It’s a lot harder than it looks, remembering to check in even for day two. What will I write about?
Well I’ve almost finished The Laughing Policeman by Scandi crime writing duo Sjöwall & Wahlöö. If you’re not familiar, Sjöwall & Wahlöö were a couple who wrote together up until Per Wahlöö’s death in the 70’s. They’re often referred to as the grandparents of crime fiction. Their joint series are often referred to as the Martin Beck series after the moody and very flawed protagonist. The laughing policeman is the 4th in the series, and I’m almost finished. I think i know who-dunnit unless I get thrown a curve ball in the last 20 or so pages – however this is entirely possible.
It’s quite different from today’s Scandi crime novels that are now so popular – with no DNA, or much forensics to go on, no computer databases or CCTV, the pace is even slower than usual. There’s also very different social issues and moral attitudes of post-war Sweden woven into the depths of these compelling novels.
If you have a favourite from this series let me know in the comments!
Culturenator 