The Troubled Man Audiobook By Henning Mankell, Laurie Thompson - translator cover art

The Troubled Man

A Kurt Wallander Mystery

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The Troubled Man

By: Henning Mankell, Laurie Thompson - translator
Narrated by: Robin Sachs
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The much-anticipated return of Henning Mankell’s brilliant, brooding detective, Kurt Wallander.

On a winter day in 2008, Håkan von Enke, a retired high-ranking naval officer, vanishes during his daily walk in a forest near Stockholm. The investigation into his disappearance falls under the jurisdiction of the Stockholm police. It has nothing to do with Wallander - officially. But von Enke is his daughter’s future father-in-law. And so, with his inimitable disregard for normal procedure, Wallander is soon interfering in matters that are not his responsibility, making promises he won’t keep, telling lies when it suits him - and getting results. But the results hint at elaborate Cold War espionage activities that seem inextricably confounding, even to Wallander, who, in any case, is troubled in more personal ways as well. Negligent of his health, he’s become convinced that, having turned 60, he is on the threshold of senility. Desperate to live up to the hope that a new granddaughter represents, he is continually haunted by his past. And looking toward the future with profound uncertainty, he will have no choice but to come face-to-face with his most intractable adversary: Himself.

More mayhem? Listen to all of our Kurt Wallander mysteries.©2011 Henning Mankell (P)2011 Random House Crime Fiction Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Emotionally Gripping Exciting Heartfelt
Compelling Plot • Intricate Mystery • Brilliant Male Characters • Thoughtful Storytelling • Creditable Job
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I am a fan of Henning Mankell's books, particularly the Kurt Wallander Mysteries. This story is a fine finish. The evolvement of this character is what makes the series so dear. Sad to finish, but a good read. Would be better to read earlier books first.

Fine finish to this character

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Overall, I liked this book. The main plot was entertaining and kept me guessing. I liked how it turned out. The subplot, which had the most impact, left me feeling sad and dissatisfied.

A strong subplot in this book

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If you could sum up The Troubled Man in three words, what would they be?

This book was great although it is very long and very dark and very introspective - not unusual for Henning Mankell books but don't read it if you are down. The narrator did a fine job of being Kurt Wallander, even against the great BBC and Public TV series that are beloved.

Long and introspective book.

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Well written. Probably the best of the series (I've read them all). At last, a great narrator. Male Boomers: you are not alone. Walk and ponder with Kurt Wallander. It is an illuminating stroll.

A Must Read for male Boomers

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Great detective plot, which kept one guessing nicely, but the backdrop of the slowly declining detective which starts early and is relentless is very grinding. The author clearly wanted to get a message across. The book needed editing. We don't need to know the dogs every movement or mood, or every cup of coffee (that's common to many of the Scandinavian detective series it seems!).

Depressing.

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Would you listen to The Troubled Man again? Why?

Enjoyed Mankell's writing, as always, and Robin Sachs did a terrific job. I'll be looking for more books narrated by him.

Which character – as performed by Robin Sachs – was your favorite?

Wallender

Any additional comments?

Loved with relationship between Wallender and his daughter.

A favorite Henning Mankell

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Kurt Wallender is 60 and a grandfather. He's looking for his in-laws-to-be who disappeared a few weeks after a mysterious discussion on Soviet submarines in Swedish waters in the 1980's. This intriguing story is weighed down by a rough or too-literal translation. I've listened to other Wallender books, and don't remember the language being this primitive. Just isn't great writing. Doesn't mean the book isn't worth listening to, just means the dull language detracts from it.

Lost in Translation

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I love all of his other books, however, this one just went on and on. Not my favorite but listenable. Great narrative! Interesting plot. It felt that the time span in which the story was told was way too long. A shorter more crisp plot would have kept my interest. What I liked most was the way the author let us to the final discovery. I truly enjoyed this part of the plot. It seems this is the last of the Wallander series and I was sad the way it ended. I like to think of a lead character still being there for us ! Maybe it is just a fantasy, but hey, these novels have been a great escape for me!!!

Great yet looooong winded

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This was my first Kurt Wallander novel - and it seems I have started with the last book in the series. I'm usually fanatical about reading series in order, so this is a strange experience for me - watching a robust, beloved character draw the curtains on his story without having the benefit of being there when the curtain went up.

This story reads incredibly quickly and compellingly, but there is also a feeling of "Kurt Wallander, this is your life!" [Presumably] old character resurface. Old cases are referenced. In addition to untangling a knot of espionage, Wallander must also face his own aging and the mortality of those around him, which he does with an austerity of sentimentality that still manages to be powerful.

So, this may be Mankell's last Wallander, but it won't be my last.

The Start of my Love Affair with Wallander

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This was diverting as I washed the dishes. That's about it.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

While I liked the idea of aging and crankiness being incorporated into the detective story format, the repeated deus ex machina action tested even my willingness to be disbelieving of chance meetings or gut decisions in detective fiction. I was ready for this to be the last book in the series by the time it ended, and kind of wish I hadn't wasted my time.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Robin Sachs?

Robin Sachs does brilliant male characters and generally conveys the tone of the narrative's moment. But--like far to many men narrators--he can't seem to differentiate between women! With one exception, all women characters seem to have been drugged into near-catatonic flutteriness. I simply don't buy Linda's passivity of speech (particularly when descriptions of her tone and actions are totally opposite). Just annoying, and I would avoid any future audiobooks that have women characters read by Sachs.

Do you think The Troubled Man needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

This is begging for a spoiler, but I'll refrain.

Weak entry

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