Sweden 2012. When Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti returns to work after a terrible personal tragedy his boss asks him to investigate a cold case, hoping to ease him back gently into his police duties.

Five years previously a shy electrician, Arnold Morinder, disappeared from the face of the earth, the only clue his blue moped abandoned in a nearby swamp. At the time his partner, Ellen Bjarnebo, claimed that Arnold had probably travelled to Norway never to return. But Ellen is one of Sweden's most notorious killers, having served eleven years in prison after killing her abusive first husband and dismembering his body with an axe. And when Barbarotti seeks to interview Ellen in relation to Arnold's disappearance she is nowhere to be found . . .

But without a body and no chance of interviewing his prime suspect Barbarotti must use all the ingenuity at his disposal to make headway in the case. Still struggling with his personal demons, Barbarotti seeks solace from God, and the support of his colleague, Eva Backman. And as he finally begins to track down his suspect and the cold case begins to thaw, Barbarotti realizes that nothing about Ellen Bjarnebo can be taken for granted . . .

The Axe Woman is the fifth and final Inspector Barbarotti novel from bestselling author Hakan Nesser.

The fifth and final Inspector Barbarotti novel from bestselling author Hakan Nesser, in which Inspector Barbarotti is given a cold case concerning the infamous Axe Woman of Little Burma.

About the Author
Hakan Nesser is one of Sweden's most popular crime writers, receiving numerous awards for his novels featuring Inspector Van Veeteren, including the European Crime Fiction Star Award (Ripper Award), the Swedish Crime Writers' Academy Prize (three times) and Scandinavia's Glass Key Award. His Van Veeteren series is published in over twenty-five countries and has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide. In addition to the popular Van Veeteren series, his other books include the psychological thriller The Living and the Dead in Winsford and The Barbarotti Series. Hakan Nesser lives in Gotland with his wife, and visits the UK regularly.

Reviews
Some aficionados would argue that the Swede Hakan Nesser is the most accomplished writer in the [Nordic noir] field today, and The Axe Woman is choice fare . . . So much to praise here: the steady accumulation of suspense, the assured characterisation and the elegant prose, perfectly rendered by translator Sarah Death -- Barry Forshaw * Financial Times *
The godfather of Swedish crime * Metro *
A master of suspense * Sunday Times *
One of the best Nordic Noir writers * Guardian *
One of Sweden's best crime writers * Mail on Sunday *



Book Information
ISBN 9781509892334
Author Hakan Nesser
Format Hardback
Page Count 464
Imprint Mantle
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 572g
Dimensions(mm) 223mm * 145mm * 44mm