top scandinavian crime novels

The top 10 Scandinavian crime novels typically have a strong sense of place. Whether it's the small towns in Sweden in Henning Mankell's 'Wallander' series or the Icelandic landscapes in Arnaldur Indriðason's books. The characters are often morally ambiguous. They might be detectives with their own demons or criminals with some redeeming qualities. And the plots are full of twists and turns, keeping the readers on their toes.

Some well - known Scandinavian crime fiction works include Stieg Larsson's 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' series. Henning Mankell's 'Wallander' series is also very popular. Another great one is Jo Nesbø's works, like his 'Harry Hole' series.

Some of the well - known ones are 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It's a gripping story with complex characters. Another is 'Smilla's Sense of Snow' by Peter Høeg, which has a unique plot centered around a woman's investigation. And 'The Snowman' by Jo Nesbø is also popular, known for its dark and suspenseful atmosphere.

Authors like Stieg Larsson are famous for Scandinavian crime fiction. He created the Millennium series which became extremely popular worldwide.

Scandinavian crime fiction often stands out for its unique settings. The cold, desolate landscapes add to the overall mood of the stories. For example, Jo Nesbø's books, often set in Norway, are full of twists and turns. His detective, Harry Hole, is a flawed but brilliant character. These novels usually deal with social issues as well, like corruption, abuse, and inequality, which makes them not just entertaining but also thought - provoking.

Jo Nesbø's 'Harry Hole' series is also highly recommended. Harry Hole is an alcoholic, yet brilliant detective. Nesbø's novels are known for their fast - paced action and unexpected twists. His descriptions of Oslo and Norwegian culture are an added bonus. These novels often explore the darker side of human nature, which makes them both thrilling and thought - provoking.

The unique settings contribute a lot. The cold, often desolate Scandinavian landscapes add an eerie backdrop to the dark and mysterious stories.

The 'Millennium' series by Stieg Larsson is very popular among the top ten. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is the first in the series and introduced the world to Lisbeth Salander. Another is 'The Ice Princess' by Camilla Läckberg. It has a great setting in a small Swedish town and a complex mystery. And 'The Hypnotist' by Lars Kepler is also well - loved for its psychological elements in the crime - solving process.

They often feature dark and moody atmospheres. The settings are usually in the Scandinavian countries, which gives a sense of coldness and isolation. The characters are complex, with detectives often having their own personal demons. For example, in Stieg Larsson's 'Millennium' series, the main character Lisbeth Salander is a complex and troubled figure.

Well, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is definitely on the list. It has a strong female lead, Lisbeth Salander, who is both fascinating and a force to be reckoned with. Then there's Henning Mankell's 'Wallander' series. These novels are great as they give a deep look into the detective's personal life while also presenting complex crime cases. Also, 'Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow' stands out. The title character's ability to read the snow is an interesting aspect that adds to the mystery of the crime she's trying to solve.