Nicki reviewed this month:  The secret life of Mr Roos by Hakan Nesser

Hakan Nesser fans rejoice.  Turn off all notifications, bolt the doors and plump your softest armchair.  Another Inspector Barbarotti has hit the shelves.

The story revolves around 59-year-old Valdemar Roos who is fed up with his dull life. He is overwhelmed by profound feelings of melancholy, overshadowed by a thick veil of gloominess.  Valdemar is down. And almost out.  But when he wins the lottery, a world of possibilities open up. He buys a secluded cabin in the remote Swedish countryside and begins a secret double life. Suddenly Valdemar couldn’t be happier. But when 21-year-old recovering drug addict Anna finds refuge in the cabin, an incident occurs that will mar the lives of both Anna and Valdemar forever.

The mystery kicks in when a dead body is found near the cabin.  Enter Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti. He is set with the task of identifying the unknown body and discovering the whereabouts of the now missing Valdemar Roos…

Barbarotti is a great character, very human, permeating a nice (well needed) touch of humour.  Hakan Nesser has a wonderful ability to bring his characters to life.

Doubtless “The Secret Life of Mr Roos” is a slow burn.  There is a lot of character development and background information slowly building up suspense.  A book with depth, totally absorbing.  I loved it.