The Return

In the gripping The Return, Inspector Van Veeteren investigates a chilling murder linked to a notorious double murderer, all while recovering from surgery.

In The Return, the third installment of the Inspector Van Veeteren series by Håkan Nesser, a chilling mystery unfolds in a serene Swedish town. The story begins when a young child discovers a corpse wrapped in a decaying carpet during a playdate at a local beauty spot. The victim's head and limbs are missing, leaving the torso in a state of decomposition that complicates forensic identification. However, one critical detail emerges, setting the stage for a gripping investigation.

As investigators delve into the case, circumstantial evidence points towards a local man, a notorious double murderer who vanished shortly after being released on parole. This man, once celebrated as a local hero, has a dark past, having been convicted of killing two women over a span of thirty years. Inspector Van Veeteren, recovering from surgery, finds himself drawn into the investigation from his hospital bed, driven by the belief that the innocence of the new victim holds the key to understanding the motive behind the murder.

Throughout The Return, Nesser masterfully weaves a narrative filled with suspense and psychological depth. As Van Veeteren grapples with the complexities of the case, he must confront the possibility that he may be pursuing the wrong leads. The tension builds as he races against time to uncover the truth before it slips away, highlighting the intricate connections between past crimes and present horrors.