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Detective Varg #4
The Discreet Charm of the Big Bad Wolf
In the new Detective Varg novel, Ulf Varg's future with the Department of Sensitive Crimes is put to the test, but in the face of upheaval he must forge ahead with the latest delicate case that will take him out of the streets of Malmö and into the great forests of Sweden.
The Department of Sensitive Crimes has been asked to downsize in light of a recent downturn of sensitive crime, and staff members are wondering who among them will be transferred elsewhere. As the bickering between colleagues intensifies, Ulf tries his best to stay above the fray.
In the midst of all this, Ulf embarks on an important inquiry: a wealthy businessman's holiday cabin has mysteriously disappeared from its spot in the woods and Ulf is tasked with finding out what happened. How exactly does one steal a house? And, more to the point, how does one track down a stolen house? Meanwhile, a promising veterinary treatment for deafness in dogs has been announced, and Ulf's dog, Martin, might be the perfect patient.
This latest novel is another masterful, farcical installment in the series that defines the genre that Alexander McCall Smith is singlehandedly championing: Scandi blanc.
The Department of Sensitive Crimes has been asked to downsize in light of a recent downturn of sensitive crime, and staff members are wondering who among them will be transferred elsewhere. As the bickering between colleagues intensifies, Ulf tries his best to stay above the fray.
In the midst of all this, Ulf embarks on an important inquiry: a wealthy businessman's holiday cabin has mysteriously disappeared from its spot in the woods and Ulf is tasked with finding out what happened. How exactly does one steal a house? And, more to the point, how does one track down a stolen house? Meanwhile, a promising veterinary treatment for deafness in dogs has been announced, and Ulf's dog, Martin, might be the perfect patient.
This latest novel is another masterful, farcical installment in the series that defines the genre that Alexander McCall Smith is singlehandedly championing: Scandi blanc.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2023
161 people are currently reading
1776 people want to read
About the author
Alexander McCall Smith
668 books12.7k followersAlexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
November 1, 2023
The fourth book in a series concerning Detective Ulf Varg who supervises the Department of Sensitive Crimes in Malmo, Sweden.
In this one fairly short novel Varg solves the case of the missing house, his department is downsized, his girlfriend is unkind, and Martin the lip-reading dog goes for a cochlear implant. Blomquist, despite being very annoying, shows his value as a detective, and Varg is overwhelmingly generous and kind to everyone. Luckily karma is gentle with him, and he gets what he deserves at the end.
A delightfully tongue in cheek novel, written in McCall Smith's inimitable style. Gently humorous and just a pleasure to read. I loved it just as I do all his novels.
In this one fairly short novel Varg solves the case of the missing house, his department is downsized, his girlfriend is unkind, and Martin the lip-reading dog goes for a cochlear implant. Blomquist, despite being very annoying, shows his value as a detective, and Varg is overwhelmingly generous and kind to everyone. Luckily karma is gentle with him, and he gets what he deserves at the end.
A delightfully tongue in cheek novel, written in McCall Smith's inimitable style. Gently humorous and just a pleasure to read. I loved it just as I do all his novels.
August 11, 2023
The Discreet Charm Of The Big Bad Wolf is the fourth book in the Detective Varg series by popular British author, Alexander McCall-Smith. In this instalment, our ever-thoughtful and unfailingly kind Swedish detective: attends a school reunion; he also chats with his (secretly beloved) colleague Anna on what constitutes micro-aggression. They muse on courtesy: “I don’t think you can legislate for courtesy. You just have to hope that people will treat one another well. And, by and large, they do.”
Ulf is still embarrassed on a regular basis by his brother Bjorn’s outlandish press statements; Ulf discusses the existence of wickedness; he reflects on universal language, on victimhood, on ingratitude and on absurdity, and he corrects several people on their (often amusing) variations on the title of his Department of Sensitive Crimes. A rather tongue in cheek reference is made to two well-known folk tales, one of which features pigs and wolves.
