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  • Before the Frost

  • An Inspector Wallander Mystery
  • By: Henning Mankell
  • Narrated by: Sean Barrett
  • Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (223 ratings)
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Before the Frost cover art

Before the Frost

By: Henning Mankell
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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Summary

The leader of a religious cult in Guyana instigates a mass suicide. He succeeds in killing himself and his whole flock of worshippers, save one. One man escapes.

In the wood in the country land outside Ystad, the police make a horrific discovery: a severed head and hands locked together in an attitude of prayer. A Bible lies at the victim's side, handwritten corrections and amendments on every page. A string of incidents, including attacks on domestic animals, has been taking place and Inspector Wallander fears that these events could be the prelude to attacks on humans on a much greater scale.

Linda Wallander, preparing to join the Ystad police force, arrives at the station. Showing all the hallmarks of her father - the maverick approach, the flaring temper - she becomes involved in the case and in the process has to confront a group of extremists bent on punishing the world's sinners. Before the Frost is a totally compelling and atmospheric crime story.

©2004 Henning Mankell (P)2009 Random House Audio

What listeners say about Before the Frost

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A cut above usual crime fiction.

This is the first Wallander book I have listened to; having seen the brilliant TV series I wanted to get back to the originals...

This is really a cut above your average crime fiction. Unlike so many two dimensional crime fiction characters, the protagonists are fleshed out with complex inner lives and psychological detail which really grips. There are few characters, but you really feel you know them.

I also enjoyed the almost post-modern touches. At one point, everyone in a crime conference gets side-tracked into talking about a children's tv show at length, while Wallander waits for order to resume.

This is a good place to start if you are new to Wallander books. It is just a shame they are not being translated in order!

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyed this Wallander mystery

Already a Wallander fan having read a few of Henning Mankell's books and seen the Kenneth Branagh series on TV, I had high expectations. I was not disappointed. Expertly read by Sean Barrett, a real pleasure to listen to, the story was gripping with twists, turns and revelations underscored by the continuing characterisation of Wallander and in this book, his daughter Linda, who is about to join the police force. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it went all too fast.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A good read and recommended!

Highly recommended. Whilst the plot isn't sufficiently obscure to be a true mystery and sometimes the characters appear to have taken 'stupid pills', the book and characters are sufficiently engaging to hold interest throughout. The characters are reasonably well drawn and if you are familiar with the TV series (not so much the Kenneth Branagh version, rather the Krister Henriksson version) then the places, people and surroundings spring into life.

First audio book that I have listened to that has made me want to listen to another in the series. Bit disappointing that there aren't more of them on Audible.

The reader (Sean Barrett) - apart from having two or three 'fluffs' remaining in the recording - reads the book fluently and is a joy to listen to. Very compelling.

Buy and listen to with confidence!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Before the Frost

With all due respect to the previous reviewers who praised the book highly, I have to say I hated it and found it dull. depressing and couldn't wait for it to end. In fact was very annoyed to have wasted one of my precious credits on it. Maybe being fans of the TV series helps: I adore Kenneth Branagh and think he's a brilliant actor, but despite his presence did not like the Wallender series. Perhaps it's a Swedish thing re depression......

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wallender's daughter comes of age

I was sorry when this story finished it was so enjoyable. Superbly read and very exciting - quite a detailed story with loads of twists and turns. I shall listen to more Wallender's in the future, he is so human.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A bit disappointing

I generally enjoy Henning Mankell's books but this one fell a little short for me. I was expecting a typical Kurt Wallander storyline but this one featured his daughter Linda as the major character and I found it somewhat disappointing. The narration by Sean Barrett was as good as ever but I was left feeling that the story was just a bit too contrived.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very gripping

I enjoyed this book just as much as the others. Linda made a brilliant main character and it felt like a natural transition to the series. Sean Barretts narration is as fantastic as always.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good book

A good book, well written but not as strong story line as some other Mankell books..

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good story but ending could be better

What did you like most about Before the Frost?

The story had a good pace.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending seemed a bit rushed, as if the author had run out of ideas.

What about Sean Barrett’s performance did you like?

Sean Barrett has a great voice and really brings anything he reads to life.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Never enter the the woods alone!

Any additional comments?

Great series of books just a shame this one lacked a bit in it's ending.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Typically brilliant

The only down side to this I'd there is only one of the Wallander books to go for me. Fantastic plot wonderful characters.

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1 person found this helpful