Reviews

Den vedervärdige mannen från Säffle by Maj Sjöwall, Per Wahlöö

Only show reviews with written explanations

rocketiza's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

More of an action novel then most in the series, still excellent and more thoughtful than most American cop writers.

michael5000's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

The Beck novels are realistic in a way no other detective novels are. Or maybe I don't mean "realistic" so much as "true to life." I mean, I have no idea how well the world of Swedish law enforcement is depicted here. But I have an increasingly veteran experience of the way that life works, which is to say not according to plan. Martin Beck starts investigating crimes in a perfectly rational fashion, but he never follows a procedure or a chain of deduction through to their logical end. He's always interrupted by too much random shit that happens while the police and the criminals and everybody else bumble around trying to get their acts together. Just like you and me!

rainbowarpaint's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Content Warnings

ellenkarusellen's review

Go to review page

3.0

3.5

smemmott's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Content Warnings

marco5599's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Another fast and fun Martin Beck case. Subtle as a sledgehammer, the social criticism, but who cares when our hero and his team of grumblers are after a cop killer whose weapon of choice is a.. Bayonet! Such a bloody mess. And not the only weapon he's handy with. The why and the who make it compelling, the action makes it spectacular and tense. Yes, shots will be fired. And lots of 'em. Best Beck I have read. Best Beck I have seen as well. With that I mean Bo Widerberg's (little known?) film adaptation The Man on the Roof (1976). Worth the watch for the helicopter scene alone.