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Inspector Anita Sundström #7
Mourning in Malmö
Shortly after Inspector Anita Sundström's mother's death, Anita is called to an apartment where an 80-year-old man with dementia has tried to kill his wife. The case sparks off a renewed interest in the death of her father, who was lost in the 1994 MS Estonia ferry disaster. It's not long before she discovers that she's stumbled into a tangled web of conspiracy theories surrounding the tragedy, and the unstable and violent dawn of a newly independent Estonia.
At the same time, Anita's also involved in an investigation into the murder of a prominent member of Malmö's Pakistani community. When she's sidelined by her nemesis, Alice Zetterberg, she becomes more determined to discover the reasons behind her father's fate. She soon finds herself entering very dangerous waters that sweep her to Tallin, Stockholm and Oxford in search of answers that will finally give her closure in the seventh of the best-selling series of Anita Sundström crime mysteries.
At the same time, Anita's also involved in an investigation into the murder of a prominent member of Malmö's Pakistani community. When she's sidelined by her nemesis, Alice Zetterberg, she becomes more determined to discover the reasons behind her father's fate. She soon finds herself entering very dangerous waters that sweep her to Tallin, Stockholm and Oxford in search of answers that will finally give her closure in the seventh of the best-selling series of Anita Sundström crime mysteries.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2020
491 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Torquil MacLeod
25 books151 followersTorquil MacLeod was born in Edinburgh and brought up in the north east of England. After a brief spell as a teacher in Worcestershire, he worked in advertising agencies in Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle; since 2000 he has been a freelance writer.
See also: Torquil R. MacLeod
See also: Torquil R. MacLeod
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 4, 2020
I'm starting on the 7th Inspector Sundström book that Torquil MacLeod wrote. I have the first five books but never got to them in my reading. Time to turn around. Anita is a stubborn kind of woman that has a man (Kevin) in England and a father that went down with the Estonian ferry. The ferry was sunk 10 years ago but it was time that Anita decided to figure out how it or why it sank. At the same time Hakim and Liv were getting married and his dad (Uday) and mom (Amira) were against it because Liv wasn't Muslim. Markus Jolis was the customs officer at the time the Estonian sank, but he move jobs a week later. He tried to kill his wife by knifing her to death but was caught in the act. Iqbal Nawaz was found killed near his cricket field, he was a a businessman with many depots around Sweden. Everything ties together in a way which you should read this story because her boss Alice Zetterberg did not tread Anita kindly. It's very noir in that Anita finds the killer but he is eliminated without people finding out what happened.
May 20, 2020
Alice Zetterberg still plagues Anita Sundstrom as CI Moberg has still not recovered from his here attack nor returned to work. Anita's mother has died and she embarks upon another murder investigation at the same time as she starts to look into the death of her father back in 1994 when he was lost in the disaster aboard the MS Estonia. (A real tragedy.) Who is trying to force her away from the snooping and what part does Alice play, is Anita exposing Kevin Ash to danger?
Two storylines interweave well in this fast-moving thriller. Even cricket makes an appearance!
Good for 4 stars
Two storylines interweave well in this fast-moving thriller. Even cricket makes an appearance!
Good for 4 stars
March 9, 2020
Interesting premise
I hAve enjoyed everyone of this series. This book was a little different in the,sense it took on a more personal turn,with the involvement of Anita s family and career crisis for Anita at work. The ink to the sinking of the Estonia was well entertained into the story and the,author has done a good job of integrating current hot topics in our world today. Always and good and intriguing read,looking forward to what is next in store for Anita .
I hAve enjoyed everyone of this series. This book was a little different in the,sense it took on a more personal turn,with the involvement of Anita s family and career crisis for Anita at work. The ink to the sinking of the Estonia was well entertained into the story and the,author has done a good job of integrating current hot topics in our world today. Always and good and intriguing read,looking forward to what is next in store for Anita .
August 14, 2020
I believe this to be one of the better stories in this series. The main characters are now well known and are quite familiar (ie. you know what to expect from them and how they will react in some circumstances).
Some conflicts between characters have been overcome but some are still very evident so it will be interesting to see how these develop further in the next book.
It will also be interest to see what direction Anita intends to take with her life from here on.
Some conflicts between characters have been overcome but some are still very evident so it will be interesting to see how these develop further in the next book.
It will also be interest to see what direction Anita intends to take with her life from here on.
