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  • One Step Behind

  • An Inspector Wallander Mystery
  • By: Henning Mankell
  • Narrated by: Sean Barrett
  • Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (393 ratings)
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One Step Behind cover art

One Step Behind

By: Henning Mankell
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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Summary

It is Midsummer's Eve. Three young friends meet in a wood to act out an elaborate masque. But, unknown to them, they are being watched. Each is killed by a single bullet. Soon afterwards, one of Inspector Wallander's colleagues is found murdered. Is this the same killer, and what could the connection be? In this investigation, Wallander is always, tantalisingly, one step behind.

©2002 Henning Mankell (P)2010 Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about One Step Behind

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Should be TEN stars!

This is by far the best novel I've come across for a long time. The story-line is tightly-written and fast-paced; a real rollercoaster of a listen. Kurt Wallander's meticulous approach to the murders is painstaking and meticulous but very far from boring. His character is sympathetically drawn by Mankell, complete with his weakness and foibles, and includes a rather shockingly amusing habit he has (made me snigger, anyway!). Sean Barrett's voice is hypnotic, and conveys the ambience of both the country and the characters to perfection. I enjoyed 'Faceless Killers', but Mankell has outdone himself with 'One Step Behind', which borders at times on literary genius. I enjoyed it so much that when it finished I immediately started listening to it again.
I really hope Audible have plans to bring us more Wallender investigations in the very near future.
Highly recommended!**********

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

BRILLIANT

Just finished listening to this audiobook...'couldn't take the earphones out!' story totally compulsive, can't wait to download another book by MANKELL. The narrator has a brilliant and completely interesting way of putting the story across. I would class this book in the same league as the 'Dragon Tattoo Trilogy!'

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyable listen and excellent narrator

Well, what can I say, I really enjoyed my first Wallander listen! I moved onto this as I finished the Nesbo Harry Hole books as I really love listening to Sean Barrett's narration and I wasn't disappointed! Won't give away any of the book but has some good twists to keep you listening! Have already got book 8 and just about to start listening. Haven't started these in order as the previous reviews drew me to this one and don't think I've missed too much of the history?

Great listen!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

enjoyable wouldn't begin to describe it

Having enjoyed the TV series, i thought i might like this choice, but was concerned that it wouldn't live up to my hopes, or that my 'knowing' the plot would spoil it.

however, it far surpassed what i expected. Totally enjoyable from start to finish- couldn't stop listening to it and didn't want it to end.
Narrator: engaging and just right. Characters and plot galore. Impressive understanding of life's experiences at times.

Advice: the plot won't be what you expect from the TV series, although the familiar characters and some events is comforting.
Don't plan to do anything except listen to this once you start it. Enjoy

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling Storytelling

Forget and ignore and negative comments , this is a brilliant book expertly told. If you are expecting a fast paced American styled detective thriller then this is not for you. It moves at Wallander's pace, the pace of Southern Sweden and captures with precision both the heat of a Swedish summer and the bleak beauty of the country itself. I'm hooked on this series but would love to know why there are books missing in the audiobook series.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story.

Henning Mankell is one of my favourite authors and the combination of his writing and Sean Barrett's narration makes for an excellent audiobook. This is one of the best of the Wallander stories in my view and I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thrill from first to last page

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The scene is set very local in southern Sweeden but the plot is a world scene thriller with a lot of suspense and surprising turns - you actually don't know where the story goes until last possible moment. Enjoyed every minute and would have loved the story to go on. A must read for every fan of Scandinavian police thrillers.

What about Sean Barrett’s performance did you like?

Great performance of Sean Barett bringing the Scandinavian scene acros to the bigger audience.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent as ever

Where does One Step Behind rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right up there with the best...compelling and entertaining

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harry of course

Which character – as performed by Sean Barrett – was your favourite?

Again it has to be Harry.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A twist at every corner.

Any additional comments?

Sean Barrett again reads this so well and engenders just the right atmosphere.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Crazy but gripping

I love Sean Barrett as narrator of several crime series including these. Story gets a bit bonkers but Wallander’s character shines through as always,

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A bit unbelievable.

I like this book but find Wallender's mistakes so basic that it stretches the bounds of credibility. I can't spoil your reading of the book, but I do wonder why Henning Mankell thinks we won't see them. They are so obvious, how can anyone, let alone a trained policeman, not realise he is making major mistakes? Any sensible human being wouldn't see the obvious risks he takes in ensuring another's safety or not letting a suspect abscond.

Does Menkell have such limited human understanding? Or does he underestimate his audience? The rest of his writing is interestingly complex, but it left me wanting to give up on listening to the story he is telling. Come off it, Mankell. Wise up. Or rather common sense up.

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