Henning Mankell dead: Swedish crime writer known for Wallander series dies aged 67

Mankell announced last year he had been diagnosed with cancer

Criminal mastermind: Henning Mankell (Getty)

Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell, who is best known for penning the hugely successful Inspector Kurt Wallander novels, has died aged 67.

Mankell announced last year that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and began documenting his experiences in a newspaper column.

“My anxiety is very profound, although by and large I can keep it under control,” he said, writing of his diagnosis in the Swedish newspaper Göteborgs-Posten.

Of his decision to document his treatment, he said: “I have decided to write it just as it is, about the difficult battle it always is.

“But”, he added, “I will write from life's perspective, not death’s.”

Manning’s prolific career spanned almost half a century.

The Wallander novels, which are set across Sweden and Mozambique, focus on the activities of the fictional inspector, and were adapted into a television series both in Sweden and in Britain and starred British actor Kenneth Branagh.