Although this crime novel was published for the first time in 1968, it has a timeless quality that makes it read as a contemporary novel.  This is basically the story of a hunt for a serial killer in Stockholm.  The team of detectives tracking the killer is an interesting bunch, made so by the authors' well-constructed character portraits and the intricate description the basic process of detecting by the principals.  The writing (and translation) is spare but complex and intelligent.  Within its austerity there is humor and irony that give the story humanity and credibility.  It's a book that has respect for its readers.