Ulf defines love: “Love involved a quickening of the pulse, a feeling of yearning. People talked about being filled with love, but Ulf had always thought that was to misdescribe what was felt by one in love. It was emptiness, rather than fullness: a feeling within that there was an inner space, an incompleteness, that could only be filled by the other” and admits that, if he is truthful, his deepest affections lie elsewhere, but he is still hoping love will blossom with his girlfriend of eight months, veterinary nurse Jani.
But when Jani uses emotional blackmail to get Ulf to consider forking out a large sum of money he doesn’t have so that Martin, the only lip-reading dog in Sweden, can have a cochlear implant, it leaves Ulf wishing he was more assertive, more lupine. Like his namesake. When he is introduced to the young handsome veterinary surgeon proposing to do Martin’s surgery, though, Ulf realises that Dr Niklas Wikstrom seems to have caught Jani’s eye.
Ulf brings Blomquist in on the puzzling case of a missing house. The country cottage belonging to a successful pig farmer, whose bacon products are well known, has disappeared. Blomquist is frequently underestimated and often mocked by his colleagues, but has hidden depths and, in this case, demonstrates his resourcefulness and lateral thinking to indeed find the stolen house.
The Commissioner shares the bad news that a reduction in staff is necessary due to budgetary requirements: one of Ulf’s staff in the Department of Sensitive Crimes will have to accept what virtually amounts to a demotion with a transfer to a different (unpopular) department. Ulf handles the situation is a truly novel way, much to the surprise of all his colleagues, and the dismay of some.
At one stage, things are looking very sad for Ulf, but this is Scandi Blanc, and the resolution will restore the reader’s faith in humankind. Whoever wrote the blurb, though, clearly hasn’t read the book. Neither “As the bickering between colleagues intensifies” nor “Anna appears to blame him for an old case that went sideways, putting her own job prospects above their friendship” actually happen. Nonetheless, this is a delightful antidote to heavier reads: philosophy laced with plenty of silliness, irony and not a few turns in the plot. Entertaining, as always.
Ulf is still embarrassed on a regular basis by his brother Bjorn’s outlandish press statements; Ulf discusses the existence of wickedness; he reflects on universal language, on victimhood, on ingratitude and on absurdity, and he corrects several people on their (often amusing) variations on the title of his Department of Sensitive Crimes. A rather tongue in cheek reference is made to two well-known folk tales, one of which features pigs and wolves.
Ulf defines love: “Love involved a quickening of the pulse, a feeling of yearning. People talked about being filled with love, but Ulf had always thought that was to misdescribe what was felt by one in love. It was emptiness, rather than fullness: a feeling within that there was an inner space, an incompleteness, that could only be filled by the other” and admits that, if he is truthful, his deepest affections lie elsewhere, but he is still hoping love will blossom with his girlfriend of eight months, veterinary nurse Jani.
But when Jani uses emotional blackmail to get Ulf to consider forking out a large sum of money he doesn’t have so that Martin, the only lip-reading dog in Sweden, can have a cochlear implant, it leaves Ulf wishing he was more assertive, more lupine. Like his namesake. When he is introduced to the young handsome veterinary surgeon proposing to do Martin’s surgery, though, Ulf realises that Dr Niklas Wikstrom seems to have caught Jani’s eye.
Ulf brings Blomquist in on the puzzling case of a missing house. The country cottage belonging to a successful pig farmer, whose bacon products are well known, has disappeared. Blomquist is frequently underestimated and often mocked by his colleagues, but has hidden depths and, in this case, demonstrates his resourcefulness and lateral thinking to indeed find the stolen house.
The Commissioner shares the bad news that a reduction in staff is necessary due to budgetary requirements: one of Ulf’s staff in the Department of Sensitive Crimes will have to accept what virtually amounts to a demotion with a transfer to a different (unpopular) department. Ulf handles the situation is a truly novel way, much to the surprise of all his colleagues, and the dismay of some.
