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The Talented Mr Varg

Detective Varg, Book 2

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The Talented Mr Varg

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: Saul Reichlin
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About this listen

In the second installment in the best-selling Detective Varg series, Ulf and his team investigate a notorious philanderer - a wolf of a man whose bad reputation may be all bark and no bite.

©2020 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2020 Bolinda Publishing Detective Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Mystery Political Private Investigators Fiction

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Critic reviews

"Depend on the author of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street novels to make even a Nordic Noir mystery delightful." (Newsday)
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McCall Smith’s usual gentle wit and circumlocution. Not a deep and meaningful story - but lots to think about.

Gentle

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Was thrown by this book. The narrator is excellent and gives life to all the characters but it is deceptive in calling itself a detective book as no real detecting in the trades se happens. It’s more a series of conversations and reflections on life. Not what I was expecting but still an enjoyable listen.

Odd, certainly not a detective book!

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I'd read and enjoyed the first book in this series so was glad of a follow up. It's the same formula of interesting and sometimes thought-provoking stories involving a kindly and considerate detective, Mr Varg. Stories with some gentle humour, often with a moral conundrum to ponder: the books remind me of the author's Isabel Dalhousie novels which also use her investigations on behalf of others to examine philosophical/moral questions.

An enjoyable listen that makes a welcome change from all the gritty, violent and formulaic detective novels.

Saul Reichlin is excellent and for me is the welcome voice of Swedish novels

Full of charm, wit and good sense

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Alexander McCall Smith’s 3rd instalment of the Scandinavian-Noir genre did not disappoint. I’ve always found his writing style and plots so reassuring. The Talented Mr Varg was no exception, investigations into crimes of the sensitive nature make for light hearted and enjoyable reading. Particularly enjoyed Ulf teaming up with Blomkvist, their characters individual foibles complement each other brilliantly!

What a scandi-noir treat for the ears!

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I like the thinking of the inspector but there seems to be too much of it this time. Nothing is as it seems though 🤓

A philosophical inspector

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