Book Review – Three Seconds
by Roslund and Hellström (Quercus) ISBN: 978-1-84916-151-0
When selecting this book, two things jump out as possible risks to a good read. One, a novel that has been co-authored can sometimes result in a stumbling story. Two, Scandinavian books translated to English are often infused with a grey undertone that is not to everyone’s liking.
However, the authors have managed to pull together a gripping, well-paced seamless story that only has one or two gloomy skies. In doing so, this book is elevated from being a book enjoyed by a niche-market reader, to a global best-seller, on a par with the first of Steig Larsson’s works.
The story is based around the growing drug trade in Sweden and a long-term police informer’s challenges to infiltrate the inner ranks of the Polish mafia. In doing so, he also needs to ensure the continued support from the politically-driven state and police institutions. Interests are not always aligned. The book also deals with his internal strife of having to lie to his beloved family to ensure their safety.
4/5