At one stage, things are looking very sad for Ulf, but this is Scandi Blanc, and the resolution will restore the reader’s faith in humankind. Whoever wrote the blurb, though, clearly hasn’t read the book. Neither “As the bickering between colleagues intensifies” nor “Anna appears to blame him for an old case that went sideways, putting her own job prospects above their friendship” actually happen. Nonetheless, this is a delightful antidote to heavier reads: philosophy laced with plenty of silliness, irony and not a few turns in the plot. Entertaining, as always.
October 9, 2023
The perfect read for a COVID weekend. Not hard on the sensibilities after so much fighting and hateful behaviors in the world. Considering we are talking about a police force, this is no small feat.
A quote which continues to resonate: “…the world is inherently unfair. Fairness is something we create in order to make life bearable. But we know, in our heart of hearts that belief in fairness is an act of faith. It’s Kierkegaardian. It’s a Kierkegaardian leap of faith…one of the many safety nets that we…hoped were beneath us, but probably were not…trying to keep ourselves going w/ ideas of purpose & justice…when all about us was a void so complete & unfathomable that we could not even contemplate it. Only love mattered in that emptiness—love & moments of warmth & purpose that it gave us in our brief & tiny lives.”
Considering I have spent the last five years working almost constantly (gratis) for a nonpartisan nonprofit called Fair Districts PA, and have been asked many times and indeed, have asked myself, “what’s fair?” I found this passage a soothing balm, a meeting of thoughtful minds, and a gentle clink of a glass in a quiet sunset conversation.
Hooray for Alexander McCall Smith. We are better for his work. A “ joyful barking of dogs,” indeed.
A quote which continues to resonate: “…the world is inherently unfair. Fairness is something we create in order to make life bearable. But we know, in our heart of hearts that belief in fairness is an act of faith. It’s Kierkegaardian. It’s a Kierkegaardian leap of faith…one of the many safety nets that we…hoped were beneath us, but probably were not…trying to keep ourselves going w/ ideas of purpose & justice…when all about us was a void so complete & unfathomable that we could not even contemplate it. Only love mattered in that emptiness—love & moments of warmth & purpose that it gave us in our brief & tiny lives.”
Considering I have spent the last five years working almost constantly (gratis) for a nonpartisan nonprofit called Fair Districts PA, and have been asked many times and indeed, have asked myself, “what’s fair?” I found this passage a soothing balm, a meeting of thoughtful minds, and a gentle clink of a glass in a quiet sunset conversation.
Hooray for Alexander McCall Smith. We are better for his work. A “ joyful barking of dogs,” indeed.
August 19, 2023
The Discreet Charm Of The Big Bad Wolf is the fourth book in the Detective Varg series by popular British author, Alexander McCall-Smith. The audio version is narrated by Saul Reichlin. In this instalment, our ever-thoughtful and unfailingly kind Swedish detective: attends a school reunion; he also chats with his (secretly beloved) colleague Anna on what constitutes micro-aggression. They muse on courtesy: “I don’t think you can legislate for courtesy. You just have to hope that people will treat one another well. And, by and large, they do.”
Ulf is still embarrassed on a regular basis by his brother Bjorn’s outlandish press statements; Ulf discusses the existence of wickedness; he reflects on universal language, on victimhood, on ingratitude and on absurdity, and he corrects several people on their (often amusing) variations on the title of his Department of Sensitive Crimes. A rather tongue in cheek reference is made to two well-known folk tales, one of which features pigs and wolves.
Ulf defines love: “Love involved a quickening of the pulse, a feeling of yearning. People talked about being filled with love, but Ulf had always thought that was to misdescribe what was felt by one in love. It was emptiness, rather than fullness: a feeling within that there was an inner space, an incompleteness, that could only be filled by the other” and admits that, if he is truthful, his deepest affections lie elsewhere, but he is still hoping love will blossom with his girlfriend of eight months, veterinary nurse Jani.
But when Jani uses emotional blackmail to get Ulf to consider forking out a large sum of money he doesn’t have so that Martin, the only lip-reading dog in Sweden, can have a cochlear implant, it leaves Ulf wishing he was more assertive, more lupine. Like his namesake. When he is introduced to the young handsome veterinary surgeon proposing to do Martin’s surgery, though, Ulf realises that Dr Niklas Wikstrom seems to have caught Jani’s eye.
