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Fiction. Mystery. HTML:The #1 international-bestselling tale of greed, violence, and corporate power from the master of Scandinavian noir: "One of his best" (The Times, London). After killing a man in the line of duty, Inspector Kurt Wallander finds himself deep in a personal and professional crisis; during more than a year of sick leave, he turns to drink and vice to quiet his lingering demons. Once he pulls himself together, he vows to quit the Ystad police force for good�just before a friend who had asked Wallander to look into the death of his father winds up dead himself, shot three times. Far from leaving police work behind, Wallander instead must investigate a formidable suspect: a powerful business tycoon at the helm of a multinational company engaged in extralegal activities. Ann-Britt H�glund, the department's first female detective, proves to be Wallander's best ally as he tries to pierce the smiling fa�ade of the suspicious mogul. But just as he comes close to uncovering the truth, Wallander finds his own life being threatened. In this "exquisitely plotted" thriller, Henning Mankell's mastery of the modern police procedural�which has earned him legions of fans worldwide and inspired the BBC show Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh�is on vivid display (Publishers Weekly). "This is crime fiction of the highest order." �Publishers Weekly, starred review "Compelling . . . Skillfully plotted and suspenseful. . . . A thriller for the thinking reader." �The Dallas Morning News "Mankell's novels are a joy." �USA Today "Absorbing. . . . In the masterly manner of P.D. James, Mankell projects his hero's brooding thoughts onto nature itself." �The New York Times "Wallander is a loveable gumshoe. . . . He is one of the most credible creations in contemporary crime fiction." �The Guardian.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lman
This fourth book is the book I have been expecting all along in this series. While the last two books encompassed events on a much grander scale, this is the story of the investigation of a murder by Ystad police in their locale of Sweden; and the abilities of our almost-maverick Chief Police
Wallander returns to work after suffering a personal crisis which leaves him, after a full year’s leave, contemplating resigning and walking away from his life as a police officer. But he is propelled back when a friend, who previously visited him in his exile to ask for Wallander’s help about his father’s death, is murdered himself.
The subsequent investigation becomes a ripper of a yarn involving many murders, much mayhem and a potent multi-national figure with a permanent smile. Based much more on police procedural work, nevertheless, the author still manages to include in this book a social comment on the state of the world, in relation to the power of big business and its influence on all our lives today. Through all this, and due mostly to this, Wallander’s innate policing ability is brought to the fore, despite his personal inadequacies and private insecurities, and, along with his colleagues, we learn just how good a detective he is.
I found this a fast paced read, and got caught up in the deduction with our Inspector, while worrying the entire time about the consequences of his actions. A veritable roller coaster ride – I highly recommend this book and I’m straight into the pages of the next.
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Inspector Kurt Wallander and his team to crack the case.Wallander returns to work after suffering a personal crisis which leaves him, after a full year’s leave, contemplating resigning and walking away from his life as a police officer. But he is propelled back when a friend, who previously visited him in his exile to ask for Wallander’s help about his father’s death, is murdered himself.
The subsequent investigation becomes a ripper of a yarn involving many murders, much mayhem and a potent multi-national figure with a permanent smile. Based much more on police procedural work, nevertheless, the author still manages to include in this book a social comment on the state of the world, in relation to the power of big business and its influence on all our lives today. Through all this, and due mostly to this, Wallander’s innate policing ability is brought to the fore, despite his personal inadequacies and private insecurities, and, along with his colleagues, we learn just how good a detective he is.
I found this a fast paced read, and got caught up in the deduction with our Inspector, while worrying the entire time about the consequences of his actions. A veritable roller coaster ride – I highly recommend this book and I’m straight into the pages of the next.
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LibraryThing member bcquinnsmom
The Man Who Smiled is number four in the Wallander series, picking up some time after Wallander's experiences in book 3, The White Lioness. As book four opens, Wallander is still on sick leave, and has made the decision during a period of incredibly intense depression that he will not be continuing
While the plot will keep you turning pages and provide you with more than a few tense moments, what really made this book stand out was the character of Kurt Wallander. For the first time, really, since I started this series, I really got an insight into how Wallander thinks and what makes him a great cop. Mankell's characterization of Wallander is absolutely stunning, making him much more human in this book as compared to all of the other ones. It was absolutely amazing to be allowed into Wallander's thought processes -- I think Wallander became very real for me in this book for the first time in the series. When a character can become that real, it's definitely a sign that his or her creator is a top-notch writer.
