The Fifth Woman
The Fifth Woman is the first novel that I’ve read by Swedish crime writer Henning Mankel. I saw a positive review of his work in The Age last year and purchased the book while in Melbourne between Christmas and New Year.
His main character, Inspector Kurt Willander, is a thoughtful introspective man who reflects on societal change while solving murder mysteries.
This particular book was different to anything I’ve read by British or American authors. There wasn’t a build up of suspense, but more an unravelling of why certain things had to be.
Willander gradually comes to understand that three brutal murders were committed by a woman seeking revenge against men who abuse women.
Although the murderess wasn’t named until late in the book, she appears in cameo scenes throughout and there is no puzzle regarding her method or motive.
Mankel drew an interesting parallel with a vigilante group committed to seeking retribution against criminals not apprehended by police.
The values of modern Sweden come under scrutiny without any pompous moralising.
Wallander’s approach and methodology are fascinating to read and there is subtle humor in the digs at police bureaucracy.
There’s no great pace to this book, but it gives an insight to Sweden and police work generally.
I'm a 41-year-old father of four working as a newspaper editor at Mount Gambier in South Australia.
