Inspector Kurt Wallander is home from an idyllic holiday in Rome, full of energy and plans for the future. But when he investigates the disappearence of an elderly birdwatcher he discovers a gruesome and meticulously planned murder - a body impaled in a trap of sharpened bamboo poles. Then another man is reported missing. And once again Wallander's life is on hold as he and his team work tirelessly to find a link between the series of vicious murders. Forever battling to make sense of the violence of modern Sweden, ...
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Inspector Kurt Wallander is home from an idyllic holiday in Rome, full of energy and plans for the future. But when he investigates the disappearence of an elderly birdwatcher he discovers a gruesome and meticulously planned murder - a body impaled in a trap of sharpened bamboo poles. Then another man is reported missing. And once again Wallander's life is on hold as he and his team work tirelessly to find a link between the series of vicious murders. Forever battling to make sense of the violence of modern Sweden, Wallander leads a massive investigation to uncover a brutal killer.
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This was excellent, fascinating tale. Typical Mankell. It reads so fast I had to force myself to find a stopping place in order to get at least a couple hours of sleep.
St.George
Aug 20, 2009
Sweden Crime Wave
Had it not been for Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson I never would have guessed there were so many murders in Sweden. Thank God I've been alerted to it! After reading the first two books in Larsson's triology, I turned to Mankell and his personal, absorbing creation, Kurt Wallander. I've read seven Wallander novels, following his travels and personal angst up and down the Swedish peninsula. Kurt is a enjoyable if somewhat morose character but that seems to be in concert with the Swedish weather in Ystad. The Fifth Woman is a particularly good example of Henning and Wallander exhibiting their sleuthing skills amid a far spun plot that begins in Africa. As most mystery fans should know, Mankell and Wallander are a "must" for any serious reader, and, I should mention, as well as Stieg Larsson. Yes, Yes, and Yes.
tilly5
Apr 16, 2009
excellent murder mystery featuring the unusual Wallendar. You will have to read every one written
JHW1
May 5, 2007
A Satisfying Read
Hard-Boiled? Nah. Just introverted, and worn at the edges by life, and by what he's seen. This case is another in the list of those that let Wallender consider quiting his job and retiring to a house by the Swedish coast. With a dog, perhaps. What sets Mankell's mysteries a notch above the others is the voice he establishes in his characterization of Kurt Wallender and then carries forth from novel to novel, developing new and compelling aspects of his protagonist as he goes along.
