When I say Scandinavian crime Fiction no doubt you picture skeletal trees, snow drifts, detectives in puffy jackets clutching steaming coffee cups as they investigate another bleak and brutal murder. I admit I would have thought the same and that would have been fine with me. I am a huge fan of Scandi crime drama on TV and in literature but this book is a world away from that.
The title and cover image will reveal a little of the humour, hope and real characters you will meet in this novel. The story begins with Martha Andersson and her group of friends who live at The Diamond House Retirement home, they are all irritated by the drop in standards. The food is all packaged ready meals the coffee and cakes have been cut and Martha is sure they are being drugged to keep them drowsy and acquiescent. When she shows her friends a documentary about standards in Swedish prisons they realise that they would be better off in prison and The League of Pensioners is born. From luxury hotels to multi million pound euro art robbery to outwitting seasoned criminals and the cops. The League of Pensioners set out on a crime spree with hilarious and dramatic results.
A little about the author
Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg is a Swedish author who has written seventeen books in several genres, including popular science, cartoon, children’s and historical fiction. Her individual writing style, featuring depth of insight, and sense of surprise and humour, gives her books a special appeal. So much so that in 1999 she won the prestigious Widding Prize as the best writer of popular history and historical novels.
Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg is a former journalist and marine archaeologist. She now works full-time as an author. To find out more about Catherina, please visit: www.catharinaingelman-sundberg.com.
Here are a few questions Catharina about her writing.
1) Do you live in Sweden?
Yes, in Stockholm.
2) Is The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules your first book?
No, it is my 18th book, but it is the first book in this genre. And this is really what I love to write.
3) What is your favourite moment in The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules?
My favourite moment is when the League of Pensioners steal the paintings at the National Museum – and the end of the book too.
4) What do you hope readers will take away from reading about Martha and the gang?
I want them to take care of the old, take care of each other, to remember human values and most of all to enjoy life.
Thank you to Natasha Harding of Pan Macmillan for a review copy of this book.
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