The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith

Detective Ulf Varg is part of the Department of Sensitive Crimes in a small police agency in Sweden.  He, along with two colleagues, investigates cases that are unusual or have elements that require that they be handled discretely.  In this book, Ulf and his partner, Anna, along with Blomquist, a regular officer, deal with three different cases that are funny and interesting. Beneath the plot line, Ulf carries on a pensive exploration of the meaning of love, friendship, and kindness.

This is by the author of the outrageously popular series, The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency.  This is actually the second in the series, but the first is a short novella with only 73 pages.  I didn't read the short book but was able to follow this one with no problem.  This book was not a action adventure by any stretch of the word.  It was barely even a Cozy Mystery.  None of the mysteries the detectives encounter are especially tricky or exciting. Some are kind of funny, but even the humor is rather subtle.  The mood of the book is relaxing, almost soothing.  It would be the perfect read for someone who was fed up with their anxiety filled life and wanted to escape for an afternoon into an interesting but completely non-confrontational world.   I rather enjoyed it and I think I will see if I can get hold of the first book. (2019, 240 p.)