Sidetracked

A Kurt Wallander Mystery

By: Henning Mankell

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Detective Kurt Wallander is called to a nearby rapeseed field where a teenage girl has been loitering all day long. He arrives just in time to watch her douse herself in gasoline and set herself aflame. The next day, he is called to a beach where Sweden's former minister of justice has been axed to death and scalped. The murder has the obvious markings of a demented serial killer, and Wallander is frantic to find him before he strikes again. But his investigation is beset with obstacles: a department distracted by the threat of cutbacks and the frivolity of World Cup soccer, a tenuous relationship with a widow, and an unshakably haunting preoccupation with the girl who set herself on fire.

Fascinating and astute, Sidetracked is a compelling mystery enhanced by keen social awareness.

More mayhem? Listen to all of our Kurt Wallander mysteries.©1999 by Steven T. Murray; 1995 by Henning Mankell (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Connoisseurs of the police procedural will tear into this installment like the seven-course banquet it is." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"Full of emotion yet cleanly written, apparently straightforward yet fraught with intriguing revelations, Mankell's latest mystery is strongly recommended." ( Library Journal)
"Mankell's meticulously detailed descriptions of the inspector's investigation, and his often lyrical portrayal of Wallander's struggle to rearrange his thought processes in order to catch the criminal, are masterful." ( Publishers Weekly)

Wallender without Kenneth Brannach

I have watched some of the BBC series based on these books, but this was my first "reading" of one. The TV version is bleak indeed, and Sweden is portrayed as a really depressing place.

I found the listening experience to be more balanced. Because the book is not so entirely focused on Wallander and his demons, it presents a wider view entirely. The detective's frequent depression isn't so much the crux of the story as an intricate part of the puzzle.

"Sidetracked" is a great thriller. We know who the perpetrator is from nearly the beginning, so this is more a police procedural than a mystery. But it's also a really good study about the psychology and humanity of a seeming monster. It has really intense violence, but it also has great suspense, an interesting and varied cast of characters, and terrific writing.
Dick Hill narrates beautifully.

I'll seek out other listens in this series.

Liking the series

Another good one, well paced and interesting. More “woe is me” than I prefer, but my tolerance level for that is lower than others. I’ve enjoyed all the Wallander books so far.

Dick Hill

The golden voice of Dick Hill makes every book I’ve listened to better than amazing.

Loved it.

I love this author, love his "lawman". This book is as great as all the others. Great plot, great characters. Once I start a Mankell I can't stop until done. Love them all!

I really liked this one

By chapter 9 I knew who had "done it" but a few chapters later I knew I was wrong. I probably figured it out right about when the author allowed me to, and then it was a matter of KW catching up. The dynamic with his father, daughter, and Baiba all progress here and are good story lines.

Dick Hill was minimally annoying, and his voices and accents were good.

This one was good all around.