Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter: Episodes 1-3

Swedish crime novelist introduced journalist Annika BengZTON around 2021. In "Red Wolf" BENGZTON not only identifies a cold blooded killer a.k.a "RAGNWALD"; but also his 1960's fiancé (a Maoist revolutionary co-conspirator) who is now an elected Swedish politician. Her editor does not want this story published. Art imitates reality: Julian Assange of"Wiki Leaks" & Edward Snowden. Do we kill the messenger? I'm very glad to have the dvd --gut-wrenching , visceral and timely.

With almost nothing on American television worth watching, I began buying shows from other countries. This is my favourite. Annika Bengtzon takes on the bad guys with her laptop. The journalist is haunted by her past and tired of coping with her present. Her marriage may be headed toward the rocks; her children don't see much of either parent. But Annika is resilient and persistent when it comes to work. Usually she butts heads at least once with her editor (a great character) and the publisher of the paper, but it's fun watching. I've purchased the second DVD in this series and am viewing it. Please release more! The action takes place in Stockholm and is presented in English subtitles, but it's not difficult to keep up because there are many similarities to English. Trying to catch up with the thriller series by Liza Marklund. Good show!Update:Many characters solve mysteries, but reporter protagonists can make their own headlines. One I’ve come across lately is Swedish writer Liza Marklund who created Annika Bengtzon. Bengtzon works for the Stockholm publication Kvällspressen where she covers the crime beat.Bengtzon, who is haunted by her past, is only comfortable as she unremittingly pursues her assignments, often risking her own life to get the story. At home where she is the mother of two young children and the wife of an impatient husband, she is much less confident. It is this juxtaposition that makes this series so interesting. She obviously loves her children, but doesn’t seem quite sure how to fulfill two full-time jobs; that of parent and reporter. Annika can’t seem to please her husband regardless. Her job is just too consuming for him.At work, although the editor in chief Anders Schyman can be gruff, Annika is in her element. The work, however grim, nourishes her fragile ego. The reasons for this unfold as the series continues. But her pursuit of a story is engrossing. There is another question around every bend in the plot and questions are the best tool of a reporter. Unfortunately, sometimes the answers are dangerous, even deadly.Liza Marklund is a journalist turned author and goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. Her books have been translated into some 30 languages. It is reported that ABC-TV in the States will debut a series based on her novels starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead of A Good Day to Die Hard. But until then check out the excellent movies starring Malin Crépin as Annika. They are available at Amazon, in Swedish with English subtitles.Marklund is a deft writer who tells a taut entertaining story with believable characters. She divides her time between Stockholm and Marbella, Spain. The first book in the series is Studio 69 (Studio Sex in the US).

I purchased both of the Annika Bengtzon sets (episodes 1-3, and 4-6). Of the two, I enjoyed the first set better.Each episode has a unique story line & they are all interesting & kept my interest. Most mystery shows are based on the lead characters being in the police force, I liked that this series took a different take & had the lead character be a journalist.However, I disliked how Annika's marriage was portrayed in the 2nd set. In the first set, they've been together 10 years & while things aren't perfect, they are making it work (ending up engaged & married). Then, in the 4th episode, the marriage falls apart & her husband cheats on her & falls in love with another woman. It would have been better if episode 1 had started off with them having the falling out, because having it done in episode 4 is just not believable.I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery show & I know I'll definitely watch it again.

The series is quite good with the leading lady making it something extra. Waiting for further episodes.

Fun series. The first one starts off at the Nobel Award ceremony and is one of the best in the series, though I've watched all 6 and liked every one of them. The glimpses we get into Annika's past explain some of her personality problems, but whatever her faults, she's appealing and we root for her.

I expected too much, perhaps, but the plots seemed thin and silly. Lots of eye rolling in our house!

Interesting plots for each episode, quality production and good acting make this worth watching. I can not wait to see 4 - 6 series.

I agree with the reviewer who said the title alone was a bit off-putting. I had visions of "Brenda Starr, Reporter" with a modern, Swedish twist --but I was wrong. This is a solid, well-crafted mystery with intriguing scenarios and some fine acting. Malin Crepin does a very good job at making Annika Bengtzon come alive as a multi-dimensional real woman. The character development and fresh plots won me over as well. Without giving anything away, the first episode was a fascinating insight into the Nobel laureate selection process -- and what can be at stake. I haven't seen anything quite like this setting before. So, there is a freshness about the series which surprised me. I recommend it, especially to viewers who have enjoyed other quality Scandanavian mysteries like Irene Huss, Varg Veum, or Maria Wern.

Beautiful Swedish lead - very entertaining.

Very good

loved it !