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Inspector Van Veeteren #6
Münsters Fall
Vier Rentner feiern in einer Kneipe ihren Lottogewinn. Reichlich angetrunken machen sich die vier auf den Heimweg. Stunden später ist einer von ihnen tot, hinterrücks erstochen in seiner eigenen Wohnung. Kommissar Münster übernimmt den Fall, denn Kommissar Van Veeteren hat sich für ein Jahr beurlauben lassen und arbeitet in einem Antiquariat. Doch keiner seiner Kollegen glaubt, dass er von der Ermittlungsarbeit lassen kann. Und in der Tat holt sich Münster schon bald Rat bei Van Veeteren, denn der Fall wird immer mysteriöser. So präsentiert sich die Witwe des Opfers als Täterin und legt ein Geständnis ab. Van Veeteren ist überzeugt, dass sie lügt...
(Four retirees celebrate their lottery win in a pub. Drowned in drunkenness, the four are making their way home. Hours later, one of them is dead, stabbed in the back of his own apartment. Commissioner Münster takes over the case, because Commissioner Van Veeteren has taken a leave of absence for a year and works in a second-hand bookshop. But none of his colleagues believes that he can let go of the investigation work. In fact, Münster is soon consulting Van Veeteren, because the case is becoming more and more mysterious. So presents the victim's widow as perpetrator and makes a confession. Van Veeteren is convinced that she is lying ... )
(Four retirees celebrate their lottery win in a pub. Drowned in drunkenness, the four are making their way home. Hours later, one of them is dead, stabbed in the back of his own apartment. Commissioner Münster takes over the case, because Commissioner Van Veeteren has taken a leave of absence for a year and works in a second-hand bookshop. But none of his colleagues believes that he can let go of the investigation work. In fact, Münster is soon consulting Van Veeteren, because the case is becoming more and more mysterious. So presents the victim's widow as perpetrator and makes a confession. Van Veeteren is convinced that she is lying ... )
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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July 29, 2021
In this 6th book in the Swedish 'Inspector Van Veeteren" series, the detective's subordinate takes charge of a gruesome murder case. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Waldemar Leverkuhn and three of his friends are thrilled to discover they've won the lottery and go out to celebrate.
Returning home drunk and exhausted Leverkuhn falls into bed only to be murdered in his sleep. Chief Inspector Van Veeteren is on leave so his subordinate, Inspector Munster, is assigned the case. Munster soon learns that Leverkuhn was stabbed 28 times and that one of his fellow lottery winners is missing.
Questioning potential witnesses reveals that Leverkuhn's wife was visiting friends on the night of the murder and other residents of his building claim to have heard nothing. Leverkuhn's children are estranged from their parents and seem to know little about their lives.
In addition to having a stalled investigation, married Inspector Munster is distracted by fantasies about his attractive co-worker Ewa Moreno, who is trying to shed a neurotic boyfriend. To add to the Leverkuhn mystery a formidable woman living in his building also disappears.
Munster carries on and discovers some dark secrets related to the crimes. My one quibble with the book is that this twist tends to be overused in crime novels. All in all I enjoyed the story which is well-written with interesting characters.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
July 16, 2017
As a big fan of this excellent series by Håkan Nesser I readily confess to having a particular fascination with Chief Inspector Van Veeteren. In this book, Van Veeteren is on sabbatical, happily wiling away the hours in Krantze’s antiquarian bookshop, supping red wine and “becoming acquainted with the stock”. Although Chief of Police Hiller is hoping that the great man will change his mind, he seems determined not to return to the travails of law enforcement after a career of more than thirty-years. Despite occasional ‘consultations’ on certain investigations, Van Veeteren isn’t an ever present character and does not appear until almost a quarter of the way through in this novel, however his philosophical pearls of wisdom and influence on the wider team is very much in evidence. The Unlucky Lottery therefore makes a great transition read with Van Veeteren distanced from matters, thereby allowing the lesser characters within his team to develop and emerge from the shadows. On the evidence of The Unlucky Lottery I feel that Nesser has provided some brilliantly distinctive characters with huge potential, most significantly Inspectors Münster and Ewa Moreno. The quintessential dry humour of author Håkan Nesser is a given and this fascinating case well and truly kept me on my toes!
Four retired gentlemen ranging in age from sixty-nine to seventy-two years of age discover the shock news that they have had an unexpected windfall on the lottery, winning a combined total of €20,000 and leaving them all richer to the tune of €5,000. Venturing out to celebrate their good fortune they head to their regular haunt with an extra spring in their step. Hours later one of the four men, Waldemar Leverkuhn, is discovered stabbed to death with in excess of twenty wounds. Wife Marie-Louise returns home and discovers the bloodbath and in the absence of Van Veeteren, Inspector Münster heads up the investigation. The lack of forensic clues along with the failure of the fellow residents living in the block to provide any witness accounts leaves Münster with a single starting point; the three other companions who he shared his final night in the company of - Felix Bonger, Benjamin Wauters and Jan Palinski. However, both Wauters and Palinski remain tight-lipped and Bonger promptly goes missing, and it falls to their waitress to share her suspicions of their good fortune.
The weapon - a carving knife - is the only thing that appears to be missing from the crime scene with the door left unlocked, but the frosty reception from the murdered man's wife and children concerns Münster and Moreno. The widower is taken under the wing of her former colleague, Emmeline Von Post, her only friend with daughter, Ruth, and son Mauritz, both keeping their distance and eldest daughter, Irene, resident in a psychiatric hospital for the preceding four years. Whilst Münster and his team recognise that it is easy to be judgmental about others familial relationships the investigation gets nowhere fast despite the brutality of the murder suggesting a frenzied attack with a long-standing hatred the motive. With forward progress stalled and Felix Bonger never appearing to even have made it home on the night in question, the disappearance of the caretakers wife from the block where Leverkuhn lived pushes Münster and Moreno to keep pursuing the matter. Venturing far and wide they question old colleagues and neighbours alike, but the behaviour of the family increasingly causes them to look closer to home with Van Veeteren’s advice proving truer than ever. Glossing over some clear questions surrounding doctor and patient confidentiality, despite the bleak revelations it is a joy to see Münster and Moreno assuming the mantle of Van Veeteren. With the Maardam team faced with three pensioners, one murder and two disappearances, working out the common denominator that links all three proves crucial as time moves on in a fascinating investigation.
