An Inspector Van Vetteren Mystery (1) (Inspector Van Veeteren Mysteries)

For those of you who have read Henning Mankell and have stumbled on to Hakan Nesser in anticipation of a similar Scandinavian writing style then you may want to carefully consider the fact that Nesser's writing is completely different from Mankell's. Whilst Mankell deliberates over the Swedish countryside and accurately portrays the Swedes gloomy outlook on life, Nesser has no time for such frivolities and he writes in a take no prisoners bare bones method.
It is a gory crime novel set in Maardam, a city in a fictional European country that probably closely resembles a hybrid of Sweden and the Netherlands. A woman is found murdered in the bathtub, in what was a seemingly straightforward case her husband is accused, found guilty and sentenced. Things take another turn when he is found butchered at the mental instituition. It is up to Van Veeteren to solve the case and find the original murderer.
It has an unexpected twist in the end and is definitely a page turner that will have you up all night.
Nesser spares no blushes in depicting the dark human underbelly.
One criticism is that an inordinate amount of time is spent developing the character of Janek Mitter, the accused husband and at times it felt as if this was done at the expense of of the main character Van Veeteren.
Come to terms with the writing style and this is a good read. I will definitely read the other books in the series, maybe humanity may seep into Van Veeteren.

First, learning the identity of the murderer was great! I did not see that coming. The story was good and begins in media res. That was fun. The characters, well, some are better thought out than others, I felt. For example, the Van Veeteren chews toothpicks. This came across more like an affectation than a description that further elaborates on his character or motives. His back pain, his fondness for racquet sports, that fits. The toothpicks? Eh. I suspect that in subsequent novels certain characters are more developed.

The swedish police procedural is both a fascinating genre and a popular one. Readers have to look no further than the Henning Mankall series (now a PBS special). Chief Inspector Van Veeteren, although possibly not a Swedish detective, is a character similar to Mankall's Kurt Wallander: introspective, intelligent, somewhat socially inept.

Set in a ficticious city and country, which could be anywhere in Northern Europe but is probably Sweden, Nesser is a complicated writer who is becoming more and more popular. His crimes are illustrated with what seems like accuracy and the unraveling of his mysteries are believable. His characters, both the accused and the victim, are deliberately decribed and well drawn. In Mind's Eye, the victim, Eva, a boozy, recently married woman, whose life even before she is murdered is mysterious, is found dead in the bathtub by her husband. The new husband, and eventually the main suspect, Janek Mitter, is also interestingly drawn and somewhat unfathamable, as is our Chief Inspector.

The dialogue and ensuing relationship between Van Veeteren and Mitter is clever and insighful, especially since the suspect can not remember what happened. Is he lying? Pretending? Or does he not actually remember what happened before his wife was killed?

Nesser has won a number of awards and is following in the able footsteps of his mentor, the great Martin Beck, whose series of 10 books, written by a Swedish husband and wife team started this whole Nordic police procedural thing.

I am anticipating the next Nesser book to be published in English.

though I figure it out about halfway through, it was enjoyable enough watching the author take us to the solution. this is one of the more entertaining detective yarns I've read in a while. some pretty good humor in it as well. treat yourself to a good story and a few laughs along the way. hope I haven't given any spoilers.

Well developed characters lend credence to the book. You'll like Inspector V.V. and enjoy the development of his character through the eyes of those who newly meet him and work with him. There is something sparse yet thorough about Nesser's writing.

Would I want to work with Inspector Van Veeteren? Yes, but not on his grouchier and more sarcastic days. But he gets the job done in this police procedural and I enjoyed the exchanges with his detectives.

Nesser had his own unique writing style - dry humor - Van Vetteren is a man unto himself. I can never figure out the culprit until possibly the very end. Swedish mystery writers are an addictive habit.

The book was surprisingly good, although towards the end the story dragged a little. Inspector Van Vetteren wry and disarming humor especially towards his team of detectives kept me engaged throughout. Will definitely read more from this author!

The characters are great! Sometimes funny, sometimes spooky police procedural. Two murders and a tricky investigation. I was glad to hear that this is the first in a series. I look forward to reading more.

Fascinating and satisfying piece of writing. The first Van Veeteren mystery. Hakan Nesser should be better known in the United States. Playful, intelligent writing. Tight, unusual plotting. Existential. Fine literature.

This is Carolyn's father. I thought that Nesser might be in the league of Stieg or Mankell. I found the mystery plot rather superficial. I wasn't in love with the writing style. I would have liked more of Van Veeteren and less focused on other characters. Too many chapters or sections started with "he" without saying who he is. That would be ok for the perp but often it wasn't. And you can't assume it is Van Veeteren either.

Yes, Nessen is different than Mankell. I like Mankell better. Maybe I won't assume that every Swedish mystery writer with awards is to my liking.

After finishing most of Michael Connelly and then moving into Nordic crime writers via Henning Mandell's The Return of the Dancing Master and most notably Jo Nesbo's The Devil's Star, I was expecting the same compelling writing from Nesser. After struggling through 120 pages of disjointed and boring writing I threw it away. No continuity or character development and the story was one-dimensional. Fortunately I'll give Nesser another try since I already purchased The Return by him. Also I located Asa Larsson's Sun Storm, Ekman's Blackwater, and Roseanna by Maj Stowall. Karin Fossum as well and these Nordics all come highly recommended. Mind's Eye is effective for inducing sleep.