March 27, 2020
I've read most of the others in the series, perhaps all, not quite sure. The first in the series had a real twist at the end, difficult to repeat. I can't honestly recall the worth or not of the others in the series. Anita, the Swedish detective who's our hero, is an impetuous and driven woman, which causes her in every book, I think, to put herself in mortal danger, only to have someone else risk a lot to get her out of her predicament. Mourning in Malmo is no different, the denouement depends on her going out on her own to a predictably perilous assignation and dealing to the villain. Her behaviour is so often less than professional. But where would the story be without this?
Having said that, I enjoyed this book perhaps more than some of Torquil's other efforts, the story ran two disparate threads, which we knew must somehow be connected, and the fun is seeing how the clues bring the threads together, with sufficient red herrings on the way. The background for this story is the real tragedy of the sinking of the Estonia in Baltic Sea in 1994, the second deadliest sinking of a European vessel of the twentieth century (after the Titanic). I did wonder if using this disaster, still very painful in the memories of Sweden and Estonia, as the background for this fiction was in good taste or not. The story relies on giving credence to a number of conspiracy theories about the sinking, which might be considered a disservice to those who lost their lives and loved ones, and the investigation after the event. I haven't quite made up my mind on this. On the other hand, the Torquil makes good use of up to date serious criminal issues, such as drug and people smuggling, and gang activities in Europe and the culture of the immigrant communities in Sweden. Again her English boyfriend, Kevin, a policeman in Kendal, in the Lake District contributes to the story. Their relationship, conducted at a distance and interfered so much by their jobs, is unusual, to say the least.
The story hung together well, and I didn't notice any jarring inconsistencies or nor did i have to suspend disbelief too much, I turned my Kindle pages in a brisk and satisfying manner. I won't say anything about the story, as I imagine the blurb will tell you a bit, and other reviewers will provide more details, if you really need them. But if you've liked Torquil's previous efforts, you'll definitely like this one, it shouldn't disappoint.
Having said that, I enjoyed this book perhaps more than some of Torquil's other efforts, the story ran two disparate threads, which we knew must somehow be connected, and the fun is seeing how the clues bring the threads together, with sufficient red herrings on the way. The background for this story is the real tragedy of the sinking of the Estonia in Baltic Sea in 1994, the second deadliest sinking of a European vessel of the twentieth century (after the Titanic). I did wonder if using this disaster, still very painful in the memories of Sweden and Estonia, as the background for this fiction was in good taste or not. The story relies on giving credence to a number of conspiracy theories about the sinking, which might be considered a disservice to those who lost their lives and loved ones, and the investigation after the event. I haven't quite made up my mind on this. On the other hand, the Torquil makes good use of up to date serious criminal issues, such as drug and people smuggling, and gang activities in Europe and the culture of the immigrant communities in Sweden. Again her English boyfriend, Kevin, a policeman in Kendal, in the Lake District contributes to the story. Their relationship, conducted at a distance and interfered so much by their jobs, is unusual, to say the least.
The story hung together well, and I didn't notice any jarring inconsistencies or nor did i have to suspend disbelief too much, I turned my Kindle pages in a brisk and satisfying manner. I won't say anything about the story, as I imagine the blurb will tell you a bit, and other reviewers will provide more details, if you really need them. But if you've liked Torquil's previous efforts, you'll definitely like this one, it shouldn't disappoint.
February 15, 2022
I didn’t like 'Meet me in Malmo', the first book in Anita Sundstrom series, mostly because I thought the ending was a ridiculous cheat, which ruined the book for me. Having gotten over my dudgeon I recalled that the story was actually pretty good up to that point. 'Mourning in Malmo' is my second book from the series but it’s about #7, however, I don’t’ think it’s critical to read them in order.
Reporting to a new boss who everyone on the team detests, Sundström has to deal with her mother’s death and then with an 80-year-old man with dementia who has tried to kill his wife. She learns he was with Swedish Customs working at the port that was to receive the ferry MS Estonia on the day in 1994 when her father died in the sinking of the ship. He says something that suggests the officially accepted explanation for the loss of the ferry is wrong. Then the old man is found dead in his hospital room and it seems two people were there who had no reason to be there. It also seems they were not who they pretended to be.
