The Man Who Smiled

Kurt Wallander

By: Henning Mankell, Laurie Thompson - translator

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

Crestfallen, dejected and spiralling into an alcohol-fuelled depression after killing a man in the line of duty, Inspector Kurt Wallander has made up his mind to quit the police force for good. When an old acquaintance, a solicitor, seeks Wallander's help to investigate the suspicious circumstances in which his father has died, Kurt doesn't want to know. But when the solicitor also turns up dead, shot three times, Wallander realises that he was wrong not to listen. Against his better judgment, he returns to work to head what may now have become a double murder case. A rookie female detective has joined the force is his absence, and he adopts the role of mentor to her as they fight to unravel the mystery. An enigmatic big-business tycoon, who hides behind an entourage of brusque secretaries and tight security, seems to be the common denominator in the two deaths. But while Wallander is on the trail of the killer, somebody is on the trail of Wallander, and closing in fast.

Critic reviews

Rather in the way that Dire Straits were the Trojan horse that kickstarted the CD industry, Mankell's novels became the standard bearer for foreign crime in translation...the writer is a man of rare skills...Plotting here is as impeccable as ever... (Barry Forshaw)

'one of his best'

Good Listen

I can never get enough of Henning Mankell and usually download a book by him after a dissappointing listen as I'm guaranteed to enjoy listening to anything my this author and great reader too

The Kurt Wallander series by Henning Mankell and

The Kurt Wallander series by Henning Mankell and narrated by Sean Barrett continue to impress. While the story lines and level of intricacy vary, the overall quality of the writing presented is first rate and this was no exception. A very enjoyable series from a talented team.

Classic Mankell

What I love about Mankell's characters is their depth. I never wonder why someone behaves the way they do - their actions arise from the sense of real personality that Mankell endows them with.

Classic Wallander

Not the best of the Wallander series, still magic. Too much angst about the past to start. Then, when the plot thickens, wonderful mystery and minds focused on the solution to a national disgrace, let alone a murder. The unravelling of a multi-national company and crime is thought provoking while foreign to most people's experience, including mine. It's so hard for someone in the 99% to comprehend the lives of the 1% I almost lost sight of the emptiness it must be to be mega-wealthy, the only reason for life to get more. This is a profound literary illustration of the greed, soulessnes, and narcissism that seems to rule the world, all wrapped around a murder investigation. Marvelous read.

Sean Barrett excellent as always with the delivery of the story.

Wallander is my (new) favorite Detective.

Sean Barrett brought this fantastic story to life. The Man who Smiled has launched me onto a path of reading (listening to) every Mankell story I can. I could not have been better entertained. I've since read "The Pyramid" and will work my way through the collection.
Thank you Audible!!!