Linda, As in the Linda Murder

A Backstrom Novel

By: Leif GW Persson, Neil Smith - translator

Narrated by: Erik Davies

The irascible, obdurate, and very thirsty Detective Superintendent Evert Bäckström of the National Murder Squad returns in a new novel from the reigning master of Scandinavian fiction.

It’s the dead of summer in the sleepy town of Växjö when twenty-year-old police cadet Linda Wallin is found lying facedown in her mother’s apartment, brutally murdered and raped. With no clear motive or suspect in sight, a series of bureaucratic mix-ups causes the National Crime Unit to send Bäckström and his team into the countryside to solve the case. The ever-irritable Bäckström leaves his beloved goldfish behind, checks into a local hotel, and begins to reconstruct the night of Linda’s murder. But with more than a few bottles in tow, and a constantly growling stomach to look after, things don’t go so well, and Bäckström has to rely on the help of his colleagues to solve the crime—no matter how angry that makes him.

Critic reviews

Praise for Persson's Story of a Crime trilogy:

"This may be just what fans of Jo Nesbo and Stieg Larsson are looking for." —Booklist (starred review)

"Exceptional.... Persson writes with a sure hand and sharp insight.... Fans of Scandinavian crime fiction will eat it up." —Library Journal

"Laced with irony and satire...Persson does a fine job of pitting one desperate soul against another in a philosophically charged tale worthy of Ingmar Bergman—but with lots more guns." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Depth of a well written mystery

This is a story whose depths, observations you don't really appreciate until it's finished. Backstrom, a sharp, manipulative detective, despite his buffoon antics, almost hides the deeper meanings of our story. He brings a lighter touch to a case of sexual predator functioning in a respected job. Sophisticated big city policing versus their cash strapped country comrades is also emphasized, However, small town policemen, detective's know their fellow citizens and their social context well. This story explores numerous aspects of policing and media coverage affects the cases, and the people concerned. When the story ended, I had a deeper appreciation for the author's ability to showcase a society without lecturing, or being tedious. Please more Inspector Backstrom and his colleagues!

Had a hard time with the names

I’ve never read a book where all the names were Swedish. I had a heck of a time understanding what the names were (I like to see the spelling of names in my mind, especially if I’m not familiar with the pronunciation.) In light of that, I had a hard time differentiating among characters. Couldn’t keep straight who was doing what. I liked the plot, & I liked Backstrom because he thinks like me in a lot of his opinions (cynical), especially about all the counselors & meetings. The catching of the killer, for me, was kind of anticlimactic in view of all the details given before the name was revealed. All in all, though, I enjoyed the book—especially because it was so long. There are additional Backstrom books, I see, & I’ll probably read them after looking at a sample of the printed version, so that I can see what the names are before they’re pronounced by a reader.

Who tought the narrator the Swedish pronounciation

Would you listen to Linda, as in the Linda Murder again? Why?

Yes, but preferably in the original language

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bäckström is funnyly grumpy.

Would you be willing to try another one of Erik Davies’s performances?

Not unless he was narrating something written originally in English

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

I think the narrators should be tought correct pronounciation of the original language if the book has been translated. It is sometimes difficult to understand what he is supposed to be saying, especially the surnames of the persons and the town names.

Linda, as in the Linda Murder

Translation not particularly good, pronounciation of Swedish names of persons and places poor.
Pronounciation of the one German book title in the novel, pathetic.
Leif GW deserves better!

confusing but real good

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

yes. the atmosphere is fabulous and the story is pretty good.

What did you like best about this story?

setting is great. also the interaction of the main characters, even if a bit contrived, seems realistic.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Erik Davies?

for sure

Do you think Linda, as in the Linda Murder needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

please don't