BORKMANN'S POINT

Like a Scandinavian winter, this Swedish murder mystery carries a dark tone in both the story line (a double ax murder) and the author’s writing style. But the plot keeps one listening as Chief Inspector Van Veeteren unravels the case. Simon Vance’s narration exactly suits the material. There’s no artificiality to his tone. It is as measured as the detective’s intellect. Vance reels off the Swedish names and places with such clarity that after a few minutes’ listening they sound as normal as “Smith” and “Boston.” He gives individual speakers just a hint of distinction in their voices to make following dialogue easier, but the author almost always makes the speaker clear. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2011]