Arrived from Better World Books yesterday. Used.

Another long one with ties to Africa.

We learn at the very beginning that a young woman has gotten a letter telling her that her mother, who was traveling in Africa, was murdered and the police have covered up the crime. Some time later, in Sweden, Wallander is facing some strange murders. He can't find the connection, other than that these victims were described as brutal by some who knew them. Each one is more puzzling than the last.

The small police force in Ystad is working on the case, with Wallander in the lead. Their work is complicated by the emergence of a vigilante group, willing to "do what the police can't or won't". Incensed, Wallander takes bold measures to quell the uprising, yet can't be sure they are effective.

And, as usual, he is struggling with his feelings about Baiba from Riga, whom he had met on another case a few years back (see The Dogs of Riga). He loves her but is not sure of her feelings for him. At the same time he is impatient, wants her to move to Ystad to be with him. Their conversations on the phone don't always go well. And he works on his relationship with his daughter Linda, who has not always accepted his help.

The case is, of course, complex. We get into the mind of the killer again, from time to time, but don't fully understand what is going on for quite some time.

While I enjoy this series there are things that crop up from time to time that I wonder about. Wallander, in addition to being a moody soul, tends to lash out at people, and when questioning people often comes across as overbearing. It seems so unnecessary and I wonder where that chip on his shoulder came from. Either that, or I just don't see what is irritating him all the time. I'd like to get a little more into the depths of his soul, somehow.

Inside the box.