Inspectors Münster and Moreno both have interesting personal circumstance and are multifaceted, with family man Münster’s workload and his wife's depression creating problems with his domestic circumstances. Inspector Moreno meanwhile has recently ended her relationship with Claus Badher, her long-term boyfriend of five-years and the obvious attraction between the two compliments a close working team. Despite Münster being reluctant to bother his prosaic mentor he attempts to follow his advice throughout this investigation reflecting on some of his choice advice, specifically that police work is rather like life and ninety five per cent of it is wasted!Despite Van Veeteren’s “bad-tempered expositions and gloomy observations” it is Münster that highlights the clear and “incorruptible spirit present under the surface”, and to a large extent this remains true even with Van Veeteren slightly removed from the action. Another excellent instalment in a wonderful series.
Four retired gentlemen ranging in age from sixty-nine to seventy-two years of age discover the shock news that they have had an unexpected windfall on the lottery, winning a combined total of €20,000 and leaving them all richer to the tune of €5,000. Venturing out to celebrate their good fortune they head to their regular haunt with an extra spring in their step. Hours later one of the four men, Waldemar Leverkuhn, is discovered stabbed to death with in excess of twenty wounds. Wife Marie-Louise returns home and discovers the bloodbath and in the absence of Van Veeteren, Inspector Münster heads up the investigation. The lack of forensic clues along with the failure of the fellow residents living in the block to provide any witness accounts leaves Münster with a single starting point; the three other companions who he shared his final night in the company of - Felix Bonger, Benjamin Wauters and Jan Palinski. However, both Wauters and Palinski remain tight-lipped and Bonger promptly goes missing, and it falls to their waitress to share her suspicions of their good fortune.
The weapon - a carving knife - is the only thing that appears to be missing from the crime scene with the door left unlocked, but the frosty reception from the murdered man's wife and children concerns Münster and Moreno. The widower is taken under the wing of her former colleague, Emmeline Von Post, her only friend with daughter, Ruth, and son Mauritz, both keeping their distance and eldest daughter, Irene, resident in a psychiatric hospital for the preceding four years. Whilst Münster and his team recognise that it is easy to be judgmental about others familial relationships the investigation gets nowhere fast despite the brutality of the murder suggesting a frenzied attack with a long-standing hatred the motive. With forward progress stalled and Felix Bonger never appearing to even have made it home on the night in question, the disappearance of the caretakers wife from the block where Leverkuhn lived pushes Münster and Moreno to keep pursuing the matter. Venturing far and wide they question old colleagues and neighbours alike, but the behaviour of the family increasingly causes them to look closer to home with Van Veeteren’s advice proving truer than ever. Glossing over some clear questions surrounding doctor and patient confidentiality, despite the bleak revelations it is a joy to see Münster and Moreno assuming the mantle of Van Veeteren. With the Maardam team faced with three pensioners, one murder and two disappearances, working out the common denominator that links all three proves crucial as time moves on in a fascinating investigation.
Inspectors Münster and Moreno both have interesting personal circumstance and are multifaceted, with family man Münster’s workload and his wife's depression creating problems with his domestic circumstances. Inspector Moreno meanwhile has recently ended her relationship with Claus Badher, her long-term boyfriend of five-years and the obvious attraction between the two compliments a close working team. Despite Münster being reluctant to bother his prosaic mentor he attempts to follow his advice throughout this investigation reflecting on some of his choice advice, specifically that police work is rather like life and ninety five per cent of it is wasted!Despite Van Veeteren’s “bad-tempered expositions and gloomy observations” it is Münster that highlights the clear and “incorruptible spirit present under the surface”, and to a large extent this remains true even with Van Veeteren slightly removed from the action. Another excellent instalment in a wonderful series.
December 14, 2018
Not a lot of Van Veeteren, Not a curious mystery.
What the author does show us an example of "The Peter Principle" in the worst of all places, government employment where there is little accountability to the people.
What the author does show us an example of "The Peter Principle" in the worst of all places, government employment where there is little accountability to the people.
April 20, 2012
When I began reading in earnest a couple of years ago I never imagined for one minute that among my favourite books to read would be translations; crime yes, translations no. Books set in foreign countries with foreign laws, foreign foods, foreign customs and foreign sounding names. Have I said foreign enough?! I probably have so I’ll move along swiftly! Although I’ve only read one previous novel by Håkan Nesser – The Inspector and The Silence reviewed here - I can safely say that he is already one of my favourite Swedish authors and whenever I get the opportunity to read one of his titles I’ll be sure to grab it with both hands!
The Unlucky Lottery, once again set in Sorbinowo - a forested Swedish lake side town - is an enjoyable romp that explores not only murder but deeply hidden secrets, secrets that have stayed undiscovered and undisclosed for decades until one pivotal moment causes a ripple effect that changes the lives of all those around it.
In Håkan’s previous book – The Inspector and The Silence – it was driven for the most part by Inspector Van Veeteren, a curious, colourful and enigmatic character that certainly carried the book. Towards the end of that book we discover that Van Veeteren has decided to take a sabbatical and work in an antique book store much to the chagrin of his fellow officers. The Unlucky Lottery follows on from this decision, months down the line in fact, and Van Veeteren is comfortable, relaxed and still enjoying the life of leisure, rolling his own cigarettes and sitting in a comfortable chair staring at antique books – getting to know his books he calls it.
In fact, Van Veeteren plays but a cameo role in this book which in turn allows another character to step forward and bask in the limelight - Inspector Münster. Although out of sight, Van Veeteren is never out of mind and the police officers often refer to the great master and comment on how he would approach a particular suspect and pondering what he would do in their shoes.
Full review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2012/04/20...
The Unlucky Lottery, once again set in Sorbinowo - a forested Swedish lake side town - is an enjoyable romp that explores not only murder but deeply hidden secrets, secrets that have stayed undiscovered and undisclosed for decades until one pivotal moment causes a ripple effect that changes the lives of all those around it.
In Håkan’s previous book – The Inspector and The Silence – it was driven for the most part by Inspector Van Veeteren, a curious, colourful and enigmatic character that certainly carried the book. Towards the end of that book we discover that Van Veeteren has decided to take a sabbatical and work in an antique book store much to the chagrin of his fellow officers. The Unlucky Lottery follows on from this decision, months down the line in fact, and Van Veeteren is comfortable, relaxed and still enjoying the life of leisure, rolling his own cigarettes and sitting in a comfortable chair staring at antique books – getting to know his books he calls it.
In fact, Van Veeteren plays but a cameo role in this book which in turn allows another character to step forward and bask in the limelight - Inspector Münster. Although out of sight, Van Veeteren is never out of mind and the police officers often refer to the great master and comment on how he would approach a particular suspect and pondering what he would do in their shoes.
Full review on my blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2012/04/20...
November 12, 2016
Hakan Nesser's crime series usually features Chief Inspector Van Veerten. He is on a sabbatical, looking after an antiquarian book shop and contemplating the classics with a glass of wine at hand. His absence is why this book is called Munster's Case as Inspector Munster is in charge of a puzzling murder.
