I have not read the whole Kurt Wallender series by Henning Mankell, but I have read enough of them to feel as if I know Kurt Wallender, and this is one is so very good.  This book has more melancholy than the previous books as Kurt is now 60 years old and feeling every bit of his age mentally and physically.  There are actually two Troubled Men.. one is Kurt as he sees himself coming to the end of his career and the other is Hakan von Enke, a retired Swedish naval commander. Hakan is the future father-in-law of Kurt's daughter, Linda, and has disappeared. Linda has asked Kurt to help with the investigation.

It is part mystery, part spy thriller and part novel about questioning the value of one's life.  This book is a spectacular end to the series. Henning Mankell has said this is the last of the Kurt Wallender series...perhaps Kurt's daughter, Linda who is also a detective, may carry on?? Henning Mankell has written other great stand alone books, such as The Man from Beijing and Italian Shoes.  The Troubled Man could be read as a stand alone just as easily, yet you may want to get to know Kurt Wallender as a young man too! ~Cindy