mandag den 11. januar 2010

M for Mankell, Marklund, Marsh and Moore.


This week´s letter in Kerrie´s Alphabet Meme is M, and I have a quartet of crime ready for you.

First the Swedish writer Henning Mankell whose excellent series about Kurt Wallander is probably well-known to any crime enthusiast. Mankell´s plots are often brutal, and his view on Sweden rather bleak.

This series may appeal to more men than women.


Second the Swedish writer Liza Marklund who writes about the journalist Annika Bengtson. I was highly impressed by this writer throughout the first handful of stories about Annika, but in volumes eight and nine I think Marklund´s feminist project has begun to overshadow the crime plot.

[Annika Bengson is as focused on career as any man has ever been, and if journalists ask Marklund if women should not try to handle family and career just a little bit better than men, they are immediately accused of wanting women back in the kitchen.]

This series may appeal to more women than men.


Third, the prolific New Zealand writer Ngaio Marsh. Marsh, who died in 1982, wrote more than thirty Inspector Alleyn stories, most of which were solid police procedurals.

This series may appeal to lovers of traditional British whodunits.


Fourth, the young and entertaining Scottish writer Donna Moore. Donna has not written thirty novels yet, but her delightful Go to Helena Handbasket was a promising debut indeed.

Donna´s debut will appeal to any lover of fun, and her second novel, Old Dogs, is just around the corner.

11 kommentarer:

Anonym sagde ...

Dorte - Thanks for this little bouquet of authors : ). You've chosen some very fine ones! What I like about your choices is that they're varied - something for everyone there.

Felicity Grace Terry sagde ...

How strange is that? I've just been reading an article about the new series of Wallander which starts on British TV this week.

Elizabeth Spann Craig sagde ...

Great choices for "M"! I enjoy watching "Wallander" on TV, but not sure I'd enjoy reading it as much.

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen

Heather sagde ...

I have noted Ngaio Marsh and will see if I can find a book or two of hers.

Dorte H sagde ...

Margot: I think it is fun to expose more than one writer now and then, and it would be difficult to select just one M.

Petty Witter: I think Wallander is quite popular in Britain, and he deserves it as his plots and characters are of really good quality.

Elizabeth: thank you! I have read several of his novels, and they are not excessively graphic in my opinion, but he explores some of the darker sides of Scandinavian society. I think that is commendable, but I can´t take too large doses of it.

Heather: great idea! She is traditional, but well worth reading. I prefer the books where Alleyn´s wife also plays a role.

Kerrie sagde ...

Excellent contribution Dorte thank you. I think I'll have to catch up with Marsh for the Global Reading Challenge, and I have Bernadette's copy of GO TO HELENA HANDBASKET on my bedside table to read

Unknown sagde ...

I enjoy watching Wallender on TV and I've read several of the Inspector Alleyn books.

Belle Wong sagde ...

A very nice, varied list, Dorte. I've always enjoyed Ngaio Marsh's books, and I've heard good things about Go To Helena Handbasket (it always makes me chuckle, because a good friend of mine is called Helena!). I'm not sure about the Wallander series, but I'll definitely keep my eye out for the Marklund novels.

Donna sagde ...

"Young and entertaining"? Sometimes I worry about you, Dorte :o) Thank you so much - you put a big smile on my face this morning.

gautami tripathy sagde ...

Great list of authors, Dorte! They are all so interesting.

Here is my Crime Fiction Alphabet: M post!

Dorte H sagde ...

Kerrie: thank you. I think you´ll enjoy Donna´s book a lot.

Elizabeth: then you know why I have recommended them :D

Donna: I think it is great we can keep each other amused ;) (And don´t worry too much, at least I am having fun!)

Gautami: thank you. I will come and visit you.