The Fifth Woman

A Kurt Wallander Mystery

By: Henning Mankell, Steven T. Murray - translator

Narrated by: Dick Hill

In an African convent, four nuns and an unidentified fifth woman are brutally murdered, and the death of the unknown woman is covered up by the local police. A year later in Sweden, Inspector Kurt Wallander is baffled and appalled by two strange murders. Holger Eriksson, a retired car dealer and bird watcher, is impaled on sharpened bamboo poles in a ditch behind his secluded home, while the body of a missing florist is discovered strangled and tied to a tree. The only clues Wallander has to go on are a skull, a diary, and a photo of three men.

What ensues is a case that will test Wallander's strength and patience, for in order to solve these murders he will need to uncover their elusive connection to the earlier unsolved murder in Africa of the fifth woman.

©1996 Henning Mankell (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The darkest of Swedish noir." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Intricate plotting, chilling psychological divination, and thrilling police procedural." ( Library Journal)

Complex murders, mystery, and revenge

Kurt Wallander is able to take seemingly unrelated events and clues and piece together a cohesive picture that solves several murder cases. The book seems to progress at a moderate pace, gain speed, and then explode in the "aha moments."

Mankell writes in a similar style to other Scandinavian authors. However, I am not left feeling the gruesome depravity and evil found in some of the others. He weaves a great story and tucks in all of the threads at the end.

Dick Hill is an excellent narrator.

wallander

I love this series I just keep reading these books over and over listening to these books over and over again there's nothing like a good detective novel! and these are all great.

Really, really good story and narration! Gripping

Well, I guess I've become quite the Mankell fan now. After listening to this great tale, I realize I must now go back to the beginning of the series and start with Book 1 and read through each one up to the time of this novel. Kurt Wallander is such an intriguing character. Actually, all of Mankell's characters are fascinating. Be aware, that if you're the type who has to have high-pitched action, bang-bang-shoot-'em-up, and endings where everything is blown to smithereens - then Mankell is not for you. I saw these described as "cerebral" detective stories ... they're so much better than that, but the stories are intricate and well-plotted. The best thing I can say about Mankell, and Hill's terrific narration, is that you find yourself immersed in the stories from the start.

Reflective murder mystery

I truly enjoyed this novel. It reminds me of life before we were so technologically advanced (neither good or bad opinion is implied here). This is not a quick-action book,but rather one that shows the rather plodding, methodical approach that is required to solve a murder. It presents the whole life of the protagonist rather than just the part that revolves around the mystery being solved. I found the reader fine. My problem was more with the foreignness of the Scandinavian names. I am looking forward to reading more books by Mankell.

Well Written

I enjoyed this book, as I have all of the Kurt Wallander mysteries I've listened too. I was prompted to write this review because I disagree with other listeners who have complained about Dick Hill's narration. I don't know Swedish, but his pronunciation seems genuine to me. As for his ability to carry off other voices than the main character, I think he does a very good job! I don't mind at all when he does a female voice, as I have with some other narrators. His expression is right on and if he is a little monotone at times I don't have a problem. This is a Henning Mankell book! He is a slow, methodical writer and the cadence of Dick Hill's voice is perfect for these books.

The late Mr. Mankell has never disappointed.

This story, maybe a little too long, was the classic whodunnit one expects Kurt Wallander to wrestle to submission. The title was a bit obscure to me until very late in the story when Mr. M has Kurt pondering the fourth. This is my least favorite Wallander story for the graphic nature of the crimes and the emptiness of the villain as a character and a character story line. Still, a less than perfect mystery from Henning Mankell is better than 90% of the alternatives.

Good trading but mediocre story

as the ritme. trading was good story was not special.looking forward to the next book.

Dated and slow

I couldn’t relate to homicide detectives who are shocked by homicides. Who drop to their knees & almost faint at the sight of a body I can only assume it’s a cultural difference. It was agonizingly slow and cluttered with meaningless, unnecessary details Too much of it had nothing to do with case & just involved angst and soul searching. Just not to my taste at all. I couldn’t even finish listening to it.

Kept my interest to the end

The story was a combination of mystery and intrigue. The detail and description used drew me in and kept me interested throughout the whole story to the end. The combination of a great story and narration were impeccable. I am already looking for another story in the series.

Another Moving Chapter in this Wonderful Series

What did you love best about The Fifth Woman?

The plot. Henning Menkell's plots are complex and rich. I want to ask him "Where do you get your ideas"!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Definitely, Who would the killer take next, how would the murder take place, will Wallander be able to stop him or her?

Have you listened to any of Dick Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. I have also listened to him read the novels of Ed McBain. He is perfect for those novels. His sometime staccato performance is ideal for McBain's writing. I struggled with his narration on these novels at first. I thought all of his characters sounded like a New Yorkers. Now, I cannot imagine the series without him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. I was deeply saddened by something that happens to Wallander regard his Father. No details!!

Any additional comments?

Read this novel, but don't start here. Start at the beginning with "Faceless Killers". These novels are among the best police procedural novels I have read. Menkell is a fine writer and these books are better savored in order.