At the same time Anita is also dealing with the investigation into the murder of a prominent member of Malmo’s Pakistani community, his business, employees and the cricket club he sponsors. And then she is suddenly taken off the case and sent on a mandatory summer vacation. With so few certainties and so many threads leading off into numerous directions, the reader faces a deluge of conflicting theories and investigations, both official and otherwise. It’s a lot to take in but the author handles them pretty well.
The sinking of the ferry is a real event and the explanation for it is similar to the official explanation in the story. The alternative explanations explored in the novel are the most interesting aspects of the book. They are fascinating and eerily plausible in a cold war/disintegrating Soviet Union kind of way. They make sense if secrets, military hardware and even nuclear material were being smuggled out of former communist satellites via an unstable, newly independent Estonia. The story moves from Malmo to Tallin, Stockholm and Oxford in search of answers.
Anita is called back mostly in an effort of the security services to cover their behinds. The murder is solved and, although it’s not a bad story line in itself, it’s less interesting than the investigation into the ferry sinking. Connections between them are unsatisfying; the two just don’t work well together. Once again McLeod has written a good book with an unsatisfying ending.
Reporting to a new boss who everyone on the team detests, Sundström has to deal with her mother’s death and then with an 80-year-old man with dementia who has tried to kill his wife. She learns he was with Swedish Customs working at the port that was to receive the ferry MS Estonia on the day in 1994 when her father died in the sinking of the ship. He says something that suggests the officially accepted explanation for the loss of the ferry is wrong. Then the old man is found dead in his hospital room and it seems two people were there who had no reason to be there. It also seems they were not who they pretended to be.
At the same time Anita is also dealing with the investigation into the murder of a prominent member of Malmo’s Pakistani community, his business, employees and the cricket club he sponsors. And then she is suddenly taken off the case and sent on a mandatory summer vacation. With so few certainties and so many threads leading off into numerous directions, the reader faces a deluge of conflicting theories and investigations, both official and otherwise. It’s a lot to take in but the author handles them pretty well.
The sinking of the ferry is a real event and the explanation for it is similar to the official explanation in the story. The alternative explanations explored in the novel are the most interesting aspects of the book. They are fascinating and eerily plausible in a cold war/disintegrating Soviet Union kind of way. They make sense if secrets, military hardware and even nuclear material were being smuggled out of former communist satellites via an unstable, newly independent Estonia. The story moves from Malmo to Tallin, Stockholm and Oxford in search of answers.
Anita is called back mostly in an effort of the security services to cover their behinds. The murder is solved and, although it’s not a bad story line in itself, it’s less interesting than the investigation into the ferry sinking. Connections between them are unsatisfying; the two just don’t work well together. Once again McLeod has written a good book with an unsatisfying ending.
December 5, 2023
Anita’s Mum has died and that has brought back a lot of memories, especially about her beloved father who was lost in the sinking of the Estonia ferry in 1994. At the time, Anita was too caught up in grief to pay attention to the numerous experts who disagreed with the Swedish authorities version of events. The fact that the Swedish Government chose to encase the wreck in concrete rather than bring it to the surface at roughly the same cost added fuel to the flames. The official version could not explain why the ferry sank in just over thirty minutes.
Back at work, Anita attends an attempted murder by a man suffering from dementia against his wife. There appear to be nothing untoward, just the terrible nature of the disease, except for two things. Firstly, when Anita goes to interview the man in hospital, an expensive looking lawyer is present, a lawyer the family know nothing about. Secondly, when Anita mentions his job in customs in an attempt to get him to relax and focus, the old man makes a couple of very cryptic remarks. When the man suddenly has a heart attack after a visit from a doctor no one can identify, Anita’s copper’s nose is twitching. Her boss, and arch enemy, Alice Zetterberg, is predictably dismissive.
Meanwhile the team is working on the death of a middle aged business man bludgeoned to death late at night near the hut of the cricket team he sponsors. It’s obvious Anita’s heart isn’t in it and after yet another confrontation Zetterberg tells Anita to take annual leave and stay away until Zetterberg takes up her new post in Stockholm. Anita is only too happy to oblige . What Zetterberg doesn’t know is that Anita plans to use her holiday to find out more about how and why her father died. Of course, Kevin gets roped along for the ride. What Anita discovers is an international tale of greed, instability and culpability. Governments don’t tend to like having their dirty washing hung out in public. Has Anita gone too far this time?