The author does not only offer up a first-rate criminal and first-rate policemen here; he also raises several questions about the future of police forces, about the decline of the whole basis of the modern Swedish state as the profits of corruption become more entrenched, and about issues of morality & the true nature of justice in a world where crime is constantly changing and the police and justice system are trying to adapt. These questions are not relevant just to Sweden, but everywhere.
A bit on the gloomy side, this is not a book for readers looking for a lighthearted crime novel. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a superb reading experience, but I suggest starting with book one, Faceless Killers, and continuing the books in series order. Mankell is an excellent writer, definitely not to be missed.
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on in his career as a policeman. But all of that changes when a friend seeks him out to ask him for help regarding the case of his father's death. The police had ruled it a car accident, but the friend is convinced that it was not. Wallander tells him that the police are most likely correct -- but then his friend is also mysteriously killed. This prompts Wallander to return to the job to find out what lays behind the deaths of father and son ... and uncovers much more than he bargained for. While the plot will keep you turning pages and provide you with more than a few tense moments, what really made this book stand out was the character of Kurt Wallander. For the first time, really, since I started this series, I really got an insight into how Wallander thinks and what makes him a great cop. Mankell's characterization of Wallander is absolutely stunning, making him much more human in this book as compared to all of the other ones. It was absolutely amazing to be allowed into Wallander's thought processes -- I think Wallander became very real for me in this book for the first time in the series. When a character can become that real, it's definitely a sign that his or her creator is a top-notch writer.
The author does not only offer up a first-rate criminal and first-rate policemen here; he also raises several questions about the future of police forces, about the decline of the whole basis of the modern Swedish state as the profits of corruption become more entrenched, and about issues of morality & the true nature of justice in a world where crime is constantly changing and the police and justice system are trying to adapt. These questions are not relevant just to Sweden, but everywhere.
A bit on the gloomy side, this is not a book for readers looking for a lighthearted crime novel. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a superb reading experience, but I suggest starting with book one, Faceless Killers, and continuing the books in series order. Mankell is an excellent writer, definitely not to be missed.
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LibraryThing member VictorTrevor
Wallender has been on long term sick leave and is on the point of resigning when an acquaintance, who is a solicitor, asks him to investigate the death of his father. The solicitor is murdered shortly after and Wallender returns to work to lead the case. Having seen the excellent Swedish TV
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adaptation starring Rolf Lassgård I thought I would try the book but, while I enjoyed the Wallender character and the development of his working relationship with a new female officer, I was less enthused by the book overall. Show Less
LibraryThing member pmarshall
It amazes me that with each Mankell book I read he captures me and makes me such a part of the events. I can feel Kurt's depression, understand his pain about Harderberg leaving Sweden guilty of the murders and able to continue his evil ways elsewhere. It goes against his understanding of justice.
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And his worries about Christmas with Baiba Liepa. Kurt does not know how to let himself go and enjoy the moment he is too concerned with what can go wrong and he makes me feel this with him. A great read. Show Less
LibraryThing member devenish
Following on from the events in "The White Lioness",this begins with Wallander poised to resign from the police. When the father of a solicitor dies in a car 'accident' and his son appeals to Wallander for help is murdered soon afterwards,he soon becomes interested and decided to continue with the
It soon becomes apparent that a rich and influential individual is controlling events,but because of his power in the country,it is almost impossible to even contact him let alone question him about his involvement.
½ a star is deducted for a slightly hurried and dare I say weak ending.
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case.It soon becomes apparent that a rich and influential individual is controlling events,but because of his power in the country,it is almost impossible to even contact him let alone question him about his involvement.
½ a star is deducted for a slightly hurried and dare I say weak ending.
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LibraryThing member gilly1944
Well written as usual with good atmosphere and well developed characters but this is not one of Mankell's best stories.
LibraryThing member annbury
Not perhaps the greatest of the Mankell novels, but a masterful thriller, and a very good book. In this one, Inspector Wallander is in deep trouble, drinking too much and planning to quit the Ystad police. But then a friend of Wallander's end up dead, and he is off on the chase. As ever, the police
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procedural aspects of the book are brilliantly done, with the addition this time of a female detective. Show Less
LibraryThing member vancouverdeb
Kurt Wallender is on sick leave from the Ystad police, depressed and brooding after having killed a man in the line of duty.He has resolved to quit the police force, but the frightening and startling deaths of two men compel him to remain on the force. During the investigation, dark shadows of the
Great character development of Kurt Wallender gives us an inside look into the Kurt's emotions, thinking, and motivations .
