PUBLISHER: Fourth Estate
GENRES: Mystery Books, Fiction Books
AUTHORS: Maj Sjöwall , Per Wahlöö
PAGES: 245 pages
ISBN13: 9780007439119
TAGS: Mystery Books, Fiction Books, Free Books, PDF Books
LANGUAGE: en
TYPE: Digital
“Roseanna” is the first book in the Martin Beck Police Mystery series by Swedish authors Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. The novel, published in 1965, introduces readers to Detective Martin Beck and his colleagues in the Stockholm Homicide Squad. Here’s a detailed summary of the book:
Plot Summary
Discovery of the Body: During the summer, a woman’s naked body is dredged up from the Göta Canal in Sweden. The body is severely decomposed, making identification difficult. Detective Inspector Martin Beck and his team are called to investigate the case.
Initial Investigation: The police initially struggle to identify the victim due to the lack of distinctive features and clues. A meticulous examination by the forensic team suggests that the woman was sexually assaulted and murdered. Beck and his team, including Kollberg and Melander, painstakingly search through missing persons reports and conduct door-to-door inquiries.
Identification of the Victim: The breakthrough comes when they discover that the victim is Roseanna McGraw, an American tourist from Nebraska who was traveling through Europe. Her last known whereabouts were traced to the cruise ship “MS Diana,” which she boarded in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Reconstructing Roseanna’s Movements: Beck and his team retrace Roseanna’s steps by interviewing passengers and crew members of the MS Diana. They learn about Roseanna’s personality, her interactions with others on the ship, and the events leading up to her disappearance. Despite these efforts, they find no obvious suspects or motives.
Narrowing Down Suspects: Months of investigation reveal little progress until a key witness, a fellow passenger, recalls seeing Roseanna with a man on the ship. Beck’s team narrows down their list of suspects, focusing on those who had the opportunity and motive to commit the crime.
Surveillance and the Breakthrough: The investigation finally gains momentum when a suspect, Folke Bengtsson, is identified. He is a quiet, introverted man who worked on the canal boats. Despite a lack of concrete evidence, Beck orchestrates a surveillance operation to gather more information on Bengtsson’s behavior and movements.
The Arrest and Confession: Beck’s persistence pays off when a covert operation catches Bengtsson in the act of attempting to assault another woman. Under intense interrogation, Bengtsson confesses to Roseanna’s murder, revealing his psychological issues and the circumstances that led to his crime.
Themes and Style
Realism and Detail: “Roseanna” is known for its realistic portrayal of police procedures. The novel meticulously details the painstaking and often monotonous nature of detective work, emphasizing teamwork and perseverance.
Character Development: Martin Beck is depicted as a diligent and methodical detective, often plagued by personal and professional challenges. His character is developed through his interactions with colleagues and his introspective nature.
Social Commentary: The novel also offers a critical look at Swedish society in the 1960s, touching on issues such as bureaucratic inefficiency, social isolation, and the psychological impact of crime.
Significance
“Roseanna” set the tone for the Martin Beck series, establishing a template for future Scandinavian crime fiction. Its emphasis on realism, character depth, and social critique has influenced numerous writers in the genre. The book remains a seminal work, appreciated for its intricate plotting and authentic depiction of police work.
