Borkmann's Point--An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery

Like a Scandinavian winter, this Swedish murder mystery carries a dark tone in both the story line (a double ax murder) and the author's writing style. But the plot keeps one listening as Chief Inspector Van Veeteren unravels the case. Simon Vance's narration exactly suits the material. There's no artificiality to his tone. It is as measured as the detective's intellect. Vance reels off the Swedish names and places with such clarity that after a few minutes' listening they sound as normal as "Smith" and "Boston." He gives individual speakers just a hint of distinction in their voices to make following dialogue easier, but the author almost always makes the speaker clear. R.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Starred review from July 25, 2011
Simon Vance, who narrated Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, is currently the go-to reader for Scandinavian crime novelsâand with good reason. His audio version of Nesser's well-crafted whodunit is nothing short of stellar. Along with Vance's mastery of Swedish accents, excellent pacing, and ability to capture a book's mood, his voice has the timber and confidence of a natural storyteller. The vacation of Stockholm's chief inspector Van Veeteren is interrupted by a series of ax murders in a nearby village. When a new victim turns up and the town's smartest policewoman goes missing, the seemingly remote but oddly fascinating detective takes over the case from an agreeable local police chief who's only days from retirement. The characters have depth and the plot has all the necessary ingredientsâincluding a race against timeâto satisfy even the most selective mystery fan. Vance's winning narration is the perfect icing on a very tasty cake. A Vintage paperback.

Starred review from November 1, 2011
This is the first American appearance of Nesser's impressive Inspector Van Veeteren of Stockholm. As the inspector's vacation draws to a close, he's asked to stay and help the police in the remote seaside village of Kaalbringen. There's an ax murderer on the loose, and no one feels safe. Police teams, suspects, and various villagers make for a fascinating array of characters. Tensions escalate when a policewoman is kidnapped by the desperate killer. Narrator Simon Vance does his usual sterling job distinguishing among multiple characters, emotions, and motivations. He also skillfully adds asides and explanations with just the right impatience, frustration, awe, and insight to embellish the story and its twisty climax. Fans of cerebral, procedural, or Maigret-like mysteries will certainly enjoy this. ["Nesser received the Swedish Academy of Detection's best novel award in 1994 for this book, which is exceptional for its elegance of prose and plot," read the review of the Pantheon hc, "LJ" 4/1/06; see Audio News Briefs, "LJ" 5/15/11.—Ed.]—Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

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