After the Fire

I enjoyed After the Fire by Henning Mankell which was his last book before he died from cancer.  Fredrik Welin, a retired doctor lives on a small island inherited from his grandfather.  Fredrik's home is burnt down and he barely escapes the flames before the house is consumed.  Investigators believe the fire was deliberately lit and suspicion falls on Fredrik.  He "escapes" with a trip to Paris when his daughter, Louise, is in trouble.  After the fire, Fredrik meets a younger woman, Lisa, and would like to have a relationship with her.  When the arsonist strikes again, Fredrik is no longer under suspicion and he speculates about who might be responsible.  The story has a feeling of melancholy as Fredrik, aged 70, contemplates his mortality as the author might well have been doing.  It is very sad for his reading audience that he's gone. 4/5