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Malin Fors #7
Vindsjälar
Luften vibrerar av hetta. En ovanlig sensommarstorm närmar sig Linköping och på ett vanskött äldreboende hittas den 79-årige Konrad Karlsson död, hängd i sladden till sin larmknapp.
Det mesta tyder på självmord, men när Malin Fors och hennes kolleger talar med personer i hans omgivning vittnar alla om en man som trots sina krämpor var full av livsvilja. Omtyckt av personalen och ett slags extramorfar för Malins dotter Tove, som sommarjobbar på boendet.
Misstankarna om att Konrad inte själv tog sitt liv förstärks vid obduktionen. En utredning inleds, men ingenting tycks gå ihop. Uppgifterna är motsägelsefulla, händelseförloppen förvirrade. Vem har något att vinna på en sjuk gammal mans död, ens i ett samhälle där kapitalet tycks stå över människovärdet?
Den senaste tiden hade Konrad skrivit flera ilskna insändare om bristerna på äldreboendet och girigheten hos ägaren Hans Morelia. Kanske har någon velat tysta honom, nu när koncernen är på väg att säljas till ett amerikanskt riskkapitalbolag. Eller är det ett barmhärtighetsmord? Är fler gamla människors liv i fara? Malin söker trevande efter ett mönster.
Samtidigt känner sig Hans Morelia alltmer hotad. Någon verkar förfölja honom. Och trots att han försöker intala sig själv att allt bara är inbillning kan han inte värja sig. Insikten att hans miljoner inte kan skydda hans älskade nioåriga dotter föder en skräck större än någon han tidigare upplevt.
Det mesta tyder på självmord, men när Malin Fors och hennes kolleger talar med personer i hans omgivning vittnar alla om en man som trots sina krämpor var full av livsvilja. Omtyckt av personalen och ett slags extramorfar för Malins dotter Tove, som sommarjobbar på boendet.
Misstankarna om att Konrad inte själv tog sitt liv förstärks vid obduktionen. En utredning inleds, men ingenting tycks gå ihop. Uppgifterna är motsägelsefulla, händelseförloppen förvirrade. Vem har något att vinna på en sjuk gammal mans död, ens i ett samhälle där kapitalet tycks stå över människovärdet?
Den senaste tiden hade Konrad skrivit flera ilskna insändare om bristerna på äldreboendet och girigheten hos ägaren Hans Morelia. Kanske har någon velat tysta honom, nu när koncernen är på väg att säljas till ett amerikanskt riskkapitalbolag. Eller är det ett barmhärtighetsmord? Är fler gamla människors liv i fara? Malin söker trevande efter ett mönster.
Samtidigt känner sig Hans Morelia alltmer hotad. Någon verkar förfölja honom. Och trots att han försöker intala sig själv att allt bara är inbillning kan han inte värja sig. Insikten att hans miljoner inte kan skydda hans älskade nioåriga dotter föder en skräck större än någon han tidigare upplevt.
286 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
19 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Mons Kallentoft
53 books411 followersAfter being awarded the Swedish equivalent to the Whitbread Award for his debut novel Pesetas, Mons Kallentoft chose to give his own unique take on the classic Scandinavian crime novel. His success was immediate. The first book in the series about superintendent Malin Fors received unanimous praise from the national critics; it also conquered the bestseller charts and has today sold more than 300,000 copies in Sweden alone.
Was Mons Kallentoft born to be a storyteller? Yes, perhaps. Because, considering his upbringing, literature was not the obvious path in life. Mons grew up in a working-class home in the provincial town of Linköping, Sweden. Books were a rare phenomenon in his house; instead the young author spent his time playing football and ice hockey.
He discovered literature when he was about fourteen, and bedridden following a severe sports injury. Kafka, Hemingway and George Orwell introduced the young man to a whole new world.
The path to his own authorship led him through the advertising business, journalism and the shady side of Madrid. His debut, Pesetas, which was awarded the Swedish equivalent to the Whitbread Award, takes place among cocaine dealers and bankrobbers in the Spanish capital.
