Monday, February 7, 2011

BEFORE THE FROST by Henning Mankell

Finished Sa 2/4/11

This is my first novel by Henning Mankell, and it is the tenth in the Kurt Wallander Crime Series. This book introduces Kurt's daughter, Linda, who has recently finished police training, and is ready to begin her career in law enforcement. The prologue to BEFORE THE FROST is set on the Jonestown compound in Guyana in 1978 right after the massacre. A crazed and demented member of The People's Temple escapes the killings, and travels to the US, and on to Sweden to form his own murderous Christian sect. Although Linda is not yet on the force, one of her close friends is missing, and might be linked to the bizarre incidents occurring in the community which might be the work of a cult. The novel spotlights the clash of wills between the father and daughter, and both have strong, analytical minds, yet excel in different areas. Linda seems more adept at creative reasoning, while her father is a master of motivation and organization. The detective work is well-written, and the plot is fantastic, yet very believable. I plan to read many more by this Swedish crime writer.

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