It’s interesting to see how the team fares without Anita to lead it. Who will come out on top, Hakim or Kara Wallen?
Back at work, Anita attends an attempted murder by a man suffering from dementia against his wife. There appear to be nothing untoward, just the terrible nature of the disease, except for two things. Firstly, when Anita goes to interview the man in hospital, an expensive looking lawyer is present, a lawyer the family know nothing about. Secondly, when Anita mentions his job in customs in an attempt to get him to relax and focus, the old man makes a couple of very cryptic remarks. When the man suddenly has a heart attack after a visit from a doctor no one can identify, Anita’s copper’s nose is twitching. Her boss, and arch enemy, Alice Zetterberg, is predictably dismissive.
Meanwhile the team is working on the death of a middle aged business man bludgeoned to death late at night near the hut of the cricket team he sponsors. It’s obvious Anita’s heart isn’t in it and after yet another confrontation Zetterberg tells Anita to take annual leave and stay away until Zetterberg takes up her new post in Stockholm. Anita is only too happy to oblige . What Zetterberg doesn’t know is that Anita plans to use her holiday to find out more about how and why her father died. Of course, Kevin gets roped along for the ride. What Anita discovers is an international tale of greed, instability and culpability. Governments don’t tend to like having their dirty washing hung out in public. Has Anita gone too far this time?
It’s interesting to see how the team fares without Anita to lead it. Who will come out on top, Hakim or Kara Wallen?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2024
Not being a talented reviewer, I leave the book's details to those with that skillset.
I was about to stop this series after the last book, but I am glad I went ahead with this one. I felt this to be a big improvement over the others -- mainly due to the crime storylines and solutions.
I think it is brilliant that MacLeod uses the true sinking of an Estonia-to-Sweden ferry, the MS Estonia in 1994, as the basis for much of the storyline. In doing so, he teaches a great deal of facts regarding it to those of us that didn't know the circumstances, issues, or details. 852 people lost, nearly half Swedish. There is an article worth reading about it on Wiki.
There are still elements in MacLeod's approach and style and character development that I don't care for; An example, as others have mentioned, is the disdain our DI Anita Sundstrom has for pretty much any authority. That said, she does come to realize she did misjudge one of her "superiors". Not sure how that will play out going forward. She also has a bad habit of knowingly disobeying procedures and instructions for her own perception of right. A little of that in a "team" structure may be OK, but not continuously. She knows she should not do such and such, or she knows she should tell so and so, but she doesn't and goes off on her own. Again. Some might find that appealing, but I think it overdone. Opinion.
The majority of the cast are Mideastern and Asian subcontinent immigrants- an indication of the changing demographics of Swedish society. MacLeod nicely uses these cast members to provide some insight on their perceptions of that society. I think this is done well. Just as the main detective character of Hakim and his family have provided such insights.
I thought the ending was satisfying and logical and well done. There is a bit of a twist that works also. There is enough of a "cliffhanger" at the end to make me check out the next.
If you have rated the others in the series at least 3 stars, then read this.
I was about to stop this series after the last book, but I am glad I went ahead with this one. I felt this to be a big improvement over the others -- mainly due to the crime storylines and solutions.
I think it is brilliant that MacLeod uses the true sinking of an Estonia-to-Sweden ferry, the MS Estonia in 1994, as the basis for much of the storyline. In doing so, he teaches a great deal of facts regarding it to those of us that didn't know the circumstances, issues, or details. 852 people lost, nearly half Swedish. There is an article worth reading about it on Wiki.
There are still elements in MacLeod's approach and style and character development that I don't care for; An example, as others have mentioned, is the disdain our DI Anita Sundstrom has for pretty much any authority. That said, she does come to realize she did misjudge one of her "superiors". Not sure how that will play out going forward. She also has a bad habit of knowingly disobeying procedures and instructions for her own perception of right. A little of that in a "team" structure may be OK, but not continuously. She knows she should not do such and such, or she knows she should tell so and so, but she doesn't and goes off on her own. Again. Some might find that appealing, but I think it overdone. Opinion.
The majority of the cast are Mideastern and Asian subcontinent immigrants- an indication of the changing demographics of Swedish society. MacLeod nicely uses these cast members to provide some insight on their perceptions of that society. I think this is done well. Just as the main detective character of Hakim and his family have provided such insights.
I thought the ending was satisfying and logical and well done. There is a bit of a twist that works also. There is enough of a "cliffhanger" at the end to make me check out the next.
