The Fourth Man K. O. Dahl St. Martin's $22.95 HC March 2008

K. O. Dahl's The Fourth Man is a Norwegian procedural where the first twist is what sets the book apart from the standard police story. Frank Frolich has fallen in love with Elizabeth Faremo, the sister of a known criminal. Much of the first dozen or so pages are about Frank's increasing obsession with Elizabeth.

When his fellow officers realize that his association with her is jeopardizing cases his partner persuades Frank to take a vacation to sort things out. Franks vacation is half hearted from the start and when Elizabeth leaves him he's determined to figure out why.

There's a close connection between Frank, crimes being committed and a mysterious fourth man of the Faremo gang. Dahl's tale is plausible, the police work is believable as well. Things come to an interesting conclusion. The plotting may be a little elaborate so the reader will have to pay a bit more attention as he or she reads but will be rewarded for doing so. The Fourth Man is Dahl's introduction to the US. Here's a writer who one can hope will make repeated visits.

Dave Biemann