Ulf brings Blomquist in on the puzzling case of a missing house. The country cottage belonging to a successful pig farmer, whose bacon products are well known, has disappeared. Blomquist is frequently underestimated and often mocked by his colleagues, but has hidden depths and, in this case, demonstrates his resourcefulness and lateral thinking to indeed find the stolen house.
The Commissioner shares the bad news that a reduction in staff is necessary due to budgetary requirements: one of Ulf’s staff in the Department of Sensitive Crimes will have to accept what virtually amounts to a demotion with a transfer to a different (unpopular) department. Ulf handles the situation is a truly novel way, much to the surprise of all his colleagues, and the dismay of some.
At one stage, things are looking very sad for Ulf, but this is Scandi Blanc, and the resolution will restore the reader’s faith in humankind. Whoever wrote the blurb, though, clearly hasn’t read the book. Neither “As the bickering between colleagues intensifies” nor “Anna appears to blame him for an old case that went sideways, putting her own job prospects above their friendship” actually happen. Nonetheless, this is a delightful antidote to heavier reads: philosophy laced with plenty of silliness, irony and not a few turns in the plot. Entertaining, as always.
Ulf is still embarrassed on a regular basis by his brother Bjorn’s outlandish press statements; Ulf discusses the existence of wickedness; he reflects on universal language, on victimhood, on ingratitude and on absurdity, and he corrects several people on their (often amusing) variations on the title of his Department of Sensitive Crimes. A rather tongue in cheek reference is made to two well-known folk tales, one of which features pigs and wolves.
Ulf defines love: “Love involved a quickening of the pulse, a feeling of yearning. People talked about being filled with love, but Ulf had always thought that was to misdescribe what was felt by one in love. It was emptiness, rather than fullness: a feeling within that there was an inner space, an incompleteness, that could only be filled by the other” and admits that, if he is truthful, his deepest affections lie elsewhere, but he is still hoping love will blossom with his girlfriend of eight months, veterinary nurse Jani.
But when Jani uses emotional blackmail to get Ulf to consider forking out a large sum of money he doesn’t have so that Martin, the only lip-reading dog in Sweden, can have a cochlear implant, it leaves Ulf wishing he was more assertive, more lupine. Like his namesake. When he is introduced to the young handsome veterinary surgeon proposing to do Martin’s surgery, though, Ulf realises that Dr Niklas Wikstrom seems to have caught Jani’s eye.
Ulf brings Blomquist in on the puzzling case of a missing house. The country cottage belonging to a successful pig farmer, whose bacon products are well known, has disappeared. Blomquist is frequently underestimated and often mocked by his colleagues, but has hidden depths and, in this case, demonstrates his resourcefulness and lateral thinking to indeed find the stolen house.
The Commissioner shares the bad news that a reduction in staff is necessary due to budgetary requirements: one of Ulf’s staff in the Department of Sensitive Crimes will have to accept what virtually amounts to a demotion with a transfer to a different (unpopular) department. Ulf handles the situation is a truly novel way, much to the surprise of all his colleagues, and the dismay of some.
At one stage, things are looking very sad for Ulf, but this is Scandi Blanc, and the resolution will restore the reader’s faith in humankind. Whoever wrote the blurb, though, clearly hasn’t read the book. Neither “As the bickering between colleagues intensifies” nor “Anna appears to blame him for an old case that went sideways, putting her own job prospects above their friendship” actually happen. Nonetheless, this is a delightful antidote to heavier reads: philosophy laced with plenty of silliness, irony and not a few turns in the plot. Entertaining, as always.
July 1, 2023
After reading serious heavy literary tomes, Alexander McCall Smith is like a palate cleanser. You can always count on him to entertain, philosophize and depict, with tongue in cheek, some wonderful characters. This book is no exception.
