Hewson, David

History buffs may appreciate this intricate character study more than most casual mystery readers.

A good read for those who love their World War II thrillers with a bit of history included. Followers of Donna Leon’s “Commissario Brunetti” mysteries may appreciate the atmosphere and the intrigue.

Hewson excellently integrates episodes from Florentine history into the lives of his intriguing heroes, who struggle against tremendous odds to solve mysteries old and new. Readers of Donna Leon and Michael Dibdin or Italian authors Andrea Camilleri and Carlo Lucarelli will find this gripping.

Hewson's (The Killing; Death in Seville) adaptation of the second season of the hit Scandinavian TV series The Killing disappoints with its awkward prose, odd word choices, and slow pace. Moreover, the characters' lack of depth and the description of Copenhagen that is typical to many Scandinavian crime novels fail to do the city justice. Still, fans of Stieg Larsson's and Henning Mankell's social commentary will appreciate Hewson's critique on terror and immigration in a Scandinavian country.

Despite the use of British slang, Hewson (Death in Seville; Nic Costa series) has done an excellent job capturing the chilly flavor of Nordic noir. Similar in tone to the books of Jo Nesbø, Lene Kaaberbø, and Stieg Larsson, this will appeal to adult fans of Scandinavian crime novels.