1793 The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag

Whispers of the Story 

In 1793 Stockholm was consumed by paranoia and hushed conspiracy theories, shaping the daily lives of its inhabitants. Mickel Cardell, a disabled former soldier and former night watchman, comes across a mutilated body floating in the city’s foul-smelling lake. He feels compelled to find out what happened to the poor boy and teams up with Cecile Winge, a brilliant lawyer turned detective with only months to live. 

The story shifts between other characters and their misfortunes, each painting a vivid portrait of a world steeped in filth, cruelty, and despair. Mickel Cardell and Cecil Winge discover a secret organization, the name of the victim, why and how he died, and that he has a child with a woman he never met. 

Sometimes justice has nothing to do with the law, especially when dealing with a powerful, rich, delusional man. Sometimes justice is a former soldier. 

Review of 1793 The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag

I must admit that I enjoy a little gore now and then, but this novel was a little too much for me. I read many other reviews of this novel and it is compared to The Alienist by Caleb Carr, and while I can see the resemblance, I could read that novel without difficulty, but this one was just a string of “OMG!” Don’t get me wrong, it was an intriguing book with well-developed and intense characters, but the horror was a little too graphic at times.

The Wolf and the Watchman is a genre-blending novel that will appeal to fans of historical crime fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, and it has even Gothic elements. Its multifaceted nature, which combines historical accuracy, character depth, and a compelling mystery, makes it a one-of-a-kind and captivating read for a wide range of readers. The similarities with Caleb Carr’s novel are obvious here.

The author clearly adores this era. He wrote with such authority about the living conditions and the time period that it was easy to imagine oneself there. I thought it added a lot to the story’s authenticity, but I think some readers may find the descriptions uncomfortable or off-putting. I know nothing about Sweden during this time period, but the author brought it to life, even if the images were unflattering. It became tedious at one point as it approached the most important part. The outcome was amazing, the action and the dialogue was very intense.

Every character possesses a unique quality. Any reader is thoroughly immersed in their story thanks to the excellent description. Each of them has a depressing backstory that is rife with drama caused by the poor social conditions in their society. The dialogues convey a wide range of emotions and are jam-packed with information. The characters’ anguish, guilt, and suffering are expressed in the highly charged dialogue. Their discussions of personal tragedies and regrets give their personas more nuance and vulnerability. Despite the brutal and gory background of the narrative, these poignant interactions give the characters a human face and make them likable. It’s a great read, and the conversation between Winge and the murderer at the book’s conclusion demonstrates the understanding of intense human emotion. The dual narrative structure of the book, which switches between Winge’s investigation and the letters from Kristofer Blix, gives the plot additional nuance and complexity. The letters, which are written by a young man who is in the city looking for money, provide a sharp contrast to the grim investigation.

It is a journey into the heart of darkness in 18th century Stockholm, where secrets fester, and survival demands unspeakable acts. If you enjoy historical mysteries with a penchant for the macabre, this book is well worth your time, though be prepared for a narrative that is as grim as it is engrossing.

This book is the debut novel for Niklas Natt och Dag and it is part of a trilogy, Bellman Noir, check out the rest of the series.

Happy reading!