Title: Red Wolf
Author: Liza Marklund
Publisher: Atria
Publication Date: February 15, 2011
Hardcover: 400 pages
ISBN: 978-1451602067
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Beneath a dark winter sky . . . death waits patiently.
A journalist is murdered in the frozen white landscape of a northern Swedish town. Annika Bengtzon, a reporter at a Stockholm-based tabloid, was planning to interview him about a long-ago attack against an isolated air base nearby, and now she suspects that his death is linked to that attack.
Against the explicit orders of her boss, she begins to investigate the event, which is soon followed by a series of shocking murders. Annika knows the murders are connected. At the same time, she begins to suspect that her husband is hiding something, and nothing can counteract the loneliness that has crept into her life.
Behind everything lurks the figure of the Red Wolf, a cold-blooded killer with the soul of a lover. In the end, she must discover the truth not only about the murders but also about the lies that are destroying her own family.
My Review:
Red Wolf (Den röda vargen) by Liza Marklund is an excellent example of just why I enjoy Swedish crime thrillers. Red Wolf is the 5th book in Marklund’s Annika Bengtzon series, however the series is not written in chronological order, allowing the reader to begin with any in the series, and Red Wolf is an extraordinary introduction to Annika. A reporter for Kvällspressen (Evening Post), and the former head of the investigative crime team, Annika Bengtzon has stepped down and selected to return to work as an independent investigative reporter focusing on terrorism. Editor in Chief Anders Schyman reluctantly approves Annika’s request to follow up on what she believes to be a 30-year cover-up regarding a Draker fighter plane, which exploded in the middle of the F21 base at Kallax Heath just outside Luleå on 18 November 1969.
Annika travels to Luleå to compare notes with reporter Benny Ekland only to learn from Inspector Supp that Ekland has been killed, his death being viewed as death by dangerous driving. The deeper Annika digs into the incident at the F21 base, the more bodies begin to turn up and the higher the stakes. Annika who suffers from extreme anxiety due to her past trauma is not about to be frightened off the case, continuing to investigate despite Schyman’s insistence she cease. Annika is an extremely strong character who is not just a tough journalist, a but also a wife and mother trying to keep all aspects of her life intact.
Marklund’s writing style is exceptional; her descriptions are so vivid each sense is on alert while reading her novels. Red Wolf takes the reader into the cold, grey winter in the Arctic Circle and the hustle and bustle of Stockholm, while Annika is busy trying to unravel the clues to discover who or what is behind the murders and crack the case, while her life in Stockholm is unraveling. Annika is a strong character and yet she and her family have been through so very much within the past year, it is no wonder they are experiencing problems. I make it no secret that I am a fan of Marklund’s works and Red Wolf lives up to and exceeds my expectations for not only does Marklund keep the reader fully engaged in the investigation but also in Annika’s personal life, slowly watching as it unravels and hoping all can be repaired. Marklund has written another extraordinary thriller with plenty of twists and turns along with extremely vivid scenes, beautiful prose, and an enticing cast of characters. I would highly recommend Red Wolf to anyone who enjoys excellently written suspenseful thrillers with a strong female protagonist. Personally, I am very excited to see Marklund’s series being translated into English, it truly is extraordinary.
LIZA MARKLUND is an author, journalist, columnist, and goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. She is also the co-owner of the publishing house PiratfÖrlaget. Since her debut in 1995, Liza Marklund has written ten novels and one nonfiction book. Her crime novels featuring the gutsy reporter Annika Bengtzon instantly became an international hit, and Marklund’s books have sold 9 million copies in 30 languages to date. Today, Liza Marklund lives in Marbella in southern Spain with her family. Liza Marklund is currently at work on the next installment in the Annika Bengtzon series. To learn more about the author or the series, please visit Marklund’s website.
I received a complimentary ARC copy of Red Wolf by Liza Marklund from Atria Books to review. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.
I haven’t tried a Swedish crime thriller yet. I’ve been thinking of trying one of Nesbo’s, but your review makes me think I should start with this one!
Lisa Marklund’s books are lovely and do not need to be read in a specific order, which is nice if one is waiting on English versions. I am also a huge fan of Jo Nesbø and Henning Mankell-who happens to write my all time favourite protagonist Kurt Wallander (If you have not read Mankell do give his work a try). Looking to Iceland my pick is Arnaldur Indridason and his Detective Erlendur series, and in Norway my hands down favourite is Karin Fossum’s Inspector Konrad Sejer series.
I love Swedish crime thrillers as well – I haven’t heard of this series and now I really need to go check this out. Thanks for putting it on my radar!
You are most welcome. I mentioned to Kathy some of my all time favourite writers from Sweden, Norway, and Iceland.
I am interested in reading more Swedish thrillers after reading Steig Larsson’s books and the book that Liza co-wrote with James Patterson. This one sounds like a good one. Thanks for the great recommendation.
Liza Marklund is an extremely talented author and since her books are not in chronological order, this is a great place to start.
Sounds great. I haven’t read any of these, but will have to pick one up for the TBR. Thanks for the review.
Red Wolf is fantastic. I think Red Wolf may be the first one of Marklund’s series to be published in the US, but do not quote me on that. I have read the others in Swedish. I do know another is due to be released in the US in a few months.