Scandinavian Crime

Bleak landscapes, bizarre, often gory murders and morose, dysfunctional detectives are dominant themes in Scandinavian crime fiction. But beyond the stereotype, Scandinavian crime is also known for its strong plotlines replete with social commentary, and complex, well-drawn characters. Popular since the 1990s, the Nordic crime phenomenon shows all the signs of going the distance.

Karin Alvtegen

Dark, suspenseful and psychologically driven novels are the home turf for Swedish author Alvtegan. Well-drawn, conflicted characters and a cracking pace are her trademark. She has been compared to UK author Ruth Rendell and is the grand-niece of Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren.

Åke Edwardson

A former press agent with the United Nations, Åke Edwardson’s first Chief Inspector Erik Winter title Sun and Shadow was released in English translation in 2005. Set in the Swedish city of Gothenburg, these are atmospheric police procedurals with sharp dialogue and suspenseful plots.

Kjell Eriksson

Inspector Ann Lindell is a detective with the Uppsala Violent Crime Division and a single mother. Over three novels Eriksson has produced a satisfying ensemble police procedural series, with slow-paced but satisfyingly crafted crime stories.

Karin Fossum

Often called the Norwegian Queen of Crime, her titles feature Inspector Konrad Sejer, a tough, no-nonsense detective. These police procedurals are skilfully plotted, with well-drawn characters and plausible scenarios. One of the earliest Scandinavian crime writers to be translated into English, Inspector Sejer has been compared to classic detectives such as Morse and Adam Dalgliesh.

Arnaldur Indriðason

Featuring Reykjavik based detective Erlendur Sveinsson, these award winning titles do not shy away from controversial or gritty themes. The inhospitable Icelandic landscape takes a central role as do themes of alienation and loss.

Mari Jungstedt

Journalist and novelist, Mari Jungsted’s novels star Detective Superintendent Anders Knutas and journalist Johan Berg. Set on the island of Gotland, these titles convincingly portray a police investigation while also giving a credible “slice of life” look at the lives of the central characters.

Camilla Läckberg

Set in the small fishing community of Fjällbacka, Läckberg’s novels feature police detective Patrik Hedstrom. These titles have a contemporary setting, tight plots and fast pacing.

Stieg Larsson

The outstanding success story of Scandinavian crime, the Millennium trilogy catapulted Larsson to posthumous fame. Featuring investigative journalist Mikael Blomqvist and activist and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, these complex novels are as much modern moral fable as mystery or thriller.

Åsa Larsson

Another Swedish series but this time featuring an amateur sleuth, young tax lawyer Rebecka Martinsson and a Police Inspector Anne Marie Mella. Larsson writes with a strong sense of place and delivers evocative descriptions of the Swedish landscape.

Henning Mankell

The original star of Scandinavian crime. The Kurt Wallander detective series opened the floodgates and let in the great wave of crime novels from Northern lands. Set in Ystad, Sweden, Wallander’s personal conflicts are as engaging as the many dark and brutal murder mysteries he solves.

Jo Nesbø

Detective Harry Hole is a conflicted, alcoholic detective frequently veering towards the wrong side of the law. Set on mean streets of Oslo, Nesbø’s mysteries explore ideas of good and evil and with their fast-paced and twisted plots are Norwegian noir in action.

Håkan Nesser

Set in the fictitious European city of Maardam, Chief Inspector Van Veeteren is a detective in the classic mould; gruff, intolerant of bureaucracy and with a strong sense of justice. These novels are slow in pace with Van Veeteren relying heavily on intuition and methodical police work to solve the case.

Helene Tursten

Starring Inspector Irene Huss — a 40-something judo expert and earnest policewoman who combines marriage and motherhood with detection. These police procedurals focus on social change with immigration, racism, neo-Nazism and gangs all put under the spotlight.

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

With a previous career as a civil engineer, Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurðardóttir has two mystery novels under her belt. Both feature busy single-mother lawyer Thora Gudmundsdottir and skilfully blend Icelandic history with a gripping, modern plotline.

August 2010