The Martin Beck Series

The Martin Beck Series

Sjöwall, Maj and Per Wahlöö

1965-1975 (10 books)

8.5/10

As I understand it, this series has floated around the family for years (as much for its Swedish connections as for its quality, I'm sure). It came to my dad's attention several years ago and to mine last year. I'm about half way through (in order) and my dad's trying to figure out where he is. We steal installments from each other every time we visit.

Affectionately referred to as “the Swedish series” in our house, these books follow the professional and personal activities of Stockholm's police superintendent Martin Beck. The married writing duo (Sjöwall and Wahlöö) wrote the books in Swedish, leaving the translated English version with an unusual feel. Trying to understand a paragraph in the strange writing style can be almost as much fun as following the story. Unlike most American and British mysteries and police procedurals, the Beck series has a slow, steady pace which emphasizes the grunt work involved in policework. The characters work hard and rely on developed skill rather than unbelievable arcane knowledge. They make mistakes and catch lucky breaks. They also go home at night. It's a different style of detective story than I'm used to.

Swedish intrigue, forty-five-year-old political commentary, and a new take on the modern dectctive: well worth the theft.

Books in the Series:

1. Roseanna (1965) (Roseanna)

2. Mannen som gick upp i rök (1966) (The Man who Went Up in Smoke)

3. Mannen på balkongen (1967) (The Man on the Balcony)

4. Den skrattande polisen (1968) (The Laughing Policeman)

5. Brandbilen som försvann (1969) (The Fire Engine That Disappeared)

6. Polis, polis, potatismos! (1970) (Murder at the Savoy)

7. Den vedervärdige mannen från Säffle (1971) (The Abominable Man)

8. Det slutna rummet (1972) (The Locked Room)

9. Polismördaren (1974) (Cop Killer)

10. Terroristerna (1975) (The Terrorists)