Terrorists

This is the last of the Martin Beck mystery series and for enthusiasts like me and my sons who have read them from the beginning in order this was a good and fitting finish to the series. The characters get a last round of development and by now have become rather endearing to the reader. The authors indulged more than ever before in their rabid antagonism to modern western 'capitalist' trends in society ... at times its so over the top as to be absurd, even if there is a grain of truth to be detected in much of what they say.

The opening chapters tell how Gunvald Larsson was sent to observe a Presidential parade in a South American country. All precautions were taken. But when the President passed by the street exploded and blew up the Presidential car. Chapter 3 tells of a bank robbery trial with its comic moments. Jurors are chosen through political connections, and are often friends of the prosecutor. An ill-prepared defense lawyer freed his client. Chapter 4 tells of the developments in Martin Beck's personal life. Chapter 5 is about the assassination of a film director who made films for export only. None of the neighbors had seen a stranger. Gunvald Larsson returned with his report on the assassination (Chapter 8). They learn about a terrorist group that attacked on many continents. The targets had nothing in common politically, except they were prominent. This group always succeeds. Martin Beck found a clue and solved the murder of the film director (Chapter 9, 10). Chapter 13 introduces Reinhard Heydt, the ULAG terrorist. They are funded by wealthy businessmen to create political turmoil that can be exploited. The police are planning to prevent an attack (Chapter 14). Sweden passed new laws banning firearms (Chapter 15). There was an increase in crime, drugs, and violence (Chapter 16). One terrorist's presence is reported in Chapter 18. Chapter 20 tells what happened when the terrorist's bomb exploded. Chapter 21 explains the security measures taken to minimize damage. Something happened at Ridderholm Church (Chapter 22). Chapter 23 explains what caused it. Rebecka Lind is in court again. Her defense attorney's speech sounds like a funny parody (Chapter 24). Routine police work leads to the discovery of two terrorists (Chapter 25). They would like to capture them alive. Chapter 26 tells of the plan and its results. There is another funny scene in court when the two terrorists are arraigned (Chapter 27). The police calculate the likely escape route of the third terrorist. Reinhard is proud of his sideburns even if they attract attention (Chapter 28). Chapter 29 begins by telling how Christmas was hijacked from a family festival to a commercial advertising orgy. The Swedish police get a present at the port of Malmö thanks to Benny Skacke. The authors wrote ten books from 1965 to 1975 which were supposed to reflect society and its changes. If accurate, they provide information about Sweden that is not found in newspapers. The "urban renewal" schemes that displaced old neighborhoods is similar to big cities in America. These novels have events that seem to have been copied from America, or is that just human nature?

Well, Sjowall and Wahloo are trying to be Fredrick Forsyth and Fedor Dostoevsky at the same time here, and Forsyth part came out much better. There are three subplots to this book - the murder of porno director Walter Petrus, the political assasinations, and the story of young Stockholmer Rebecka Lind, loosely tying the former two together. The attempt on the life of American Senator is written out superbly, rivaling the Day of Jackal. The rest of the book is also readable, but by the end of the series Sjowall and Wahloo became quite didactic in their social commentaries, occasionally crossing into Pravda-like condemnation of the capitalist evils. Authors disenchantement with capitalism is evident in their other books also, but in Terrorists its influence is far less artful and a great measure less subtle. I still like the book but one could wish - can't he? - that this mesalliance between a crime novel and a morality play was moderated by the same literary taste the authors shown us before.

Although it has been several years since I read this book, it is the culmination of a great series that is part mystery, part social commentary and part satire. All of the Martin Beck mysteries are good and should be read in order beginning with Roseanne and ending with this book.