Strange Bird (The Maria Wern Series) Paperback – September 17, 2013

Whoever on the back of the book said that author Anna Jansson "is often described as a modern Agatha Christie" -- an odd way of phrasing it, to be sure: "often described by whom? -- obviously has never read Agatha Christie. There is absolutely no similarity between the two other than that both are woman whose first names begin with the same letter. Where Christie is succinct, Jansson is verbose; where Christie's plots are ingenious, Jansson's is ordinary (I won't say it's pedestrian, because it does have some elements of interest); where Christie teases and misdirects, Jansson is just as straightforward and plodding as the police she describes. The basic plot outline could have been grist for an outstanding thriller, but ultimately it is disappointing, unless you want to read about lower-middle class Swedes on an island who have dysfunctional marriages, bad health care, bad social services, overly promiscuous tendencies, and (despite that last) generally boring lives. The solution to the "mystery" is rather predictable about 100-150 pages before the end. The reviewer who labeled this book "tedious" is perhaps being a little harsh, but only a little. There are some good moments, and some promising ideas, but all in all, if you're in the market for good Scandinavian mystery, there are many better alternatives.

At first the novel seems to be about a pandemic - a sudden and inexplicable flare up of bird flu on Gotland Island. There's lots of drama surrounding the source of the infection and the widespread panic it causes.But this is a crime novel too, and there are several murders plaguing the police at the same time they need to police a panicked populace. The murders come complete with confusing circumstances and false leads. We follow the story mostly on the footsteps of Detective Inspector Maria Werner, an attractive single mother with an obnoxious ex-husband. Maria has difficulty focusing on the murder cases because her son's been quarantined with the flu and people are dying all around him, plus she's attracted to a married man, the doctor overseeing her son's treatment.The police procedural aspect of the novel is pretty absorbing, with lots of juicy details turning up in the course of the investigation.The medical thriller aspect of the novel is also well handled. The author was a hospital nurse for many years and this lends a flavor of authenticity to all the clinical details.I found the plot a bit confusing at times perhaps because of this mix of genres. But still, I had no trouble finishing Strange Bird and may try another novel in the series.

Sometimes life can genuinely surprise us. Totally by chance, I found this book on my overstuffed bookshelves. In the middle of Covid-19 pandemic, I am reading a book about a lethal bird flu. Not much of an escape reading, to put it mildly. This is a very solid, well written, typically Scandinavian mystery. Calm, quiet, with sharply drawn eccentric characters, without unnecessary adolescent, adrenaline pumping twist and turns. One always perceives people from Nordic countries to be on a cold and aloof side, but it doesn't seem to be the case.Just a good book that takes you to a place you've never been, and most likely you'll never visit. Unsettling coincidence, but compelling novel.

An interesting combination of events. First a man who raises pigeons finds a "strange bird" - the strange bird has bird flu. And so begins an outbreak of bird flu in GotlandAt the same time the book is about a mystery... first, a man who was selling paintings is found murderedThe story goes back and forth between the outbreak of bird flu... the search for tamiflu, discovering that this strain is tamiflu resistant, etc. (won;t say more it would ruin the storyAnd at the same time, the search for the killer of one... and then more people who are murdered.

Anna Jansson is a nurse who became a crime writer. Although she also writes children's books, she is primarily known for her 13 (so far) mysteries featuring police detective Maria Wern. Unfortunately only two have been translated, Strange Bird and Killer's Island.What sets the novels apart are the complex characters, who develop and grow with the novels. Were is a middle aged woman with two children and an ex who's a jerk. In the course of the investigation she talks to her colleagues about life and people and motives -- just like real people!The situation in this novel concerns an apparent bird flu epidemic that is affecting the island's citizens, but there is a murder as well. Maria can be brilliant and petty, tired and dogged. These are interesting characters and an intriguing mystery.

I am disappointed with this novel. Set in Gotland, the story itself is a little unbelievable. In fact, the whole book is a mishmash of threads of stories that are difficult to follow. A lack of good editing? Perhaps. My experience with every chapter was like I was dumped into the middle of something and the threads were consistently unattached. No transitions. Ever.The connections between characters got lost in a swamp of names. The presence of corporate corruption, while easy to believe in itself, seemed to be a contrivance. Environmental descriptions were sparse, and the names of towns and streets were meaningless unless the reader lived in Gotland.Did I come to the end with an appreciation of Maria Wern as a protagonist? No. While I cannot imagine that she was a shallow person, even her actions did not tell me much about her. She was part of an investigative team, but did not seem to have a unique contribution.I am going to read the next novel to see if this style persists. If it does, the world has lost a character who can develop, and an environment in the island and politics of Gotland.

Like the novels of Mari Jungstedt,this thriller is set on the Swedish islandof Gotland.When two people die after coming in contact with pigeons,it becomes clear thatthere is a pandemic spreading around the island.The novel adriotly portraysthe fear of the population and their behaviour as the medics and authoritiesendeavour to minimise the spread of the disease.D.I.Marie Wern,whose own son is in quarentine,has her worrk cut out when thereis evidence that the pandemic was criminally motivated.A well-written thriller with an unusual theme,weakened slightly by an over-rusheddenouement.

I really like Scandinavian crime novels and have read lots. This one was very disappointing, so much so that on many occasions I almost stopped reading it. I lost interest in the characters and their fate. I even deleted it from my device.