Following another couple of critically acclaimed novels (Marbella Club and Attractive, Healthy & Spontaneous), as well as an well-regarded travelogue/food essay (Food Noir), Mons Kallentoft chose to give his own unique take on the classic Scandinavian crime novel. His success was immediate.
The first book in the series about Superintendent Malin Fors received unanimous praise from the national critics; it also conquered the bestseller charts and has today sold more than 220 000 copies in Sweden alone. The novel recently appeared on the Norwegian bestseller charts and the series about Malin Fors will soon be published by leading publishing houses in nine countries.
Through the series about Malin Fors, Mons Kallentoft re-establishes his connection to his childhood home – a place that the truly cosmopolitan Kallentoft has spent all his life running from. The result is an innovative series of crime novels that are both poignant and packed full of suspense.
Critics and readers agree: Mons Kallentoft was born to tell the story about Malin Fors.
Series:
* Malin Fors
Was Mons Kallentoft born to be a storyteller? Yes, perhaps. Because, considering his upbringing, literature was not the obvious path in life. Mons grew up in a working-class home in the provincial town of Linköping, Sweden. Books were a rare phenomenon in his house; instead the young author spent his time playing football and ice hockey.
He discovered literature when he was about fourteen, and bedridden following a severe sports injury. Kafka, Hemingway and George Orwell introduced the young man to a whole new world.
The path to his own authorship led him through the advertising business, journalism and the shady side of Madrid. His debut, Pesetas, which was awarded the Swedish equivalent to the Whitbread Award, takes place among cocaine dealers and bankrobbers in the Spanish capital.
Following another couple of critically acclaimed novels (Marbella Club and Attractive, Healthy & Spontaneous), as well as an well-regarded travelogue/food essay (Food Noir), Mons Kallentoft chose to give his own unique take on the classic Scandinavian crime novel. His success was immediate.
The first book in the series about Superintendent Malin Fors received unanimous praise from the national critics; it also conquered the bestseller charts and has today sold more than 220 000 copies in Sweden alone. The novel recently appeared on the Norwegian bestseller charts and the series about Malin Fors will soon be published by leading publishing houses in nine countries.
Through the series about Malin Fors, Mons Kallentoft re-establishes his connection to his childhood home – a place that the truly cosmopolitan Kallentoft has spent all his life running from. The result is an innovative series of crime novels that are both poignant and packed full of suspense.
Critics and readers agree: Mons Kallentoft was born to tell the story about Malin Fors.
Series:
* Malin Fors
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 5, 2017
My first Mons Kallentoft book. This is not the first Malin Fors book; it is number seven, and so for me I was meeting the central characters for the first time. I enjoyed the story line and although it was neither a cliffhanger nor overly suspenseful it was well written with a good crime mystery at its centre and I felt Malin was well developed. The other people from family, to old flames, colleagues, suspects and (possibly returning from previous books) bad people all played a part to the story and events.
All in all I will be back to get to know Malin better.
All in all I will be back to get to know Malin better.
April 17, 2018
The Malin Fors series felt groundbreaking at the beginning, as if Kallentoft were onto an original take on the Scandinavian crime novel. Seven books in they have become formulaic. I still enjoy the series, but I know I have a standard crime novel with the voices of the investigation (very limited this go round).
The characters are still strong, which is what drives the series.
What is not strong is the editing. Whether sloppiness or laziness, the lack of attention in the latter entries in the series is now officially irritating. In some places, the corporation is referred to as Nexxon and in others Nexxus. But what is most unforgivable, be it the sin of the author, the translator or the editor, is confusing Raymond Carver and Raymond Chandler. Geniuses each, but a vast difference in the body of their work.
The characters are still strong, which is what drives the series.
What is not strong is the editing. Whether sloppiness or laziness, the lack of attention in the latter entries in the series is now officially irritating. In some places, the corporation is referred to as Nexxon and in others Nexxus. But what is most unforgivable, be it the sin of the author, the translator or the editor, is confusing Raymond Carver and Raymond Chandler. Geniuses each, but a vast difference in the body of their work.
