Influences - Part 3

Having looked at inspirational authors from both the U.S. and U.K., in this final part of my influences, I thought I would look to Europe.

Sweden is fast becoming one of the top producers of crime writers. At the top of the pile stands Henning Mankell. His chief character, Kurt Wallander, has helped to make him one of the most successful authors in the world. Wallander is another senior detective who lacks in social skills but it doesn't stop him being a fine policeman. Mankell creates a vivid and occasionally grim picture of life among Sweden's criminal fraternity but it is never less than compelling.

Stieg Larsson didn't live to see the phenomenon that his Millenium Trilogy would become. The protagonist, Lisbeth Salander, is surely one of the greatest characters ever to appear in any crime novel. As "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" plots her way through life, the reader swings between sympathy, to disgust, to admiration as she deals out justice in her own inimitable way. With her journalist partner, Mikael Blomqvist, she takes on the corruption in the Swedish political and business system. If you haven't read them, I would heartily recommend that you do.

Another shining light of Swedish crime writing is Håkan Nesser. His books are set in a fictional North European country, that encompasses Dutch, Swedish Danish and German influences. The main character, Van Veeteren, begin as a Chief Inspector but retires during the series to become the owner of an antiques shop. Both the setting and the career path of the policeman, makes the series an interesting change from the majority of detective fiction.

My final European is a little bit of a cheat. Michael Dibdin was born in Woverhampton but his detective series was set in Italy and featured Aurelio Zen. A member of the Italian State Police, Zen is called to cases across the country. Dibdin's skill was to evoke all of Italy's contradictions. The history, the buildings, the beauty of the landscape, the corruption, the political machinations and organised crime. If you love Italy, you'll love Dibdin.

That brings an end at my look at the people who have influenced and inspired me, I hope you enjoyed it and it inspires you to read something new, after you've read The Reluctant Detective, of course.