October 1914: the destroyer Svea emerges from the Stockholm archipelago bearing south-south-east. On board is Lars Tobiasson-Svartman, a naval engineer charged with making depth soundings to find a navigable channel for the Swedish navy. The engineer is fascinated by measurement, and his instinct for his profession is reflected in the comfortable domesticity he enjoys with his wife. Close to the waters where soundings are taken Tobiasson-Svartman alights on a barren skerry, presumed uninhabited, and is surprised to discover there a young woman. Despite her almost feral appearance, something about her strikes him. The mission is a success and the Svea returns to Gothenburg. Tobiasson-Svartman, however, remains haunted by this chance encounter; his equilibrium has been disturbed, and he feels compelled to return. (Backcover text)

Kirjailija

Henning Mankell (1948, Tukholma - 2015, Göteborg) on ruotsalainen kirjailija, joka työskenteli myös teatterin parissa. Hän on kirjoittanut yli 40 romaania, joista tunnetuimmat ovat Kurt Wallander -rikosromaanit. Hänen kirjojaan on käännetty yli 40 kielelle, ja niitä on myyty yli 40 miljoonaa kappaletta.

Henning Mankell, Wikipedia (fi)  

Henning Mankell, Kirjailijan viralliset sivut