It seems lately the classic crime novel genre has been cast to a state of irrelevance in comparison to the latest Nicholas Sparks romance novel or the growingly popular young adult section of Barnes and Noble.
However, Leif GW Persson has given new life to the genre and possibly elevated the crime mystery theme into relevance with his newest work “Backstrom: He Who Kills The Dragon.”
Character development is clearly Persson’s strong suit because, with each page, he provides more and more detail about each character, despite their major or minor role in the plot. It is as if throughout the book, a magnifying glass is brought closer to each character, revealing their most intimate qualities.
Though the plot revolves around the gruesome murder of one “pisshead” man, there are ample instances of comedic relief offering a lighthearted reading experience to such a serious and complicated plot.
By the end of the book, Persson had clearly defined the main character, Evert Backstrom, to the point that the reader could almost predict the sly remark or comeback he was inevitably going to conjure.
Persson’s distinct style offers an incredibly entertaining read that is difficult to step away from, though the book is not without flaw.
Parts of the novel seem to be slightly repetitive as the plot follows one man from his home, to work and back home again, day after day. There are small phrases unmistakably repeated too often amongst the various characters that almost seem to indicated a lack of creativity on Persson’s part.
Overall “Backstrom” offers a delightful reader perfect for any long flight or rainy afternoon.
The title may be somewhat recognizable in entertainment with the new Fox show “Backstrom” which premiered last week. This novel obviously inspired the show, but it is difficult to imagine how the book will be translated to a major network show.
For one, the main character is shrewd and racist in almost every scenario to a degree that would be inherently inappropriate for television. Also, the book takes place in Sweden and there are subtle aspects of the Swedish culture that play an important role in the book’s plot.
Airing as an American comedy series, it is doubtful the show will accurately depict the detailed picture Persson painted with this novel but does not mean book is not worth the read.