Swedish Swedish Swedish Crime ÅSA Crime Scenes LARSSON The northern and western portions of the province of Västergötland belong to Crime 2.0 the Central Swedish lowland. Scenes The books about Commissioner Wallander cover a different aspect Scenes of the idyllic small town of Ystad. Introduction Photo: Fredrik Broman NINNI

Introduction ÅSA (b. 1972) Although not very many murders are committed in , the Swedish LARSSON SCHULMAN Photo: Florian Plag KRISTINA crime novel has become a specialty with a worldwide reputation in Somewhere between , Camilla Läckberg Although few murders are actually committed in Sweden, the Swedish APPELQVIST (b. 1968) and we find Ninni Schulman, who has just a short space of time. From Gotland in the east to Fjällbacka in the HENNINGThe university setting takes up a lot of space in Kristina writtenÅKE five books in her series taking place in the crime novel has become a modern classic and has gained a worldwide MANKELLAppelqvist’s classical whodunit (1948-2015) novels, which take place VärmlandEDWARDSON province. The series started (b. with 1953) ‘The Girl west, from Ystad in the south to Kiruna in the north, the country can be at the University of Skövde in Västergötland province. with Snow in Her Hair’ (2010) and centres on journalist reputation in just a short space of time. From Gotland in the east to Of all the fictitious police inspectors currently at work, MagdalenaInspector Erik Hansson, Winter a lives new in single Gothenburg, mother wholistens returns to AmongKurt Wallander the knowledgeable is the doyen: academics a gloomy, there opera-loving is also a man modern jazz and loves cooking, especially Italian food. discovered from a different perspective: via fictional murder investigations plethora of intrigues, and Kristina Appelqvist uses the to the small town of Hagfors for a job as an editor. Fjällbacka in the west, from Ystad in the south up to Kiruna in the north, in the mud lands of the province Skåne, who frequently TheHe is novels talented, are richabout and today’s well-dressed, rural problems, but works but inNinni where the focus is not only on the crime but also on the Swedish welfare wholeasks himself scale from where petty Sweden rivalry is toheading. magnificent He lives research in the a carefully depicted and surprisingly credible police the country is seen in a new perspective: via murder investigations projects and literary riddles. She is clearly influenced Schulman also suggestively describes the extensive small town of Ystad in the very south of Sweden, is localcommunity. forests Thewhere officers houses are are a fewmixed and bunch far between. of everyday modelwhere andthe focushuman is psychology.not only on the crime but also on the Swedish bydivorced Agatha and Christie has a and daughter Dorothy who Sayers will eventually as well as follow by cops who struggle patiently in a dozen books to put a Swedishin his footsteps 1950s authorand become Maria aLang, police and officer uses twoherself. female stop to the worst kinds of criminality: serial murders, welfare model and human psychology. protagonists,In the course researcherof ten novels Helena and one Waller novella, and UniversityKurt sex killings, showdowns in the underworld and racist PresidentWallander Emma has solved Lundgren. many Appelqvist’scases that in latest one waybook, or ‘The acts. The day-to-day lives and personal development The Swedish crime novel phenomenon has a long lineage, but today’s LARS KEPLER Fourthanother Pact’ describe (2018), a Sweden deals with in transition, University cases of Skövde’s that begin of individual officers are given plenty of scope. KERSTIN opportunities within international archaeology research. storiesThe Swedish have largely crime novelfallen wasout ofin thefact shabby born over overcoat a century of Inspector ago with Martin EKMAN in his immediate surroundings but often branch far out into the world. An added ingredient is ’s Beck,the publication the protagonist of The inStockholm The Story Detective of a Crime in, 1893,the legendary written under ten-book empathic description of the ageing of a lonely man. seriesthe pseudonym by Maj Sjöwall of Prins and Pierre. Per Wahlöö. Their first book, Roseanna (1965), INGRID marked the arrival of the modern Swedish crime novel, rich in social INGRID (b. 1949) The original golden age of the crime genre in Sweden was the HEDSTRÖM HEDSTRÖMCAMILLA criticism and portraying ordinary police characters trying to deal with a Stationed in Brussels, Ingrid Hedström worked for years

