Rating: 
Summary: A swing and a miss, strike two
Review: The second book in the Kurt Wallander series, as happened with the first installment "Faceless Killers", falls clearly short of the mark. I have a Swedish friend who encouraged me to read the first book, and after finishing it and telling him it was not very good, he said I should give it another try. This second book did not change my opinion whatsoever, but since I heard that this was the weakest book in the series I am willing to give Henning Mankell one more chance.It is February 1991 and after two bodies wash ashore the Swedish coast in a raft, the Ystad police, with Wallander leading the investigation, determine that the murdered men are from one of the countries in the Eastern block. The Swedish police receive the visit of Major Liepa, from the Latvian police, who comes to help with the crime. Following the discovery of certain facts, Anette Brolin, the district attorney object of Wallander's infatuation in the previous book, closes the case and transfers it to Riga. An unexpected turn of events will require the presence of the Swedish inspector in Riga to help with the case and a new murder. Upon his arrival, Wallander realizes that Latvia presents a high level of political unrest after the fall of the Berlin wall, with the group seeking independence is confronting the Russians. Clearly the best aspect of the book is the main character, which has a complex personality and whose emotions, thoughts and inner demons are explored in depth, making these the main focus of the stories. In this case, Wallander is dealing with the loss of his partner, Rydberg, who was one of the most experienced policemen in the department. We find that Kurt is constantly second guessing himself and thinking what Rydberg would have done in his situation. Other factors like Wallander's relationship with his father and daughter are also cause of concern for the detective, and we find him having health problems and thinking of choosing and alternate career because of this. Where the novel really lacks in quality is in what has to do with the mystery per se. Mankell never really grasps the reader attention in this aspect and, even though this book is a little bit more fast-paced than the one before, the action seems drawn out. If the author could improve in this point, his books would be great, because they already have an awesome main character. I really hope that my next, and maybe final, try with this series results in a more fulfilling experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Great idea but simplistic
Review: The setting and the characters promise a great read. And while the books is easy to get thru and diverting enuf, it is far too
simplistic and predictable; like a TV crime episode. There are far too many far-fetched turns to make it believable. The basic political tenet is never really explained or backgrounded. This is a great shame as the book's theme and characters hold so much promise.
Rating:
Summary: most disappointing of the series
Review: This is the weakest of the six books I have read in the series. The translation into English is flat and the language drab. Usually, the element of mystery and suspense is stronger as is the character development of the detective Kurt Wallender and those surrounding his life. Here, the mystery lacks tension and at the end I hardly cared about the resolution. Also, there was little depth in the portrayal of Wallender or his personal circumstances. If you want to read two first rate Wallender mysteries, choose either One Step Behind or Sidetracked [they are quite similar in plot --and both are extraordinary mysteries].
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