The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell

My first novel from the world renowned Swedish Crime Writer Henning Mankell and I have to say in a quick summary; I loved it. I was in Amsterdam Centraal Station after recently moving location to a small town on the outskirts of Amsterdam called Amersfoort. The regular twice daily trains had now become a part of my life and to pass the time I thought I’d treat myself to a new book. On reflection I love to read but don’t really get the chance to so I will be sad when these train journeys come to an end. 

I browsed the section of English books for about 10 minutes briefly reading some summaries on the back and breaking the first rule on reading, judging books by their covers. The book caught my eye and I quickly read the summary on the back before purchasing at the till for 9 Euros.

The book covers several main stories spanning the globe and stretching over almost two centuries. The book starts up in the northern and coldest parts of Sweden when a small town exclusively of pensioners are brutally murdered. A local district judge realises she was distantly related to the old people in the village after the surnames of the victims are released by Police in a press conference. The local judge, who has been signed off work for a fortnight due to high blood pressure, decides to visit the area of Hesjovallen where the murders took place to seek confirmation she was indeed related to those killed. Her legislative experience and exposure to crimes in her daily job help her discover information which leads her across to the other side of the world; the middle Kingdom, the colossus that is China. 

In China the book takes us back 150 years to the last dynasty of China and follows the story of San and his brothers Guo Si and Wan. They’re desperate struggle to find a better life took them across the globe constantly facing death and turmoil in the face. The book reaches us in Modern Day China just after the communist "emperor's" Mao and Deng. The book goes deep into Chinese politics and their economical struggles throughout their reign. 

We are then transported to London, England where the book meets its eventful and surprising conclusion. This book is a wonderful fictitious crime novel with revenge at heart influenced by politics and family honour. An awesome read from start to finish, another one of those where suspense increases with each turn of the page.

The book covers several main stories spanning the globe and stretching over almost two centuries. The book starts up in the northern and coldest parts of Sweden when a small town exclusivey of pensioners are brutally murdered. A local district judge realises she was distantly related to the old people in the village after the surnames of the victims are released by Police in a press conference. The local judge, who has been signed off work for a fortnight due to high blood pressure decides to visit the area of Hesjovallen where the murders took place to seek confirmation she was indeed related to those killed. Her legislative experience and exposure to crimes in her daily job help her discover information which leads her across to the other side of the world; the middle Kingdom, the colossas that is China. 

In China the book takes us back 150 years to the last dynasty of China and follows the story of San and his brothers Guo Si and Wan. Theyre desperate struggle to find a better life took them across the globe constantly facing death and turmoil in the face. The book reaches us in Modern Day China just after the communist "emperor's" Mao and Deng. The book goes deep into Chinese politics and their economical struggles throughout their reign. 

We are then transported to London, England where the book meets its eventful and surprising conclusion. This book is a wonderful ficticious crime novel with revenge at heart influenced by politics and family honour. An awesome read from start to finish, another one of those where suspense increases with each turn of the page.

4/5