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Better Off Dead: (Victor the Assassin 4) (Victor #4)
by Tom WoodA hitman must be anonymous, amoral... and aloneVictor is the face in the crowd you don't see, a perfect assassin with nothing to live for.But when an old friend turns to him for help, he finds he can't refuse. For once his objective isn't to kill, but to protect.Hunted through the streets of London by ruthless enemies, Victor needs to be more than just a bodyguard... but his every move leads danger closer to the very person he's vowed to defend.Published in the US as No Tomorrow.
Better Off Dead: A Jack Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher #26)
by Lee Child Andrew Child#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Don&’t miss the hit streaming series Reacher! Digging graves had not been part of my plans when I woke up that morning. Reacher goes where he wants, when he wants. That morning he was heading west, walking under the merciless desert sun—until he comes upon a curious scene. A Jeep has crashed into the only tree for miles around. A woman is slumped over the wheel. Dead? No, nothing is what it seems. The woman is Michaela Fenton, an army veteran turned FBI agent trying to find her twin brother, who might be mixed up with some dangerous people. Most of them would rather die than betray their terrifying leader, who has burrowed his influence deep into the nearby border town, a backwater that has seen better days. The mysterious Dendoncker rules from the shadows, out of sight and under the radar, keeping his dealings in the dark. He would know the fate of Fenton&’s brother. Reacher is good at finding people who don&’t want to be found, so he offers to help, despite feeling that Fenton is keeping secrets of her own. But a life hangs in the balance. Maybe more than one. But to bring Dendoncker down will be the riskiest job of Reacher's life. Failure is not an option, because in this kind of game, the loser is always better off dead.
Better Off Read (A Bookmobile Mystery #1)
by Nora PageWhen her best hope of saving her storm-damaged library is found murdered, senior librarian Cleo Watkins hits the road in her bookmobile in search of justice.Septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins won’t be shushed when an upstart young mayor threatens to permanently shelve her tiny town’s storm-damaged library. She takes to her bookmobile, Words on Wheels, to collect allies and rally library support throughout Catalpa Springs, Georgia.However, Cleo soon rolls into trouble. A major benefactor known for his eccentric DIY projects requests all available books on getting away with murder. He’s no Georgia peach, and Cleo wonders if she should worry about his plans. She knows she should when she discovers him bludgeoned and evidence points to her best friend, Mary-Rose Garland. Sure of Mary-Rose’s innocence, Cleo applies her librarian’s sleuthing skills to the case, assisted by friends, family, and the dapper antiquarian bookseller everyone keeps calling her boyfriend. Evidence stacks up, but a killer is overdue to strike again. With lives and her library on the line, Cleo must shift into high gear to close the book on murder in Better Off Read, the charming Bookmobile series debut by Nora Page.
Better Off Thread
by Amanda LeeSanta finds himself in a stitch of trouble in the tenth in the series from the national bestselling author of The Stitching Hour... Marcy is busy helping her customers make hand-crafted ornaments at her embroidery shop, the Seven-Year Stitch. But despite the yuletide bustle, when her friend Captain Moe asks for her help, she can't refuse--especially when the favor is to play the elf to his Santa for sick children at a local hospital. Despite the ridiculous outfit, Marcy finds herself enjoying spreading cheer--until the hospital's administrator is found murdered. Although the deceased had plenty of people willing to fill her stocking with coal, evidence pins the crime on Moe. Now it's up to Marcy, with the help of her police officer boyfriend Ted and her Irish Wolfhound Angus, to stitch together the clues to clear Moe's name--before someone else winds up crossed off Santa's list for good...
Better Off Wed
by Laura DurhamThe murder of a particularly difficult mother-of-the-bride has cast a pall on wedding planner Annabelle Archer's latest triumph -- and suspicion falls heavily on her sometime-business partner and friend Richard Gerard. Annabelle knows that even her trusted wedding emergency kit won't be able to salvage their careers if she and Richard can't find the real culprit. It's no easy task since the slain matron was perhaps the most hated socialite in D.C., but Annabelle navigates through the city's colorful wedding industry and powerful social scene on the deadly trail of a killer. Always the bridal consultant and never the bride, she's seen her fair share of bouquet tosses. But there's no telling what surprises a ruthless killer will throw her way if she gets too close.
