THE MAN WHO SMILED

Depressed and world-weary after having killed a man in the line of duty, Detective Kurt Wallander returns from two years of wallowing in guilt to investigate the murders of a father and son, both prominent lawyers. His investigation takes the brooding Swede into an intricate web of deception and horror. Dick Hill’s performance is a prime example of art that is so finely crafted that it draws no attention to itself. Hill rattles off Swedish character and place names as naturally as a native speaker, and he’s beautifully understated as the gloomy Wallender agonizes over his personal failures. There are currently nine Wallender novels. This one, the fourth in the series, is guaranteed to have listeners looking for more from Mankell, Wallender, and Hill. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 07]