If you have rated the others in the series at least 3 stars, then read this.
February 9, 2020
Mourning in Malmo by Torquil MacLeod 1/22/2020 Kindle
I’ve read all of these installments of this character’s police career and enjoyed each and every one. The setting is Malmo, Sweden and the story line is always logical and engrossing and the characters interesting. While the names sound funny to our American ears and we sometimes wonder of what sex, once we get past that handicap we’re in for fun reading. In this segment Inspector Anita Sundstrom’s nemesis Alice Zetterberg is on her case, trying unsuccessfully to darken her reputation. We’re introduced to murder, drugs and human trafficking and a peek at the Pakistani community. After Anita is forced into a vacation-leave of absence, she pursues yet another line investigation on her own, a ferry boat sinking years earlier that claimed the lives of hundreds, including her father.
There is just the right mix of personal background to get to know the characters while not slipping too far away from the story line. A little geography and history are tossed into story making the read even more entertaining. The ending was a surprise and makes a great hook to convince the reader to look forward to the future installments.
Definitely recommended.
I’ve read all of these installments of this character’s police career and enjoyed each and every one. The setting is Malmo, Sweden and the story line is always logical and engrossing and the characters interesting. While the names sound funny to our American ears and we sometimes wonder of what sex, once we get past that handicap we’re in for fun reading. In this segment Inspector Anita Sundstrom’s nemesis Alice Zetterberg is on her case, trying unsuccessfully to darken her reputation. We’re introduced to murder, drugs and human trafficking and a peek at the Pakistani community. After Anita is forced into a vacation-leave of absence, she pursues yet another line investigation on her own, a ferry boat sinking years earlier that claimed the lives of hundreds, including her father.
There is just the right mix of personal background to get to know the characters while not slipping too far away from the story line. A little geography and history are tossed into story making the read even more entertaining. The ending was a surprise and makes a great hook to convince the reader to look forward to the future installments.
Definitely recommended.
January 21, 2020
MOURNING IN MALMO by Torquil MacLeod is the seventh Inspector Anita Sundstrom mystery.
MOURNING IN MALMO is a tense police procedural; a many-layered, complex plot; an interesting and likable group of main characters; team dynamics at its best; a relevance to current situations - drug smuggling, human trafficking, immigration; and contains historic references which drive the plot.
This was a fantastic read for me. Anita Sundstrom is one of my favorite characters - highly intelligent, driven in her work, very ‘human’ with her emotions.
Anita’s attempt at closure with her father’s death in the 1994 Estonia Ferry disaster is what drives the plot in this book. Her dogged investigation into what appears to be a highly-placed conspiracy puts her in very real danger of reprisal.
Her personal investigation is intertwined with the team’s investigation into the murder of a very prominent businessman, a leader of Malmo’s Pakistani community.
I would highly recommend this title and the series which begins with MEET ME IN MALMO.
MOURNING IN MALMO is a tense police procedural; a many-layered, complex plot; an interesting and likable group of main characters; team dynamics at its best; a relevance to current situations - drug smuggling, human trafficking, immigration; and contains historic references which drive the plot.
This was a fantastic read for me. Anita Sundstrom is one of my favorite characters - highly intelligent, driven in her work, very ‘human’ with her emotions.
Anita’s attempt at closure with her father’s death in the 1994 Estonia Ferry disaster is what drives the plot in this book. Her dogged investigation into what appears to be a highly-placed conspiracy puts her in very real danger of reprisal.
Her personal investigation is intertwined with the team’s investigation into the murder of a very prominent businessman, a leader of Malmo’s Pakistani community.
I would highly recommend this title and the series which begins with MEET ME IN MALMO.
February 4, 2021
When attempted murder opens up a conspiracy
Anita is questioning a dementia sufferer who has tried to murder his wife when he reveals a titbit about the sinking of the Estonia from years ago. The man isn't a reliable witness but it hits a chord with Anita who lost her father in the tragedy.
When the old man dies unexpectedly and no one can find the lawyer who attended the interview Anita is drawn further and further towards the mystery desperately needing to discover the truth. Meanwhile Hakim is covering another case and facts begin to overlap between this and the Estonia. They are struggling to discover the truth about the victims business success and it's going to be another last minute dash to catch up with the murderer.