McCall revisits the Department of Sensitive Crimes in Malmo, Sweden We meet again Ulf Varg (which means Wolf Wolf in Swedish. Ulf has a girlfriend, Juni, who works for his veterinarian. Re-appearing here are his employee, the long-winded Blomquist, his next door neighbor, and Ulf's dog, Martin the deaf but, lip-reading Shepherd. Amusing enough already. But McCall Smith has more up his sleeve.
There is the theft of a house. Not a housebreaking but an actual house-moving-to-another-location. The case is brought to the department by Sweden's bacon king. Following this crime is the issue of governmental downsizing, cochlear implants for dogs, and the loss of UIf's beloved antique Saab.
It's difficult to imagine how McCall Smith manages to be so prolific and entertaining, writing so many books with so many different characters. Yet he does. The only conclusion I can come to is that so many people enjoy reading his "food for thought" and thoughtful points to ponder like he does in every one of his series.
This is a fine example of what he does best.
McCall revisits the Department of Sensitive Crimes in Malmo, Sweden We meet again Ulf Varg (which means Wolf Wolf in Swedish. Ulf has a girlfriend, Juni, who works for his veterinarian. Re-appearing here are his employee, the long-winded Blomquist, his next door neighbor, and Ulf's dog, Martin the deaf but, lip-reading Shepherd. Amusing enough already. But McCall Smith has more up his sleeve.
There is the theft of a house. Not a housebreaking but an actual house-moving-to-another-location. The case is brought to the department by Sweden's bacon king. Following this crime is the issue of governmental downsizing, cochlear implants for dogs, and the loss of UIf's beloved antique Saab.
It's difficult to imagine how McCall Smith manages to be so prolific and entertaining, writing so many books with so many different characters. Yet he does. The only conclusion I can come to is that so many people enjoy reading his "food for thought" and thoughtful points to ponder like he does in every one of his series.
This is a fine example of what he does best.
November 7, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this. I was irritated with Ulf for awhile as he was so spineless but things worked out for him finally. Blomquist was also very entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
I enjoyed this book mostly, but found my attention wandered a bit. The storyline that included stealing a house, yes, a house, was intriguing. I listened to the audiobook with Simon and Ulf's relationship with Juni made him uncomfortable as she was quite demanding and didn't seem as invested as Ulf. If I had to hazard a guess, I think Simon felt protective of the kind hearted Ulf.
As for me, I was more interested in the underrated Blomquist and Ulf's cheerful neighbor, Fridolf Bengtsson, who enjoys having his dog, Martin, over for a visit deserves a mention. Talking of Martin, Juni strongly suggests that Ulf invest in an operation to make Martin hear again. Martin is the only lip reading dog in Sweden and seems quite happy as he is thank you very much and that's all I'll say about that!
The following conversation reminded my of the movie Office Space:
"As you know", Ulf went on, "Poor Blomquist doesn't have a proper desk, he has a at most a table and even then he doesn't have a complete table, it's point three five of a table I think or something like that. It has no drawers."
As for me, I was more interested in the underrated Blomquist and Ulf's cheerful neighbor, Fridolf Bengtsson, who enjoys having his dog, Martin, over for a visit deserves a mention. Talking of Martin, Juni strongly suggests that Ulf invest in an operation to make Martin hear again. Martin is the only lip reading dog in Sweden and seems quite happy as he is thank you very much and that's all I'll say about that!
The following conversation reminded my of the movie Office Space:
"As you know", Ulf went on, "Poor Blomquist doesn't have a proper desk, he has a at most a table and even then he doesn't have a complete table, it's point three five of a table I think or something like that. It has no drawers."
July 3, 2024
Easy going read
September 12, 2023
I am really enjoying this series! I love the laugh-out-loud writing style. I love the analysis of the everyday thoughts and feelings of us common people. Keep writing more, please!
March 30, 2024
Varg was getting on my nerves a little, but he improved over the course of the story, starting to speak up more effectively and creating satisfying conclusions.