Better Read Than Dead: A Psychic Eye Mystery (Psychic Eye Mystery #2)
by Victoria LaurieWord of Abby's talents reading tarot cards has reached a mob boss who wants her help in some business matters and he doesn't take no for an answer. When the police seek out her psychic intuition to shed light on a masked man who's been attacking women, Abby finds herself working both sides of the law on her own, leading her to wonder, why didn't I see this coming?
Better Than Friends: A Novel (The Sunrise Cove Series #7)
by Jill ShalvisOld flames reignite in Sunrise Cove in this charming enemies-to-lovers, second-chance, small-town, forced-proximity love story about family, friendships, and true love from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.When Olive Porter’s off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all. As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah’s used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he’d love nothing more than a good distraction.So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can’t fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?
Better Than I Know Myself: A Novel
by Donna Grant Virginia DeBerryThe beloved #1 Essence bestselling authors of Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made now deliver a novel in which you'll meet their most unforgettable characters yet. Carmen, Jewel, and Regina could not be more different. When they meet as freshmen at Columbia University, they're pretty confident that a friendship among them isn't in the cards. Jewel is Hollywood royalty: as the teenage star of the TV show "Daddy's Girl," her face is instantly recognizable all across America. Now, though, she wants two things-to get a serious education, and to leave her controlling stage mother behind. Regina is the definitive upper-middle-class African-American girl. Her picture-perfect parents are what she calls "black Ward and June Cleavers" and their goals for her are like a stranglehold. No one can see, though, how far Regina's rebellious side will take her (or how treacherous it will become). Carmen is just trying to get by. A child of the projects whose father is dead and whose mother has vanished, Carmen has been raised by her abusive brother. Columbia is the way for her to get a better life-if she can hold down two jobs and keep her GPA up. When the three of them meet, their lives are at a crossroad. And as the years progress, from the 1980s to the present day, they are challenged by drug addiction, fame, secrets from the past, sickness, betrayal, and the darkest things women can face. One of them won't survive. But what will be the lasting legacy of their friendship? Better Than I Know Myself is a novel of heartache, triumph, tears, and the unshakeable bonds among women.
Better Than Sex: A Mystery Featuring Anneke Haagen
by Susan HoltzerFrom Booklist Holtzer's Anneke Haagen, a computer consultant from Ann Arbor, returns in her seventh adventure. Anneke is on her honeymoon in San Francisco with new hubby Karl Genesko, ex-Pittsburgh Steeler and now Ann Arbor's chief of police. They make their way to the Maize and Blue Sports Bar, where they plan to enjoy the newest culinary trend--high-fat "Nouvelle Midwest" cuisine--while watching the University of Michigan football game. While all eyes are glued to the game, Lindsay Summers, a Michigan graduate student, drops dead after drinking a glass of unsalted tomato juice. Because the victim was on a crusade to make high-fat food as regulated as tobacco, and everyone sitting at her table had a financial stake in the licensing and sale of Nouvelle Midwest products, there is no lack of suspects with motive and means. Anneke and Karl reluctantly agree to help out the San Francisco police because so many of the suspects have ties back to Ann Arbor. Anneke learns more than she cares to about militant food purists in this lively and humorous tale. Stuart Miller
Better When He's Bad
by Jay CrownoverWelcome to the Point . . .There's a difference between a bad boy and a boy who's bad. . . . Meet Shane Baxter.Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn't just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he was the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn't care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there's a new player in the game, and she's much too innocent, much too soft . . . and standing directly in his way.Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She's always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con the Point has ever produced.Bax terrifies her, awakening feelings she never thought she'd have for a guy like him. But it doesn't take Dovie long to realize . . . some boys are just better when they're bad.