Alice Zetterberg has been tasked with keeping Anita from investigating the Estonia, her future in Stockholm depends on her success but Anita is not going to give up easily especially with such a personal attachment to the case. Will Zetterberg ever get her Stockholm apartment and life as a rising star?
Anita is questioning a dementia sufferer who has tried to murder his wife when he reveals a titbit about the sinking of the Estonia from years ago. The man isn't a reliable witness but it hits a chord with Anita who lost her father in the tragedy.
When the old man dies unexpectedly and no one can find the lawyer who attended the interview Anita is drawn further and further towards the mystery desperately needing to discover the truth. Meanwhile Hakim is covering another case and facts begin to overlap between this and the Estonia. They are struggling to discover the truth about the victims business success and it's going to be another last minute dash to catch up with the murderer.
Alice Zetterberg has been tasked with keeping Anita from investigating the Estonia, her future in Stockholm depends on her success but Anita is not going to give up easily especially with such a personal attachment to the case. Will Zetterberg ever get her Stockholm apartment and life as a rising star?
July 25, 2021
I have enjoyed this series but have a few areas that take just a bit from my enjoyment. First, I'm weary of the abrupt endings. Rather than approaching the end with some finesse, it seems that the author just drops the reader (splat!) on the tarmac. I'm sure that it probably is the opening to the next in the series, but after spending the time reading the present book, I would appreciate a bit of closure. Also, I'm getting a tired of the main character, who is a smart woman, take the kind of stupid chances such as going to arrest (arrest/????) a known killer by herself without backup. Brave is one thing - but stupid is another. On the one hand, she has the creative ideas and can see connections, but on the other hand, she cannot connect herself with obvious danger. It doesn't always make any sense.
So, I suspend these two issues to follow the series because, otherwise, they have been creative and enjoyable. I like the historical comments about the book' setting.
So, I suspend these two issues to follow the series because, otherwise, they have been creative and enjoyable. I like the historical comments about the book' setting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2022
Book 7 of what has been a very good series, of which this is one of the best episodes. Contemporary events, both personal and professional, are linked to a real-life event in the past, the sinking of MS Estonia, in an intriguing way. There are many conspiracy theories, regarding the sinking (try Googling it!) and this book uses some people those, as a device to explain, link and confuse. I'm a sucker for alt-past/present/future books and detective books, so this was great!
This far into a series, the characters are well established and there is some depth in their views and personalities, which makes the book even better.
A theme in the book is cricket and every male Pakistani character has at least one name from a Pakistani cricketer!
On to the last book in the series, although Book 9 is out in December (2022)...
This far into a series, the characters are well established and there is some depth in their views and personalities, which makes the book even better.
A theme in the book is cricket and every male Pakistani character has at least one name from a Pakistani cricketer!
On to the last book in the series, although Book 9 is out in December (2022)...
November 24, 2020
I must admit to having doubts about this book not having got round to reading any Scandi Noir before but, I really enjoyed this book. The writing was excellent and the two interwoven tales kept the pages turning. The characters were well developed even if the names were a little difficult to get to grips with. Again a map of the area would have been useful as not everyone is familiar with the geography of Sweden and it's proximity to other countries mentioned in the narrative. As part of the book relates to a sunken ferry this would have helped the reader understand this part of the storyline. Otherwise the tale had everything - murder, government cover ups, spies, trafficking of illicit contraband as well as humans, a couple of really good detectives and a sprinkling of romance!
July 30, 2021
Cricket in Sweden...actually yes!
This starts with the sinking of the Estonia ferry, which is too close to home becomes Anita's main purpose of finding out what really happened. The murder of a businessman of Pakistani origin starts the ball rolling, with suspects from the local Malmo cricket club being in first line. Drug and people smuggling along with secrets from the crumbling of Soviet Russia creep into the investigation, and at first is doesn't appear that the two cases are linked. But they are.
Anita and her team are still enduring Zetterberg's spiteful tongue, and are longing for the day she takes up her new appointment in Stockholm. But all will not go to plan.....
Another really enjoyable book in the Malmo series.
This starts with the sinking of the Estonia ferry, which is too close to home becomes Anita's main purpose of finding out what really happened. The murder of a businessman of Pakistani origin starts the ball rolling, with suspects from the local Malmo cricket club being in first line. Drug and people smuggling along with secrets from the crumbling of Soviet Russia creep into the investigation, and at first is doesn't appear that the two cases are linked. But they are.