1950s, when Stieg Trenter’s series competed with Maria KATARINA asLÄCKBERG Europe correspondent for (b.Swedish 1974) newspaper Dagens crumbling society. WENNSTAM JENS Nyheter.One of Sweden’s The experiences bestselling laid crime the foundation writers is Camilla for her Läckberg,first LARS LAPIDUS Lang’s ‘feel-good’ novels set in both Stockholm and Bergslagen, KEPLER LEIF G.W. SOFIE crime series, six books that take place in the fictional Approximately 87 per cent NINNI PERSSON STIEG SARENBRANDT who moved the Swedish detective story closer to the chick lit genre SCHULMAN LARSSON Belgian city of Villette, describing both European history of the province of Värmland and numerous other crime writers were active. ARNE in her nine novels. She writes both about Inspector Patrik Hedström, DAHL ANDERS BÖRGE and the complex Belgian legal system, shown through is covered by vast forests. Their work was continued by Henning Mankell, whose character Kurt MICHAEL HANS JENSROSLUND & HELLSTRÖM who pursues traditional police investigations, and about the woman KRISTINA lawyer Martine Poirot (!). Ingrid Hedström, avid reader of HJORTH AND ROSENFELDT LAPIDUSLIZA he lives with, Erika Falck, who always gets involved but can do CAMILLA LEIFOHLSSON G.W. VIVECA PERSSON STIEGMARKLUND crime novels herself, has since continued with three books Wallander,But today’s acrop divorced of authors police is inspector infinitely operating larger. Sweden’s in the province current of Skåne LÄCKBERG CHRISTOFFER STEN things that police are not allowed to. Their life together is given HÅKAN LARSSON Photo: Gösta Reiland The modern port city of NESSER ARNECARLSSON about a Swedish diplomat, Astrid Sammils, with a family HÅKAN DAHL ANDERS BÖRGE considerable attention in the books, not least all the problems faced Gothenburg portrayed in incrime the southfiction of phenomenonSweden, raised has the largely literary been quality shaken of theout genreof the andshabby already KRISTINA NESSER ROSLUND AND HELLSTRÖM farmby families in idyllic with Dalarna. young children.The most They recent live book, in the ‘Firebreak’ idyllic seaside town the books of Edwardsson. APPELQVIST MARIKRISTINA OHLSSON LIZA (2018),of Fjällbacka, came aeerily fishing close port to realon the life westduring coast, the Swedishwhere Läckberg often inovercoat 1991 began of Inspector to wonder Martin where Beck, the the Swedish protagonist society in wasThe Storyheading. of aKerstin CAMILLA JUNGSTEDT MARKLUND LÄCKBERG forestbases herfires murder in the storiessummer on ofhistorical 2018. events.

Photo: Dick Gillberg Ekman,Crime, the former legendary member ten-book of the Swedishseries by AcademyMaj Sjöwall and and one Per of Wahlöö.Sweden’s ANNA JANSSON MONS MARI mostRoseanna important from 1965fictional marked authors, the arrivalhas also of thewritten modern a number Swedish of crime KALLENTOFT JUNGSTEDT HÅKAN ÖSTLUNDH The granite archipelago of Bohuslän outside novels,novel, rich where in social Blackwater criticism (1993) and portrayingholds a special fairly position.ordinary characters of Gothenburg where Inspector Hedström’s village Fjällbacka is described by Camilla Läckberg. ÅKE trying to deal with a crumbling society. EDWARDSON HÅKAN The texts in the exhibition are written ÖSTLUNDHin cooperation with Lotta Olsson, crime fiction critic at the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter. Titles in quotation marks are HENNING not yet published in English. JOHAN MANKELL THEORIN The texts in the exhibition are written by Lotta Olsson, crime fiction critic at the Photo: Henrik Trygg Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter MARI (b. 1962) LARS JUNGSTEDT MARIMari Jungstedt has produced fourteen books about KEPLER JUNGSTEDTInspector Knutas and his colleagues (b. 1962) in the Visby police force in Gotland, Sweden’s foremost holiday The established literary couple behind this pseudonym, Mari Jungstedt has produced twelve books about island. Tourists enjoy the sandy beaches and ancient Alexander Ahndoril (b. 1967) and Alexandra Ahndoril Inspector Knutas and his colleagues in the Visby town walls, handicrafts and local delicacies during (b. 1966), made a dramatic breakthrough in 2009. So police force in Gotland, Sweden’s foremost holiday LARS summer. Jungstedt often makes reference to its far, they have written five novels about the Finno-Swedish island. Tourists enjoy the sandy beaches and ancient history, its adjoining island Fårö, where Ingmar KEPLERpolice inspector Joona Linna, a calm figure at the centre town walls, handicrafts and local delicacies during of the storm, and his young colleague, Saga Bauer, a slip Bergman lived, and the political focal point of the The established literary couple behind this pseudonym, summer. Jungstedt often makes reference to its of a girl who possesses almost supernatural powers. The Swedish summer, Almedalen Week. She contrasts the Alexander Ahndoril (b. 1967) and Alexandra Ahndoril history, its adjoining island Fårö, where Ingmar pair is based in Stockholm and the first murders occur in teeming life of summer with the empty, abandoned Photo: Lena Vasylenko (b. 