Borkmann's Point: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery

Simon Vance, who narrated Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, is currently the go-to reader for Scandinavian crime novels%E2%80%94and with good reason. His audio version of Nesser's well-crafted whodunit is nothing short of stellar. Along with Vance's mastery of Swedish accents, excellent pacing, and ability to capture a book's mood, his voice has the timber and confidence of a natural storyteller. The vacation of Stockholm's chief inspector Van Veeteren is interrupted by a series of ax murders in a nearby village. When a new victim turns up and the town's smartest policewoman goes missing, the seemingly remote but oddly fascinating detective takes over the case from an agreeable local police chief who's only days from retirement. The characters have depth and the plot has all the necessary ingredients%E2%80%94including a race against time%E2%80%94to satisfy even the most selective mystery fan. Vance's winning narration is the perfect icing on a very tasty cake. A Vintage paperback. (June)