Brandbilen som försvann (1969)

Gunvald Larsson is watching a building when a fire turns surveillance into rescue. Sjöwall and Wahlöö then make the less dramatic work of establishing what happened depend on several people's observations and follow-up enquiries. An abrasive colleague can be useful without becoming lovable, and Beck is one member of an ensemble. Choose The Fire Engine That Disappeared for that balance of friction and competence. The linked work uses the original Swedish title; Joan Tate translates the English novel.