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The Department of Sensitive Crimes
- Detective Varg, Book 1
- Narrated by: Saul Reichlin
- Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins
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The Department of Sensitive Crimes
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Summary
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo introduced us to Scandi noir. Now, welcome to Alexander McCall Smith's world of Scandi blanc....
Ulf Varg works in Malmo's Department of Sensitive Crimes. Like all Scandinavian detectives he has his issues. In his case these include his unresolved feelings for his colleague, Anna; his impatience over the seeming incompetence of his irritating colleague Blomquist; and his concerns for the health of his hearing-impaired dog, Marten, the only dog in Sweden (and possibly all Scandinavia) who is able to lip-read (in Swedish).
Along with his colleagues, Ulf is called upon to investigate a bizarre attack on a market trader, the disappearance of a handsome man who may or may not exist, and the affairs of a variety of young female students whose relationships with one another leave a great deal to be desired.
Ulf and his team come to realise that the world is a puzzling place, lycanthropy (werewolfism) exists and fish might have something to teach us. There is so much to learn if you are a Swedish detective, and in the first book in this new quasi-Scandinavian series, Ulf Varg embarks on these lessons with spirit and good humour.
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What listeners say about The Department of Sensitive Crimes
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 22-01-21
Thoughts
Good in parts but a bit tedious at others. it made me laugh at times
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- K. Bridges
- 20-10-19
An amusing aside
This was a fun story along the lines of "The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency" but set in Sweden. Ulf Warg and colleagues are certainly at the centre of some sensitive crimes although, as usual. this is really a story of human (plus dog and wolf) nature rather than there really being any mystery involved. An enjoyable listen.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mrs O
- 01-07-19
Has potential
The set up has potential as do the characters but I did not find it to have the usual zing of Alexander Mccall Smith.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hes
- 17-05-19
Lovely
Slow to get going but it just got better and better. Gentle stories of human nature.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Simon. Kindall
- 12-05-20
Pleasant book but just not for me
I enjoy detective crime thrillers and I an enjoy a series so you can get in to the characters. This book is pleasant no swearing no excessive violence and a possible love story to come. But I'm sorry to say I won't be buying the next book it was too slow for me and nothing to keep your brain going and just a brief who's done it which was solved all to quickly.
As for the narration this was perfect Saul Reichlin is one of the best out there.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mrs T Stobie
- 01-04-19
ho hum
amusing, but a story line that is a little disjointed. almost as if it had been written to be shorter.
won't be back for more
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- T S.
- 13-06-23
Reasonable book for holiday
Calm and easy read with no violence. There is a compassionate angle to it as well. Worth downloading.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Simon
- 14-03-19
A Charming Meander Leading Nowhere in Particular!
As a regular consumer of so-called Scandi-noir, I have to admit I was quite bewitched by this concept of Scandi-blanc and there's no doubt that McCall-Smith has pulled off something very much in that mode. His charming lead Ulf Varg and the rest are rather pleasant compared to our usual Nordic detectives and associates and Saul Rechlin matches that nicely with his narration.
There is a lovely, almost world-weary wisdom about Varg and co and you should be warned that they pontificate at length either singly or jointly on almost any subject without warning. Dogs learning to lip read was one of my favourites but there were plenty more. The plot, poor thing, does occasionally get a look-in and is sporadically given a lethargic prod to move it along between chats as various, minor crimes flitter towards being the centre of attention.
The book and its denizens definitely have a charm all of their own and I'm still smiling about the concept of Scandi-blanc. However, I have to admit a lot of this just washed over me making it an okay listen but not one that I had a very strong reaction to in any kind of way. It's worth a try I would imagine if you like nice gentle mysteries where the characters rather than the plot take centre stage but otherwise it's all a little insipid.
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28 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 18-08-23
You either “get “ Alexander McCall Smith or you don’t
I think Alexander McCall Smith would have a wonderful time reading these reviews. Especially the bad ones .
He loves discussing human nature and all its quirks.
His books are a mixture of accurate insight and tongue in cheek humour.Realism has to be put to one side .
I was slightly wary meeting his new characters, having grown used to Mma Makutsi and Bertie and many others. But quickly felt at home .
Well worth listening to .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amelia
- 27-10-19
Another gem
I absolutely adored this. Alexander McCall Smith just always gets it right - a magical blend of kindness, quirkiness and humour. His ability to tell wonderful tales whilst also revealing human nature is quite breathtaking. I love the warmth he always shows his characters in all his books, no matter what their foibles. Tolerance oozes from each chapter, but not in a self righteous way, rather in a warm loving way. Perfect listening. I can’t wait for the second instalment.
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6 people found this helpful