Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “I am profoundly comforted, on days when it hardly seems worth getting up and the work that must be done seems futile, to know that Martin Beck felt that way, too. Perhaps it is just a Swedish trait. Idealism clashing with realism.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“This is a Swedish police procedural published in 1965.”
Marilynn wrote this review Thursday, April 5, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“enjoyable, certainly zipped through the pages on a weekend afternoon, and it doesn't read like it was written nearly 50 years ago, it has a mostly contemporary feel to it.
jkdavies wrote this review Saturday, March 10, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
it felt simple, in the way that Rankin feels simple; the gory details were glossed over and left to the imagination - unfortunately, even in explanation, there was no why-done-it which was my main issue with the book. I understand the novel was more to put the police investigative process at the forefront, but it did leave a little gap behind, that I don't know exactly what, or why the man did it...”
“An exceptional crime novel. Fascinating and interesting, it holds you until the end...”
Sydne wrote this review Monday, July 11, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Really enjoyed the simplicity of this e-book. The first I have fallen on as a free offer. ”
Mark O wrote this review Sunday, June 19, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a must-read for Crime fiction fans, only because of the influence it had on a legion of authors after the series' release - I picked up the first of the series to just gather a taste - although critics say the best volume is 'The Laughing Policeman'. It's gripping enough to be a page-turner, and it's appeal is in how realistic the plotline is. Characters are hardly eccentric (in this volume - SPOILER - even the villain is quite simple) and the book pays a great deal of attention to realistic processes, delays and bureaucratic setbacks. The biggest downside, however, is that the language is so sparse and simple, almost lazily written - as if it is just a means to an end - of unravelling the mystery. I don't develop any attachment to Martin Beck as I would to Wallander or Erlendur - or the victim, for that matter. It lacks that human depth that maybe, for those more inclined to literary works, look out for. It has that comic-book feel to it as a result. But it is a worthwhile read in that it is a cultural phenomenon one needs to educate oneself on. Will I buy another volume? I'm just going to go ahead into the next modern European author....”
Kat Rahmat wrote this review Monday, May 30, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Wonderful: This is the first of 10 in the Martin Beck series of Swedish police procedural novels wriiten in the 60s and 70s and cited as a major influence by many subsequent crime novelists such as Henning Mankell. I was feeling somewhat bereft, having just read the last Inspector Wallander, but this series will definitely provide me with what I am missing from Mankell's series - taut plotting, atmospheric settings and a complex and melancholy central character. Can't wait to read the rest of this series.”
Alison1965 wrote this review Wednesday, April 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This first of the Martin Beck detective series was written in 1965; it has stood the test of time. A great crime novel right through to the end!”
Christine H wrote this review Monday, January 17, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A classic police procedure story written in 1965 by a married Swedish couple. The first in a series of books written about detective Martin Beck. The characters are fascinating, the plot details police procedure before cell phones, before computerized world wide criminal records, before violent murder was considered just another news blip. Martin is a man unhappy with his family life but wise to human nature. I look forward to reading the other 9 Martin Beck books, which are all considered classics.”
Book Lover wrote this review Wednesday, November 3, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“entertaining”
Clementine B wrote this review Friday, October 29, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The first, but not my favorite, novel in the Martin Beck series. I found a lot of similarities between this series and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - a Swedish writing style? I long for more books like this. Per Wahloo and Maj Sjowell are masters at character development, succinct prose, and mood creation.
Beth M wrote this review Monday, October 25, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I love that Martin Beck's character changes so dramatically throughout the series, as do the rest of the characters. In some books, unlikely teams are paired together. And when Gunvald Larsson is sent to South America to check on their security, it's just entertainment at its finest. His suits! His sister. Comedy genius. Dark comedy genius.”
