The Discreet Charm of the Big Bad Wolf by Alexander McCall Smith

In the new Detective Varg novel, Ulf Varg’s future with the Department of Sensitive Crimes is put to the test, but in the face of upheaval he must forge ahead with the latest delicate case that will take him out of the streets of Malmö and into the great forests of Sweden.

The Department of Sensitive Crimes has been asked to downsize in light of a recent downturn of sensitive crime, and staff members are wondering who among them will be transferred elsewhere. As the bickering between colleagues intensifies, Ulf tries his best to stay above the fray. 

In the midst of all this, Ulf embarks on an important inquiry: a wealthy businessman’s holiday cabin has mysteriously disappeared from its spot in the woods and Ulf is tasked with finding out what happened. How exactly does one steal a house? And, more to the point, how does one track down a stolen house? Meanwhile, a promising veterinary treatment for deafness in dogs has been announced, and Ulf’s dog, Martin, might be the perfect patient.

This latest novel is another masterful, farcical installment in the series that defines the genre that Alexander McCall Smith is singlehandedly championing: Scandi blanc.

Story Locale: Malmö, Sweden

ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH is the author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels and of a number of other series and stand-alone books. His works have been translated into more than forty languages and have been bestsellers throughout the world. He lives in Scotland.

Author Residence: Edinburgh, Scotland