A man in his seventies hits the lottery jackpot with a group of his cronies. Jackpot is a bit of a misnomer, in today's dollars it would be about $30,000. (No, I didn't figure this out in kronors). The four buddies celebrate with copious amounts of alcohol and Waldemar Leverkuhn staggers home. When his wife arrives later, she finds Waldemar in bed stabbed to death. Oh, the highs and lows of life. No one in their apartment building heard anything, the victim didn't seem to have any enemies. Adding to the complexity, two other people with connections to the victim go missing over the next while.
Munster isn't quite the intellectual detective that Van Veerten is, but he tries to think outside of the box. This was another enjoyable entry in Nesser's series which sets aside the adrenaline rush for a more thoughtful form of policing.
A man in his seventies hits the lottery jackpot with a group of his cronies. Jackpot is a bit of a misnomer, in today's dollars it would be about $30,000. (No, I didn't figure this out in kronors). The four buddies celebrate with copious amounts of alcohol and Waldemar Leverkuhn staggers home. When his wife arrives later, she finds Waldemar in bed stabbed to death. Oh, the highs and lows of life. No one in their apartment building heard anything, the victim didn't seem to have any enemies. Adding to the complexity, two other people with connections to the victim go missing over the next while.
Munster isn't quite the intellectual detective that Van Veerten is, but he tries to think outside of the box. This was another enjoyable entry in Nesser's series which sets aside the adrenaline rush for a more thoughtful form of policing.
October 19, 2011
With The Unlucky Lottery, I've now read all of Nesser's books that have been translated into English, and I must say, they are among the finest novels of crime fiction coming out of Scandinavia. Sadly now I have to bide my time until the next one is translated and published. This novel offers its reader an intriguing mystery or two, a compelling story and absolutely some of the best characterizations in the genre.
The story begins when four older men realize they've won 20,000 euros in the lottery, to be split four ways. First, though, the plan is to go out for a "knees-up in Capernaum" to celebrate. By the end of the evening, Waldemar Leverkuhn will go home very drunk and tumble into his bed. By the time his wife sees him again, he'll be dead, with over twenty stab wounds in his body, soaking in his own blood. And just as the police are getting into their investigation, two other events of interest occur: one of the Leverkuhn's neighbors disappears and one of the original four lottery winners goes missing as well. Munster and his colleagues have their hands full trying to sort out this case, which takes one twisty turn after another, but they are left to do it with only a minimum amount of help from Van Veeteren, who is on a year's leave of absence. His trusty assistant Reinhart is also away on paternity leave. It's up to those officers who previously have been more or less on the sidelines of Nesser's other novels to solve the case.
Although murder and mayhem abound, and the book's focus is on the crime and its solution, Nesser also uses this space to explore other topics, especially the toll that police work puts on his characters' lives. Van Veeteren, of course, has had enough, and is "focused on beauty and pleasure nowadays" in a wing-backed chair in an antiquarian book store, yet he offers his help once in a while, putting his "oar in," as a friend calls it. Münster's family life is beginning to suffer as his work keeps him away from home and his wife realizes that there has to be more to their lives. Moreno finds herself putting work at a distance as she deals with ending a long-term ongoing relationship with her boyfriend. Nesser also goes back to what seems to be a favorite pastime of his -- examining how past events play a role in shaping an individual's psyche, and above all, the nature of justice: what the police call murder, someone else may call retribution -- it's all a matter of perspective.
The book has a rather chilling twist, which gives the reader pause to think about deeds and consequences, about justice and about the reader's own ideas about the rightness or wrongness of one's actions given certain circumstances. I love books like this -- far from just a series of events that take you from point a to point b, from the crime to the solution, there's another layer inserted between the lines that gives the reader pause to think about his or her feelings on the matter. Not that I don't like a good, old-fashioned point a to point b kind of crime novel sometimes, because I do, but this extra layer of self examination elevates this book from just another novel of crime fiction out there on the shelves.
The Unlucky Lottery is absorbing, and scattered throughout is a bit of sarcastic humor, another trademark of Nesser's writing. Getting nit-picky here, I have to question the validity of using tape recordings of psychoanalytic therapy that someone just hands over to the cops -- Maardam may be a fictional place, but it seems to me that the laws of doctor-patient confidentiality are pretty standard everywhere, so this part did not ring true at all, and it seemed to be a rather unfair ploy the author used to further the story. And perhaps the characters' lives are a little too much in depth for most readers of crime fiction -- I like good character development, but let's move along already in some cases! Other than those minor issues that bugged me a bit, The Unlucky Lottery is another awesome book -- but I must say, I do hope Van Veeteren isn't totally sidelined in the rest of the series.
The story begins when four older men realize they've won 20,000 euros in the lottery, to be split four ways. First, though, the plan is to go out for a "knees-up in Capernaum" to celebrate. By the end of the evening, Waldemar Leverkuhn will go home very drunk and tumble into his bed. By the time his wife sees him again, he'll be dead, with over twenty stab wounds in his body, soaking in his own blood. And just as the police are getting into their investigation, two other events of interest occur: one of the Leverkuhn's neighbors disappears and one of the original four lottery winners goes missing as well. Munster and his colleagues have their hands full trying to sort out this case, which takes one twisty turn after another, but they are left to do it with only a minimum amount of help from Van Veeteren, who is on a year's leave of absence. His trusty assistant Reinhart is also away on paternity leave. It's up to those officers who previously have been more or less on the sidelines of Nesser's other novels to solve the case.
Although murder and mayhem abound, and the book's focus is on the crime and its solution, Nesser also uses this space to explore other topics, especially the toll that police work puts on his characters' lives. Van Veeteren, of course, has had enough, and is "focused on beauty and pleasure nowadays" in a wing-backed chair in an antiquarian book store, yet he offers his help once in a while, putting his "oar in," as a friend calls it. Münster's family life is beginning to suffer as his work keeps him away from home and his wife realizes that there has to be more to their lives. Moreno finds herself putting work at a distance as she deals with ending a long-term ongoing relationship with her boyfriend. Nesser also goes back to what seems to be a favorite pastime of his -- examining how past events play a role in shaping an individual's psyche, and above all, the nature of justice: what the police call murder, someone else may call retribution -- it's all a matter of perspective.
The book has a rather chilling twist, which gives the reader pause to think about deeds and consequences, about justice and about the reader's own ideas about the rightness or wrongness of one's actions given certain circumstances. I love books like this -- far from just a series of events that take you from point a to point b, from the crime to the solution, there's another layer inserted between the lines that gives the reader pause to think about his or her feelings on the matter. Not that I don't like a good, old-fashioned point a to point b kind of crime novel sometimes, because I do, but this extra layer of self examination elevates this book from just another novel of crime fiction out there on the shelves.
