Summary: I have no doubt that this is the best of the Kurt Wallender series. This is a gripping story, even if the same formula applies as in all other stories involving the inspector (i.e. psycho on the loose in southern Sweden). I get the impression with this book that we really get to know the inspector inside out. My only caveat is that new readers to Mankell's novels would do better to start with some of the earlier novels. That way they would be able to appreciate this book better.