Why do I keep reading these Kurt Wallander books? Of the four Wallander mysteries that I’ve read I probably enjoyed this one the most (although I noticed that I rated one of his other books 8 stars. What was I thinking?) and I am even beginning to be able to somewhat tolerate old Kurt. There must be something about Mankell's writing that I like, but his plots leave a lot to be desired and I can't believe what an inept police officer Wallander is. Whoever heard of a cop that never seems to have a pen and notebook with him; doesn't carry handcuffs (He has to tie his prisoner up with a length of rope he finds in the trunk of his car – pg. 428); doesn’t carry a flashlight (although in this book he did have one); forgets his cell phone (does anyone, let alone a cop, in this day and age not carry their cell phone with them?); and does not make it a habit to keep at least a half of a tank of gas in their car (pg. 423)? I was VERY disappointed that this book did not have the usuall map of southern Sweden in the front. I really liked that about the other books. It lets you follow the action and has made me really interested in visiting that part of Sweden.

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