Date: 12 April 2011, 05:50
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What makes "Roseanna," first published in 1965, a groundbreaking crime novel? Sjowall and Wahloo write in a spare, no-nonsense style, with just the right amount of detail, no theatrics, and little violence. They humanize their detectives, depicting each with his particular problems, quirks, strengths, and weaknesses. Melander has a photographic memory and smokes smelly cigars; Kollberg is chubby and addicted to rich food. Both are highly competent. The dialogue is realistic and often dryly amusing. The authors demonstrate how unromantic and tedious police work can be, often requiring an inordinate amount of time in the pursuit of leads that prove fruitless. It is only the detectives' stubborn determination to succeed that finally leads to a resolution. Those who pursue murderers pay a huge price for their dedication. They live stressful lives, with very little time to sleep or enjoy a leisurely meal. To achieve their goal, they need the ability to observe the evidence closely and interpret it correctly. Martin Beck has both of these skills; in addition, when confronted with a complex puzzle, he uses his sharp intuition and imagination to put the jumbled pieces together. He may not be physically formidable ("He was pale and looked sallow and he had dark circles under his eyes.") or heroic, but Beck is meticulous and thorough, with an ability see the whole picture. He rarely misses the forest for the trees. Sometimes the only difference between a cold case and a satisfying conclusion is a detective's refusal to give up, even when he is confronted with a seemingly perfect crime.
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