The Man Who Smiled

By: Henning Mankell, Laurie Thompson - translator

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In this adventure from the pen of Sweden's master of crime and mystery, a disillusioned Inspector Kurt Wallander is thrown back into the fray when he becomes both hunter and hunted. Crestfallen, dejected, and spiraling into an alcohol-fuelled depression after killing a man in the line of duty, Inspector Wallander has made up his mind to quit the police force for good. When an old acquaintance, a solicitor, seeks Wallander's help and later turns up dead, Wallander realizes that he was wrong not to listen.

Warily, he returns to work to head what may now have become a double murder case. A rookie female detective has joined the force in his absence, and he adopts the role of mentor to her as they fight to unravel the mystery.

©1994 Henning Mankell, translation 2005 Laurie Thompson (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Dark and moody, this is crime fiction of the highest order." (Publishers Weekly)
"Mankell is a master of the traditional arts of the crime novel, narrative pacing, and suspense." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
"Few of this genre's writers, few of any genre's writers, have been able to balance the ordinary and the grotesque with such literary dash and page-turning brio." (Boston Herald)

Great Yarn

Good performance, interesting plot, believable characters and good translation

Similar in feel to Nebo and Harry Hole but different enough to hold my interest.

Dick Hill as usual makes the story live a little and I liked that

No one should regret spending the money on this one

always a good read

I enjoy listening to this author the story flows well the characters are well develop the narrator does a great job not a dull moment and the mystery is always wrapped up in the end

Really enjoyed but not his best

The story, as usual, was fascinating. Good character development but I felt it got a little bogged down with a depressed lead. I also found the ending a little unsatisfying. Still, I would definitely recommend the book.

Narrator not a good choice

Stilted narration that doesn’t have the inflection and nuance appropriate to the story. I won’t be listening to the other Dick Hill/Wallander audiobooks.

terrific

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Man Who Smiled?

The opening chapters set the stage...mood...mystery...

Which scene was your favorite?

The first scene with the attorney driving down the dark road.....you think something is going to happen...but what will it be?

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I'm addicted to this series....i love Dick 's narration. I've bought wallander the PBS series.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this series. I wish they were listed #1, 2 etc. I've read then out of order however that didn't detract from the joy of reading this thoughtful policeman.

If you like Mankell . . .

. . . you won't be disappointed by this audio book. The narrator is excellent. I have 3 of the Mankells available here, and Dick Hill narrates all of them. He's very good at the Swedish stuff, and particularly good at varying his voice and intonation to indicate different characters. Even the women are quite believable and recognisable as women. This is done very subtly and unobtrusively, and results in a very enjoyable experience for the listener.

In general, I'd say this isn't one of Mankell's best Wallander books, but it's ok. The other two I've got are better novels. But the quality of the narration is excellent in them all, and so despite an initial skepticism regarding audio books, I'm now a committed listener. I drive a lot of long distance trips, and these things keep me awake and alert, and well-entertained.

A Disappointment

Mankell is favorite (at least as far as the Kurt Wallander books are concerned), but this book lacks a credible conclusion. Up to the final chapters it's fine but falls apart after that.

Not Mankell's best

I don't think this book requires a long review. It's an interesting addition to the chronology of the Wallander series but I found it to be rather too long, over-plotted and marred by a silly ending. The performance by Dick Hlll is adequate but I think another reader could've done more justice to this book.

OK but others are better

This is my third Wallander mystery and the weakest story of the three. White Lioness was a great story, a little preachy at times but excellent overall. Sidetracked was suspenseful and exactly right for a murder mystery, a little gruesome at times but a worthy listen. The Man Who Smiled was OK, but the plot strained belief. Why did the lawyer figure out the dirty business but the forensic accountants couldn't see it? The plastic container/organ transplant side story was unnecessary and not believable. I'm continuing through the Mankell series, however, and my next one will be Dogs of Riga. Also, I've gotten accustomed to Dick Hill's narration. At first it was annoying, but give him a chance and you might even like his style after a few books.

Great Mankell

One of Mankell's best! Interesting plot and story moved right along with less depressing moments from our great police officer (can't spell his name).