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The Fire Engine That Disappeared (1969)

by Maj Sjöwall, May Sjöwall, Per Wahlöö

Other authors: Leif G. W. Persson (Foreword)

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Martin Beck (5)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1,1503417,428 (3.81)59
Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. The lightning-paced fifth novel in the Martin Beck mystery series by the internationally renowned crime writing duo, Maj Sjwall and Per Wahl, finds Beck investigating one of the strangest, most violent, and unforgettable crimes of his career.The incendiary device that blew the roof off a Stockholm apartment not only interrupted the small, peaceful orgy underway inside, it nearly took the lives of the building's eleven occupants. And if one of Martin Beck's colleagues hadn't been on the scene, the explosion would have led to a major catastrophe because somehow a regulation fire-truck has vanished. Was it terrorism, suicide, or simply a gas leak? And what if, anything, did the explosion have to do with the peculiar death earlier that day of a 46-year-old bachelor whose cryptic suicide note consisted of only two words: "Martin Beck"?… (more)
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» See also 59 mentions

English (29)  Swedish (1)  Norwegian (1)  Dutch (1)  Spanish (1)  Danish (1)  All languages (34)
Showing 1-5 of 29 (next | show all)
While reading this, I was noting down that it was a well captured snapshot of workplace camaraderie and boredom. But then that ending! This is the best one so far. ( )
  Ling.Lass | May 4, 2024 |
First foray into these authors (2) work. Enjoyed the narration and story. Think I’ll try them again.
Second author is Per Wahloo. ( )
  C.L.Barnett | Mar 1, 2024 |
The crime itself isn't particularly mysterious and the ending sort of whiffs out a bit. But it keeps your interest enough and as others have said it's mainly about the characters, which are well written and believable.

The book is full of a sort of understated and sometimes grim humour which makes it pretty enjoyable to read. The characters feel very real and a lot is made of their daily routine, their home life, what they like to eat and drink, their frustrations with police work... it gives it an edge over much of the "gritty" stuff that usually turns me off because it's super unrealistic and macho. Also I feel justified in thinking some of the characters are utter pricks and bad and I feel the author agrees with me on that. I dunno, it's just a refreshing change of style. There's a few crappy moments here and there but nothing too awful.

Also it's really interesting reading a book where the Greek junta is talked about as present but without it being a plot point. A lot of late 60s politics appears as background in these books and it interests me ( )
  tombomp | Oct 31, 2023 |
Well-written, well paced, good character development and a story that keeps you engaged. One star missing because I thought the ending was anti-climatic. ( )
  dresdon | Aug 20, 2023 |
Las íslenska þýðingu á þessari sögu, Brunabíllinn sem hvarf. Ágætis krimmi með sterkri persónusköpum og eftirminnilegum karakterum. Lögreglumennirnir rekast illa saman og klást við ýmis vandamál í daglega lífinu en tekst smám saman að vinna úr snúnu morðmáli þar sem lykilatriðið er hvarf brunabílsins. ( )
  SkuliSael | Apr 28, 2022 |
Showing 1-5 of 29 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Sjöwall, Majprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Sjöwall, Maymain authorall editionsconfirmed
Wahlöö, Permain authorall editionsconfirmed
Persson, Leif G. W.Forewordsecondary authorall editionsconfirmed
Öström, ArneCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Bruna, DickCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Dahmann, SusanneTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Deutsch, MichelTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Engen, BodilTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Hodijk, W.M.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Nielsen, BjarneTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Salmenoja, MargitTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Schulz, EckehardTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Tate, JoanTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Zatti, RenatoTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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The man lying dead on the tidily made bed had first taken off his jacket and tie and hung them over the chair by the door.
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Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. The lightning-paced fifth novel in the Martin Beck mystery series by the internationally renowned crime writing duo, Maj Sjwall and Per Wahl, finds Beck investigating one of the strangest, most violent, and unforgettable crimes of his career.The incendiary device that blew the roof off a Stockholm apartment not only interrupted the small, peaceful orgy underway inside, it nearly took the lives of the building's eleven occupants. And if one of Martin Beck's colleagues hadn't been on the scene, the explosion would have led to a major catastrophe because somehow a regulation fire-truck has vanished. Was it terrorism, suicide, or simply a gas leak? And what if, anything, did the explosion have to do with the peculiar death earlier that day of a 46-year-old bachelor whose cryptic suicide note consisted of only two words: "Martin Beck"?

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