Set in a small town in Sweden, the story follows a non-linear structure and relates a sequence of events which led an apartment open house morphing into a hostage situation. An inept bank robber attempts to rob a cashless bank, and in a fit of panic, runs into the building across the street and barges into the open house waving a gun. Viewing the open house are an eclectic bunch of people that include:
- a retired couple who fix-up and flip houses to distract from the harsh truth that it’s their marriage that needs to be fixed up.
- a wealthy banker who is too busy making money to care about anyone else
- a young couple expecting their first baby, but seem to be incapable of agreeing on anything
- an old lady who isn’t scared of anything, and
- an over-eager real-estate agent.
Throw in a half-naked man dressed as a rabbit, brought in there to disrupt the viewing, and the now frantic robber has what is possibly the worst group of hostages ever. But despite their differences the motley group begins to unexpectedly connect as the narrative progresses, finding common ground in their differences and shared vulnerabilities.
The policemen on the case are a father-son duo, who have their own odd dynamics; they manage to get the hostages out safely, but the robber has vanished. They interview each witness in an attempt to figure out the case, but that just muddles things further.
While occasionally veering toward the overly sentimental, the novel is undeniably funny and heartwarming. It’s filled with unexpected twists – some bordering on the absurd – and incorporates a poignant backstory involving a suicide from years past that weaves through the lives of several key characters. Ultimately, it’s a charming and thoroughly engaging read, offering a satisfyingly lighthearted escape.”