Sebastian Bergman Paperback – 5 July 2012

knowing this book came from the writers of the Bridge was a potentially double edged sword. Whilst I loved the series some of its plots had so much political correctness - especially when explaining motivations that I did wonder if this would be similar.This book does have a tough constitution. The central character is probably as self destructive as any you'll ever find in a detective novel (and that does take some doing) - Although most of the time he is as much a hindrance to the investigation as a help, he does have an important role in holding out for more when everyone else wants to wrap things up. The murders in the story are very well plotted and ring true as six peoples motivations clash and lead inexorably to four deaths. The final twist does stretch coincidences a lot but is very necessary for the second "The Man Who Watched Women"

Sebastian Bergman is a slightly overweight, messed up criminal psychologist. He has not practised or done any work for about 6 years, since a devastating personal tragedy. He has a recurring terrible dream, and having tried abusing prescription drugs and alcohol, he's settled into being a sex addict.In parallel with Sebastian's story, a murder has taken place. Sixteen-year-old Roger Eriksson has gone missing. Because of the incompetence of the local police, nobody begins to look for the boy for a few days, whereupon his body is found in a lake - and drowning was not the cause of death. Internal police politics ensure that a small specialist team from Riksmond, led by Torkel Hoglund, is bought in to take over the investigation.It turns out that Sebastian is an old colleague of Torkel, and that the two men have helped each other through some difficult personal times in the past. Sebastian isn't in the least interested in helping with the murder case, but calls in favours to get himself on the team and, he hopes, access to the police computers which will help him track down some shocking information he's discovered.The juxtaposition of the police investigation, which brings up more and more nasty secrets of small-town life, and the unwelcome Sebastian's contributions, make an interesting and unusual tale. Sebastian himself is a fascinating character, as he gradually becomes drawn into the investigation despite himself, and finds some degree of rehabilitation in doing so. In the end, he's left as a bit of a frustrating enigma, doubtless to be explored further in future books. I look forward to reading them, not least because of Marlaine Delargy's characteristically excellent translation.

Not often you find yourself not liking the leading character much at all, but are still absolutely absorbed in the story. The whole book captures your imagination right away and continues to hold your attention till the end--and what an ending! It really makes you want to immediately start the next book in the series. It does not let you down'- in fact it is even better than the first. The whole series so far is excellent and by far the best series we have read this year.

This was a good read. The plot was intriguing. A sixteen year old youth, Roger, is murdered and his heart is removed from the body. Local police start the investigation, which begins as a missing person enquiry until Roger's body is discovered. An expert team is then brought in to assist/take over. Up to this point some of the main characters are introduced into the plot line and there are a number of them; well drawn.Sebastian Bergman is a psychologist and criminal profiler. He is in the area of the investigation to sort out his parents home following his mother's death. Bergman is acquainted with some of the experts. In order that he can glean information regarding a letter he found in his parent's home, he wrangles his way into the ongoing investigation.Bergman is a very clever man but totally dislikeable. He is egotistical and abrupt. He is addicted to seducing women to assuage his personal tragedies and as woman, I would describe him as a creep but so, so realistic.Various suspects are identified and the impact of Bergman's involvement keep the storyline going as a 'page turner'. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Easy reading.

I love Scandi-crime stories but have to buy them in paperback form as I cannot watch those stories adapted for telly when following the subtitles reduces my attention span like narcosis would. I'm buying this as a present for my brother having already read it myself and finding it to be a brilliantly intriguing read. It isn't just one of those whodunnits where you're led on a fairly predictable literary conveyor belt from beginning to end. No, this has added spicy ingredients involving investigators that aren't depicted as hero figures, but force you into deciding whether you like them or not, and lots of dark scene settings that feel disconcertingly chilly and real. That is the power of Hjorth Rosenfeldt. He breathes life into his characters that make them so real that they actually become memorable as personalities in your head like people you've actually met. Lots of twists and turns are laid down in the story that make you pay attention as if you were driving down a precarious mountain road. This is worth getting.There are no arrogantly cool adonises or nauseatingly self-confident fictional poseurs here ( I think that may only an Anglo-American thing ).Eamonn

A great start to a new detective series. The style of the book reminds a little of the Wallander series, which is praise indeed!This is a little sharper and I think and confrontational on its subjects and especially the main character, with plenty of flaws to get your teeth into!A great storyline, it took a little time to get going as the characters were being introduced. hopefully the next book will be great from the start.

Offered the book to my husband after having read it in German! He likes it as well and that does mean something.

Set in Sweden, this is the series debut of criminal psychologist Sebastian Bergman. In detective novels, often the hero is someone who is the only sane person in the room, but that's not the case here. Like the UK's Cracker, Sebastian is a mess. He may be the most intelligent person in the room, but he's also the most difficult to get along with, a cold-blooded womanizer, and a man wallowing in grief and guilt.A coincidence reunites Bergman with an old colleague, and after some narcissistic maneuvering he's on the team trying to find the killer of 16-year old Roger, a boy who'd been bullied in the past but had seemed to be improving his prospects until he disappeared.Bergman immediately sets the team on edge, driving wedges between colleagues and hampering the investigation in some ways, but also lending crucial insights that lead to a clever and interesting solution.With one exception I thought this book was fantastic -- the characters are great, the mystery intriguing. Sebastian Bergman himself, while not a likable character, is fascinating. The writing is very good and the dialogue well written, and I stayed up late to finish it. The ONLY thing I didn't like was the bizarre and silly twist at the end, but many people seem to have liked it, so don't let that stop you from reading this terrific series starter.Unfortunately there is only one book translated to English at the moment, though the Swedish tv series has been transferred to a Region 1 format and will be available in early 2014.Caveat: This is the same book as Dark Secrets.

I give this book five stars because it lived up to its enthu siastic reviews in every way possible. It was beautifully crafted, had a superb plot and was a page turner right up to its last paragraph.I loved it and am delighted to discover this gifted writer.

very good

Sehr spannend bis zuletzt. Viele Handlunsstränge, die sich aber durchaus nachvollziehbar wieder zusammenfügen. Schwieriger Hauptdarsteller, der aber immer wieder durch Einbringen neuer psychologischer Aspekte und Perspektiven überzeugt. Sehr gut in Englisch lesbar.