10 wonderful books over 10 years following the Stockholm policeman Martin Beck and colleagues as they solve crimes, battle with incompetent superiors, career politicians and interminable red tape, and face down the impending collapse of Western society. Martin Beck is a great character, Wallender 30 years before the fact, and pretty much the basis for every grumpy, unhealthy, middle-aged loner. The much vaunted social commentary is handled subtly and brilliantly over the first half a dozen novels but does become much more overt and occasionally clunking towards the end of the series – with hindsight it’s also faintly absurd as clearly Sweden never did collapse into anarchy... But unlike Mankell with his megalomaniac businessmen bent on world domination/ religious sects/ crusading serial killers/ ruthless cyber-terrorists they keep their focus tight and realistic, often with ostensibly good people committing sad crimes of desperation. Oh, and the books are often hilariously funny.