A truly compelling thriller/ mystery. A dark and brooding atmosphere , spine tingling but believable action as well as masterful plotting combine to create a first class story of suspense.
This is my fourth Kurt Wallerder mystery by Henning Mankell, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
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enemy follow Kurt and those who knew the two dead lawyers, putting all of them in harms way. Great character development of Kurt Wallender gives us an inside look into the Kurt's emotions, thinking, and motivations .
A truly compelling thriller/ mystery. A dark and brooding atmosphere , spine tingling but believable action as well as masterful plotting combine to create a first class story of suspense.
This is my fourth Kurt Wallerder mystery by Henning Mankell, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
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LibraryThing member richardgarside
My first Mankell book and much enjoyed. Chgurlish to criticise but the ending seemed a little hurried after the otherwise measured pace of the book. Good character interaction and depiction. The overrated Branagh TV series put me off reading these up to now, but no longer. On to the next!!
LibraryThing member KatherineGregg
I am really enjoying the Kurt Wallander series. Wallander is a smart, likeable police detective. Each book in the series is a stand alone so it's not necessary to read the entire series or to read them in order. However reading them in order gives the reader a better understanding of who Wallander
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is. In The Man Who Smiled, Wallander comes out of a year hiatus after recovering from the manhunt in The White Lioness. Being a police detective is such a big part of his identity that I don't think retirement is his cup of tea. He puts everything into his work and the detective work, the chases, the life threatening scenarios take a toll on this heavy drinking, loner of a police detective. The fact that he is an opera aficionado, the son of an alcoholic painter/artist father, and pining away for a police widow in Russia adds interest to his character. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
Wallender is an old friend in our home from when he was first available in English. This was an audio read, with a fabulous voice actor, who really got the different characters down beautifully. We loved being back in Sweden, though felt a bit schizophrenic, because we've been reading so much
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Nordic crime stuff, and also a bit of Harry Bosch, too. Everyone seems to have left the police force, but only Kurt is welcomed back; the Harrys in the other stories are still on the skids with their respective bosses. Show Less
LibraryThing member wbwilburn5
Another good thriller.
LibraryThing member BDartnall
Another great Wallander mystery set in the atmospheric chill of Sweden, solving the knotty murder ( or murders!) alongside the moody , sleep deprived Det Kurt Wallander. I always want to have a big mug of coffee to sip while reading Mankell.
LibraryThing member kerns222
In my country of "make my day" and "bring it on," this book may be a hard start for US readers. Detective Wallander drops into a year of depression after shooting a bad guy. He is ready to quit the force, but he finally gets his mojo back and is ready to pop anyone. Happy ending.
(you get the sense
The book's mid-section, also, might be a hard read. In Sweden police have meeting after meeting after meeting. And the author invites the reader to every one. Mankell writes meetings well (as well as the chase scenes!) But they are still meetings.
And overlaying the story is the weather in Mankell's little corner of Sweden. Cold, foggy, muddy, miserable. Makes you happy you are warm and comfy with his book.
This book is an old man's lament. Well old for a cop--50. Wallander remembers when crooks were crooks. When you could tell the difference between good and bad. And cops did not go to computer school and meetings did not exist. You could just go out and nab the bad guys. No more.
I read Mankell to pick up pointers (I write mystery novels too). If the plot or dreary Sweden do not interest you, then read him as a case study in writing. It is worth it.
(you get the sense
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the writer went through this too, maybe after being financially forced to write yet another Wallander mystery) The book's mid-section, also, might be a hard read. In Sweden police have meeting after meeting after meeting. And the author invites the reader to every one. Mankell writes meetings well (as well as the chase scenes!) But they are still meetings.
And overlaying the story is the weather in Mankell's little corner of Sweden. Cold, foggy, muddy, miserable. Makes you happy you are warm and comfy with his book.
This book is an old man's lament. Well old for a cop--50. Wallander remembers when crooks were crooks. When you could tell the difference between good and bad. And cops did not go to computer school and meetings did not exist. You could just go out and nab the bad guys. No more.
I read Mankell to pick up pointers (I write mystery novels too). If the plot or dreary Sweden do not interest you, then read him as a case study in writing. It is worth it.
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LibraryThing member pidgeon92
Didn't care much for this installment in the series. The story was mediocre. The antagonist was ridiculous; more suited for a James Bond film. I really hope the next one is better.
