The Man Who Went Up in Smoke

The Man Who Went Up in Smoke is the second installment in the Martin Beck series by Swedish authors Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. Stockholm police detective Martin Beck interrupts his vacation to investigate the disappearance of Swedish journalist Alf Matsson in Budapest. Beck arrives in Hungary to find minimal cooperation from local authorities and few leads to follow. The investigation takes him through the streets of 1960s Budapest, where he must navigate both the official channels and the city's underground networks to uncover what happened to the missing journalist. The case becomes increasingly complex as Beck questions whether Matsson ever arrived in Budapest at all. His search reveals layers of deception and leads him into dangerous territory as he attempts to solve the mystery while managing delicate international relations. This noir detective novel examines themes of Cold War tensions, bureaucratic obstacles, and the challenge of conducting police work across national borders. The story presents a stark view of law enforcement during a politically charged era in Eastern Europe.

Readers note this is a slower-paced detective novel focused on methodical police work rather than action. Many appreciate the detailed portrayal of 1960s Stockholm and Budapest, with several calling out the vivid sense of place and atmosphere. Likes: - Realistic, unglamorous portrayal of police work - Complex character development of Martin Beck - Clear, straightforward writing style - Historical glimpse of Eastern Europe during Cold War Dislikes: - Pace too slow for some readers - Less engaging than other books in the series - Some find the plot resolution unsatisfying - Translation feels stilted in places Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (240+ ratings) Reader quote: "The strength lies in the details of detective work and the sharp observations of time and place rather than melodrama or suspense." - Goodreads reviewer Some readers recommend starting with other books in the series, as this entry focuses more on atmosphere than mystery.

Death in a Cold Climate by Barry Forshaw This Nordic crime fiction guide explores the evolution of Scandinavian detective novels from the Martin Beck series through modern works, tracing the influence of Sjöwall and Wahlöö's groundbreaking police procedurals.

The Return of the Dancing Master by Henning Mankell A Swedish detective investigates a former policeman's murder in a case that, like Beck's Hungarian mission, delves into historical crimes and international connections.

Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith A Moscow detective's investigation of three mutilated bodies mirrors Beck's experience with foreign police procedures and Cold War political tensions.

A Cold Red Sunrise by Stuart M. Kaminsky Inspector Rostnikov investigates a murder in Siberia, demonstrating the same methodical police work and political navigation that characterizes Beck's Budapest case.

The Bridge of Sighs by Olen Steinhauer A police investigation in a post-war Eastern European country presents the same Cold War atmosphere and bureaucratic obstacles that Beck encounters in Budapest.

🔍 The Martin Beck series pioneered the "police procedural" genre in Scandinavian crime fiction and heavily influenced later Nordic noir writers like Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbø. 🖋️ Authors Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö were life partners who wrote all ten books in the series together, alternating chapters and editing each other's work. 🌍 The book's 1966 setting captures a unique moment in Cold War history when travel between Western and Eastern Europe was strictly controlled, making cross-border police work extremely challenging. 🏛️ Budapest's famous thermal baths, which feature prominently in the novel, have been a cultural institution since Roman times and were particularly significant meeting places during the Cold War era. 📚 The series was deliberately planned as ten books to reflect the authors' socialist views, with each novel designed to critique a different aspect of Swedish society.