August 29, 2023
❓🐾 Would you borrow $20,000 dollars to pay for cochlear implants for your dog who is deaf?? ❓🐾🤑���. In this funny mystery series, Ulf’s dog, Martin is deaf but he has a happy life and is very well loved. Ulf’s girlfriend finds a vet who does cochlear implants but Ulf thinks Martin is just perfect. I don’t think I would do it if my dog was happy and wasn’t in danger. Our dog, Sammy HATES going to the vet. He hyperventilates and hides for days. He has an it in quite a few situations like the vet. He’s perfectly fine walking, hiking, playing ball and just chilling as long as he is with us.
September 8, 2023
THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BIG BAD WOLF
Alexander McCall Smith
I LOVE Ulf Varg who is with the Department of Sensitive Crimes! Sweden will never be the same...
Lots of fun. A deaf dog... yep he has one who needs a cochlear implant. I KNOW... LOL
Worth the read for sure.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Alexander McCall Smith
I LOVE Ulf Varg who is with the Department of Sensitive Crimes! Sweden will never be the same...
Lots of fun. A deaf dog... yep he has one who needs a cochlear implant. I KNOW... LOL
Worth the read for sure.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
July 22, 2023
This was a typical book in the Detective Varg series, in that it's very noir but it comes out happy anyhow. In this book Ulf has Martin, his dog, and his current girlfriend Juni, talk him into having Martin go in for a hearing implant. What Ulf had to work on with Blomquist was a missing house. This was Blomquist's idea to compare houses by old photographs with new ones. Then Ulf sold is Saab in order to give Martin the operation. Ulf mentions to his neighbor that her son was having an affair with a women and she notifies her son of this. Ulf worried how he would bring this up to Fridolf Bengtsson being that he only could blackmail him into knowing he had an affair going on at the time and he could not legally do this. His mother solved this by her threatening him of losing his business. What becomes of Ulf love life is explored and the sale of his Saab is reversed and a new person comes into Ulf life. This was an interesting book which doesn't explain how things happen to Ulf and then reverse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2025
While I was at the library, picking up this final (to date) Detective Varg book, I saw a middle-aged man also browsing the stacks, wearing a bright red plaid kilt, complete with a black leather sporran (like a man purse), and a matching yet incongruous black and red backpack. Kilts are not common in my part of the world, and the likelihood of some nearby highland games happening on a weekday also seemed quite low.
He looked like he was a character from one of Alexander McCall Smith's worlds, either in Sweden where the locals would tolerantly think about the idiosyncracies of different cultures and social norms, or near 66 Scotland Street in Edinburgh (probably more common, though I mostly saw kilts on the Royal Mile, worn by people working in the tourist industry). The thought crossed my mind that I was in a simulation, but it could have been the residual headache/spaciness from the Covid vaccine.
Anyway, for whatever reason, this fourth book is the one I got most emotionally worked up about, hence the rounding up of half a star. Ulf Varg, fundamentally decent guy, is both at his worst in this one (allowing himself to be steamrolled by his girlfriend into selling his Saab to pay for an exploratory procedure to restore his dog Martin's hearing, despite believing it to be pointless), and at his best (facing a command from the Commissioner to reduce the staff of the Dept of Sensitive Crimes, he comes up with an unusual solution). I've also grudgingly begun to like Blomquist, who proves his worth to the team in this one and shows more introspection than the bore he often comes across as. Though, let's be honest, I skimmed a fair number of Blomquist paragraphs. Turmeric, blah blah blah. Carbohydrates! (I'm making bread this morning; what do you think of that, Blomquist?!) Ulf's patience with Blomquist is often tested, but I think it's in his treatment of the younger man that he is most sympathetic.
The stakes seem a little higher here, and Ulf's pathos - of loving someone completely unavailable and being too good to ever do anything about it - seems more poignant. The primary case here of a missing house is somewhat tangential to McCall Smith's philosophizing and finding (and making) the most ordinary of thoughts and events interesting. It could serve as the end to the series, but I find myself hoping that there will be more.