Better When He's Brave
by Jay CrownoverSome men are just better when they're brave.Welcome to the Point . . .Titus King sees the world in black and white. Right and wrong. Which is why as a teenager he left behind the only family he'd ever known to make a better life for himself. Now a police detective in one of the worst cities in the country, he can't deny his life has turned into a million different shades of gray.The new criminal element in the Point has brought vengeance and destruction right to Titus's front door, and the difference between right and wrong is nothing compared to keeping those he loves alive. To add to his already strained moral compass, the beautiful and mysterious Reeve Black has made her way back to town, and she might be as dangerous to Titus as the guy trying to destroy the Point, because Titus needs her--in more ways than one.Reeve knows all about how ruthless this new threat to destroy the Point can be . . . and instead of running away, she wants to help. She has a lot to repent for and saving the city, plus the hot cop that she hasn't been able to forget, might just be the only way she can finally find some inner peace.With an entire city poised on the brink of war, Titus and Reeve stand in the crossfire--and it will take two brave souls to fight for the ultimate love.
Better the Blood: The past never truly stays buried. Welcome to the dark side of paradise. (Hana Westerman #1)
by Michael Bennett'A compelling, atmospheric page turner with an authentic insight into Māori culture' Val McDermidA DETECTIVE IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH. A KILLER IN SEARCH OF RETRIBUTION. A CLASH BETWEEN CULTURE AND DUTY. THE PAST NEVER TRULY STAYS BURIED. WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE OF PARADISE. Detective Senior Sergeant Hana Westerman is a tenacious Māori detective juggling single motherhood and the pressures of her career in Auckland&’s Central Investigation Branch. When she&’s led to a crime scene by a mysterious video, she discovers a man hanging in a hidden room. With little to go on, Hana knows one thing: the killer is sending her a message. As a Māori officer, there has always been a clash between duty and culture for Hana, but it is something that she&’s found a way to live with. Until now. When more murders follow, Hana realises that her heritage and past are the keys to finding the perpetrator.Especially when the killer's agenda of revenge may include Hana – and her family . . . &‘As page-turning as it is eye-opening&’ Ambrose Parry &‘A remarkable new detective&’ Daily Mail &‘[A] highly addictive read&’ My Weekly &‘So chilling&’ Crime Monthly &‘Opens a unique window onto a fascinating Antipodean society as only world-class crime fiction can&’ Deon Meyer Winner of the Best First Novel Award at the 2023 Ngaio Marsh Awards Finalist for Best Novel at the 2023 Ngaio Marsh Awards Shortlisted for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, Ockham New Zealand Book Awards Longlisted for the CWA John Creasey New Blood DaggerShortlisted for Audio Book of the Year at the Capital Crime Fingerprint Awards
Betting Blind
by Lily GardnerFrom the author of A Bitch Called Hope, the search for a blackmailer turns into a murder investigation for an ex-cop-turned-private-investigator. In the rainy city of Portland, Matilda Bauer has been blackmailing her parole officer, Fulin Chen. Just when Fulin&’s ready to come clean, Matilda disappears. Bad news for Fulin, because once Matilda is arrested for breaking parole, she&’ll show the photos she has on him and end his career. Fulin turns to his longtime friend and poker buddy, Lennox Cooper, P.I., to help him find the beautiful blonde con-woman. A former cop, Lennox knows how it feels to live and breathe the police life—and to be thrown out of it. She'll do anything to help her friend avoid a similar fate. But three days later Lennox finds Matilda dead, in what looks like a sex game gone terribly wrong. Fulin Chen is the lead suspect. Lennox's search for Matilda, however, causes her to begin turning over rocks, finding that her past lies under many of them—not to mention deadly threats. Matilda Bauer had no shortage of enemies, though, and Lennox will have to sift through the many blackmail victims and jilted lovers to find the real killer.Praise for A Bitch Called Hope&“A well-crafted mystery novel with a heroine you can root for, plenty of action and a satisfying ending.&”―Phillip Margolin, New York Times–bestselling author of Capitol Murder &“A noir with heart…Beware, it's hard to put down.&”―Cara Black, New York Times–bestselling author of the Aimee Leduc mysteries
Betting Game (Orca Sports)
by Heather M. O'ConnorJack's a star player on an elite soccer team along with his brother, Alex. The Lancers are on top of the league, even favored to win the National Championship. But the game's about to change. A slick bookie wins Jack's friendship and introduces him to illegal betting. Before long, Jack is hooked on the adrenaline rush, and early wins convince him that gambling could make him rich. Meanwhile, an ever-widening rift is forming between the two brothers. Suddenly, Jack's "system" fails and his luck runs out. How could a few losses pile up to a gut-kicking ten grand? When he can't pay, the bookie gives Jack one way out--throw the National Championship. But can he betray his brother, his team and himself?
