The Steel Spring
Will be published approx. on 15. December 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-0-09-955475-2 (ISBN)
Description
'The godfather of Scandinavian crime fiction' Jo Nesbo
Chief Inspector Jensen is a policeman in an unnamed European country where the government has criminalised being drunk, even in private at home, and where the city centres have been demolished to devote more space to gleaming new roads.
Recovering in a hospital room abroad after a liver transplant, Jensen receives a note instructing him to return home immediately, but when he reaches the airport he discovers that all flights home have been cancelled and all communication from within his homeland has ceased. One of the last messages sent requested urgent medical help from abroad and when Jensen is piloted across the border it soon becomes clear that an epidemic has ravaged the country.
Chief Inspector Jensen is a policeman in an unnamed European country where the government has criminalised being drunk, even in private at home, and where the city centres have been demolished to devote more space to gleaming new roads.
Recovering in a hospital room abroad after a liver transplant, Jensen receives a note instructing him to return home immediately, but when he reaches the airport he discovers that all flights home have been cancelled and all communication from within his homeland has ceased. One of the last messages sent requested urgent medical help from abroad and when Jensen is piloted across the border it soon becomes clear that an epidemic has ravaged the country.
Reviews / Votes
The godfather of Scandinavian crime fiction -- Jo Nesbo A vigorous and powerful mind...there is no doubt about the originality of his talent * Sunday Times * [Sarah Death's translation] seems to catch the bleakness perfectly... Wahloeoe's solo work deserves to be considered in the same context as Zamyatin, Capek, Orwell, or Durrenmatt...high praise indeed -- Michael Carlson * Irresistible Targets * They are economical and move with great pace... Two unique novels have been restored to the canon of European crime fiction in English. Don't miss. -- Bob Cornwell * Crime Time * The premise is intriguing... The themes are topical * Independent on Sunday * The Beck books were greatly admired, but Wahloeoe's two novels featuring Chief Inspector Jensen are more intellectually intriguing -- Christopher Fowler * Independent on Sunday *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Vintage Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
150 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-09-955475-2 (9780099554752)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
Born in 1926, Per Wahloeoe was a Swedish writer and journalist who, alongside his own novels, collaborated with his wife, Maj Sjoewall, on the bestselling Martin Beck crime series which are credited as inspiring writers as varied as Agatha Christie, Henning Mankell and Jonathan Franzen. In 1971 the fourth novel in the series, The Laughing Policeman, won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. Per Wahloeoe died in 1975.