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Roseanna

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Roseanna, by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö

Per Wahlöö was a reporter for Swedish newspapers and magazines, and wrote plays, film scripts, short stories, and novels. Maj Sjöwall is a poet and editor of a magazine about literature and poetry. This is the first in a series of novels with police detective Martin Beck. They use elements of Swedish society as the background.

Chapter 1 begins by describing the buck-passing by government agencies when its time to dredge a canal in the spring. After the dredging began they found the nude corpse of a young woman! Who was this woman who had been strangled and brutally raped (Chapter 2)? Martin Beck is called to investigate (Chapter 3). Beck dressed so he would draw no attention. The murder investigation was at a standstill. Why wasn't the girl reported missing (Chapter 4)? The investigation was stalled (Chapter 5). Still no missing persons report (Chapter 6). Is there a clue in a delayed passenger boat (Chapter 7)? Then a cable identified the woman as a librarian from Lincoln Nebraska (Chapter 8). The name of the victim is traced to a hotel in Stockholm (Chapter 9). The register lists the other guests, a boat had her on the passenger list of sixty-eight. This boat was looked over (Chapter 10).

What happened to her suitcases and belongings (Chapter 11)? They learn more about Roseanna (Chapters 12, 13). A sailor on that boat became a suspect and was questioned (Chapter 14). Questioning brings out new information and another name (Chapter 15). The process of elimination excludes all women, young boys, and old men, and passengers (they didn't know the boat's layout). The crew were unlikely (Chapter 16). What about pictures (Chapter 17)? The pictures taken by passengers were studied (Chapter 18). An 8mm movie film showed Roseanna with an unidentified man (Chapter 19). One passenger recognized this man. Her friend denied knowing this man (Chapter 20).

Martin Beck traced a name to a hospital (Chapter 21). A patrolman recognized a customer at that restaurant and followed him (Chapter 22). This man is watched day and night. Then he is brought in for questioning, and released (Chapter 23). Beck checked his statements (Chapter 24). Can they "set a trap" (Chapter 25)? Will a decoy work (Chapter 26)? They set a trap to catch a predator (Chapter 27). Days and nights go by with no activity. Then a visitor calls (Chapter 28). Can a car accident cause an unforeseen delay (Chapter 29)? The suspect was caught in the act! Beck questions the accused, and he confessed to the murder (Chapter 30). Outside snow was falling, winter had arrived. Beck wonders about this murder by chance as he goes home.

Most murders occur between people who know each other, and are caused by sex (or lust) and money (or greed). This 1965 novel may be one of the first to have a serial killer. Like a poisoner, there was an earlier victim (who happened to survive). Interviewing witnesses led to finding the suspect. [I remember some of the later novels as being better.] I wonder if something was lost in the translation because of cultural differences? There is humor in the character of "Detective Kafka from Nebraska". In the classic murder mystery there is usually a surprise at the end, unless you caught the clues in the story.