afox98's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a massive fan of Jo Nesbo, but I've now read all of his books, so branching out into other Scandinavian noir authors. I loved this first in the Kurt Wallander series. Kurt is flawed, as most people (and cops) are, but has an intense drive to solve crimes and bring justice to the perpetrators. After a brutal murder of an elderly couple in a small town in Sweden, Kurt digs into all clues, no matter how small, to try to solve the case. He's also juggling a separation from his wife that's headed to divorce, trying to improve his stiff relationship with his daughter, and analyze his attraction to the new prosecutor in town. I felt there were too many characters (mainly police) at points to keep track of, but in general, enjoyed the book. I'll continue with the series.
nglofile's review against another edition
1.0
This is definitely an example of a series that shouldn't be judged by its first entry. I was introduced to Mankell through the adaptations starring Kenneth Branagh. The flavor was intriguing, so I sought out the first Wallander novel. I wouldn't recommend it. Many of the characters are indistinguishable, and the solution unsatisfying.
bookgardendc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mirlezen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bookishwendy's review against another edition
3.0
For some reason this Scandinavian crime novel hit the spot. Maybe because the autumn weather is starting to be noticeable here in Southern Arizona (and by that I mean today was a chilly 60 degrees. brrr!) Comparisons to Steig Larsson come to mind (I only read GwtDT#1)--this one is similarly a wintry Swedish police procedural in which a lonely divorcee cop tracks down the perpetrators of a hate crime. Only Faceless Killers is more tightly written and paced. There are zero 100+ page tangents into random Swedish laws and policies. The prose (or translation?) is also more competently handled. However, there are also none of the sensational tattooed ladies or violent sex that made GwtDT so popular. Come to think of it, there's nothing really notable about this novel except that it's...just good. Not great, or unique, but good.
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
Another one that I can't seem to get into at the moment, but intend to return to.