An elderly woman with a terminal condition dying in hospital wouldn't normally lead to a murder enquiry but an empty morphine syringe raises some questions and her son is adamant that his mother was murdered. He blames one doctor in particular so when that doctor is murdered he is the prime suspect in that killing. Inevitably more suspects emerge age the investigation proceeds; especially when it becomes apparent that the dead doctor had been having an affair. Away from the case Gunvald is suffering from headaches which the others suggests he gets investigated and Martin's neighbour tries to get him to join him on a singles cruise!
While this wasn't the best 'Beck' story in the current batch it was still entertaining. The case is interesting and it was a refreshing twist having when it emerged that the dead woman did indeed die from her fatal condition rather than murder common in real life but not in murder mysteries! The death of the doctor is murder and here the killer isn't obvious the killer is more tragic than evil. The doctor's death was a little unlikely though; we are meant to believe that the hospital allows access to the roof, where the staff go for a smoke, but has no safety rails around the edge! The cast does a solid job with Mikael Persbrandt being particularly impressive as Gunvald; at times he is hilarious his joke about the two young policemen informing a woman about her husband's death was priceless even if it was an poor taste! I was concerned that his headaches would be leading to the loss of this great character. More laughs were provided by Beck's neighbour. Overall a decent story with a good mix of mystery and humour as well as a hint of romance.
While this wasn't the best 'Beck' story in the current batch it was still entertaining. The case is interesting and it was a refreshing twist having when it emerged that the dead woman did indeed die from her fatal condition rather than murder common in real life but not in murder mysteries! The death of the doctor is murder and here the killer isn't obvious the killer is more tragic than evil. The doctor's death was a little unlikely though; we are meant to believe that the hospital allows access to the roof, where the staff go for a smoke, but has no safety rails around the edge! The cast does a solid job with Mikael Persbrandt being particularly impressive as Gunvald; at times he is hilarious his joke about the two young policemen informing a woman about her husband's death was priceless even if it was an poor taste! I was concerned that his headaches would be leading to the loss of this great character. More laughs were provided by Beck's neighbour. Overall a decent story with a good mix of mystery and humour as well as a hint of romance.