIRST of a wonderful Swedish (translated of course!) series. Kurt Wallander is a character with a lot of depth that you will really care for. Recently divorced he is faced with a challenging double homicide as well as another potential serial killer. This series reflects issues in today's Sweden (and Europe) as well as a introducing wonderful detective. I can't wait to read the next one.
Helpful Score: 1
Fabulous Swedish mystery. Quality writing, an interesting puzzle with numerous twists and a fully developed and intriguing character, Ystad police inspector Kurt Wallander. I will definitely be reading more of this series. Lots of Scandinavian angst and a chilling atmosphere. Highly recommended!