The Laughing Policeman
The Laughing Policeman
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1968
Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
Stockholm, Sweden • 1960s
1968
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Laughing Policeman by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö is a Swedish mystery novel in which Detective Martin Beck investigates a mass shooting on a bus that kills eight people, including Detective Åke Stenström. Beck and his team uncover that the shooting may have targeted Stenström, who was secretly investigating a cold case involving a murdered Portuguese prostitute, leading them to solve both mysteries. This book involves depictions of violence and murder.
Mysterious
Dark
Suspenseful
Gritty
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
11,639 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Laughing Policeman by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö is praised for its taut narrative and deep social commentary. Set in Sweden, the novel excels in atmosphere and character development, although some readers find its pacing slow. Fans of Nordic noir will appreciate its pioneering contributions to the genre.
Who Should Read The Laughing Policeman?
Fans of gritty, realistic police procedurals like Michael Connelly's The Black Echo or Henning Mankell's Faceless Killers will find much to enjoy in Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö's The Laughing Policeman. This novel is perfect for readers who appreciate meticulous investigative work set against a grim, atmospheric backdrop.
11,639 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
240
Novel • Fiction
Stockholm, Sweden • 1960s
1968
Adult
18+ years
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