Book description
The excellent fifth classic installment in the Martin Beck detective
series from the 1960s - the novels that have inspired all Scandinavian
crime fiction.
Widely recognised as the greatest masterpieces of crime fiction ever
written, these are the original detective stories that pioneered the
detective genre.
Gunvald Larsson sits carefully observing the dingy Stockholm apartment
of a man under police surveillance. He looks at his watch: nine minutes
past eleven in the evening. He yawns, slapping his arms to keep warm. At
the same moment the house explodes, killing at least three people.
Chief Inspector Martin Beck and his men don't suspect arson or murder
until they discover a peculiar circumstance and a link is established
between the explosion and a suicide committed that same day, in which
the dead man left a note consisting of just two words: Martin Beck.
Written in the 1960s, they are the work of Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo -
a husband and wife team from Sweden. The ten novels follow the fortunes
of the detective Martin Beck, whose enigmatic, taciturn character has
inspired countless other policemen in crime fiction. The novels can be
read separately, but do follow a chronological order, so the reader can
become familiar with the characters and develop a loyalty to the series.
Each book has a new introduction in order to help bring these books to a
new audience. 'Superbly well done. It stars the gloomy head of
homicide, Martin Beck, and is stunning right up to the last paragraph.
The authors are ready for the great Simenon.' New York Magazine
'The tale proceeds at a fast clip, inventive and tantalizing as the
pieces of the puzzle alternately fit together and fly apart…“The Fire
Engine that Disappeared” is downright fascinating.' Publishers Weekly
'A gripping read, brilliantly plotted and with frequent moments of
hilarity or tenderness.' The Guardian
Praise for Sjowall & Wahloo:
'Plots are interesting as well as realistic, the various homicide men
are admirably characterised, and the amused, sarcastic comments on
modern Sweden are a delight.' Sunday Times
'The writing is elegant and surprisingly humorous - if you haven't come
across Beck before, you're in for a treat.' Guardian
'One of the most authentic, gripping and profound collections of police
procedurals ever accomplished.'nMichael Connelly Per Wahlöö was born
in Göteborg, the son of Waldemar and Karin (Svensson) Wahlöö. After
graduating from the University of Lund in 1946, he worked as a
journalist, covering criminal and social issues for a number of
newspapers and magazines. In the 1950s Wahlöö was engaged in radical
political causes, activities that resulted in his deportation from
Franco's Spain in 1957. After returning to Sweden, he wrote a number of
television and radio plays, and was managing editor of several
magazines, before becoming a full-time writer.
Maj Sjowall is a poet. She lives in Sweden.
