The White Lioness (Kurt Wallander Series)

I discovered Kurt Wallander through the PBS series starring Kenneth Branagh, which I really enjoy. Then I saw that Netflix made a "Young Wallander" series, so I though I better give the books a try. I can happily say I was engrossed in this mystery. It was perfect for a poor sleeper like me to wake up at 3am and start reading "The White Lioness," although I'd be caught up in the book for an hour or more. The mystery begins with the apparently motiveless murder of a local Swedish woman, but the investigation takes Wallander down a rabbit hole involving sinister Russians and a plot to assassinate a prominent South African. I was trying to think what I liked so much about Wallander. He's a bit disheveled, kind of like Columbo. He can seem unassuming, and that was the fatal flaw of the Russian antagonist in "The White Lioness," underestimating him. But Wallander can also be direct, sometimes abrupt. He's not an impressive physical specimen, not intimidating like Jack Reacher but more of an everyman. Wallander thinks of himself and is described as others in "The White Lioness" as chubby. Investigations carry him to the very edge, physically. He doesn't sleep enough and his nerves become tattered. Like Harry Bosch, Wallander is distanced from those around him, including his family, though both detectives make an effort to connect with their daughters. In a particularly dramatic section of "The White Lioness," Wallander's daughter is kidnapped. What I found perhaps most interesting about this book was the way Wallander and his colleagues, described as a "provincial" police force, are forced to confront changes in Sweden such as increasing violence and illegal immigration. The country is changing around them. Mankell writes in a very straightforward manner but is ambitious in his plotting and in the elements he brings to the story. It takes guts for an author to move back and forth between plots in Sweden and South Africa as he does here. I think he does a great job enmeshing the two plots. At first, I found myself irritated when the action moved away from Wallander, who is such a great character, but by the end I had the opposite reaction, wanting to stay with the lawyer in South Africa trying to uncover the assassination plot. I'm afraid that "The White Lioness" may have started me on a mystery fix. This book was a true page-turner while never clumsily written or sensationalist.

I have been reading Henning Mankell's books one after the other simply because I like them so much and Kurt Wallander is a favorite character. He's depressed in this third in the series, but he usually is and he is certainly lonely enough, but in the end he is a very good cop."The White Lioness" goes from Sweden to South Africa and back. The story begins with the execution style death of a homemaker/real estate agent who Wallander and others in the Ystad police department search for since no one knows what happened to her. She went to a house and was supposed to return home. She never returned so there is a big search for her but she is not immediately thought to be dead.This seems like an isolated crime once they find out what happened to Louise Akerblom, but it is part of a larger plan that will take the case all the way to South Africa where a plot for an assassination is uncovered. The story returns to Sweden again and Wallander becomes tied up in the case with an ex-KGB agent and other unsavory characters who have nothing good up their sleeves. It is an exhausting case for Wallander and the others and puts Wallander himself in danger.Although I really wanted to see what happened in the suspenseful ending of this book, I found it confusing in parts and a little slow. Some of the book could have been cut down to make it a bit shorter since I found a lot towards the middle to the end not that necessary or relevant. I never had a thought of not finishing the book, though, because I'm on such a roll with this series. Scandinavian writers of mystery and thriller books are particularly of interest to me because I enjoy their writing so much. Mr. Mankell is recovering from lung cancer and I hope that he fully recovers and will be able to write more either in the Wallander series or stand alone novels.

This is another must for all lovers of well written crime thrillers, from the pen of Henning Mankell and starring Kurt Wallander, one of the best detectives created in recent times.This is a complex tale. Almost two books in one, it tells the tale of an assassination plot in South Africa, with tendrils reaching as far as Sweden. Mankell alternates sections of the two distinct tales, the story of the plot and investigation in South Africa and the investigation by Wallander of a seemingly motiveless murder, bringing the two together and tying up the whole thing satisfactorily in the last few pages.As with the predecessor, the excellent `Dogs Of Riga', this book tackles some weighty political and moral issues head on. Centred around the fall of apartheid and white rule in South Africa it shows the regime for what it was. He describes the lives of ordinary people, showing their preconceptions and ability to not see the truth in almost forensic detail. This section of the book is a fascinating, well researched and well written account of the period, and the moral and ethical issues arising from the situation.The thriller component of the book is mainly contained in the Swedish strand, with Wallander's hunt for the murderer and the personal implications as the killer turns his attentions on Wallander and his family. As usual with Mankell, this is a well written and pacey bit of crime fiction, not afraid to show the mundane procedures that form an important part of any real life investigation. Things really hot up when Wallander gets on the trail of the killer, and he must push the boundaries of his abilities and moral code in order to see justice served.Another tense, atmospheric book from Mankell. All the characters are well written, with distinctive voices. The motivations of all are considered, with some interesting studies of human nature. Don't be put off by the nearly 600 pg length, the book draws you in and after a few pages you find yourself totally immersed in it and unable to put it down. Mankell is a top notch writer and holds your attention right to the last page. An excellent read, essential to all those who enjoy thoughtful crime thrillers with a moody atmosphere and a moral lesson (but not one which is rammed down the throat). Five stars, no hesitation.

Suspecting this might be the weakest Wallander novel, I kept 'The White Lioness' until last. I was proved right and in fact gave up on the book. As someone else has said here, the secondary plot / location is wholly unnecessary and complicates the overall narrative. Frankly, this just doesn't work. The novel is as dull as ditch-water. I can't believe it's been edited, as rambling as it is. Read any of the other Wallander novels before this, they're excellent. Though Mankell's best couple of novels aren't actually Wallander ones; 'Italian Shoes' and 'Depths' are superb.

Haven't quite finished this story, but it is very absorbing. While investigating a local woman's disappearance. Wallinger becomes aware of something much deeper involving an assassination attempt in South Africa.

Excellent book. This is the first book that I read from the author Henning Mankell, after I had read an interview about him in the local Metro newspaper.I didn't realise it was from a series of books about the detective Wallander.This was the start of reading all the books in the series and all the other books that Henning Mankell wrote.I have now finished reading every book from this author and also bought the DVD series.Unfortunately, I am at a loose end now as I do not know which author to follow next.I am open to suggestions if anyone can recommend another auhtor.I think Henning Mankell has another book out soon.I do hope so.

I don't know why but after Wallander solves the mystery surrounding the death of Mrs. Akerblom, I lost interest.The story becomes tenuous because of Wallander's "breakdown" and it just doesn't seem feasible or realistic that he could get away with that kind of carry on. Several attempts are made to explain why he behaves like this, but it doesn't add up in my mind. It was a great story until 3/4 of the way through though.The ending is also quite abrupt and a bit of an anti climax. Considering the waffle to get to that point, I expected a bit more.