Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell - 3 stars (Subdue)

[Joy D]

Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell - 3* - My Review

Police procedural and murder mystery set in Ystad, Sweden. Two people, husband and wife, living in a remote farming community, are murdered. The last word of one victim is “foreign,” which is leaked to reporters. This inflames anti-immigration sentiments, and another person is murdered. Inspector Karl Wallander works diligently to solve both cases. This is the first in a series, so Wallander’s personal life becomes a significant side story. He has his share of relationship problems and personal idiosyncrasies. His father is suffering from dementia. The story moves along at a good pace, though it is not a thriller so if you are looking for non-stop action, this is not it. It piqued my curiosity and kept my attention. It feels a little dated in its treatment of women. It contains more social commentary than most murder mysteries. Published in 1991, Mankell explores racism related to immigration issues, which unfortunately is still a relevant topic today.