LibraryThing member christinejoseph
Kurt Wallander mystery — good — many sides
"The Man Who Smiled" begins with Wallander deep in a personal and professional crisis after killing a man in the line of duty; eventually, he vows to quit the Ystad police force for good. Just then, however, a friend who had asked Wallander to look into
"The Man Who Smiled" begins with Wallander deep in a personal and professional crisis after killing a man in the line of duty; eventually, he vows to quit the Ystad police force for good. Just then, however, a friend who had asked Wallander to look into
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the death of his father winds up dead himself, shot three times. Ann-Britt Hoglund, the department's first female detective, proves to be his best ally as he tries to pierce the smiling facade of his prime suspect, a powerful multinational business tycoon. But just as he comes close to uncovering the truth, the same shadowy threats responsible for the murders close in on Wallander himself. Show Less
LibraryThing member phillipfrey
For me, this is another satisfying crime book by Henning Mankell. Inspector Kurt Wallander has decided to quit the police force. But then when a friend is murdered, Wallander has no choice but to head up the investigation. A case that will come to involve two murders. While Wallander himself
Henning Mankell, novelist, playwright and screenwriter, passed away in 2015. A huge loss. As a note of interest, his father-in-law was Ingmar Bergman.
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becomes a target for the killer.Henning Mankell, novelist, playwright and screenwriter, passed away in 2015. A huge loss. As a note of interest, his father-in-law was Ingmar Bergman.
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LibraryThing member JBD1
Wallander's back in action to investigate the mysterious deaths of two lawyers. Another excellent installment in the series.
LibraryThing member buffalogr
After a long binge, Wallander's back in action to investigate the mysterious deaths of two lawyers. Despitei the large team assembled to solve the murders, Wallender sticks his own neck out and the result is exciting. Sweedish mystery culture is different.. I was surprised at the use of American
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idioms...like "sticks his neck out" and I think that it detracts from the book. Must have lost something in the translation from Sweedish to audio book. This one is worth a read if you're into the Wallanders. Show Less
LibraryThing member usuallee
Another solid mystery featuring Swedish detective Kurt Wallander.
LibraryThing member cziering
Didn't like the audio part. Strange voices and mispronounced names. The story was good, but wrapped up very suddenly.
LibraryThing member sianpr
Another brooding Swedish noir from Henning Mankell. Great read.
LibraryThing member mrtall
Whodunit? The Man Who Smiled, that's who!
This police procedural featuring Detective Kurt Wallendar is heavy on the 'procedural'. The book's crimes, and the identities of their perpetrators, are never in doubt, as Mankell fleshes out the intricate investigation in sometimes exhaustive detail.
One
This is the third Mankell/Wallendar novel I've read, and my least favorite so far. Sidetracked and The Fifth Woman were much better reads, although even this lesser effort is still superior to most crime fiction.
This police procedural featuring Detective Kurt Wallendar is heavy on the 'procedural'. The book's crimes, and the identities of their perpetrators, are never in doubt, as Mankell fleshes out the intricate investigation in sometimes exhaustive detail.
One
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interesting aspect of this book is the lavish attention Mankell pays to Wallender's guilt and generally uncomprehending and incapacitating wonder over the fact that he's killed a man (it's happened before the action in this novel commences). I don't know if this wallowing is an accurate insight into Swedish mindsets, but I found it almost incomprehensible at points. This is the third Mankell/Wallendar novel I've read, and my least favorite so far. Sidetracked and The Fifth Woman were much better reads, although even this lesser effort is still superior to most crime fiction.
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LibraryThing member MissBrangwen
When I started the Wallander series, I absolutely loved the first book, liked the second a lot as well, but was a bit disappointed by the third. I am so happy that the fourth book lived up to my expectations again. I see that many other LT reviews are not that favorable, but I just devoured this
The case itself is one that would usually not peak my interest - high finance, global companies, the world of lawyers and managers - it is something I do not care reading about. But in this case it did not bother me because Wallander is such a relatable character to me and I saw it all through his eyes.
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book. I think that one reason might be translation - I read it in German, not in English, and I gather that some readers were dissatisfied with the English translation. The reason I point this out is that I just adored the language and style, and while I don't know the Swedish original, it seems that the translator, Erik Gloßmann, has done an excellent job. Reading this novel, I felt like I could just fall into the descriptions of the dark and wet autumn weather, the gloomy and desolate landscapes, the lonely country roads of Skåne. The case itself is one that would usually not peak my interest - high finance, global companies, the world of lawyers and managers - it is something I do not care reading about. But in this case it did not bother me because Wallander is such a relatable character to me and I saw it all through his eyes.
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