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dinipandareads's review
3.0
This is my first read of anything written by Alexander McCall Smith. I was immediately attracted to it because of the title—I mean, how can you not be intrigued by a title about Moderate Extremists, whatever that might be?
This novella introduces us to the characters of the Malmo Police Department of Sensitive Crimes, which is composed of Ulf Varg, Anna Bengsdottor and Carl (who apparently never leaves the office, but whose unexplained absence wasn’t acknowledge in the novella). The department is tasked with solving bizarre and often insignificant crimes, such as the one that Ulf and Anna work to solve in this story: the case of the ginger tomcat from the wrong side of the tracks, who has an unwelcome liaison with a purebred Burmese. It’s a scandal, but was it sabotage?
Outside of work, Ulf also has to deal with his politician brother who realizes that there’s a snitch within his Moderate Extremists party that’s leaking important ideas to the opposing Extreme Moderates.
The story touches upon the fickleness of humans with a good dose of Scandinavian charm and comedy. Although I felt that the writing style in this meandered slightly and the storyline was honestly a little anticlimactic, the wholesome, quirky characters and their interactions made it an enjoyable read. If all of Smith’s novels are like this, I’d be keen on reading them all, though I’ll definitely be picking up the new series on The Department of Sensitive Crimes when it also comes out later this year!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The book is scheduled for release on 26 February 2019.
This novella introduces us to the characters of the Malmo Police Department of Sensitive Crimes, which is composed of Ulf Varg, Anna Bengsdottor and Carl (who apparently never leaves the office, but whose unexplained absence wasn’t acknowledge in the novella). The department is tasked with solving bizarre and often insignificant crimes, such as the one that Ulf and Anna work to solve in this story: the case of the ginger tomcat from the wrong side of the tracks, who has an unwelcome liaison with a purebred Burmese. It’s a scandal, but was it sabotage?
Outside of work, Ulf also has to deal with his politician brother who realizes that there’s a snitch within his Moderate Extremists party that’s leaking important ideas to the opposing Extreme Moderates.
The story touches upon the fickleness of humans with a good dose of Scandinavian charm and comedy. Although I felt that the writing style in this meandered slightly and the storyline was honestly a little anticlimactic, the wholesome, quirky characters and their interactions made it an enjoyable read. If all of Smith’s novels are like this, I’d be keen on reading them all, though I’ll definitely be picking up the new series on The Department of Sensitive Crimes when it also comes out later this year!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The book is scheduled for release on 26 February 2019.
ronald_schoedel's review against another edition
5.0
A worthy addition to the Detective Varg canon. As always, it's AMcS's philosophizing that shines.
yvonne_aaf's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This is a prequel to The Department of Sensitive Crimes - it was short but interesting and humorous, a good read :)
mayar_reading_stuff's review against another edition
3.0
Love the characters, not so into the story.
I liked some aspects of it. I thought the parallels between the two cases were so subtle, which made me feel so smart when I saw them. I hated the absence of the resolution, though.
I liked some aspects of it. I thought the parallels between the two cases were so subtle, which made me feel so smart when I saw them. I hated the absence of the resolution, though.
madtattler's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I listened to digital audio book but was unable to add that edition. This is one of my favorite series with humourous character studies and situations. This is a short novella but good introduction to series. The full length novels are delightful.
m_the_bibliophile's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
readtotheend's review against another edition
3.0
I read this to introduce myself to Detective Varg... I have read the entire No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series (so far) and love it so I thought I'd start a new series with the author. I'm not sure it is pulling me as much as the No.1 Ladies' series, to be honest. But I do find his writing to be charming so I will give the full 1st novel a try!
graypeape's review against another edition
4.0
This novella is a prelude to McCall Smith's new Detective Varg series, meant to set the flavor I'm guessing. Detective Varg and his colleagues work in the Department of Sensitive Crimes, those odd transgressions that can be difficult to deal with because of how strange they are- in this case, who sabotaged a prize-winning show cat? I've not read anything by McCall Smith previously, so I'm not sure of his usual style, but this was a very gentle mystery, as much or more about Detective Varg's life and family troubles as about solving the mysteries. The narrative meanders a bit, but that's not necessarily a bad thing; it allows us to get to know the characters a bit better. The story serves as a good introduction to the series, I think- it leaves you feeling there's more and bigger things to come, and sets the tone of light on action/big on character study. Good for when you want something light and cozy.
#TheStrangeCaseOfTheModerateExtremists #NetGalley
#TheStrangeCaseOfTheModerateExtremists #NetGalley
munjiru's review
3.0
Wasn't really a fan of the first book but after these short stories the series might be growing on me? Idk.