The Troubled Man

A Kurt Wallander Mystery

By: Henning Mankell, Laurie Thompson - translator

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 16 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The much-anticipated return of Henning Mankell’s brilliant, brooding detective, Kurt Wallander.

On a winter day in 2008, Håkan von Enke, a retired high-ranking naval officer, vanishes during his daily walk in a forest near Stockholm. The investigation into his disappearance falls under the jurisdiction of the Stockholm police. It has nothing to do with Wallander - officially. But von Enke is his daughter’s future father-in-law. And so, with his inimitable disregard for normal procedure, Wallander is soon interfering in matters that are not his responsibility, making promises he won’t keep, telling lies when it suits him - and getting results. But the results hint at elaborate Cold War espionage activities that seem inextricably confounding, even to Wallander, who, in any case, is troubled in more personal ways as well. Negligent of his health, he’s become convinced that, having turned 60, he is on the threshold of senility. Desperate to live up to the hope that a new granddaughter represents, he is continually haunted by his past. And looking toward the future with profound uncertainty, he will have no choice but to come face-to-face with his most intractable adversary: Himself.

More mayhem? Listen to all of our Kurt Wallander mysteries.

©2011 Henning Mankell (P)2011 Random House

Lost in Translation

Kurt Wallender is 60 and a grandfather. He's looking for his in-laws-to-be who disappeared a few weeks after a mysterious discussion on Soviet submarines in Swedish waters in the 1980's. This intriguing story is weighed down by a rough or too-literal translation. I've listened to other Wallender books, and don't remember the language being this primitive. Just isn't great writing. Doesn't mean the book isn't worth listening to, just means the dull language detracts from it.

Great yet looooong winded

I love all of his other books, however, this one just went on and on. Not my favorite but listenable. Great narrative! Interesting plot. It felt that the time span in which the story was told was way too long. A shorter more crisp plot would have kept my interest. What I liked most was the way the author let us to the final discovery. I truly enjoyed this part of the plot. It seems this is the last of the Wallander series and I was sad the way it ended. I like to think of a lead character still being there for us ! Maybe it is just a fantasy, but hey, these novels have been a great escape for me!!!

The Start of my Love Affair with Wallander

This was my first Kurt Wallander novel - and it seems I have started with the last book in the series. I'm usually fanatical about reading series in order, so this is a strange experience for me - watching a robust, beloved character draw the curtains on his story without having the benefit of being there when the curtain went up.

This story reads incredibly quickly and compellingly, but there is also a feeling of "Kurt Wallander, this is your life!" [Presumably] old character resurface. Old cases are referenced. In addition to untangling a knot of espionage, Wallander must also face his own aging and the mortality of those around him, which he does with an austerity of sentimentality that still manages to be powerful.

So, this may be Mankell's last Wallander, but it won't be my last.

Weak entry

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This was diverting as I washed the dishes. That's about it.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

While I liked the idea of aging and crankiness being incorporated into the detective story format, the repeated deus ex machina action tested even my willingness to be disbelieving of chance meetings or gut decisions in detective fiction. I was ready for this to be the last book in the series by the time it ended, and kind of wish I hadn't wasted my time.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Robin Sachs?

Robin Sachs does brilliant male characters and generally conveys the tone of the narrative's moment. But--like far to many men narrators--he can't seem to differentiate between women! With one exception, all women characters seem to have been drugged into near-catatonic flutteriness. I simply don't buy Linda's passivity of speech (particularly when descriptions of her tone and actions are totally opposite). Just annoying, and I would avoid any future audiobooks that have women characters read by Sachs.

Do you think The Troubled Man needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

This is begging for a spoiler, but I'll refrain.

Sick of Author's Tiresome Anti-Americanism

I'm an avid mystery reader and listener. Henning Mankell is a skilled author, and I have overall enjoyed his books, even though I believe they would be better if he stayed clear of political commentary. Although his left leaning sensibilities are pervasive throughout his novels (in particular the Man Who Smiled), the Anti-Americanism in The Troubled Man was tiresome. If you aren't an apologist for the Soviet Union, perhaps you will also be frustrated and bored by the intrigue in this novel.

Not the best in the series..

It was a weird way to end this out. I understand it was Menkell's intent to wrap everything up, but it did not work for me.

Hard to listen to.

I finally listened to the whole book. The story of Wallander's last case, and his personal story, was as depressing as Scandinavian weather. I thought that the narrator did a very good job.

I'd expect nothing less...

A troubled, troubling, stirring, well-wrought end to the Wallander cycle that has me wanting to read and listen to all of them again. I discovered this author on Audible and have savored each book. In this last novel, Mankell has succeeded in what so few authors seem to be capable of, closing his series subtly, beautifully, remaining true to his characters and yet also exploring his terrain with wonderful intuition and character insights, keeping the book moving with compelling twists and turns. Mankell has turned the book, Wallander, and the reader all on their heads and has the reader/listerner looking at everything within (the pages, the plot, the life) in a new way-- sad and glorious. How I will miss Wallander, and how grateful I am that I met him and his creator!

Good story - not impressed with the new narrator

I've been a big fan of the Wallander series and thoroughly enjoyed Dick Hill's narration. Mankell has written a wonderful book - again. However, my comments on this audio book are mainly regarding the narration. Robin Sachs may have a better grasp on Swedish pronunciation than Hill but his narration was soooo sloooow that I had to put my I-pod on 2x speed to listen without losing my mind. This may really be the last of Wallander. I wish the publishers had been consistent and kept Dick Hill on for this one. Robin Sachs' reading sort of ruined the end of this series for me.

Last wallendar

I loved every minute of this book. I wish there were an endless supply of these novels. Wallendar is my favorite detective, Henning Mankell is such a superb writer. So great with characters.