Henning Mankell

Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell is the first title in the critically acclaimed Inspector Wallander series. This taut, gripping novel follows Inspector Kurt Wallander as he navigates a world of darkness and brutality. One frozen January morning at 5am, Inspector Wallander responds to what he believes is a routine call out. Upon reaching an isolated farmhouse, he is confronted with...

It was the most dangerous thing she could have done. But Sofia was only playing - pushing and shoving and laughing with her sister as they ran out to the fields one pearly dawn. Sofia didn't mean to step off the path. She didn't mean to tread on the monster, the monster that lurked, waiting, under the ground. Secrets in...

The Rock Blaster by Henning Mankell takes readers on a poignant journey through the tumultuous life of Oskar Johansson, a man whose resilience and determination are tested to their limits. At 3 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon in 1911, Johansson is severely injured in an industrial explosion, an event misreported by the local newspaper as fatal. Despite being crippled, Johansson...

In the tranquil outskirts of Southern Sweden, estate agent, devoted Methodist, and loving wife and mother, Louise Åkerblom mysteriously disappears without a trace. There are no signs of a struggle, no apparent motive, and no witnesses. As the days stretch into weeks, Inspector Kurt Wallander and his dedicated team are drawn into an enigmatic case that will challenge their detective...

The Troubled Man is the last gripping instalment in Henning Mankell's bestselling Wallander series, offering an intense mix of suspense, mystery, and personal reflection. Every morning, Håkan von Enke takes his routine walk in the forest near his apartment in Stockholm. But one day, he mysteriously fails to return home. Although Detective Kurt Wallander is not involved officially in the...

In The Shadow Girls by Henning Mankell, readers are immersed in the rich, intertwined tales of three young immigrant girls struggling to find their place in Sweden. Known as the 'Swedish John le Carré,' Mankell offers an inspirational narrative that bridges cultural chasms and delves deep into the human spirit. Tea-Bag, a spirited Nigerian refugee, escapes the squalor of a...

In The Return of the Dancing Master, Henning Mankell delivers a masterful blend of mystery and psychological depth that keeps readers enthralled from the very first page. Set against the stark and atmospheric backdrop of northern Sweden's vast, desolate forests, this novel tells the gripping story of Herbert Molin, a reclusive retired police officer whose solitary existence is deeply haunted...

The Pyramid by Henning Mankell is an unmissable read for enthusiasts of the Kurt Wallander series. This compelling prequel delves into the formative years of the protagonist, offering a rich backstory that enhances our understanding of the iconic Swedish detective. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Sweden, The Pyramid reveals how the young, inexperienced Kurt Wallander evolves into the seasoned...

Immerse yourself in a masterfully written thriller with The Man Who Smiled by Henning Mankell, where mystery and intrigue challenge the very fabric of Inspector Kurt Wallander’s life. Struggling with an alcohol-fuelled depression after the harrowing experience of killing a man in the line of duty, Inspector Wallander decides to hang up his badge for good. His world is grim,...

In the critically acclaimed novel The Fifth Woman by Henning Mankell, Inspector Kurt Wallander faces one of the most challenging cases of his career, delving into a series of gruesome murders that push him to his limits both personally and professionally. It all begins with the harrowing and senseless massacre of four nuns and a fifth woman during a night-time...

In the chilling depths of a Swedish winter in 1991, Inspector Kurt Wallander is confronted with a perplexing case when he receives an anonymous tip-off. Days later, a life raft carrying two elegantly dressed but lifeless men washes ashore. Both victims are found to have been shot dead at close range, dressed in expensive suits, hinting at connections to organised...

Set against the stark backdrop of Sweden, One Step Behind by Henning Mankell is a masterfully crafted crime novel that captures the reader's attention from the very first page. Mankell, renowned for his gripping storytelling, takes readers on an intense journey with seasoned Detective Kurt Wallander in this deeply atmospheric and suspenseful tale. During the Midsummer Eve celebrations, a time...

From Henning Mankell, the bestselling author of the Wallander series, comes Depths, a tense and gripping psychological thriller that delves into the obsessive mind of a naval engineer and his infatuation with a mysterious woman. Set against the backdrop of the dark and tumultuous early days of World War I, this novel intertwines the themes of isolation, obsession, and the...

Renowned for his masterful storytelling in the Kurt Wallander series, Henning Mankell returns with Before The Frost, a gripping narrative that heralds both a new beginning and a dramatic continuation of his celebrated detective stories. As Inspector Kurt Wallander edges closer to retirement, his daughter Linda is on the cusp of starting her career with the Ystad police force, already...

An Event in Autumn by Henning Mankell presents an intriguing blend of mystery and historical depth, featuring one of modern literature’s most beloved detectives, Kurt Wallander. Unpublished in English until now, this novella takes readers on a gripping journey through a seemingly quiet suburban neighbourhood that harbours dark secrets. As the story begins, Wallander's life appears to be on an...

After the Fire is the last novel from the internationally acclaimed crime writer Henning Mankell, known for his gripping and atmospheric prose. Set against the breath-taking yet isolating backdrop of the Swedish archipelago, this brilliant and moving mystery unfolds with intensity and emotional depth. LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA INTERNATIONAL DAGGER 2018. Fredrik Welin is a seventy-year-old retired doctor who has...

Firewall by Henning Mankell is a masterfully crafted, tense instalment in the acclaimed Kurt Wallander series. The story unravels in the picturesque yet brooding landscape of Sweden, where crime and mystery intertwine in a compelling plot. One ordinary evening takes a sinister turn when a man collapses and dies while stopping to use a cash machine. The situation escalates as...

In A Treacherous Paradise, Henning Mankell, master of the thriller genre, ventures into historical fiction to deliver a sweeping narrative based on the true story of a Swedish woman who came to run one of Mozambique’s most famous brothels. This gripping and thought-provoking novel is set against the backdrop of colonial Africa, where the collision of power, passion, and cultural...

'One of the most ingenious crime writers around' Observer 'The figurehead of Nordic noir' Independent 'Mankell is in the first division of crime writing' The Times 'Extraordinary' Ian Rankin One day in 1947, Bertil Kras decides to leave his modest life in Stockholm and begin again - swapping his work at a bicycle courier firm for a job at a...

The Man From Beijing by Henning Mankell is an electrifying tale of revenge that masterfully blends intricate police procedural with a chilling political thriller. This compelling novel takes readers on an unforgettable journey across continents and through time, showcasing Mankell's exceptional storytelling prowess. In a tranquil village in northern Sweden, the local police uncover a horrifying scene: nineteen residents have...

Italian Shoes by Henning Mankell is a poignant and introspective novel that delves deep into themes of regret, redemption, and the human condition. Frederick Welin, a once-prominent surgeon, has retreated to a secluded island in the Swedish archipelago after a catastrophic error during surgery shattered his career. For nearly twelve years, he has lived alone, haunted by his failure and...

Quicksand by Henning Mankell is an insightful memoir that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of autobiographical writing. This collection of micro-essays delves deeply into the human condition, touching on subjects as diverse as art, existential reflections, and the fragile state of our planet. Mankell's poignant narration begins in January 2014, when he was diagnosed with cancer. However, the book is...

In this gripping thriller, Kurt Wallander's furious pursuit of a killer who scalps his victims will throw him and those he loves most into mortal danger. Midsummer approaches, and Inspector Kurt Wallander prepares for a holiday with the new woman in his life, hopeful that his wayward daughter and his ageing father will cope without him. But his restful summer...