From 1965 to 1975 appeared ten novels by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, collectively titled The Story of a Crime. The protagonist, police detective Martin Beck, links all the novels, though he by no means acts alone.
It took me a couple of years to find and read all ten books. I think I read them more or less in order, although I read them as I bought them. I intend to re-read them in proper sequence.
These ten novels are hailed by many writers and critics are essential to anyone interested in Scandinavian crime fiction. Some aspects are timeless, some horribly dated. They’re not the best books I’ve read, but I can see how they influenced other writers.
