David Lagercrantz’s ”Post Mortem,” the third installment in the Rekke/Vargas series, plunges readers into a chilling double narrative, oscillating between a twenty-year-old unsolved murder and the contemporary lives of the eccentric detective duo tasked with solving it. The story begins in 1988, amidst the vibrant festivities of a Spanish fiesta, where the young Sandra Ramirez is found brutally murdered. Two decades later, the case lands on the desk of Hans Rekke and Micaela Vargas, their once-charged relationship now settled into a comfortable, if slightly stagnant, cohabitation. Rafael Corales, a police chief from Pamplona, presents them with the cold case, its details hinting at a possible Swedish connection.
Rekke, initially reluctant, finds himself drawn into the mystery, spurred by the ambition to join the ranks of legendary armchair detectives. While the present-day investigation unfolds in a Stockholm brimming with culture and affluence, the narrative frequently returns to the events surrounding Sandra’s death. The murdered woman, depicted as the embodiment of pure literary love, becomes a poignant symbol, juxtaposed against the backdrop of a literary scene rife with pretension and superficiality. Lagercrantz masterfully satirizes the intellectual elite, skewering their narcissistic posturing and cutthroat ambition. This satirical thread weaves through the narrative, providing a sharp counterpoint to the grim reality of the murder investigation.
The backdrop of 1988 Santander paints a vivid picture of a vibrant literary scene, albeit one tainted by a cynical detachment from the very art it celebrates. Two young Swedish men, engaged in a pretentious display of literary knowledge, encounter Sandra shortly before her demise. Their conversation, dripping with casual name-dropping and hollow references to literary giants, highlights the chasm between genuine appreciation and intellectual posturing. This scene sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the nature of art and its vulnerability to exploitation, a theme that resonates throughout the novel.
As Rekke and Vargas delve deeper into the cold case, the narrative takes on the classic tropes of the serial killer genre. The murderer’s ritualistic markings on the victims’ bodies, incorporating Latin phrases and hieroglyphs, become a chilling testament to their twisted intellect. These details not only heighten the suspense but also provide Rekke with an opportunity to showcase his own erudition, further solidifying his persona as a brilliant, if unconventional, detective. The investigation progresses through a series of twists and turns, with red herrings and unexpected revelations keeping the reader on edge.
The story’s momentum builds towards a dramatic climax as long-held secrets unravel and alibis crumble. The seemingly placid world of Stockholm’s elite is shattered as the investigation exposes the dark underbelly of its glittering facade. Rekke, forced to abandon his armchair detective persona, finds himself in a perilous race against time, navigating the treacherous terrain of hidden motives and deadly secrets. This shift in pace injects a thrilling dose of action into the narrative, culminating in a nail-biting pursuit through the historic streets of Stockholm.
Throughout the intricate unfolding of the murder investigation, Lagercrantz deftly interweaves the personal lives of Rekke and Vargas. Their complex dynamic, marked by a blend of intellectual camaraderie and simmering romantic tension, adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative. As they work together to unravel the mystery, their relationship undergoes a subtle transformation, hinting at the possibility of a deeper connection. This subplot provides a welcome counterbalance to the grim realities of the case, offering moments of levity and emotional resonance that enrich the overall reading experience. The novel’s conclusion, while providing closure to the central mystery, leaves the door open for further exploration of their evolving partnership in future installments.