February 19, 2017
As with the previous novels in this series, Souls Of Air focuses on social-political concerns; this time the injustices of commercialised nursing care for the elderly. Thankfully, unlike previous novels, central character Malin Fors appears to be on top of her previous drinking problems, although now seems to fear the problem could be hereditary and gets anxious if her daughter Tove so much as drinks a glass of beer. Tove features far more prominently in this novel than previous ones as she works at a nursing home where a 79 year old man is found murdered. The ending is a bit downbeat, although, overall, it is a well plotted and paced novel.
February 28, 2018
Efter det ganska lyckade återseendet med Malin Fors i Vattenänglar så såg jag faktiskt fram emot att läsa Vindsjälar. Man tycker ju att jag borde ha lärt mig nu att det inte alltid funkar så bra att läsa böcker i en serie för tätt inpå varandra. Nu kom jag plötsligt ihåg vad jag retade mig på i de tidigare böckerna. Nej, riktigt så illa blev det inte, men kom ihåg gjorde jag. Läs mer på min blogg
November 16, 2014
Number 7 in the series with police Malin Fors. It is not just a crime novel, it is an evaluation of the society we have built up around ourselves.
January 9, 2021
Mai buna decat Water Angels, mai putine “voci” de auzit decat de obicei, which is an improvement.
Intriga e smart si felul in care decurge actiunea. Mi-a placut felul in care motivatia din spatele crimei e intr-o zona gri a problemelor cu care se confrunta orice adult, ceea ce a umanizat persoana din spatele crime, pana ce, te-a facut sa-ti para rau de ea. Finalul e fix ce trebuie, bombita.
Intriga e smart si felul in care decurge actiunea. Mi-a placut felul in care motivatia din spatele crimei e intr-o zona gri a problemelor cu care se confrunta orice adult, ceea ce a umanizat persoana din spatele crime, pana ce, te-a facut sa-ti para rau de ea. Finalul e fix ce trebuie, bombita.
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February 1, 2020This will be the last Book about Malin Fors I read. ( should more be written that is!) why? Because I don't like her character at all. I find her irritating. And I want ,even a flawed hero to have some redeeming features , and for me she doesn't! Shame after investing so much reading time.
November 16, 2017
Two weeks ago today my 95 year old aunt who spent the last two years in a nursing home passed away. I had no idea what the subject of this latest Kallentoft installment of the Malin Fors series was, but the opening chapters were almost exactly the conversations I had with my aunt only a month ago. Her nursing home purchased by a new company, the staff reductions, the loss of long-time staff to other jobs that paid more, the degradation of care and the horror of unappetizing, cold or lukewarm meals slapped down on the pull over table. After hearing of these changes in a nursing home that had been warm and caring and cheerful filled my heart with grief. In retrospect, if her remaining time on this earth was to be in a warehouse situation, in a cheerless God's waiting room, then perhaps there is truth in things happen for a reason. Kind of eye opening to hear of these things in Sweden, one of the Scandinavian systems held up to us by some politicians as the epitome of perfect health care for all.
But, of course, this being a Malin Fors mystery there is a suspicious death in Linkoping's Cherub Nursing Home. Though it appears Konrad Karlsson committed suicide no one seems to believe he was unhappy or despondent nor that he had the strength to hang himself. Malin's daughter, Tove has been working the day shift at Cherub as a summer job and was particularly close to Konrad. She is therefore quite shaken by his death and seems to be showing early stages of following her Mother into alcoholism. Malin is at a loss how to deal with this since she feels 19 year old Tove will see any attempt at guidance as the pot calling the kettle black.
In addition, struggling with her own alcoholism, though on the wagon for a year , Malin is emotionally frozen. Her break-up with Peter, the doctor whom she thought would be her life partner, has left her numb and strangely devoid of any type of feeling for anything including her job, her life, her co-workers, her brother.....
Kallentoft continues keeping her co-workers as well as characters new to this case as well developed as real people. Their lives and relationships are described with depth and sensitivity, making the story engrossing and interesting. And as usual, Tove, Malin and others who appear in each of the stories, have made decisions and choices that leave the reader waiting for the next installment to see the consequences of these developments. Definitely, addictive this Swede and his books!