Anita and her team are still enduring Zetterberg's spiteful tongue, and are longing for the day she takes up her new appointment in Stockholm. But all will not go to plan.....
Another really enjoyable book in the Malmo series.
Read
August 2, 2021Fairly conventional crime thriller here, and has all the twists and turns one would expect. I haven't read any of this series before but it was quite easy to come into this as my first experience of this range of characters. I found the plot involving the Asian characters quite interesting and the actual accounts of the sinking of the ferry also intriguing, but the kind of conspiracy theories around the latter less compelling. I was also increasingly irritated by the sketchy, even possibly misogynistic treatment of Zetterberg, the inspector. Let's see: she's jealous, fat, vindictive, power hungry and sometimes smells of alcohol. It might just be me, but I suspect most males would not be treated so harshly. 3.5
October 31, 2021
Settimo e probabilmente ultimo episodio di questa serie, in quanto vede le dimissioni di Anita Sundstrom. Il passato rientra a forza nel presente, con il ripercorrere le vicende del naufragio (realmente avvenuto) del traghetto Estonia in viaggio tra Tallin e la Svezia. Una serie di delitti apparentemente scollegati tra loro si intrecciano con eventi del passato in cui sono implicati i servizi segreti. Anita Sundstrom è nuovamente in conflitto con il suo capo Alice Zetterberg implicata a sua volta con i servizi. Televisivo e un po' eccessivo. troppo carichi i personaggi a volte poco credibili. La parte migliore: la lettura di Marguerite Gavin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. The return of Inspector Anita Sundstrom in this book, Number 7, was a great read.
Interesting titbits of info that I didn't expect - cricket in Sweden! Who knew? and Leyla, with Type 1 diabetes - all add to my general knowledge, woven into a great crime story.
The real event of the MS Estonia Disaster is used as the backdrop to this story, where Anita decides now is a good time to learn of the last days of her father's life, at the same time an elderly man dies in unusual circumstances and Anita learns he was a crew member of the ill-fated ferry.
The series is recommended.
Interesting titbits of info that I didn't expect - cricket in Sweden! Who knew? and Leyla, with Type 1 diabetes - all add to my general knowledge, woven into a great crime story.
The real event of the MS Estonia Disaster is used as the backdrop to this story, where Anita decides now is a good time to learn of the last days of her father's life, at the same time an elderly man dies in unusual circumstances and Anita learns he was a crew member of the ill-fated ferry.
The series is recommended.
November 4, 2023
This is the 7th book in MacLeod's Inspector Anita Sundstrom series. I've read all the previous books and found them good reads. I'm heading to my chair for a good chunk of book time now!
Given my many travels to Estonia starting in the 1970s, the search by Inspector Sundstrom into her father's death when the ship Estonia sank provided a fascinating read. Nice to have a book draw me into it and provide a break from all the other things in life at the moment.
I agree with Moirad that this book can be read with no issues if you have not read the earlier books.
Given my many travels to Estonia starting in the 1970s, the search by Inspector Sundstrom into her father's death when the ship Estonia sank provided a fascinating read. Nice to have a book draw me into it and provide a break from all the other things in life at the moment.
I agree with Moirad that this book can be read with no issues if you have not read the earlier books.
Read
January 13, 2020I love these books. The characters are so interesting and with each the plots get better and better. Al though I do think Anita is due a win. She seems to keep knocking her head against brick walls and cover ups. Not very impressed with Moberg dying and Zetterburg getting the job. Creates tension but she is a very unpleasant character. Looking forward to the next one. Anita needs a win. It would be good to see a spook and the officials behind all the corruption be exposed. One can hope.
March 5, 2020
Snuggle this one into your cabin for an overnight read!
A great read and, as usual, a proper who-really-dunnit. I am fining the author one star, though, for a slightly lazy ending, which is more to do with setting up the next book in the series than finishing this one off with a little more complexity. This may not be a fair judgement. I re commend reading all seven books published so far in sequence (a very pleasant bit of homework!) before coming to a "final" judgement.
A great read and, as usual, a proper who-really-dunnit. I am fining the author one star, though, for a slightly lazy ending, which is more to do with setting up the next book in the series than finishing this one off with a little more complexity. This may not be a fair judgement. I re commend reading all seven books published so far in sequence (a very pleasant bit of homework!) before coming to a "final" judgement.
