Hans Rekke is a co-protagonist of the Rekke & Vargas series by David Lagercrantz. A professor with extraordinary analytical abilities, Rekke has retreated from public life when readers first encounter him in Dark Music.
Rekke’s genius comes with personal costs. His reclusive nature and psychological struggles have isolated him from society, but his abilities make him uniquely suited to examining evidence that others have overlooked. When police officer Micaela Vargas seeks his help with a cold case, she draws him back into the world of criminal investigation.
As Lagercrantz’s first major original character after years of continuing Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series, Rekke showcases the author’s ability to create compelling protagonists of his own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hans Rekke?
Hans Rekke is one of two protagonists in David Lagercrantz’s Rekke & Vargas series. He is a brilliant but eccentric professor who has withdrawn from public life, possessing extraordinary analytical abilities that make him invaluable for solving cold cases.
What books feature Hans Rekke?
Hans Rekke appears in the Rekke & Vargas series by David Lagercrantz, beginning with Dark Music (2021). The series follows his partnership with police officer Micaela Vargas as they investigate unsolved crimes.
How is Hans Rekke different from other Lagercrantz characters?
Unlike the Millennium series characters Lagercrantz inherited from Stieg Larsson, Hans Rekke is Lagercrantz’s original creation. Rekke represents a different type of detective figure: an academic genius whose personal struggles add complexity to his crime-solving work.