Lethal Investments

Dahl’s debut mystery, which in 1993 introduced odd couple Oslo policemen Inspector Gunnarstranda and Frank Frolich, marks his fourth published in English after 2009’s The Last Fix. Fifty-seven-year-old widower Gunnarstranda has a sharp wit, and sharper tongue, belying his slight, unprepossessing appearance. The much younger and larger Frolich looks up to his boss, but has his own valuable part to play in their investigation into the brutal knife slaying of beautiful Reidun Rosendal. The pair quickly locates an eyewitness, albeit a questionable one, elderly Arvid Johansen, and the victim’s final lover, Sigurd Klavestad, but to no conclusive avail. Even more suspects, as well as confusion, turn up in Reidun’s former workplace, A/S Software Partners, a company seething with feuds and secrets. That the firm is missing its marketing director suggests that there’s more to the killing than an isolated crime. Series fans will relish the opportunity to see these two unorthodox sleuths work their magic together. (Nov.)