The Unlucky Lottery is absorbing, and scattered throughout is a bit of sarcastic humor, another trademark of Nesser's writing. Getting nit-picky here, I have to question the validity of using tape recordings of psychoanalytic therapy that someone just hands over to the cops -- Maardam may be a fictional place, but it seems to me that the laws of doctor-patient confidentiality are pretty standard everywhere, so this part did not ring true at all, and it seemed to be a rather unfair ploy the author used to further the story. And perhaps the characters' lives are a little too much in depth for most readers of crime fiction -- I like good character development, but let's move along already in some cases! Other than those minor issues that bugged me a bit, The Unlucky Lottery is another awesome book -- but I must say, I do hope Van Veeteren isn't totally sidelined in the rest of the series.
September 10, 2020
Although one of the books in author Hakan Nesser's Inspector Van Veeteren series, the lead protagonist in this story is Van Veeteren's subordinate, Inspector Munster. Van Veeteren makes a few well-timed cameos but otherwise is left to enjoy his sabbatical.
Four older gentlemen find themselves the winners of a lottery, with 20,000 guilders the prize. On the night the four friends meet to celebrate their win, one of the four is murdered and another of them goes missing.
Inspector Munster heads the investigation into the murder but is unsure that his friend's disappearance is related to the stabbing death. There is little in the way of evidence and even fewer suspects.
It is a long and convoluted investigation. The murder seems as if may go unsolved. Is Munster up to the task?
Four older gentlemen find themselves the winners of a lottery, with 20,000 guilders the prize. On the night the four friends meet to celebrate their win, one of the four is murdered and another of them goes missing.
Inspector Munster heads the investigation into the murder but is unsure that his friend's disappearance is related to the stabbing death. There is little in the way of evidence and even fewer suspects.
It is a long and convoluted investigation. The murder seems as if may go unsolved. Is Munster up to the task?
August 31, 2012
This is the 6th entry in the Van Veeteren series. I have contended that this series is plot, rather than character-driven, and that is why I enjoy this series. This latest novel, however, has changed my opinion of this series.
Van Veeteren really is the heart and soul of this series. How do I know? This novel does not feature the venerable Chief Inspector and suffers dearly for it.
Briefly: Waldemar Leverkuhn is a man with little joy in his life. When he and his three friends win the lottery, there is, for a moment, sunshine in his bleak existence. Though the friends are able to celebrate their winnings, their celebration is short-lived. After returning home that night, Leverkuhn is stabbed to death. And then, just as mysteriously, one of his other lottery-winning pals disappears.
It is up to Intendent Münster and Ewa Moreno to find the killer. Obviously, they are not quite up to the task. And yes, they have to consult Van Veeteren.
I missed VV’s mental processes in solving the mystery. I missed his drinking. And I missed him playing badminton. Hopefully, Van Veeteren will be returning to the force because he is sorely needed!
Van Veeteren really is the heart and soul of this series. How do I know? This novel does not feature the venerable Chief Inspector and suffers dearly for it.
Briefly: Waldemar Leverkuhn is a man with little joy in his life. When he and his three friends win the lottery, there is, for a moment, sunshine in his bleak existence. Though the friends are able to celebrate their winnings, their celebration is short-lived. After returning home that night, Leverkuhn is stabbed to death. And then, just as mysteriously, one of his other lottery-winning pals disappears.
It is up to Intendent Münster and Ewa Moreno to find the killer. Obviously, they are not quite up to the task. And yes, they have to consult Van Veeteren.
I missed VV’s mental processes in solving the mystery. I missed his drinking. And I missed him playing badminton. Hopefully, Van Veeteren will be returning to the force because he is sorely needed!
August 8, 2012
Some readers may feel cheated in that Van Veeteren is not the lead detective in this latest story, number 6 in this series. However he does hover and meet with Munster from time to time, and he is often noticed in his absence and remembered for his sayings and methods. In this way we learn more about him and his team blossoms in his absence.
A simple story of Shakespearean quality, a clever mystery which exposes motives, responsibility and love. There is misdirection from the start but this baffling of the reader mirrors the confusion of the detective team. Masterfully crafted insights into a dysfunctional family who seem reluctant to reveal their secrets.
Two gruesome murders; lives changed forever but no-one seems to have seen or heard anything.
What I really like about Nesser's writing is its economy of words, rich descriptions, in setting of mood and character but always leaving the reader time to absorb the writing.
When the book finishes you are pleased about the time you have taken in his company, having been entertained and had your mind exercised.
A simple story of Shakespearean quality, a clever mystery which exposes motives, responsibility and love. There is misdirection from the start but this baffling of the reader mirrors the confusion of the detective team. Masterfully crafted insights into a dysfunctional family who seem reluctant to reveal their secrets.
Two gruesome murders; lives changed forever but no-one seems to have seen or heard anything.
What I really like about Nesser's writing is its economy of words, rich descriptions, in setting of mood and character but always leaving the reader time to absorb the writing.
When the book finishes you are pleased about the time you have taken in his company, having been entertained and had your mind exercised.
January 15, 2016
3.5 stars
The first 2 3rds of this was such a chore to get through. Quite slow and rehashing of the same information that became really tedious, had to skim read until it started picking up in the last 3rd. It did pick up well and I'd already guessed the majority of the twists but it was a fun section.
Could've lost 5-8 chapters and still conveyed the story and kept the momentum going rather than slowing it down.
Maybe it reads better in its intended language, I'll blame the translation.
The first 2 3rds of this was such a chore to get through. Quite slow and rehashing of the same information that became really tedious, had to skim read until it started picking up in the last 3rd. It did pick up well and I'd already guessed the majority of the twists but it was a fun section.
Could've lost 5-8 chapters and still conveyed the story and kept the momentum going rather than slowing it down.
Maybe it reads better in its intended language, I'll blame the translation.
January 1, 2019
Il piacere di leggere
Comincio il primo dell'anno con una fine: di un ennesimo libro di Hakan Nesser, che ormai posso dire senza tema di dovermi ricredere, è nella rosa dei giallisti nordici che mi appassionano.
Una storia che è cominciata con un particolare a cui ho prestato attenzione, che poi si è ingarbugliata colorandosi di macabro e mi son sentita sviata; a più della metà si è affacciata alla mia mente un'ipotesi, non sbagliavo, ma un po' mi son sbagliata lo stesso, ho dovuto ammettere alla fine.
In tutto il mio percorso mentale, son stata ben accompagnata dal simpatico e un po' in crisi sovrintendente Munster; dai suoi agenti, uno più accattivante dell'altro, mentre sono entrata in forte empatia con l'ispettore Ewa Moreno, alle prese con i ribaltoni della vita (ma per essere precisi, dovrei dire con i ribaltoni che gli esseri umani sono capaci di fare, perché la sostanza umana è plasmata da materia che ha nome volubilità); infine dal riflessivo e a tratti enigmatico Van Veeteren (vecchia volpe!), il commissario ormai in pensione che si dedica alla sua libreria antiquaria, ma non ha perso il suo brillante intuito sostenuto da un'altrettanto brillante capacità deduttiva.