1966), made a dramatic breakthrough in 2009. Bergman lived, and the political focal point of the Along the coast of Gotland are jagged limestone the suburb of Tumba, but their work takes them both into island environment of autumn and winter. Besides HÅKAN formations (rauk) sculpted by nature, some with So far, they have written five novels about the Finno- Swedish summer, Almedalen Week. She contrasts the the Stockholm archipelago as well as to northern Sweden. police inspectors Anders Knutas and Karin Jacobson, almost human expressions. Swedish police inspector Joona Linna, a calm figure teeming life of summer with the empty, abandoned (b. 1962) In Playground (2015), they have left Joona Linna and the a young couple also play important roles, the photo- ÖSTLUNDH HÅKAN at the centre of the storm, and his young colleague, island environment of autumn and winter. Besides Another author to have chosen Gotland for a setting is traditional detective format and instead write a novel with grapher Johan Berg and teacher Emma Winarve. Photo: Lena Vasylenko Saga Bauer, a slip of a girl who possesses almost police inspectors Anders Knutas and Karin Jacobson, Håkan Östlundh, who has written eight books about Visby The summer paradise Öland shows a NESSER (b. 1950) an obvious supernatural theme, where a dangerous realm In 2015 Mari Jungstedt together with Ruben Eliassen HÅKAN darker side in the books of Johan Theorin. supernatural powers. The pair is based in Stockholm a young couple also play important roles, the photo- police detective Fredrik Broman. They feature classic, VanHÅKAN Veeteren, the police inspector at the centre of ten lurks on the other side of death. However, in Lazarus (2018), introduced a new crime series, which takes place on and the first murders occur in the suburb of Tumba, grapher Johan Berg and teacher Emma Winarve. ÖSTLUNDHunsentimental investigations of(b. credible 1962) murders, where Nesser books, is by no means Swedish, operating instead inspector Joona Linna reappears as he is drawn in to a series the island of Gran Canaria in the Spanish archipelago. NESSER (b. 1950) but their work takes them both into the Stockholm In 2015 Mari Jungstedt together with Ruben Eliassen a car roof box smells as vile as rotten seaweed, or where in a vaguely Dutch setting. But Håkan Nesser has also of uncanny murders in both Norway and Germany. Another author to have plumped for Gotland as a setting Van Veeteren, the police inspector at the centre of ten archipelago as well as to northern Sweden. In their introduced a new crime series, which takes place on a young woman ponders whether to report her father written four crime novels about Gunnar Barbarotti, who, is Håkan Östlundh, who has written seven books about Nesser books, is by no means Swedish, operating instead latest book, Playground (2015), they have left Joona the island of Gran Canaria in the Spanish archipelago. for murder, or where two petty thieves suddenly find despite his Italian-sounding name is Swedish and works in Visby police detective Fredrik Broman (and only deviated in a vaguely Dutch setting. But Håkan Nesser also wrote Linna and the traditional detective format and instead The large islands of Gotland and Öland themselves in the clutches of hardened criminals. Gotland the small town of Kymlinge in western Sweden. In addition, once, with a crime novel that takes place in Sollentuna, a five crime novels about Gunnar Barbarotti, who, despite CHRISTOFFER write a novel with an obvious supernatural theme, where are worlds of their own in the Baltic Sea isStockholm both a cheerless suburb). winter They featurewilderness classic, and unsentimentala sun-drenched Nesser has written a number of freestanding crime novels where the light, vegetation and history his Italian-sounding name was Swedish and worked in a dangerous realm lurks on the other side of death. summer paradise. His latest book to date is ‘Winter of the that tend to place more emphasis on characterisation, CARLSSON (b. 1986) The largediffer islandsfrom the of rest Gotland of the and country. Öland investigations of credible murders, where a car box smells the small town of Kymlinge in western Sweden. In addition, are worlds of their own in the Baltic Sea Prophet’as vile as (2018). rotten seaweed, or where a young woman settings and atmosphere than on traditional crime-solving. Nesser has written a number of freestanding crime novels ThisMONS crime writing prodigy earned his PhD in criminology where the light, vegetation and history ponders whether to report her father for murder, or Nesser flits between the detective story and the ordinary differ from the rest of the country. that tend to place more emphasis on characterisation, at age twenty-seven. That same year, 2013, his third where two petty thieves suddenly find themselves in