April 16, 2020
This was the first novel I read in the series. To be honest, I generally like all loose strings to be tied up, but I am intrigued by the fact that MacLeod never revealed who the assassin at the end of the book was and exactly whom Miss Alice Zetterberg was communicating. I DIDN'T LIKE HER!!! I have some theories, but... I am looking forward to his next book.
For those of you who have not already read it, I highly recommend Atonement. Egads!
For those of you who have not already read it, I highly recommend Atonement. Egads!
August 2, 2021
Swedish Mystery
Anita Sundstrum just gets better and better (or at least the author, Torquil Mac!eod does)! The setting in Malmo (second largest city in Sweden and across the bay fromCopenhagen) is a perfect multi national, cosmopolitan area of many ethnicities and modern, big-city problems. I enjoy Anita’s skill, camaderie with her team, and her stubbornness to follow her instincts and detection abilities.
Anita Sundstrum just gets better and better (or at least the author, Torquil Mac!eod does)! The setting in Malmo (second largest city in Sweden and across the bay fromCopenhagen) is a perfect multi national, cosmopolitan area of many ethnicities and modern, big-city problems. I enjoy Anita’s skill, camaderie with her team, and her stubbornness to follow her instincts and detection abilities.
April 9, 2025
'Mourning in Malmö' is Torquil MacLeod's seventh book in his detective series set in Malmö. This one sees police inspector Anita Sundström investigating her father's death which occurred in 1994 when the MS Estonia sank on it's regular trip between Estonia and Sweden. The sinking of the MS Estonia actually happened and led to all kinds of conspiracy theories. I'd never heard of it before this book so I've learnt something which has now intrigued me.
January 6, 2020
Torquil MacCleod is an author that I have enjoyed once before this book. The Detective is in Malmo and she comes upon a mysterious death, that ends up having nothing to do with the sinking of the Estonia. Her father was on that ship, and she gets more and more involved with things that were swept under the carpet because of Sweedish National Security or was it?
January 7, 2020
Disappointed
I have read all the books in this series and was very disappointed in this one. I feel as there is a slight under tone of anti-muslim running through it. Her son is involved with a Muslim but then there are passages such as incest "in those groups". The narrative never really debunked the statement. Think I'll take as pass from now on.
I have read all the books in this series and was very disappointed in this one. I feel as there is a slight under tone of anti-muslim running through it. Her son is involved with a Muslim but then there are passages such as incest "in those groups". The narrative never really debunked the statement. Think I'll take as pass from now on.
March 12, 2020
Always excellent
I was so happy to see another book in the series and then sad to have finished it. Love the layers of the story and the path it takes leading to the finale. Quite a surprise to see an Australian turn up and very interesting to find out about cricket in Sweden. Finding a cure for Type 1 is also close to my heart. A book that ticks all the boxes.
I was so happy to see another book in the series and then sad to have finished it. Love the layers of the story and the path it takes leading to the finale. Quite a surprise to see an Australian turn up and very interesting to find out about cricket in Sweden. Finding a cure for Type 1 is also close to my heart. A book that ticks all the boxes.
March 12, 2020
A twisted tale
The author has maintained his high standards. Anita is a strong character, and the procedures of the Swedish police ring true. The changing character of Swedish society - and is tensions - is depicted realistically. I do find it strange that there is such a galaxy of inspectors in the Station!
The author has maintained his high standards. Anita is a strong character, and the procedures of the Swedish police ring true. The changing character of Swedish society - and is tensions - is depicted realistically. I do find it strange that there is such a galaxy of inspectors in the Station!
April 25, 2020
Good Read
Each of the books in this series has a good mix of well developed characters from different ethnic groups and nationalities. This book is based on a real event from Sweden's past and it's effect on the main character, Anita. A truly extraordinary series that leaves you eager for the next book.
Each of the books in this series has a good mix of well developed characters from different ethnic groups and nationalities. This book is based on a real event from Sweden's past and it's effect on the main character, Anita. A truly extraordinary series that leaves you eager for the next book.
April 26, 2020
I wanted to read this book because I love nordic noir. However, even though this is set in Sweden, it was not written by a Swede. I noticed the difference as I was reading it. The sinking of the ferry was an interesting detail that I did not realize was a real event. Oh well, I think I won't read another book by this author.
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