Si capisce che è stata una lettura molto gradevole, sì?
P.S. Unico neo: le date di pubblicazione dei libri di Nesser non seguono l'ordine cronologico della scrittura, per cui, per esempio, in questo libro non è ancora successo a Van Veeteren quello che io so da un bel mucchio di tempo, avendo letto anni fa Carambole. Che, detto per inciso, è il giallo che ancora occupa la prima posizione nel mio indice di gradimento dei gialli di Nesser.
Comincio il primo dell'anno con una fine: di un ennesimo libro di Hakan Nesser, che ormai posso dire senza tema di dovermi ricredere, è nella rosa dei giallisti nordici che mi appassionano.
Una storia che è cominciata con un particolare a cui ho prestato attenzione, che poi si è ingarbugliata colorandosi di macabro e mi son sentita sviata; a più della metà si è affacciata alla mia mente un'ipotesi, non sbagliavo, ma un po' mi son sbagliata lo stesso, ho dovuto ammettere alla fine.
In tutto il mio percorso mentale, son stata ben accompagnata dal simpatico e un po' in crisi sovrintendente Munster; dai suoi agenti, uno più accattivante dell'altro, mentre sono entrata in forte empatia con l'ispettore Ewa Moreno, alle prese con i ribaltoni della vita (ma per essere precisi, dovrei dire con i ribaltoni che gli esseri umani sono capaci di fare, perché la sostanza umana è plasmata da materia che ha nome volubilità); infine dal riflessivo e a tratti enigmatico Van Veeteren (vecchia volpe!), il commissario ormai in pensione che si dedica alla sua libreria antiquaria, ma non ha perso il suo brillante intuito sostenuto da un'altrettanto brillante capacità deduttiva.
Si capisce che è stata una lettura molto gradevole, sì?
P.S. Unico neo: le date di pubblicazione dei libri di Nesser non seguono l'ordine cronologico della scrittura, per cui, per esempio, in questo libro non è ancora successo a Van Veeteren quello che io so da un bel mucchio di tempo, avendo letto anni fa Carambole. Che, detto per inciso, è il giallo che ancora occupa la prima posizione nel mio indice di gradimento dei gialli di Nesser.
August 26, 2016
Velmi dobrá detektivka, troufám si tvrdit, že jedna z nejlepších, co jsem od autora četla. S překvapujícím dějem. A tak to má být. :-)
March 29, 2021
The Unlucky Lottery by Hakan Nesser - OK
Not sure if it was because I jumped in part way through a series, but I didn't feel that I got to know the characters of the various detectives involved. Ignoring that, the story was quite pacy if a little bizarre in places.
A group of pensioners win 20,000 Euros in the lottery and go out to celebrate. Next day, one has been murdered and another is missing. And so the investigation begins. There are twists and turns but no obvious suspects. I must admit there was one thing that I thought the police should do, which they didn't until late on in the enquiry. Maybe if they had, fewer people would have died.
One other point, I did feel the translation was a little clunky in places. Some of the colloquialisms just didn't quite work.
Still enjoyed reading it although I won't be searching out any others in the series.
Not sure if it was because I jumped in part way through a series, but I didn't feel that I got to know the characters of the various detectives involved. Ignoring that, the story was quite pacy if a little bizarre in places.
A group of pensioners win 20,000 Euros in the lottery and go out to celebrate. Next day, one has been murdered and another is missing. And so the investigation begins. There are twists and turns but no obvious suspects. I must admit there was one thing that I thought the police should do, which they didn't until late on in the enquiry. Maybe if they had, fewer people would have died.
One other point, I did feel the translation was a little clunky in places. Some of the colloquialisms just didn't quite work.
Still enjoyed reading it although I won't be searching out any others in the series.
July 29, 2017
Excellent entry in this series. I always liked sensible Munster as contrasted to VV, but especially this time as he led a tough case well.
February 9, 2017
"A human being is a riddle. An unsolvable bloody riddle."
No sexto livro da série de Van Veeteren, encontramos o frequentemente mal-humorado inspector chefe em licença prolongada e sem intenção de voltar a trabalhar na força policial. Há um ano que a sua antiga equipa trabalha sem ele, sentido muito a falta da sua experiência e intuição, enquanto Van Veeteren dirige uma livraria.
Pela primeira vez desde o início desta série, Van Veeteren está quase ausente do enredo. Contudo, a sua presença é sentida e a sua influência fundamental para o desenrolar dos acontecimentos. A acção principal foca-se no seu melhor amigo Münster, um homem introspectivo e competente que, sem Van Veeteren e o perspicaz Reinhardt - que se encontra em licença de paternidade - se vê na obrigação de liderar a equipa de Estocolmo numa investigação de um crime, aparentemente perpetuado sem motivo.
Quatro amigos reformados ganham uma quantia generosa na lotaria. Como seria de esperar, decidem sair para celebrar o acontecimento, acabando a noite embriagados e felizes. Teria sido uma noite perfeitamente normal, não fosse um dos idosos, Waldemar Leverkuhn, ser encontrado assassinado na sua cama, algumas horas depois, pela mulher que regressava da casa de uma amiga.
O "Caso de Waldemar Leverkuhn" é bastante simples de expor: por uma razão desconhecida, um homem ou uma mulher anónimo, esfaqueou vinte e oito vezes um reformado indefeso.
"Police work is like life: 95% of it is wasted."
Münster, juntamente com Moreno, Rooth e Jung, segue várias pistas que acabam por o levar a caminhos sem saída. Para além das inúmeras entrevistas inúteis e falta de testemunhas, com responsabilidades acrescidas, o inspector encontra-se, pela primeira vez, com problemas no seu casamento. Com cada vez menos tempo para a mulher e os dois filhos, Münster vê-se atraído pela colega Moreno, que acabou recentemente uma relação de longa data e se encontra fragilizada e insegura. O desejo de ambos está implícito nas suas conversas, como colegas e como amigos, e é interessante presenciar a guerra dos sexos que travam intencionalmente.
"Life is a symphony."
Van Veeteren vê-se envolvido quando o seu melhor amigo lhe pede ajuda e, mais uma vez, a sua intenção desempenha uma papel fulcral. Actualmente o ex Inspector Chefe diz só se dedicar "à beleza e ao prazer", mas não resiste a deixar-se envolver no violento e misterioso crime. Finalmente, e por incrível que pareça, deixou de vez os palitos que acredita se ter tornado um vicio. Agora comprou uma máquina de fazer cigarros. "Arte", chama-lhe ele.
