Week 12 Year 2 - Tuesday, February 5th 2013
"The Red Wolf" by Liza Marklund
Annika, known reporter at the Evening Press, authoritative newspaper of a publishing group based in Stockholm, has only recently gone through a trying experience. During an investigation of hers, she ends up in the lion's den, where she is kept prisoner by a dangerous lunatic. She miraculously comes out of it alive but suffers a severe nervous breakdown, against which recurring depressive moods she needs to struggle on a daily basis. A career which she devoted to the pursue of truth and justice, almost an obsessive passion that takes her beyond all limits and at times even to ignore office instructions. One day, as she reads through an article about a yet unsolved terrorist attack which occurred years back, Annika’s attention is drawn by a couple of details which incidentally only seem important to her. It won’t be long before the accuracy of her intuition is confirmed. She manages to get in touch with the journalist who wrote the article and arranges to meet up with him, but as it is, he gets killed the night before. This will be the very first of a series of murders. Annika, becoming ever more involved in the case, starts investigating and soon hits a trail that leads her to the core of the issue, which seems to involve a few personalities belonging to the political scene. Juggling through political scams, seemingly unconnected murders and vetoes issued by her director in charge who is ever more convinced that her leading reporter might have lost her mind, Annika proceeds undeterred. She slowly brings to light past events which led to the terrorist attack and identifies the members of a cell, all but one, which she is convinced is about to resume activity. However accurate her reconstruction is, an important detail escapes her attention. One night, as she keeps track on her trail, Annika ends up in the right place at the right moment. The members of the cell are about to meet up and Annika is just behind them, determined to call the police and blow their cover. But between on tail and another, she meets a friendly face, the one element she failed to identify.
Pleasant to read, packed with engaging situations - daring action, suspense and seductive erotic scenes. But in particular, the author, a journalist in real life, introduces us to the publishing world, and involves the reader in the methodical research work carried out by an outstanding reporter. Interesting overview, offered by the detailed description of Annika's investigative procedures, on the freedom of movement which the press in Sweden enjoys compared to other countries, but also the surprising wide range of information regarding public officials including politicians, to which both press and civilians have free access without having to identify themselves. That kind of information which, in most other countries, is considered confidential.
by lalitwist
Note 1 - about SUB ref. Monday, December the 5th 2011 "About a Druid and his mushrooms"
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