Betty Boo
by Claudia PiñeiroWhen a renowned Buenos Aires industrialist is found dead at his home in an exclusive gated community called La Maravillosa, the novelist Nurit Iscar (once nicknamed Betty Boo owing to a resemblance to the cartoon character Betty Boop) is contracted by a former lover, the editor of a national newspaper, to cover the story. <P>Nurit teams up with the paper's veteran, but now demoted, crime reporter. Soon they realize that they are falling in love, which complicates matters deliciously. <P><P> The murder is no random crime but one in a series that goes to the heart of the establishment. Five members of the Argentine industrial and political elite, who all went to the same boarding-school, have died in apparently innocent circumstances. The Maravillosa murder is just the last in the series and those in power in Argentina are not about to allow all this brought to light. Too much is at stake.
Betty's (Little Basement) Garden
by Laurel DeweyBetty Craven is the epitome of elegance, class, and perfection. Her prize-winning garden is the envy of her neighbors; her impeccable manners and epicurean skills have made her the "hostess with the most-est."But all is not what it seems.The truth is that this fifty-eight year old's seemingly idyllic world is quickly disintegrating. Widowed and left with a modest income, Betty's Colorado gourmet chocolate shop has gone belly up, leaving her floundering for purpose and meaning. Tied to a house in disrepair that she can't sell, and mired in unrelenting grief for her dead son, this patriotic former Texas pageant queen comes to the shocking and debilitating conclusion that her entire life has been wasted. As that realization hits her hard between her well-manicured brow, the rebellious spirit that Betty has silently kept under lock and key, explodes to the surface.When that happens, her staunch conservative world changes drastically, causing Betty to question every belief and opinion she's ever had. The path she chooses is paved with secrecy, eccentric characters, toe-curling love, life-changing events, and a connection to her unconventional garden that she never could have imagined. No matter how hard she tries, Betty Craven will never be the same again.Author Laurel Dewey - known for her gritty crime thriller series featuring Detective Jane Perry - has created a dynamic, funny, romantic, heartbreaking and controversial novel that will both enlighten readers and challenge them with its unique and timely subject matter.
Betty's (Little Basement) Garden
by Laurel DeweyBetty Craven is the epitome of elegance, class, and perfection. Her prize-winning garden is the envy of her neighbors; her impeccable manners and epicurean skills have made her the &“hostess with the most-est.&”But all is not what it seems.The truth is that this fifty-eight year old's seemingly idyllic world is quickly disintegrating. Widowed and left with a modest income, Betty's Colorado gourmet chocolate shop has gone belly up, leaving her floundering for purpose and meaning. Tied to a house in disrepair that she can't sell, and mired in unrelenting grief for her dead son, this patriotic former Texas pageant queen comes to the shocking and debilitating conclusion that her entire life has been wasted. As that realization hits her hard between her well-manicured brow, the rebellious spirit that Betty has silently kept under lock and key, explodes to the surface.When that happens, her staunch conservative world changes drastically, causing Betty to question every belief and opinion she's ever had. The path she chooses is paved with secrecy, eccentric characters, toe-curling love, life-changing events, and a connection to her unconventional garden that she never could have imagined. No matter how hard she tries, Betty Craven will never be the same again.Author Laurel Dewey — known for her gritty crime thriller series featuring Detective Jane Perry — has created a dynamic, funny, romantic, heartbreaking and controversial novel that will both enlighten readers and challenge them with its unique and timely subject matter.
