Kjell Eriksson The Princess of Burundi

The Princess of Burundi

Kjell Eriksson

Dunne, Feb 2006, $23.95, 288 pp.

ISBN 0312327676

In Libro, Sweden, everyone is stunned when the mutilated corpse body of husband and father John Harald Jonsson, out on a job, is found in the snow. Based on the disfigurement, whoever killed the renowned cichlids tropical fish expert, passionately hated John. Death had to be a relief for the obvious evidence, like three cut off fingers, that shows he suffered while alive. Thus, homicide detectives Ola Haver and Ann Lindell, who comes off maternity leave to work on the case, hone in on a forty two year old troubled person, his family, and especially an acrimonious nutcase who apparently had a run-in with John.

However, proof proves difficult to come by, making the two sleuths wonder if they are going down a wrong path. Reassessing what they know and suspect, Ola and Anna continue to search for the motive by someone who obviously detested the victim, but could it have to do with his personal life or his work at the aquarium that led to this vicious homicide?

This translation of an award winning Swedish police procedural reads in many ways more like a deep insightful psychological thriller, though the detectives diligently work the homicide. The characterization is top rate as the audience understands what motivates several key players, while the support cast enhances that perception. Fans will enjoy the exciting tale and look forward to hopefully more translations of the works of Kjell Eriksson, perhaps THE ILLUMINATED PATH.