Quanto à sua vida pessoal, corre às mil maravilhas. Foi durante uma investigação que, pela primeira vez, Van Veeteren conheceu Ulrike Fremdli, enquanto procurava o assassino do seu marido - "A Woman With a Birthmark". Na ocasião sentiu o seu coração, há muito solitário, despertar, como se de um adolescente se tratasse. Mais de um ano mais tarde, com o mesmo sentimento presente, decidiu entrar em contacto com ela. Em "The Unlucky Lottery", no dia um de Janeiro, após uma passagem de ano a dois, o ex Inspector Chefe acorda, mais um vez, feliz da vida ao lado da mulher que deseja. E o que acontece após o despertar? Van Veeteren pede-lhe ajuda para interpretar um estranho sonho que envolve o melhor amigo, e antigo colega, Münster. Sente que ele está em perigo.
"The most shameful thing in life. You can be as stupid as they come, a racist, a sadist, obese and stink like a skunk, a practising paedophile - but you have to have friends."
Tal como os livros anteriores, também "The Unlucky Lottery" é um obra de ficção policial de qualidade sublime, onde não falta o contraste maravilhoso entre o humor inteligente de Håkan Nesser e a realidade crua e dura enfrentada pelas suas personagens. Quanto ao desfecho, para além de surpreendente, destaque as forças do bem e do mal e, principalmente, a fragilidade que caracteriza a linha que as divide. Mais do que ficção, um livro que nos leva a reflectir.
Quanto a mim, não vivo no preto, nem no branco, fico-me pelo cinzento. Quem se atreve a julgar-me?
"It's hardly likely to be a story with a happy end if we're involved in it."
No sexto livro da série de Van Veeteren, encontramos o frequentemente mal-humorado inspector chefe em licença prolongada e sem intenção de voltar a trabalhar na força policial. Há um ano que a sua antiga equipa trabalha sem ele, sentido muito a falta da sua experiência e intuição, enquanto Van Veeteren dirige uma livraria.
Pela primeira vez desde o início desta série, Van Veeteren está quase ausente do enredo. Contudo, a sua presença é sentida e a sua influência fundamental para o desenrolar dos acontecimentos. A acção principal foca-se no seu melhor amigo Münster, um homem introspectivo e competente que, sem Van Veeteren e o perspicaz Reinhardt - que se encontra em licença de paternidade - se vê na obrigação de liderar a equipa de Estocolmo numa investigação de um crime, aparentemente perpetuado sem motivo.
Quatro amigos reformados ganham uma quantia generosa na lotaria. Como seria de esperar, decidem sair para celebrar o acontecimento, acabando a noite embriagados e felizes. Teria sido uma noite perfeitamente normal, não fosse um dos idosos, Waldemar Leverkuhn, ser encontrado assassinado na sua cama, algumas horas depois, pela mulher que regressava da casa de uma amiga.
O "Caso de Waldemar Leverkuhn" é bastante simples de expor: por uma razão desconhecida, um homem ou uma mulher anónimo, esfaqueou vinte e oito vezes um reformado indefeso.
"Police work is like life: 95% of it is wasted."
Münster, juntamente com Moreno, Rooth e Jung, segue várias pistas que acabam por o levar a caminhos sem saída. Para além das inúmeras entrevistas inúteis e falta de testemunhas, com responsabilidades acrescidas, o inspector encontra-se, pela primeira vez, com problemas no seu casamento. Com cada vez menos tempo para a mulher e os dois filhos, Münster vê-se atraído pela colega Moreno, que acabou recentemente uma relação de longa data e se encontra fragilizada e insegura. O desejo de ambos está implícito nas suas conversas, como colegas e como amigos, e é interessante presenciar a guerra dos sexos que travam intencionalmente.
"Life is a symphony."
Van Veeteren vê-se envolvido quando o seu melhor amigo lhe pede ajuda e, mais uma vez, a sua intenção desempenha uma papel fulcral. Actualmente o ex Inspector Chefe diz só se dedicar "à beleza e ao prazer", mas não resiste a deixar-se envolver no violento e misterioso crime. Finalmente, e por incrível que pareça, deixou de vez os palitos que acredita se ter tornado um vicio. Agora comprou uma máquina de fazer cigarros. "Arte", chama-lhe ele.
Quanto à sua vida pessoal, corre às mil maravilhas. Foi durante uma investigação que, pela primeira vez, Van Veeteren conheceu Ulrike Fremdli, enquanto procurava o assassino do seu marido - "A Woman With a Birthmark". Na ocasião sentiu o seu coração, há muito solitário, despertar, como se de um adolescente se tratasse. Mais de um ano mais tarde, com o mesmo sentimento presente, decidiu entrar em contacto com ela. Em "The Unlucky Lottery", no dia um de Janeiro, após uma passagem de ano a dois, o ex Inspector Chefe acorda, mais um vez, feliz da vida ao lado da mulher que deseja. E o que acontece após o despertar? Van Veeteren pede-lhe ajuda para interpretar um estranho sonho que envolve o melhor amigo, e antigo colega, Münster. Sente que ele está em perigo.
"The most shameful thing in life. You can be as stupid as they come, a racist, a sadist, obese and stink like a skunk, a practising paedophile - but you have to have friends."
Tal como os livros anteriores, também "The Unlucky Lottery" é um obra de ficção policial de qualidade sublime, onde não falta o contraste maravilhoso entre o humor inteligente de Håkan Nesser e a realidade crua e dura enfrentada pelas suas personagens. Quanto ao desfecho, para além de surpreendente, destaque as forças do bem e do mal e, principalmente, a fragilidade que caracteriza a linha que as divide. Mais do que ficção, um livro que nos leva a reflectir.
Quanto a mim, não vivo no preto, nem no branco, fico-me pelo cinzento. Quem se atreve a julgar-me?
"It's hardly likely to be a story with a happy end if we're involved in it."
October 23, 2012
I read all of the other titles in the Van Veeteren series and was looking forward to Nesser's latest who-dunnit. Sadly, and maybe because I have been spoiled by author Tana French (for serious Mystery readers, you must read her work--starting with _Into The Woods_), I found Munster's Case to have many shortcomings.
The writing seemed slip shod, like marbles rolling out of a bag on a slippery surface and spreading out all directions. The dialogue did not reflect intelligent thought of experienced detectives, but seemingly absent-minded people mulling about. I cared about as much for the characters as I do for wearing a hair shirt.
The writing seemed slip shod, like marbles rolling out of a bag on a slippery surface and spreading out all directions. The dialogue did not reflect intelligent thought of experienced detectives, but seemingly absent-minded people mulling about. I cared about as much for the characters as I do for wearing a hair shirt.
