The Department of Sensitive Crimes

A Detective Varg Novel

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: David Rintoul

From the beloved and best-selling author of the number one Ladies' Detective Agency series comes a lighthearted, comedic novel about a Swedish police department tasked with solving the most unusual, complicated, and, often, insignificant crimes.

The detectives who work in Malmo Police's Department of Sensitive Crimes take their job very seriously. The lead detective, Ulf Varg, prioritizes his cases above even his dog's mental health. Then, there are detectives Anna Bengsdotter, who keeps her relationship with Varg professional even as she realizes she's developing feelings for him...or, at least, for his car, and Carl Holgersson, first to arrive in the morning and last to leave, who would never read his colleagues' personal correspondence - unless it could help solve a crime, of course. Finally, there's Erik Nykvist, who peppers conversations with anecdotes about fly fishing.

Along with an opinionated local police officer named Blomquist, the Department of Sensitive Crimes takes on three extremely strange cases. First, the detectives investigate how and why a local business owner was stabbed...in the back of the knee. Next, a young woman's imaginary boyfriend goes missing. And, in the final investigation, Varg must determine whether nocturnal visitations at a local spa have a supernatural element.

Using his renowned wit and warmth, Alexander McCall Smith brings a unique perspective on Scandinavian crime. Equal parts hilarious and heartening, The Department of Sensitive Crimes is a tour de farce from a literary master.

©2019 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2019 Recorded Books

Another good story by the author. The narration was outstand

I always enjoy Alexander McCall Smith’s stories this one did not disappoint. I can’t wait to listen the next one.
The reader was excellent and he mastered the pronunciation Swedish words seamlessly throughout the story.

A little difficult to get into

I found this book a little difficult to get into but then after it came around and I remain an incredible fan of Alexander, McCall Smith

A Compassionate Sense of Humor

The smile never left my face throughout this spoof on life, culture and detection. Alexander McCall Smith delivers a light-hearted look at our situation, which is nevertheless penetrating. David Rintoul narrates with complete alignment to the vision - a delight. Thank you both!

Police work in an ideal world

This is the first novel outside of the First Lady’s Detective series that I’ve listened to. The same gentle humor dialogue I enjoyed in Botswana now thousands of miles north in Malmo, Sweden

A Good and Entertaining Read

“The Department of Sensitive Crimes” was a good and entertaining read by Alexander McCall Smith. Alexander McCall Smith’s writing is good, flows well and very comfortable. It was another relaxing experience about the human experience. The narrator, David Rintoul did a great job. Experienced as an Audio book.