As three lives intersect in Stockholm, mayhem and hilarity ensues. Per Persson, still angry about his grandfather's squandered fortune, is the receptionist at the former whorehouse Sea Hotel when Anders Andersson, a former hitman, is released from prison and comes to the hotel to stay. Then homeless, unemployed priest Johanna Kjellander comes by and charges Persson for a prayer. The receptionist and the priest soon recognize their common interests dislike of humankind and desire for a quick krone and engage with Anderson to continue his former business within guidelines (no murders, no child victims, just bodily harm). This plan works beautifully until the hit man gets religion and wants out, resulting in his partners getting paid for jobs that will never be done and thus making enemies of their criminal customers. As the relationship of the receptionist and the priest goes beyond business, they plan their next bold steps. The understated prose of Jonasson (The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared, 2012) is often laugh-out-loud funny, as he swipes at Swedish society and while his two swindling protagonists reap millions. Non-noir Nordic crime fiction to savor.--Leber, Michele Copyright 2016 Booklist