Meet me in Malmö

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 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 show more 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, 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.

"British journalist Ewan Strachan visits his film director friend, Mick Roslyn, in Sweden, only to find Roslyn’s celebrity wife murdered. Inspector Anita Sundström investigates the high-profile case, suspecting Strachan, who becomes embroiled in a web of suspects and a complex investigation." Disappointing dialogue and plot. Was actively irritated by the end of it, though I did at least feel compelled to finish the book.

This was quite a fun read; but despite being set in Malmo, Sweden, it did not have the feel of a Scandinavian thriller. The plot has lots of twists and turns, but I think the writer cheats a bit, in a way I cannot reveal.
Although I enjoyed it, I do not think I will be following either this author or the series.

I was hoping to find the next Jo Nesbo, Henning Mankell or Lars Kepler but this author is not in this league. The biggest downside for me was that I couldn't believe the actions of the main character- specifically the ending. A cop out and I didn't buy it which basically ruined the whole story for me..

This is the authors first book starring Anita Sundstrom, Inspector. Its a Scandinavian detective story. I was quite disappointed in it as the characters were two dimensional but I had the feeling that they were about to jump into full bloom. It didn't happen. The ending, while not a surprise was not expected as the author didn't tell the reader everything. I was pretty disappointed in the book.

This is the first book I have read by this order and have already downloaded book 2. Thoroughly enjoyed it. A real mixed bag of detectives in the story