But, of course, this being a Malin Fors mystery there is a suspicious death in Linkoping's Cherub Nursing Home. Though it appears Konrad Karlsson committed suicide no one seems to believe he was unhappy or despondent nor that he had the strength to hang himself. Malin's daughter, Tove has been working the day shift at Cherub as a summer job and was particularly close to Konrad. She is therefore quite shaken by his death and seems to be showing early stages of following her Mother into alcoholism. Malin is at a loss how to deal with this since she feels 19 year old Tove will see any attempt at guidance as the pot calling the kettle black.
In addition, struggling with her own alcoholism, though on the wagon for a year , Malin is emotionally frozen. Her break-up with Peter, the doctor whom she thought would be her life partner, has left her numb and strangely devoid of any type of feeling for anything including her job, her life, her co-workers, her brother.....
Kallentoft continues keeping her co-workers as well as characters new to this case as well developed as real people. Their lives and relationships are described with depth and sensitivity, making the story engrossing and interesting. And as usual, Tove, Malin and others who appear in each of the stories, have made decisions and choices that leave the reader waiting for the next installment to see the consequences of these developments. Definitely, addictive this Swede and his books!
July 4, 2014
Het is voor mij een eerste kennismaking met Mons Kattentoft.
Dit boek is een vervolg op Engelwater en deel twee in de serie over inspecteur Malin Fors, maar kan zonder een enkel probleem los worden gelezen.
In de proloog wordt onder meer de titel Lichthemel verklaard.
Het is een spannend boek van het begin tot het eind.
Malin Fors is behalve druk met de moord ook erg druk met zichzelf en haar omgeving. Dat maakt haar heel menselijk. Je leert alle personages goed kennen door de manier waarop ze beschreven zijn. Het zijn redelijk veel personen, maar het aantal is geen belemmering voor de duidelijkheid, door de manier van schrijven. Lekker korte zinnen, niet te lange hoofdstukken. Gemakkelijk te lezen.
Wat me als vooral opviel: de 'gedachten' van het slachtoffer worden door het hele verhaal heen neergezet. Dit zijn de cursief gedrukte delen. Op deze manier lijkt het alsof hij meekijkt op wat er gebeurt. Knap gedaan!
De auteur beschrijft ook een maatschappelijk probleem. Niet alleen maar in het hoge noorden, maar tegenwoordig ook in Nederland speelt het tekort (zowel personeel als financiën) in de verzorging steeds meer.
De dader blijft heel lang een mysterie, maar de reden van de moord kun je vrij snel bedenken. Toch blijft het spannend omdat je geen zekerheid krijgt.
Het einde heeft me helemaal verrast. Ik wist dat er nog iets niet afgehandeld was, maar had er geen idee van dat het op dit einde uit zou draaien.
Een heerlijk spannend boek!
Het lijkt me een goede serie te worden.
Ik waardeer dit boek op 4/5 sterren. ****
Dit boek is een vervolg op Engelwater en deel twee in de serie over inspecteur Malin Fors, maar kan zonder een enkel probleem los worden gelezen.
In de proloog wordt onder meer de titel Lichthemel verklaard.
Het is een spannend boek van het begin tot het eind.
Malin Fors is behalve druk met de moord ook erg druk met zichzelf en haar omgeving. Dat maakt haar heel menselijk. Je leert alle personages goed kennen door de manier waarop ze beschreven zijn. Het zijn redelijk veel personen, maar het aantal is geen belemmering voor de duidelijkheid, door de manier van schrijven. Lekker korte zinnen, niet te lange hoofdstukken. Gemakkelijk te lezen.
Wat me als vooral opviel: de 'gedachten' van het slachtoffer worden door het hele verhaal heen neergezet. Dit zijn de cursief gedrukte delen. Op deze manier lijkt het alsof hij meekijkt op wat er gebeurt. Knap gedaan!
De auteur beschrijft ook een maatschappelijk probleem. Niet alleen maar in het hoge noorden, maar tegenwoordig ook in Nederland speelt het tekort (zowel personeel als financiën) in de verzorging steeds meer.
De dader blijft heel lang een mysterie, maar de reden van de moord kun je vrij snel bedenken. Toch blijft het spannend omdat je geen zekerheid krijgt.
Het einde heeft me helemaal verrast. Ik wist dat er nog iets niet afgehandeld was, maar had er geen idee van dat het op dit einde uit zou draaien.
