Having read about Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander books in Bruce Tierney’s Whodunit? column—Mankell has even won the “coveted” BookPage Tip of the Ice Pick Award—and being a longtime fan of PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery! series, I’m pretty excited about the premiere of Wallander this Sunday, with two more episodes airing May 17 and 31. Read on for a mini review—and a chance to win three of the Wallander books.
I started watching the first, “Sidetracked,” last night and, so far, I’m really enjoying it. With a couple of days’ stubble, a bit of paunch and a generally disheveled appearance, Kenneth Branagh fits the description of the somewhat obsessive, sleep-deprived and often impatient police detective.
Wallander is stylish and modern and moves at a restrained pace—peppered with bursts of action and some really incredible edits—mirroring the title character’s methodical progress. OK, so you might have a hard time determining that you’re watching something set in Sweden (as opposed to somewhere in the British Isles), but the occasional splash of Swedish on a newspaper, a reference to the assassinated prime minister, shots of vodka bottles, and lots clean Scandinavian design help remind you.
To be honest, I couldn’t tell you how Wallander the series compares to the books, because though I love relaxing with a good mystery, I prefer watching mysteries to reading them (hey, I read all day; my eyes deserve a break in the evening). But I did enjoy watching “Sidetracked”—for the story, the suspense, and the familiar faces.
Anyway, I’ll leave comparisons to you. For a chance to win copies of Sidetracked, Firewall and One Step Beyond (the three books behind the three episodes), leave a comment by May 13 mentioning your favorite fictional sleuth/detective who’s been adapted for the big or small screen or who’d you’d like to see adapted.
I’m got 2 I’d like to see make it to moving pictures. Stevi Mittman’s, Teddi Gallo would make for a fun crime solver some of the titles in the series are Who Makes Up these Rules, Anyway? and What Goes With Bllod Red, Anyway? the Long Island divorced mother of three has a wonderful best friend next door and a crazy Mother. This would be perfect for Sandra Bullock. My next pick is Michelle Martinez’s, Melanie Vargas works for the federal prosecutor’s offic. She can play hard ball with the best.
The Wallander-books are absolutely fantastic, but maybe I’m biased, since I’m also Swedish
My favorite television sleuth series of late has been the Detective Lynley Mysteries. Although I enjoy the books by Elizabeth George, I especially appreciate the changes made in the television version. Naturally, I was most disappointed to learn that the series had been canceled.
I usually have a problem with adaptations never quite matching up to the mental picture you get when you read a book (and I get very grumpy when the only thing that seems to be the same is the actual title and character name – but that’s just me!).
However, there are some good ones out there. David Suchet as Hercule Poirot deserves an honourable mention, but my all time favourite has to be Inspector Morse. It started out as a very true adaptation, and then got even better as Colin Dexter was writing with John Thaw in mind. Fabulous novels, an excellent TV show, and a marvellous character played by a superb actor.
Yes, I really like it.
I’m with you on Suchet as Poirot (though the long-form movies for A&E aren’t as good as the concise single episodes), you’ll be pleased to know there are some new ones coming on Mystery! later this year. and Morse, loved the books and TV versions. have you watched the Lewis spin-offs? also v. good. meanwhile, I absolutely loved Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. and, of course, Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes–I actually saw Brett and Edward Hardwicke in a stage adaptation 20 years ago!
I really enjoy Laurie R. King’s books that started with “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice.” Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. I would like to see those books adapted, but have no idea who would play either main character.