He looked like he was a character from one of Alexander McCall Smith's worlds, either in Sweden where the locals would tolerantly think about the idiosyncracies of different cultures and social norms, or near 66 Scotland Street in Edinburgh (probably more common, though I mostly saw kilts on the Royal Mile, worn by people working in the tourist industry). The thought crossed my mind that I was in a simulation, but it could have been the residual headache/spaciness from the Covid vaccine.
Anyway, for whatever reason, this fourth book is the one I got most emotionally worked up about, hence the rounding up of half a star. Ulf Varg, fundamentally decent guy, is both at his worst in this one (allowing himself to be steamrolled by his girlfriend into selling his Saab to pay for an exploratory procedure to restore his dog Martin's hearing, despite believing it to be pointless), and at his best (facing a command from the Commissioner to reduce the staff of the Dept of Sensitive Crimes, he comes up with an unusual solution). I've also grudgingly begun to like Blomquist, who proves his worth to the team in this one and shows more introspection than the bore he often comes across as. Though, let's be honest, I skimmed a fair number of Blomquist paragraphs. Turmeric, blah blah blah. Carbohydrates! (I'm making bread this morning; what do you think of that, Blomquist?!) Ulf's patience with Blomquist is often tested, but I think it's in his treatment of the younger man that he is most sympathetic.
The stakes seem a little higher here, and Ulf's pathos - of loving someone completely unavailable and being too good to ever do anything about it - seems more poignant. The primary case here of a missing house is somewhat tangential to McCall Smith's philosophizing and finding (and making) the most ordinary of thoughts and events interesting. It could serve as the end to the series, but I find myself hoping that there will be more.
September 21, 2023
Inspector Varg
Alexander McCall Smith never fails.to delight me, no matter who he is writing about, he always makes me feel like there is hope for this world. In this episode a man comes to him requesting help in finding his lost house. With Blomquist's help the house and the thief are found and then the punishment has to be decided.
Alexander McCall Smith never fails.to delight me, no matter who he is writing about, he always makes me feel like there is hope for this world. In this episode a man comes to him requesting help in finding his lost house. With Blomquist's help the house and the thief are found and then the punishment has to be decided.
July 27, 2023
I adore Alexander McCall Smith could listen to his characters pontificate all day long. Every one of his series are so charming and you really grow to love the characters. Pretty sure I had a smile on my face the whole time I read this. I am loving this new series. Thank you so much to Pantheon and to Net Galley for this ARC.
July 28, 2023
A lovely book about the impact of the small things in life and being kind to each other. A very enjoyable read. I always feel good after reading one of Alexander McCall Smith’s novels.
December 17, 2023
Detective Ulf Varg oversees the Department of Sensitive Crimes and must
Downsize it. He is a very quiet and understanding man and tries to be fair
With his people. In this tale he must deal with a missing house,his dog
Martin, and Blomquist’s ideas on the case, a girlfriend,and cases as they
Appear. A fast read with interesting characters and the dry wit of the English.
Varg succeeds in keeping the status quo, and keeps peace among all.
Recommended.
Downsize it. He is a very quiet and understanding man and tries to be fair
With his people. In this tale he must deal with a missing house,his dog
Martin, and Blomquist’s ideas on the case, a girlfriend,and cases as they
Appear. A fast read with interesting characters and the dry wit of the English.
Varg succeeds in keeping the status quo, and keeps peace among all.
Recommended.
December 5, 2025
This swedish detective series is such a nice pallet cleanser... just a feel good book with slice of life issues where the detective from the "Department of Sensitive Crimes" solves almost nonsense nonviolent crimes; and basically no one really gets in trouble when "crimes" are all resolved. Plus the detective has a deaf dog that is quite intelligent. These books are not for everyone it rambles on random ironic discussions of Swedish society but I rather enjoy the series.
September 5, 2023
Blomquist goes on about the benefits of kale and garlic. The Department of Sensitive Crimes investigates a stolen house. The Moderate Extremists meet with the Semi-Revolutionary Party.
