La placidez habitual de la ciudad sueca de Ystad se ve rota cuando, con cierto intervalo de tiempo, tres hombres aparecen salvajemente asesinados. Las víctimas llevaban una vida apacible y tranquila, dedicadas a la ornitología, el cultivo de orquídeas y la poesía, lo cual hace aún más incomprensible el casi insoportable sadismo de que han sido objeto. Durante la investigación del caso, Wallander -un detective vulnerable y con aires de antihéroe- descubre que no sólo debe enfrentarse a un asesino de temible inteligencia, sino que éste parece guiarse por un sanguinario y turbio deseo de venganza. Cuando por fin la policía cree estar tras la buena pista, un nuevo asesinato da un vuelco a la investigación y provoca un motín entre la asustada población local.

Synopsis: 'In Africa, four nuns and an unidentified fifth woman are brutally murdered - the death of the nameless woman covered up by the local police. A year later in Sweden, Inspector Kurt Wallander is baffled when a retired car dealer is found impaled and the body of a missing florist is discovered strangled. With only a skull, a diary, and a photo of three men as clues, Wallander will need all of his strength to uncover the reason behind these deaths and their elusive connection to the unsolved murder of the fifth woman.'
Review: Although this was an interesting story, it moved slowly - partly because of the Swedish mindset. There seem to be pages of 'what the characters are thinking' that don't add to the story. ( )

H1.31.2

Another serial killer, right after the hard case of the summer. What does it take to connect all the killings? ( )

I registered this book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12549024

Another long one with ties to Africa.

We learn at the very beginning that a young woman has gotten a letter telling her that her mother, who was traveling in Africa, was murdered and the police have covered up the crime. Some time later, in Sweden, Wallander is facing some strange murders. He can't find the connection, other than that these victims were described as brutal by some who knew them. Each one is more puzzling than the last.

The small police force in Ystad is working on the case, with Wallander in the lead. Their work is complicated by the emergence of a vigilante group, willing to "do what the police can't or won't". Incensed, Wallander takes bold measures to quell the uprising, yet can't be sure they are effective.

And, as usual, he is struggling with his feelings about Baiba from Riga, whom he had met on another case a few years back (see The Dogs of Riga). He loves her but is not sure of her feelings for him. At the same time he is impatient, wants her to move to Ystad to be with him. Their conversations on the phone don't always go well. And he works on his relationship with his daughter Linda, who has not always accepted his help.

The case is, of course, complex. We get into the mind of the killer again, from time to time, but don't fully understand what is going on for quite some time.

While I enjoy this series there are things that crop up from time to time that I wonder about. Wallander, in addition to being a moody soul, tends to lash out at people, and when questioning people often comes across as overbearing. It seems so unnecessary and I wonder where that chip on his shoulder came from. Either that, or I just don't see what is irritating him all the time. I'd like to get a little more into the depths of his soul, somehow.

( )