March 15, 2014
I really liked this installment. The writing was just . . . different than past books. While the mysteries in the book are a bit grisly and do lend themselves to reading on to find out what happened (a murder, missing people, suicide....all related or not?), there was more of a light hearted feel about the investigators/characters, particularly Jung and Rooth. Moreno and Munster are clearly going through personal issues and VanVeeten is only there for a moment - I guess to keep him in the game but that's fine. And a nice change from some of the darker moods of the previous stories. This one wasn't so much a surprise at the end but was really just plain sad.
April 22, 2018
Oh, a typical Van Veeteren mystery -- only this time with less of VV and more of Munster. Always a pleasant listen, especially with expert Simon Vance doing the narration.
One thing about which I'm going to rant right now is the choice of names for characters, although it wasn't too terrible in this book. One of the characters on the police force has the name of Rooth. Since I listen mostly and seldom read anymore, Rooth in my head has always been Ruth. (I had to search high and low to find how Nesser actually spelled his name.) Anyway, one of the characters in this book was named Ruth, which caused only a bit of confusion on my part. Had I been reading rather than listening, of course my brain would have seen the two names very differently.
However in ancient history I tried reading John Le Carre and had to give up. With thousands of names to choose from it seems he named all of his characters Alan, Allen, Albert, Alexander, Alex, Alexis, Alexandria, Alberta and Alene. By page three I was very confused. Was it Alan who killed the guy? Or was it Allen? Is Alexander the good guy? And he was seduced by Alexis? So if they got married, they'd be Alex and Alex? I really think one of them could have been called Pete. Even if he required a name that began with Al, perhaps he could have been called by his middle name just out of courtesy to the reader.
I'm kidding of course. ALL the characters weren't Als. Besides, I know it's more reader error than anything else.
One thing about which I'm going to rant right now is the choice of names for characters, although it wasn't too terrible in this book. One of the characters on the police force has the name of Rooth. Since I listen mostly and seldom read anymore, Rooth in my head has always been Ruth. (I had to search high and low to find how Nesser actually spelled his name.) Anyway, one of the characters in this book was named Ruth, which caused only a bit of confusion on my part. Had I been reading rather than listening, of course my brain would have seen the two names very differently.
However in ancient history I tried reading John Le Carre and had to give up. With thousands of names to choose from it seems he named all of his characters Alan, Allen, Albert, Alexander, Alex, Alexis, Alexandria, Alberta and Alene. By page three I was very confused. Was it Alan who killed the guy? Or was it Allen? Is Alexander the good guy? And he was seduced by Alexis? So if they got married, they'd be Alex and Alex? I really think one of them could have been called Pete. Even if he required a name that began with Al, perhaps he could have been called by his middle name just out of courtesy to the reader.
I'm kidding of course. ALL the characters weren't Als. Besides, I know it's more reader error than anything else.
July 14, 2018
Interesting story, as are all his whodunits, but I found this one a slog. More of (for the moment, in this book, former) inspector Van Veteering and less of Munster would have helped.
Note: I did not read this book "two times," as it says above, only accidentally accessed the Swedish version and then couldn't delete it. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me how to do that.
Note: I did not read this book "two times," as it says above, only accidentally accessed the Swedish version and then couldn't delete it. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me how to do that.
July 10, 2017
Impeccabile! La giusta dose di tutto e come succede per i dolci.. il risultato è perfetto.
October 28, 2019
I didn’t see it coming; great twists.
February 1, 2023
Thrilling
March 16, 2018
Nesser come suo solito regali ai lettori un giallo stimolante, mai prevedibile che tocca tematiche molto delicate.
A parer mio Carambole è inarrivabile come romanzo mentre questo, per quanto interessante, in certi passaggi lascia supporre si tratti di quei romanzi che gli editori chiedono ai loro autori perché certi delle vendite e del successo editoriale.
Resta comunque una interessante e piacevole lettura che ne giustifica ampiamente il costo.
A parer mio Carambole è inarrivabile come romanzo mentre questo, per quanto interessante, in certi passaggi lascia supporre si tratti di quei romanzi che gli editori chiedono ai loro autori perché certi delle vendite e del successo editoriale.
Resta comunque una interessante e piacevole lettura che ne giustifica ampiamente il costo.
January 26, 2023
Another great Nordic mystery. Excellent series.
January 5, 2024
A sad story within a police procedural. Don’t read if you’ll be tempted to go into the darkness beyond the book. Good characters within the police
March 4, 2017
This is the third book I've read in this series but I never really got to grips with this one. From the start I found it hard to keep track of the names of the characters & who was who. A combination of this & the lack of interest in the rather slow story led to me not giving the story my full attention. (Things weren't helped by a misprint (page 274 of my copy) which had me confused & flicking back to find out who Moritz was & why I didn't recall them, well I wouldn't as it should have been Mauritz!)
To be fair on the book, I have been rather distracted of late & maybe if my concentration been at 100% maybe I would've viewed this book differently. But it wasn't & I didn't, so best I can say is it was okay.
To be fair on the book, I have been rather distracted of late & maybe if my concentration been at 100% maybe I would've viewed this book differently. But it wasn't & I didn't, so best I can say is it was okay.
August 31, 2012
Wow! Read all the way through PLEASE, August 31, 2012
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: Munster's Case: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery (Inspector Van Veeteren Mysteries) (Hardcover)
Let me start by stating that I am a fan of this author and the Inspector Van Veeteren series.
Inspector Van Veeteren is mentioned here and there in this story and he enters the case towards the end of the book. This is Intendent Munster's case without V.V. Which proves to be a hard nut to crack.
It begins with 4 retirees going to celebrate their winnings in a lottery. As their celebration draws to an end they depart but not without an argument between 2 of them. One of those 2 becomes our first victim. But why was he murdered? and by whom? It appears that the victim, Waldemar Leverkuhn, was found stabbed at least 28 times while asleep in his bed. Surely a crime of passion to be stabbed this many times. But what about all of his neighbors? Why has no one else seen someone coming or going from the victim's apartment?
This story has more than one victim and as the story unfolds hideous secrets from the past are uncovered. Where can Munster go to find out what really lies behind this murder? Unfortunately, uncovering these secrets may cost Munster more than what he bargained for. He may have opened one door too many.
From the security of an armchair in his bookshop, V.V., can still outguess the best of them. That's where Munster goes to share his thoughts and feelings on this case.
Quoting from page 301: "There are more things in Heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosphy." That puts in a nutshell what I found this story to be. Truth is stranger than fiction.
There are times when I read an Inspector Van Veeteren, or in this case Munster, that the dismal weather is reflected in the dismal lives of these detectives, however, I've found that this is all part of V.V.'s world
I highly recommend this book and all of Hakan Nesser's mysteries to lovers of good mysteries. Not a cozy.
