The Long Shadow

The author picks up from previous novels in the series with Annika Bengtzon plying her trade doggedly as a reporter for Sweden’s Evening Post. The plot takes her to the Costa del Sol and Morocco following the robbery and murder of a well-known retired hockey star and his family, except for a 16-year-old daughter by a former marriage who miraculously escaped the slaughter but goes missing. Annika follows the story, despite being assigned several silly assignments by her news editor, in an effort to not only find the girl but also to discover why the family was gassed to death.

Meanwhile Annika’s personal and professional lives continue in turmoil, as she is divorced, and now suspected of burning down her house (so the insurance money is frozen), and her attitude is less than appreciated at the newspaper where her superiors wrestle with a decision on what to do with her despite her superior production. Notwithstanding it all, she plods on to fulfill her mission.

The cast of characters remains constant throughout the series, reappearing in this entry and providing continuity. At times, the 544-page book is difficult to read. Whether it is the author’s constant repetition of thoughts and phrases or a reflection of the translation is difficult to determine, but the novel is well worth the effort to read. Obviously, the seeds of the next installment have been sown so we have something to look forward to.

Highly recommended.

Volevo dare una stellina meno perchè questa volta il grosso della storia è ambientato in Spagna mentre a me piace leggere della Svezia. Vabbè, ne ho lasciate quattro perchè ormai mi sono affezionata ad Annika e mi sto leggendo tutta la serie d'un fiato. Finalmente le cose iniziano ad andare meglio (lo dicevo che peggio di come era messa nel libro precedente non poteva andare..). Come al solito si caccia in situazioni assurde durante la soluzione del caso, come al solito litiga con tutti e non riesce a vivere la sua vita se non con i figli e il lavoro. Ma qualcosa migliora... ora mi resta solo l'ultimo, lo comincio stasera!