Betty's Burgled Bakery
by Travis NicholsWhen the Gumshoe Zoo's alarm alerts them, they learn Betty's Bakery has been burgled! But how? Something isn't quite right—and it's up to these determined detectives to figure out what! Alliteration abounds in this comic book caper featuring the Gumshoe Zoo, a detective agency facing the craziest crime ever committed: pilfered pastries. Perfect for lovers of wordplay and sweet treats looking for an engaging story of alliteration, this multi-paneled early graphic novel is a raucous adventure. Detailed back matter discusses uses of alliteration and animal eating habits. Plus, this is the fixed format version, which looks almost identical to the print edition. <P><P> <i>Advisory: Bookshare has learned that this book offers only partial accessibility. We have kept it in the collection because it is useful for some of our members. Benetech is actively working on projects to improve accessibility issues such as these.</i>
Betty's Burgled Bakery: An Alliteration Adventure
by Travis NicholsThe Gumshoe Zoo sleuths are back! &“This crisp comic caper will have 4- to 8-year-olds requesting a rousing read-aloud-robustly and repeatedly.&” —The Wall Street Journal When the Gumshoe Zoo&’s alarm alerts them, they learn Betty&’s Bakery has been burgled! But how? Something isn&’t quite right—and it&’s up to these determined detectives to figure out what! Alliteration abounds in this comic book caper featuring the Gumshoe Zoo, a detective agency facing the craziest crime ever committed: pilfered pastries. Perfect for lovers of wordplay and sweet treats, not to mention educators and librarians looking for an engaging story to teach alliteration, this multi-paneled early graphic novel is a raucous adventure. Detailed back matter discusses uses of alliteration and animal eating habits. &“Hilarious and impressive.&” —Imagination Soup &“The story is a crisp and clever caper, laid out like a comic book in panels . . . This tasty treat&’s bound to have young readers alliterating along.&” —Kirkus Reviews &“These words are on a mission to demonstrate alliteration . . . A clever way to spark young readers&’ awareness of this linguistic device.&” —Booklist
Between Earth and Sky
by Amanda SkenandoreA young girl learns about friendship, betrayal, and the sacrifices made in the name of belonging in this poignant novel exploring the tragic legacy of forced assimilation and abuse at Native American residential schools in the early 20th century. The award-winning debut novel by the author of The Nurse&’s Secret is now available with new bonus content, including an interview with the woman who inspired it – Amanda Skenandore&’s mother-in-law and a member the Lake Superior Ojibwe. On a quiet Philadelphia morning in 1906, a newspaper headline catapults Alma Mitchell back to her past. A federal agent is dead, and the murder suspect is Alma&’s childhood friend, Harry Muskrat. Harry—or Asku, as Alma knew him—was the most promising student at the &“savage-taming&” boarding school run by her father, where Alma was the only white pupil. Created in the wake of the Indian Wars, the Stover School was intended to assimilate the children of neighboring reservations. Instead, it robbed them of everything they&’d known—language, customs, even their names—and left a heartbreaking legacy in its wake. The bright, courageous boy Alma knew could never have murdered anyone. But she barely recognizes the man Asku has become, cold and embittered at being an outcast in the white world and a ghost in his own. Her lawyer husband, Stewart, reluctantly agrees to help defend Asku for Alma&’s sake. To do so, Alma must revisit the painful secrets she has kept hidden from everyone—especially Stewart. Told in compelling narratives that alternate between Alma&’s childhood and her present life, Between Earth and Sky is a haunting and complex story of love and loss, as a quest for justice becomes a journey toward understanding and, ultimately, atonement.
