The Root Of Evil - Chapters 5-8

[Mark]

Isn't Troae an interesting character William, I wonder what all that was about? Weird behaviour for a young kid - I bet she pops up somewhere again.

I agree with you re Gunnar, I've ruled him out being the Gunnar in the group with the killer, he wouldve known Erik if he was surely, it wasn't that long ago.

I'm really enjoying the splashes of humour throughout - like Asanunder's false teeth - hahaha - and he doesn't really do anything! Brilliant.

[Nat]

Oh yes Marko! Asanunder is hilarious (without meaning to be).
Clickety clack. Let's hope he never jumps out of a plane.

What's "snus"? There's a line:
" 'Good grief,' said Astor Nilsson, and inserted a wad of snus under his top lip."

I like the introduction of the "outside help" of Inspector Astor Nilsson. He sounds like Barborotti's cup of tea. For the fact that he's now on loan to other police departments because he stood up against his boss. And was proven correct. So his penance (or payback) is now to help other areas other than his own.

These chapters show how difficult police work can be. How they're just waiting for something to happen (unfortunately the next victim...), as they're effectively impotent to do more until the next crime is committed.

I love the line "It was his usual problem. He couldn't keep his eyes open long enough to read, but as soon as he closed them and tried to sleep, his whole head felt like a hive of bees."

The pretty much describes me this week 🐝🐝🐝

[Nat]

His meeting with a baseball bat...
True, you'd think workplace insurance would cover something like that.

Thanks for the snus/snuff explanation Bill ☺

Though it does give Nesser a lot of amusing one liners (at his expense).

[Neale]

Yes I think I have to agree with William and Mark. If it was the same Gunnar he would have to have recognized Erik and Ana. However I still have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind about the five people that the killer has targeted and the connection to Gunnar. Surely he has not just picked Gunnar randomly from the police detectives.

Like the first book I enjoy how Nesser writes the daily grind of police work with a very realistic portrayal. How many cases are solved with a lucky break after hours and hours of methodical and repetitive groundwork. Love the subtle humor as well. :-)

[Nataliya]

I know I’m vet much behind now, but I’m slowly making my way through it. All I cam say so far is that all the interactions with that teenage girl are very uncomfortable.

[Nat]

Nataliya wrote: "I know I’m vet much behind now, but I’m slowly making my way through it. All I cam say so far is that all the interactions with that teenage girl are very uncomfortable."

You're not that far behind Nataliya! I'm firmly stuck at Chapter 12. It's a busy time of year.