Een heerlijk spannend boek!
Het lijkt me een goede serie te worden.
Ik waardeer dit boek op 4/5 sterren. ****
December 21, 2013
Något sämre än de tidigare böckerna i serien... Handlingen lite sådär, Kallentoft kan nog bättre!
February 2, 2016
lättläst, underhållande och helt ok. listade ut mördaren i alla fall!
February 29, 2016
fan van Kallentoft,na "Zack"-een topboek,toch terug de moeite waard!Leuk is dat de dode(n)af en toe ook aan het woord gelaten wordt-sterk,maar misschien voor sommigen voorspelbaar einde.
January 29, 2019
It’s probably the weakest book in the series so far. The plot pace is ok but the solution of the whodunnit portion of the novel is quite lame.
September 20, 2023
This book starts with Malin Fors' daughter Tove working in an old peoples' home. Near to the start, Tove finds one of the residents hanged (a similar premise to the first book in the series).
It appears to be a suicide, but Malin starts to uncover evidence that the man was murdered.
The setting of this book gives the narrative a chance to make a social commentary about how we treat older people. In this case, it is evident that the residents in the home have been neglected, making this novel quite harrowing in places. The obvious murder suspect seems to be the callous manager of the care home. Inevitably, you will probably guess that things will not be quite so straightforward.
The pacing of this book seemed a little bit slower than some previous titles in the series, but it was at least easy to follow. I liked that there was some continuity regarding some of the bigger plot arcs.
One of the subplots involved Malin's disabled brother Stefan, who she wants moved into a different care home. Tove's character develops too, after first looking like her whole storyline will involve her continuing to abuse alcohol like her mother previously did (I think this was also touched upon on the previous title).
Other plots got developed too, although not much seemed to happen with Malin's love life for once. I noticed that once again the character Waldemar was shown taking the law into his own hands, something that I'm going to assume will develop further in subsequent titles.
Like all previous books in the series, this one kept me guessing for a while, and after the unveiling of the killer, there were a couple of other shock plot twists near to the end. I can't wait to read the next novel, "Earth Storm".
It appears to be a suicide, but Malin starts to uncover evidence that the man was murdered.
The setting of this book gives the narrative a chance to make a social commentary about how we treat older people. In this case, it is evident that the residents in the home have been neglected, making this novel quite harrowing in places. The obvious murder suspect seems to be the callous manager of the care home. Inevitably, you will probably guess that things will not be quite so straightforward.
The pacing of this book seemed a little bit slower than some previous titles in the series, but it was at least easy to follow. I liked that there was some continuity regarding some of the bigger plot arcs.
One of the subplots involved Malin's disabled brother Stefan, who she wants moved into a different care home. Tove's character develops too, after first looking like her whole storyline will involve her continuing to abuse alcohol like her mother previously did (I think this was also touched upon on the previous title).
Other plots got developed too, although not much seemed to happen with Malin's love life for once. I noticed that once again the character Waldemar was shown taking the law into his own hands, something that I'm going to assume will develop further in subsequent titles.
Like all previous books in the series, this one kept me guessing for a while, and after the unveiling of the killer, there were a couple of other shock plot twists near to the end. I can't wait to read the next novel, "Earth Storm".
December 16, 2017
I musKt remember that, of all Swedish mystery writers, I like Kallentoft least! The subject and story are interesting - nursing homes are being increasingly turned over to money=making companies, concerned more with their profit than the health and comfort of their patients. Disgusting development in much of the world. A young woman, daughter of Malin Fors (Kallentoft's main police character) is working in this nursing home and her favorite patient, a very elderly man, has either committed suicide, or been killed. It's the relationships between the police (who I've met in other of his books) that turn me off, not the mystery or the writing. I think.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2017
Love the way Mons used Tove to be Malin's conscience and how she takes after her father and goes to Africa. Malin solves the case that takes everything into account. Zeke is in a new relationship with Karin. Everyone is in a turmoil and it is comforting to see it happen. The story has many turns that have all the characters changing their ways. It's also a time for Mons to figure out if Malin is going to take over for Sven? I would read this if you know any of the old characters because Mons has made it into a thrilling story that leaves you wanting more of the same.
