Torquil MacLeod

I loved the setting (Malmö and other areas of Sweden, mainly Skåne), and it is clear that the author has spent a lot of time there and done his research. I also liked the author's note in which he explains the inspiration for choosing two of the main plot elements. However, I was indifferent to the character of Anita Sundström and found her professional nemesis, Alice Zetterberg, to be an over-the-top cartoon villain. Zetterberg had no shred of redeeming qualities, even when the show more limited-third-person narrative focused on her and could theoretically have shed some light on her motivations and made her not look like an asshole. Anita, meanwhile, was just kind of there. I don't know whether it's having a male author write a female character that makes it feel not believable, but I know I won't be continuing the series. show less

Torquil MacLeod has written a fast-paced mystery with two engaging main characters. Yes, Ewan Strachan never has reached his full potential, but he's a bit of a charmer, and it's easy to forgive him a failure or two. In fact, the reader wants him to make a complete success of his interview with the famous film director and his beautiful movie star wife-- after all, Ewan's got the inside track, doesn't he? In her own way, Inspector Anita Sundström is just as appealing. She's a bit of a show more loner, having tired of the dating scene, and she's dedicated, hardworking, and just doesn't know when to quit.

If you like mysteries with more twists and turns than Lombard Street in San Francisco, Meet Me in Malmö is the book for you. I had an idea about the killer's identity from the very beginning, and I enjoyed seeing how that idea held up as the pages turned. As good as the plot twists were, I have to say that the ending-- with that last shocking volte-face-- was very abrupt. It almost felt as though the author had written one very long novel and decided that this was the best place to divide his manuscript into two books. Some readers may be put off by that ending, but it made me want to read book number two.

Do you enjoy crime fiction set in Scandinavia? Torquil MacLeod has written three Anita Sundström books, and I fully intend to read them all. show less

I (almost) really enjoyed this cheeky leap to the bandwagon - and why shouldn't a Brit write ScandiCrime? The setting is convincing, the characters sympathetic and alive; the plot will serve.

So where's that fifth star and why the '(almost)'?

Let's just say that if you're borrowing this book from the library and you find that the final page has been ripped out - then someone, somewhere has done you a big favour: thank him in your prayers! The author seemingly could't resist one final twist, show more but believe me, it really is one twist too many.

If you can make yourself stop in time, you too might really (really) enjoy this novel. show less

This is the third outing for Macleod's feisty Swedish police inspector, Anita Sundstrom, and it is another success.

British heir-hunter Graeme Todd has been tracking down the prospective legatees of the intestacy of an elderly widow from Cumbria, and his investigations take him to Malmo, where he takes the opportunity to follow the Wallander trail, like many another recent tourist. All well and good, until he goes missing. At this stage Anita is called in and starts to try to pick up the show more trail.

Meanwhile her own ex-husband, Bjorn, returns to Malmo and seeks her help to try and trace his most recent paramour, Greta Johansson, the latest in a long line of students whom he has seduced.

Before long both Graeme and Greta are found dead and, with Bjorn being fingered as prime suspect in Greta's murder, Anita is up against it.

Macleod writes in a very simple but engaging style, and keeps the tension without compromising either the plot's or the characters' plausibility show less