Maria Lang (1914-1991) was a prolific Swedish mystery writer born in Vasterds. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Stockholm and wrote her thesis on the philosopher and writer Pontus Wlkner. She worked as a teacher and headmaster at a girl's school from 1948 to 1974. Her first novel, Mordaren Ljuger Inte, appeared in 1949. She wrote one novel a year after that. The mysteries translated into English and available in addition to this one are: Death Awaits Thee and No More Murders. She wrote in the Agatha Christie tradition of puzzle-mystery. Her primary detectives are Christer Wijk and Puck Ekstedt, who are considered classical figures in Swedish mystery novels. Her own alter ego is the author, Alml Graan, who started to appear in her stories from the 1960s. Lang wrote some 40 mystery books. She also published children's books and short stories.
We all enjoyed the book, and a short but lively discussion ensued. The comparisons with the Christie novels was both evident and startling.