LoveReading Says
If you’re looking to be absorbed and entertained by a series that delivers delightful escapism, endearingly oddball characters, and a gentle sense of suspense, look no further than Alexander McCall Smith's Detective Varg series - Scandi crime delivered in decidedly introspective, whimsically amusing style.
The Talented Mr Varg, the second book in the series, sees the eponymous hero further engaged in thought-provoking self-reflection as a result of his psychoanalyst referring him to group therapy. Meanwhile, back at the ranch (namely, Malmo’s police Department of Sensitive Crimes), Ulf finds himself in a sensitive situation when one of his investigations involves his colleague Anna, a woman for whom he holds something of a torch.
As always, Ulf has more than one matter on his plate, and this novel also sees him looking into the possible blackmailing of a successful writer, all the while grappling with internal dilemmas. This story, and the series as a whole, is warmly funny, and as moreish as a plate of buttery biscuits.
The Detective Varg Series is our Series of the Month for July 2022. Click here to view our Series of the Month page.
Joanne Owen
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The Talented Mr Varg Synopsis
The second book in Alexander McCall Smith's new DETECTIVE VARG series . . . 'Reading the novel feels like a form of meditation . . . There is much to enjoy' Scotsman 'Wonderfully soothing and relaxing' Telegraph 'Heaven is in the detail with this sort of escapist writing. It's like AA Milne meets Karl Ove Knausgaard' Financial Times Spring is coming slowly to Sweden - though not quite as slowly as Detective Ulf Varg's promised promotion at the Department of Sensitive Crimes. For Varg, referred by his psychoanalyst to group therapy at Malmö's Wholeness Centre, life now seems mostly a circle of self-examination, something which may or may not be useful when it comes to the nature of his profession and the particularly sensitive cases that have recently come to light. All in a day's work for Detective Varg, except that one of his new investigations involves fellow detective Anna; it will require every ounce of self-discipline he has in order to remain professional. The other, more curious case is centred around internationally successful novelist Nils Personn-Cederström. According to his girlfriend, Cederström is being blackmailed - but by whom and for what reason? Accompanied by his irritating but kindly colleague Blomquist, Varg begins his enquiries and soon the answers fall neatly into place. Nothing and no one is ever that simple, however, and not for the first time he learns as much about his own emotional and moral landscape as he does about the motives of others. Now Varg must make a possibly life-changing decision. Will he choose his own happiness over that of his heart's desire?
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