SERIAL THRILLER

BY BISWADEEP GHOSH

A look at Henning Mankell's latest novel The Man Who Smiled

Those who read thrillers, and by that I mean those who are addicted to crime fiction, would have surely come across the name of Henning Mankell. For those who have not, Mankell happens to be the creator of Inspector Kurt Wallander, one of the most popular mystery-solving protagonists in contemporary fiction.

Wallander has killed a man in the line of duty, leading to depression. Frustrated and low, he resolves to give up his job which is precisely when a friend comes to him, seeking assistance. This acquaintance works as a solicitor, and his father has been killed in a manner that is shrouded in mystery. Wallander wants to stay away from it but, three days later, the solicitor is found dead. That is when Wallander realises that he should have heard his friend out, and also that he is possibly on a double murder case. Amidst all this drama is a business tycoon, who has unfriendly secretaries and a very tight security at his disposal. Suspicions point towards him as Wallander pursues the case, and someone pursues him.

How good or bad is this offering from Mankell? The narrative is very well-paced, showing a master craftman at work. Similarly, Wallander is the sort of central character only those with some special talent for telling crime stories can hope to create. Whether he is simply drinking coffee or talking about a criminal act, he commands the reader's attention, something not many modern-day crime fiction writers can claim to have achieved.

Readers will be justified if they feel that Mankell is not a great writer of conversations which, at times, border on the pedestrian. But what keeps the reader hooked is the superb manner in which he builds the sub-plots, knowing exactly when to stop to generate speculations about what is going to happen next. The ambience is eerie, and every fresh twist in the tale only adds to its chill factor. Mankell, in brief, is a fantastic writer. And, the odd shortcoming of his will be happily overlooked because he has far too many strengths at his beck and call.

Reviewers the world over have been raving about this man's creative genius. I must take this opportunity to humbly add my name to that list.