BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAYS
This week I'm reading a 1968 classic Swedish mystery, The Laughing Policeman by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. I wanted to get a jump on all the 2021 reading challenges I signed up for and this one counts for several:
- The Vintage Mystery Challenge: This one counts for my pick in the Killed in Translation category for my Silver Age challenge. Bev at My Reader's Block, the host of the challenge, defines "Silver Age" mysteries as those published between 1960 and 1989.
- The Mt. TBR Challenge because this has been on my TBR shelf for eight years.
- The Back to the Classics Challenge: Again, I'm counting this one in the translation category. It shows up on several classic crime lists and is over 50 years old so meets the general definition used by Karen at Books and Chocolate, the host of this challenge.
- The European Reading Challenge: I host this one myself. It used to be difficult for me to find Scandinavian books for the challenge but not so since I started reading "Nordic Noir" mystery books.
I like giving myself that big jolt of accomplishment of getting a book done for all the challenges. It makes me want to keep reading!
What are you reading this week? Any books for challenges you signed up for?
Please share the opening sentence (or so) of your book you are enjoying this week. Add the link to your blog or social media post in the linky box below. As always, if you post or share on social media, please use the hashtag #bookbeginnings so we can find each other.
MY BOOK BEGINNING
From The Laughing Policeman:
On the evening of the thirteenth of November it was pouring in Stockholm.
Maj Sjöwall and her husband Per Wahlöö wrote ten crime novels featuring Stockholm police detective Martin Beck. The Laughing Policeman is the fourth book in the series.
YOUR BOOK BEGINNINGS
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Another fun Friday event is The Friday 56. Share a two-sentence teaser from page 56 of your book, or 56% of the way through your e-book or audiobook, on this weekly event hosted by Freda at Freda's Voice.
MY FRIDAY 56
Martin Beck should, therefore, know most of what there was to know about him.Oddly enough, he didn't know very much.
Enjoy your book and enjoy your weekend! See you next week for another Book Beginning on Friday!
Reading these older books can give so much perspective to modern ones. I've read several Jo Nesbo titles. Sounds like I should read Martin Beck to see how he paved the way.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being able to multitask your challenges so effectively!
I've read two from this series now and can say it's not my favorite. I love vintage mysteries, but this one feels cold and mechanical to me. I can't put my finger on it. I love Jo Nesbo, on the other hand.
DeleteThis one sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds good, but it is not engaging me. I had the same problem with the first book in this series, Rosanna, which I also read.
DeleteI've never thought to look for old European mysteries. Hope you enjoy this one. I enjoyed the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books but the name of streets and places were a bear to pronounce. My book this week is Writers and Lovers
ReplyDeleteI liked the Dragon Tattoo books a lot! I also liked Writers and Lovers very much. I read it a couple of months ago.
DeleteThis sounds like a good book. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt's so-so. Fortunately, it's short! Enjoy your weekend too!
DeleteThis reminds me I've got a Martin Beck book in my TBRs.Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteWhich one? I read Roseanna and now this one. I think that might be it for me with this series. It's not bringing me joy.
DeleteI love the idea of a wife and husband writing crime thrillers together! I might make that a requirement for any future relationships ;) And great that you're managing to get a head's start on your challenges as well, all of my reading has been very haphazard lately so maybe I should think about a challenge as well. Thanks for hosting and have a lovely weekend :)
ReplyDelete- Juli @ A Universe in Words
My husband and I have tried cases together -- we're both lawyers. But somehow the thought of writing books together sounds impossible! Have a great weekend!
DeleteSounds good.
ReplyDeleteI love when I find a book that I somehow overlooked.
It's like finding an old friend. lol
Have a great weekend!
So true! No matter how long it takes to find on my shelf. Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteHad me giggling. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteHappy to entertain!
ReplyDelete