November 4, 2023
Another comfortable observant hero in an interesting world. My first in this series of his.
November 2, 2023
This series continues to be delightful.
I was very relieved at the resolution!
I was very relieved at the resolution!
August 22, 2023
This is the fourth in the Detective Varg series. Although it can be read as a standalone, it's probably better to read the books in order if you can, so that you can see the unfolding of the back stories. This time, Ulf Varg from the Department of Sensitive Crimes has the tricky case of a man whose house in the woods has been stolen. There is also groundbreaking surgery that might restore hearing to his deaf dog Martin, but is Ulf's new girlfriend pushing poor Martin into a needless operation that will cost his owner one of the things he cherishes most?
As with the other books in the series, this is a gentle, sometimes meandering tale, with lots of little asides, interesting minor characters, and lots of heart. Detective Varg is to Sweden what Mma Ramotswe is to Botswana. A kind soul in the midst of a sometimes unkind world. The way Varg deals with others, even those who have wronged him, shows much mercy and integrity. And the way he treats his 'boring' colleague Blomquist provides a subtle nudge to evaluate how we treat others. The world would be a better place indeed if there were more people like Vag.
If you like Alexander McCall Smith's other books, this is another in the same vein to enjoy.
As with the other books in the series, this is a gentle, sometimes meandering tale, with lots of little asides, interesting minor characters, and lots of heart. Detective Varg is to Sweden what Mma Ramotswe is to Botswana. A kind soul in the midst of a sometimes unkind world. The way Varg deals with others, even those who have wronged him, shows much mercy and integrity. And the way he treats his 'boring' colleague Blomquist provides a subtle nudge to evaluate how we treat others. The world would be a better place indeed if there were more people like Vag.
If you like Alexander McCall Smith's other books, this is another in the same vein to enjoy.
December 13, 2023
Both the author and the audiobook reader are a delight!
August 6, 2023
I was so pleased to see that Alexander McCall Smith had written ‘The Discreet Charm of the Big Bad Wolf’, the fourth in his series of Swedish police procedurals featuring Inspector Ulf Varg (Wolf Wolf) of the Department of Sensitive Crimes in Malmö.
As the cover art suggests there are a few references to the fable of the Three Little Pigs in the story about the disappearance of a cabin. It is delightfully farcical and the essence of a gentle cosy.
McCall Smith continues to single-handily champion Scandi Blanc, his gentle, quirky alternative to gritty Scandi Noir.
Overall, this proved a quick and easy listen.
As the cover art suggests there are a few references to the fable of the Three Little Pigs in the story about the disappearance of a cabin. It is delightfully farcical and the essence of a gentle cosy.
McCall Smith continues to single-handily champion Scandi Blanc, his gentle, quirky alternative to gritty Scandi Noir.
Overall, this proved a quick and easy listen.
September 15, 2023
I love the Precious Ramotswe series so much that I am usually unimpressed by this authors other series but this one came close in subtle humor, poignant observations, and a good little mystery or two.
September 18, 2023
I don't know the character I love most: Blomquist or Martin, the only dog that reads lips. Fortunately, I don't have to choose between the two!
September 15, 2023
Another book in the Department of Sensitive Crimes series. Full of gentle hilarity.
September 23, 2023
The Detective Varg novels are like a book about nothing. A house goes missing and the Department of Sensitive Crimes is on the case. Everyone needs a Bloomquist to overshare on all topics.
November 28, 2023
Ulf Varg, a detective with Malmo's sensitive crime division, faces problems professional and personal as he must pick one of his staff to be transferred to another department, find a house that has been stolen from its foundation, and face his veterinary assistant girlfriend Juni's insistence that his dog get a cochlear transplant. He also fears that Juni is falling for the specialist doctor who will do the transplant. To pay for the operation, he sells his beloved Saab. Of course, he finds a way to make the transfer painless for everyone, finds the house and the culprit who stole it, and his personal problems find solutions, too. I found this talky and a bit claustrophobically confined to Varg's mind, but then I'm not a big McCall Smith fan.
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