I love the Wallander series. I'm one of those people that really enjoyed going to Ystad to see where the novels actually take place (my daughter, who was living in Malmo, took me on a day trip). This book is more of a novella, and, although just released in English, was written somewhere in the middle of the series of Henning Mankell's previous novels. I had assumed it was a newly written novel and was very confused when things I had previously read about had obviously not happened. It would have helped if at least some of the afterword had been written as a preface to place the novella in context. I'm not sure how someone would view this book if they hadn't already come to know the characters. There is not very much action, but adds another layer to the players we have come to know. Most enjoyable for any Wallander fan is an afterword by the author describing how he came to write the series and his intentions to reflect upon social issues that were happening in Sweden and the world at the time. Kurt Wallander's life looks like it has taken a turn for the better when his offer on a new house in the country is accepted. Unfortunately while exploring the garden, he discovers a skeletal hand reaching out from the ground. It turns out to be the skeleton of a middle-aged woman. As police officers search the property for more remains, Wallander attempts to get his life back on course by finding the woman's killer. When another discovery is made in the garden, Wallander is forced to search even further back into the past in his attempt to put things right.Set in 2002, this compelling short novel (176 pages) depicts an episode in the life of Kurt Wallander shortly before the Swedish detective ended his career in 2011's The Troubled Man. There is an extensive afterward by the author in which Mankell discusses his long term relationship to Wallander and the difficulty he had in ending the series. If you are already a fan of Kurt Wallander you will probably enjoy this novella which was originally conceived in 2002 as a BBC show and only recently translated into English. If you are interested in the Wallander series this is certainly not the one to start with. Many of the familiar characters are there there is not enough time to give them any depth. Recommended for fans only.
What do You think about La Mano (2004)?
Scanty, disappointing, but still Henning Mankell's lovely lilting prose.
—KayG
Too short, but still good old Wallander!
—Brittany
