I absolutely loved this book by the two Swedish writers Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. The second in their Martin Beck detective series, it has Beck hot on the trail of a missing Swede in Budapest. The plotting is tight, although I managed to work out the solution fairly well, and the characterisation is subtle. The scene where the detectives confront the perpetrator, built heavily on the threatening and suggestive use of silence, is electrifying. The book is compact with no side-tracks and little in the way of sub-plots apart from Beck’s relationship with his family; in other words the book remains tightly focused on its principal business, unlike many modern detective stories. The introduction by Val McDermid in the Harper Perennial version is well worth reading along with the end notes by Richard Shepherd and the interview with Maj Sjöwall at the end. I found this book more surefooted and satisfying than Roseanna, the first in the Beck series.

Roseanna:
A young woman is found murdered in Göta Canal and Police Inspector Martin Beck works tirelessly month after month to find her killer. I have no idea why I haven't read this one before this, being Swedish and all, but the time has finally come and not a moment too soon - this is excellent. I absolutely loved how Sjöwall and Wahlöö take their time to make sure that the police procedure part is as close to reality as possible - no solving a complicated case in a few days here. All the police officers, witnesses, and bystanders are perfectly believable. Hard graft solves this case, no uber-clever or magically inspired detective. Loving it and will continue the series as soon as possible.

Mannen som gick upp i rök
The second novel in the Martin Beck-series brings our hero to Budapest in the search of a missing journalist. It's not as great as the first one, but for a sophomore it could have been a lot worse. Beck is true to himself - dogged and determined - and his fellow police officers are methodical as usual. This is foremost a police procedural series, so it's almost invigorating that Beck gets to be a bit of an action-hero at one point. Solid series, but don't start with this installment. ( )