No one is more surprised than Bertram von Ohler when, at the age of eighty-four, he wins the Nobel Prize in medicine. Yes, of course, he and several colleagues had worked very hard in the past to achieve this honor, but none of them truly believed that this elusive prize might ever be attainable. Once the announcement is made, the old, wealthy professional neighbors of Professor von Ohler are less than enthusiastic. Indeed, there is more than enough jealousy to go around. As the media start appearing both in person and calling on the telephone, the envy grows even hotter.

The true problems begin, however, when incidents start occurring. The police are called in but they seem rather unconcerned about it all and pronounce them as being the pranks of youngsters. These "pranks" escalate in a deadly manner, though, until even the police must take them seriously. Police Inspector Ann Lindell becomes involved and is determined to get to the bottom of things. As she starts to delve into solving this case, she finds that she is transported to her own past in a very surprising way.

OPEN GRAVE is a novel of secrets as well as threats and actual murder. Everyone in this book seems to hold some sort of secret close to the vest, and that is part of what makes the plot so fascinating. I would have to call this a "thinking person's" mystery because you do have to pay close attention. It is not a "cozy mystery" nor is it light reading. OPEN GRAVE offers those readers who want to feel as if they are reading a classic exactly what they require.

Kjell Eriksson is a famous and popular Swedish author with many successful books in publication. The Ann Lindell series is quite well liked in his home country. The United States is very lucky to have OPEN GRAVE translated by Paul Norlen. Everyone should be allowed to dive into this absorbing plot and uncover each secret one at a time, and now they can.