Product Description

The third thrilling classic instalment in the Martin Beck detective series from the 1960s -- the novels that have inspired all crime fiction written ever since. The Martin Beck series is widely recognised as the greatest masterpiece of crime fiction ever written. These are the original detective stories that pioneered the detective genre and inspired writers from Agatha Christie to Henning Mankell; Graham Greene to Jonathan Franzen. Translated into 35 languages, they have sold over 10 million copies around the world. Written in the 1960s, they are the work of Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo -- a husband-and-wife team from Sweden. The ten novels follow the fortunes of the detective Martin Beck, whose enigmatic, taciturn character has inspired countless other policemen in crime fiction. The novels can be read separately, but do follow a chronological order, so the reader can become familiar with the characters and develop a loyalty to the series. Each book will have a new introduction in order to help bring these books to a new audience. Someone is killing young girls in the once-peaceful parks of Stockholm -- killing them after having his own way with them. The people of Stockholm are tense and fearful. Police Superintendent Martin Beck has two witnesses: a cold-blooded mugger who won't say much and a three-year-old boy who can't say much. The dedicated work of the police seems to be leading nowhere, and with each passing day, the likelihood of another murder grows. But then Beck remembers someone -- or something -- he overheard. 'The Man on the Balcony' balances the most inhuman of crimes with the humanity of the men who must solve it -- resulting in a police procedural that is as moving and credible as it is enthralling.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14359 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
'Authentic seeming, grim, but fascinating.' Sunday Telegraph 'A well-told, documentary-type tale of how the Stockholm police slog away!There is something of Ed McBain's "87th Precinct" novels about it, but with less of a factory finish.' Spectator 'The decalogue about the Swedish Chief Inspector Martin Beck created by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo during the 1960s and 1970s are indeed classic police fiction. They changed the genre. Whoever is writing crime fiction after these novels is inspired by them in one way or another.' Henning Mankell 'Their mysteries don't just read well; they reread even better!The plots hold, because they're ingenious but never inhuman.' New York Times / The Martin Beck series is widely recognised as one of the greatest masterpieces of crime fiction ever written. / There are 10 novels in the series and they are beautifully packaged -- appealing to both new and old fans. / The books have a massive fan following and have inspired writers from Agatha Christie to Henning Mankell and Graham Greene to Jonathan Franzen. / Blanket review coverage anticipated across the media.

About the Author
Per Wahloo was born in Goteborg, as the son of Waldemar and Karin (Svensson) Wahloo. After graduating from the University of Lund in 1946, he worked as a journalist, covering criminal and social issues for a number of newspapers and magazines. In the 1950s Wahloo was engaged in radical political causes, activities that resulted in his deportation from Franco's Spain in 1957. After returning to Sweden, he wrote a number of television and radio plays, and was managing editor of several magazines, before becoming a full-time writer. Maj Sjowall is also a poet. She lives in Sweden.

Customer Reviews

simplicity itself...
If you are lucky enough to have read any of these books then you know their strength is the way they marry a "police procedural" novel to the driest of wit. Usually in such novels (McBain/Connelly/Cornwell/any other crime series in the last 30 years) you get one, possibly two interesting characters, often with plodding personal issues tacked on (what is it with American detectives that they must have this?) and a load of uninteresting characters there to supply plot detail. In the world of Martin Beck and friends, however, every single policeman or woman is captivating and memorable. You don't want the story to end, simple as that, you want to stay in their company. And the story itself? A killer is attacking children in a city. The cops have nothing, a lead is wasted at the start, and children die. Slowly (and entirely believably) the Police start to track him down. As simple as that. It is plotted with such economy and elegance that, although you and I have read dozens of these, your heart will be in your throat as the end nears. The book was written over 30 years ago but the style, characters and bone-dry black humour make this, and the others, as good as crime novels get. Tell me I'm wrong. Oh, and start worrying about the casting of the inevitable TV series..."Robbie Coletrane IS Martin Beck"...

The summer of love in Stockholm
In the third in the series, Martin Beck is back on Swedish soil, and has been promoted. Unfortunately, it's not 'peace and love' for Beck and his colleagues Kollberg, Melander, et al. The crimes in this story are grisly, but there's a warmth and intimacy in the book - and the whole series - that is endearing. The story virtually reads itself, and there are (as in all the books) comments of a political and societal nature that were true in 1967 and which still ring true today. Civilisation is in decline in Sweden - and by extension throughout the whole of the western world.

This edition of the series from Harper is very attractively designed, and the letter on the spines spell out the main character's name: MARTIN BECK. This is book R - the third in the series.

The Best Beck
This is the most gripping of the Martin Beck series of ten novels, with a hideous murderer killing young girls, and the murder squad's desperate search for him. The whole case hinges on a chance conversation which leaves the reader turning the page to seek the resolution.

Alongside Roseanna and The Fire Engine That Disappeared, this is definitely required reading for lovers of Scandinavian crime fiction.