October 11, 2017
Another great read by Mons Kallentoft. As all the previous books, there is a big focus in the social injustices of the world. Malin Fors is on top form once again and seems to have got her demons under control although she's always fighting hard to keep it that way. Personally I would have liked to see more of Elin Sand, but because she's new to the department she still has to earn her stripes so to speak. The story flows nicely throughout and you sort of guess who the killer was but not for the reasons you might have thought. Looking forward to the next one in series.
June 8, 2021
Another great book by this author. I enjoyed finding out what Malin and Tove were up to now and all the supporting characters. There were two stories entwined here,who killed the old man and who is stalking Morelia? Is it the same person? I thought it was a few different people and for different reasons but in the end it was fur a reason I didn’t even think of! Brilliant! Everyone hated Morelia but he loved his daughter so much and wanted to give her the world so I couldn’t dislike him as much and I felt so sorry for him in the end.
February 12, 2020
Better than usual development of recurring characters esp relationship between Malin & daughter Tove. More insights into some of her fellow police. good characterization of the various villains. As usual the journey of the departed and their attempts to connect with their already departed loved ones and with Malin is interesting and provides a unique commentary to carry the story forward, placing the reader a step ahead of Malin, sometimes.
April 22, 2022
Jag har läst många böcker i serien om Malin Fors. Den här känns som en i mängden, lite vattentramp. Helt okej, men lyfter inte riktigt och greppar tag som andra delar i serien. Stort plus till aktuell kritik mot NPM och slakten och utförsäljningen av vården i samhället. För många av böckerna tar upp våld och död bland barn. Svårt med sånt, men de små är förstås inte förskonade från ont. Slutknorren är en rejäl magsop som känns.
August 16, 2023
Well worth reading Mons Kallentoft if you haven’t already .this is the seventh in a series featuring a female police detective with a few problems especially with drink.The particular feature of the writing is that narrative changes round different characters involved including the murdered victim which is a bit creepy but quite effective .This book is based on the flaws of the care system for the elderly and the impact of privatisation and could equally have been written in the Uk .
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July 1, 2025Det. Malin Fors #7. I haven't read any of this series before, and I won't be looking for any more. I just couldn't get into this. The character of Malin Fors is not attractive, always worrying that she's been a bad mother to her daughter Tove. Tove is snaky towards her mother, which doesn't help. The unknown narrator tells us people's thoughts, including an unidentified baddie. The subject matter is not pleasant, and the overall tone is dark, like a Nordic winter.
DNF so no rating.
DNF so no rating.
April 24, 2019
Slooooooooowwww, up until the very end when most of the threads are suddenly tied up. Clearly a sequel is planned, but I would not be inclined to read it. Trying too hard to be poetic. Not the least bit subtle in it's politics; it feels like you're being beat over the head with a campaign speech every other page.
July 9, 2019
Having read a number of books from Kallentoft (Malin Forss series), I kind of liked this one. Perhaps because the theme - the problems of profit making in the business of taking care of the elderly - is a good one. Writing is good, too, with the usual Kallentoft tricks such as the dead ones speaking, thinking and guiding Malin.
July 22, 2022
Jag gillar att boken inte bara är en mordhistoria utan också belyser vissa samhällsproblem (i det här fallet hur äldreomsorgen fungerar). Men som bok är det relativt svag, man behöver ha läst de tidigare böckerna för att hänga med. Vissa sidohistorier känns väldigt svaga. Jag är efter att ha läst den här boken mest intresserad av hur det kommer att gå för Malins dotter.
June 27, 2023
Mezi šestým a sedmým dílem jsem měla skoro tříletou pauzu, a to asi situaci neprospělo. Tento díl mi ale nepřišel tak skvělý jako některé z předchozích, Malin byla dost upozaděná a to mě zamrzelo, mám ji ráda.
July 22, 2018
Næ ekki frásagnarstíl Kallentoft, finnst hann skrítinn og án dýptar.
November 23, 2020
A sad little death in a Swedish summer leads Malin Fors to hunt for a killer. Atmosphere and contemporary issues make this a compelling read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews