I am perplexed by the explosive popularity of Scandinavian
murder mysteries. Don’t get me wrong: they are, for the most part, good reads.
But my question is more along the lines of “Why Scandinavia?” Why not Eastern Europe?
South America?
Obviously, it’s not a language issue, since publishers of books from
those countries could pay to have books translated to English or other
languages just as they must for their Swedish and Norwegian authors. And I
recognize, of course, that many countries are currently struggling with life
and death issues that make writing mysteries frivolous and irrelevant. Trust
me: I’m not superficial enough to be questioning why there aren’t mysteries
coming out of, say, Somalia
or Haiti. But I am curious as we don’t see mysteries about
the Mexican drug trade, corrupt Russian oligarchs, Eastern European spies, or
similar topics written by authors in those countries.
In the mystery world, Norway boasts two superstars: Karin
Fossum and Jo Nesbø. Phantom, Nesbø’s
latest Harry Hole mystery, shows just why he makes the list. Hole, the Oslo police officer last seen in The Leopard, thought he’d never come back to Oslo
from Hong Kong. But that plan changed in an
instant when Oleg, the 19-year-old son of Harry’s former lover, was arrested
for the murder of Gusto Hanssen. Harry had helped to raise Oleg and, although
he’s lost touch with the boy, knows without a doubt that he was not capable of
murder. The police aren’t inclined to investigate what they believe is the
open-and-shut case of one drug dealer killing another.
As Harry retraces Oleg’s steps, he learns of the terrible
toll that a new drug, called “violin,” has taken on the seedy side of Oslo. Once they try it,
users will stop at nothing to get more. Adding to Harry’s anguish over Oleg’s
arrest is the older man’s guilt at having deserted Oleg and his mother.
Phantom is a multi-layered, well-plotted mystery filled with
compelling characters and a setting bleak from both weather and hopelessness.
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