Between Here and April
by Deborah Copaken KoganWhen a deep-rooted memory suddenly surfaces, Elizabeth Burns becomes obsessed with the long-ago disappearance of her childhood friend April Cassidy. Driven to investigate, Elizabeth discovers a thirty-five-year-old newspaper article revealing the details that had been hidden from her as a child--shocking revelations about April's mother, Adele. Elizabeth, now herself a mother, tracks down the people who knew Adele Cassidy and who thought that they knew what was going through her mind before she committed that most incomprehensible of crimes. She seeks out anyone who might help piece together the final months, days, and hours of this troubled woman's life-- from Adele's former neighbor to her psychiatrist to her sister. But the answers are more elusive than any normal investigation can yield, the questions raised difficult to contemplate. In fact, the further into the story Elizabeth digs, the more she is forced to accept that she and Adele might not be so different. Elizabeth's exploration thus leads her ultimately back to herself: her compromised marriage, her increasing self-doubt, her desire for more out of her career and her life, and finally to a fearsome reckoning with what it means to be a wife and mother.
Between Lies And Revenge
by Hannah D. SharpeFor fans of Megan Miranda and Sally Hepworth, BETWEEN LIES AND REVENGE by Hannah D Sharpe is a gripping debut of domestic suspense, where a daring jewel heist becomes a lifeline for two women entangled in a web of deceit, pushing them to the brink of trust and betrayal in their quest for redemption and survival.Years after the death of her brother and the theft of her heirloom jewelry, ex-con Elle is on the run ... until she spots a stranger wearing a signature piece. Determined to take back what is hers, Elle stalks and befriends the woman, using her gemology skills as a ruse. Elle offers to appraise and clean the jewelry, replicating and replacing the pieces instead. Olivia is drowning. She maxes out credit cards behind her financially-strict husband's back in order to pay for fertility treatments, keep her blackmailing father at bay, and maintain appearances with her wealthy friends and their cultist MLM social circles. When Olivia meets Elle, she finally feels understood ... and inspired. With Elle&’s expertise and Olivia&’s connections, the two start a side-hustle by way of home jewelry appraisal parties. When this isn't lucrative enough, they develop the perfect con: switching rich housewives&’ gems with fakes. But their hidden truths get in the way of their success, and each other. Before their secrets bury them, they must confess their lies to one another and trust their final con will exact the revenge that&’ll secure their freedom, and their lives.
Between Roc and a Hard Place
by Heather GrahamTwo almost-exes battle sharks, saboteurs, and treacherous desire when they become caught up in a dangerous search for a legendary shipwreck Salvage diver Roc Trellyn has just hauled up the biggest catch of his career. But the creature in his net isn&’t a prize fish—or a mermaid. It&’s Melinda Davenport, his ex-wife. Except they&’re still married—just a little glitch they both seem to have overlooked. What is she doing on the high seas? Has she come to spy and make sure she gets her cut of the bounty? It&’s been three years since Melinda last laid eyes on Roc. She thought they were divorced. Her mistake. A bigger blunder would be to let the gorgeous hunk seduce her again. After Roc walked out, she swore she&’d hate him forever. Now she&’s his prisoner aboard the Crystal Lee, assailed by treacherous memories of sensual nights in his arms on the open seas. And now the hunt is on for a legendary Spanish ship that went down somewhere between the Florida Keys and the Bahamas . . . until passion reignites, giving Melinda and Roc a second shot at a love that just might be the true treasure. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Heather Graham, including rare photos from the author&’s personal collection.
Between Summer's Longing and Winter's End: The Story of a Crime (1)
by Leif Gw Persson Paul NorlenA young man falls to his death from a window in a student dorm in Stockholm, his loose shoe striking and killing the little dog being taken for his evening walk by an old man. It seems to be a mundane suicide—at least that’s what the police choose to think. But the young man is American, not Swedish, and there are a couple of odd things about his room when they search it. . . . From these tiny beginnings, Leif GW Persson slowly begins to unravel a puzzle that gets larger and larger as it becomes more and more complex, until it sweeps us into a web of international espionage, backroom politics, greed, sheer incompetence, and the shoddy work of Sweden’s intelligence force that leads to the murder of the prime minister. The first novel in a dark and dazzling trilogy that has become the defining fictional account of the unsolved 1986 assassination of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme—an event that triggered the biggest criminal investigation in recorded history—Between Summer’s Longing and Winter’s End is a riveting insider’s combination of black satire, thriller, psychological drama, and police procedural by a writer universally acknowledged as Sweden’s leading criminologist.