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: Munster's Case: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery (Inspector Van Veeteren Mysteries) (Hardcover)
Let me start by stating that I am a fan of this author and the Inspector Van Veeteren series.
Inspector Van Veeteren is mentioned here and there in this story and he enters the case towards the end of the book. This is Intendent Munster's case without V.V. Which proves to be a hard nut to crack.
It begins with 4 retirees going to celebrate their winnings in a lottery. As their celebration draws to an end they depart but not without an argument between 2 of them. One of those 2 becomes our first victim. But why was he murdered? and by whom? It appears that the victim, Waldemar Leverkuhn, was found stabbed at least 28 times while asleep in his bed. Surely a crime of passion to be stabbed this many times. But what about all of his neighbors? Why has no one else seen someone coming or going from the victim's apartment?
This story has more than one victim and as the story unfolds hideous secrets from the past are uncovered. Where can Munster go to find out what really lies behind this murder? Unfortunately, uncovering these secrets may cost Munster more than what he bargained for. He may have opened one door too many.
From the security of an armchair in his bookshop, V.V., can still outguess the best of them. That's where Munster goes to share his thoughts and feelings on this case.
Quoting from page 301: "There are more things in Heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosphy." That puts in a nutshell what I found this story to be. Truth is stranger than fiction.
There are times when I read an Inspector Van Veeteren, or in this case Munster, that the dismal weather is reflected in the dismal lives of these detectives, however, I've found that this is all part of V.V.'s world
I highly recommend this book and all of Hakan Nesser's mysteries to lovers of good mysteries. Not a cozy.
August 22, 2014
I found this book when I was looking for a novel that had a character with the same occupation as me (yes, for a Goodreads Challenge - see Fiction Fanatics "All About Me" challenge). It was quite fun searching the library website to find a novel that appealed to my usual likes while having an ESOL teacher or a bookshop worker. I was prepared to look at previous jobs as well, but found this. Of course, the character working in a bookshop is really a policeman on leave (Van Veeteren, the chief protagonist in a series by this author) and his role in the book was minimal. Sometimes we have to flex things a little to fulfill the challenges.
So, what's the book about and what did I like about it? It's about the investigation into a murder, which expands to be an investigation of a murder and two disappearances. The murder is of an old fellow, who with his 3 mates has just won the lottery. The first disappearance is another of the group of 4 old fellows, and the second, only a few days later, is that of the caretaker's wife in the apartments where the murdered old fellow and his wife live.
I liked the dour characters and the dreary weather and the philosophizing - it's all so perfectly dreary Northern Europe, and so different to American or British crime novels. I also liked that it gave me enough information about the characters and their history that I didn't feel I needed to have read the preceding novels. Having said that, I'm going to look for the first in the series because I liked this one enough to see if the liking keeps going.
So, what's the book about and what did I like about it? It's about the investigation into a murder, which expands to be an investigation of a murder and two disappearances. The murder is of an old fellow, who with his 3 mates has just won the lottery. The first disappearance is another of the group of 4 old fellows, and the second, only a few days later, is that of the caretaker's wife in the apartments where the murdered old fellow and his wife live.
I liked the dour characters and the dreary weather and the philosophizing - it's all so perfectly dreary Northern Europe, and so different to American or British crime novels. I also liked that it gave me enough information about the characters and their history that I didn't feel I needed to have read the preceding novels. Having said that, I'm going to look for the first in the series because I liked this one enough to see if the liking keeps going.
January 25, 2013
Scandinavian authors tend to combine societal questions with dour reasons for crimes to be investigated, and “Munster’s Case” is no exception. Detective Munster has served as a sidekick to the now-sidelined Inspector Van Veeteren, who is on leave, choosing instead to spend his time reading and philosophizing in a bookshop he ostensibly is operating. The novels are an award-winning series in Sweden.
This book, as one might expect first published in Sweden, begins with four friends winning some money in the lottery and celebrating their good fortune. However, after a lugubrious dinner, the dead body of one of them is found in his bed, stabbed numerous times, and another seems to be missing. It remains for detective Munster and his team to solve the cases, which become more complicated as the investigation progresses. The murdered man’s wife confesses to the deed, but more questions arise when a neighbor also goes missing and is soon found mutilated in a park.
The author seems to concentrate on the psychological aspects of the detective, rather than the perpetrators (at least until the concluding section, which explains it all): the physical toll on the policeman’s life, the effect on his family, and the like. The plot builds very slowly and develops in keeping with the detective’s character and thought processes. While the solution to the murders is somewhat hackneyed, that fact doesn’t detract from the novel’s over-all merit, and it is recommended.
August 14, 2013
I watch too much NCIS. (Or at least I did until this year; I cannot cope with the idea of the show without Ziva.) My favorite television show has rendered me useless in the “waiting game” of crime investigation. I expect the clues to arrive on time, be duly considered and the murderer dispatched in haste.
Not so in Münster’s Case. Perhaps the novel should be re-titled to Münster’s Case; a Study in Torpor. For me the novel was a study in patience.
In every-dripping rain, gloomy Sundays and days and days of ennui, Münster and his team struggle to gather the will and energy to solve a murder, then a disappearance, and another murder in the town unfortunate enough to have these folks as their investigative officers.
I have the blessing and privilege of having two homicide investigators in my family. If they approached their jobs with as little energy as this pack of public servants they would be without their job post haste.
I do appreciate that Münster’s Case did portray the tedium of police work and the problems officers face in the field. But I feel the author did not invest enough in his characters to cause us to care about them, or even about the case. Perhaps it’s because he has a weak protagonist. Münster fights for time with his family, is tempted by lust and ultimately succeeds only with the help of his mentor.
The book’s conclusion left me feeling gloomy and cross. Perhaps I should watch more NCIS after all.
Not so in Münster’s Case. Perhaps the novel should be re-titled to Münster’s Case; a Study in Torpor. For me the novel was a study in patience.
In every-dripping rain, gloomy Sundays and days and days of ennui, Münster and his team struggle to gather the will and energy to solve a murder, then a disappearance, and another murder in the town unfortunate enough to have these folks as their investigative officers.
I have the blessing and privilege of having two homicide investigators in my family. If they approached their jobs with as little energy as this pack of public servants they would be without their job post haste.
I do appreciate that Münster’s Case did portray the tedium of police work and the problems officers face in the field. But I feel the author did not invest enough in his characters to cause us to care about them, or even about the case. Perhaps it’s because he has a weak protagonist. Münster fights for time with his family, is tempted by lust and ultimately succeeds only with the help of his mentor.
The book’s conclusion left me feeling gloomy and cross. Perhaps I should watch more NCIS after all.
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