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

A Bilt of A Downer

First of all I would like to say that I just read online that the actor who narrated this book just died in Feb., 2013. I don't want to trash him, just say that he was not appropriate to narrate a Kurt Wallander book. Other Audible reviewers complained about Dick Hill's narration of previous Wallander books, but I say just wait till you listen to this guy. ( I liked Dick Hill's narration.) This guy has a very highbrow English accent with no expression except anger. Kurt can be short with people but he has a huge heart. This did not come through with this reader. Too bad Kenneth Branagh didn't narrate this book. He does such an excellent job in the PBS dramas of these Henning Mankell books. He's not to bad to look at either.

The book itself is sad because Kurt is toward the end of his career and is definitely feeling his age. He thinks more about dying than living, but then he always specialized in melancholy. As always, I appreciate how well these books are written. This one seemed to drag, but I honestly think it is because I was used to Dick Hill's voice narrating, and this narrator was very boring to listen to.

I do think that the translation is better in this book than in the previous ones. It flows better and the wording was more intelligent and creative. It was more professionally done, not so much like a high school student had done the translating.

If given the choice you may want to read this one, not listen to it, particularly if you liked the previous narrations. If you have listened to or read the other books in the series you should not leave this one out, but don't begin the series with this book.

Mankell looking for a way to end Wallander

This book moved along, even though Wallander was quite depressed. It was very apparent that after the supposedly final Wallander mystery, Mankell was looking for ways not to bring him back. Too bad, because Kurt Wallander is so much more interesting than his characters in The Man from Beijing. So he did bring Wallander back for this one, and I am glad. But at times was ready to commit suicide because of the depression.

Existential Crime Fiction

Insightful, intricate plotting, thoughtful, & bleak. People who overthink & who can tolerate ambiguity may relate more to this book. Provides at least the author's views on what it is like to live in a country so close to the USSR/Russia while tied to the United States for potential protection. I find it interesting to "look" at another country through the authors of crime fiction. I read other genres, especially biography, autobiography, memoirs, & history. Crime fiction can be poorly writen, poorly plotted, & lack character development as well as excellently written, with complex plotting, & well developed characters. Mankell's work is closer to the latter description. Unfortunately this was only the second of his books that I read & I want to backtrack to read the rest in sequence. Hats off to PBS for capturing the spirit & plotlines of these books as a series on Masterpiece Mystery & for the excellent depiction of the main character by Kenneth Branaugh.

Really hard to turn off - Wallander will be missed

I recommend you listen to all of the Wallander mysteries. These are good stories. Although I haven't listened to all of them this may be the best even if it is the last. I would also recommend you watch the original Swedish films on DVD or Mhz. The PBS version with Kenneth Branagh is good but the originals are better.

A final tribute to a great detective

Markell is a master story teller! He has given Wallander such humanity. He is tenacious in his pursuit of the truth.

Interesting Series - Sad Ending

I've listened to quite a few of the Kurt Wallander detective novels and have always enjoyed them. Yes, as other reviewers have noted, they are not particularly "exciting" or action packed, but Kurt's life, relationships, and the problems he works to solve have been like visiting an old, comfortable friend. This last effort was somewhat interesting, but long and sad.

going to miss Wallander

loved evert minute of this book. sad to see Kurt Wallander done. looking forward to other books by Mr. Mankell

Oh So Troubled...

I love this author but this book was a total downer. The story of a loner who had purposely isolated himself from friends etc. Lives on the tip of a peninsula in Norway, where he is only guy on the mailman's route. VERY slow moving. Pulling teeth.

Mankell is a master at painting the picture, but the subject of this picture is a big yawner

Oh so sad...so sad.

I have so enjoyed Kurt Wallander books over the years. I was ecstatic that a new book in the series came out. How disappointed I am, however.
The narrator was good - no issues there.
The plot was trudging and dull. Kurt was so moody and sad. The book to me was an empty shell, with sadness within.
I really wish that Mr. Mankell had not even written this because it is the end of the Kurt Wallander books, and he left us with a pit in our stomachs about Kurt.
No excitement; no real detective work; no hope; no thrills.
I would recommend this book only if you feel that you must know what happens to Kurt so that you can have closure on the series. If you don't need this closure, let the old Kurt live in your memories.
Uggh. What a bummer.

Such a bummer...

I have never heard a more depressing book. Half of the time Wallander is moaning about being 60 like he was at the brink of death! I'm glad Mankell finally put him out of his misery--even if it felt like an afterthought. I wouldn't listen to any more blubbering from Kurt Wallander even if it were available.