the novel, between Sweden and the outside world, and KALLENTOFT (b. 1968) settings and atmosphere than on traditional crime-solving. crime novel, The Invisible Man from Salem, was awarded clutches of hardened criminals. Gotland is bothJOHAN a cheerless betweenNesser flits the presentbetween andthe thedetective past. Hisstory latest and crimethe ordinary novel To date, nine novels have been published about Malin Best Swedish Crime Novel. So far, he has written six winter wilderness and a sun-drenched summer paradise. (b. 1963) tonovel, date between is Through Sweden the Eyes and of the Eugene outside Kallmann world, and (2016). booksFors, a with divorced, an unusual highly stylistic strung policestrength officer considering with a drinkthe THEORIN between the present and the past. genre,problem, where living the in referencesthe windblown hail touniversity the classical town roleof The narrow limestone island of Öland has evolved similarly modelsLinköping. as withBut Forsthe bookis also Master, one of Liar,the bestTraitor, officers Friend around, to Gotland, and both the rugged old fishing communities and Photo: Lena Vasylenko JOHAN (2015),intuitive aand spy persistent. story with Monsnumerous Kallentoft references often givesto Tinker, the today’s well-to-do tourist spots appear in Johan Theorin’s Tailor,victims Soldier, a voice Spy as wellby John – people Le Carré. caught between two THEORINnovels. The books centre (b. on former 1963) sea captain Gerlof strange worlds and who cry out for justice. The stories ANNA Photo: Lena Vasylenko TheDavidsson, narrow who limestone lives in island an old-age of Öland home has andgone has the all same the way range over a wide spectrum, from the man who appeared time in the world to reflect on children who disappear, terrible (b. 1958) as Gotland, and both the rugged old fishing communities and to have fallen victim to an ancient Swedish sacrificial rite JANSSON today’saccidents well-to-do and all the tourist inexplicable spots appear things in thatJohan happen, Theorin’s possibly After resigning as a detective, in Midwinter Sacrifice (2007, aka Midwinter Blood), to the Håkan Nesser’s main protagonist Former nurse Anna Jansson made her literary debut in 2000 with novels.rooted inThe Öland’s books supernatural centre on former past. seaJohan captain Theorin Gerlof has written Van Veeteren, becomes theThe owner 800 year old Cathedral explosion in Savage Spring (2010, aka Spring Remains) ‘The Speechless God’, the first book about inspector Maria Wern, Davidsson,four suggestive who crimelives in novels an old-age featuring home the and island’s has all varying the of an antique booksin the shop.city of Linköping where that appears to be a terrorist attack. Mons Kallentoft has who eventually moves to Gotland. There are now nineteen books timeseasons, in the and world one toabout reflect a fictitious on children mental who hospitaldisappear, on terrible Kallentoft’s Malin Fors lives. written two hard-boiled detective novels together with in the series, where police investigations provide Anna Jansson accidentsSweden’s westand all coast, the inexplicable The Asylum things(2011). that happen, possibly Markus Lutteman, Zack (2014) and Leon (2015). with plenty of opportunities to describe both every-day situations rooted in Öland’s supernatural past. Johan Theorin has written and the local environment. She writes with drastic humour that four suggestive crime novels featuring the island’s varying is unusual for the genre, and often uses her medical skills in her seasons, and one about a fictitious mental hospital on writing. She has also written a series of children’s detective books Sweden’s west coast, The Asylum (2011). about Maria Wern’s son, Emil, as well as several feel-good novels. Photo: iStock Photo The summer paradise Öland shows a darker side in the books of Johan Theorin. Mist over Indalsälven Mistwhere over Kepler’s Indalsälven third book,where Fire Kepler’s Witness third book(2011), is set. is set. Along the coast of Gotland are jagged rocks (rauk) sculpted by nature, some with almost human expressions.

Photo: Lena Vasylenko Photo: Niklas Freidwall Photo: Alexander Baxevanis Photo: Niklas Freidwall

Photo: Lena Vasylenko LEIF G.W. KRISTINA (b. 1979) PERSSON (b. 1945) OHLSSON KRISTINAFor a crime writer, it is extremely useful to have worked both JENS The summer of 2016 saw the arrival of the twelfth OHLSSONin the Swedish security service (b. 1979) and as a counter-terrorism LAPIDUS (b. 1974) police novel from Sweden’s best-known criminologist, officer in the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation JENS For a crime writer, it is extremely useful to have worked both The 2006 publication of Easy Money by criminal lawyer LeifLEIF G W G.W. Persson, who mixes a close familiarity with his in Europe). Kristina Ohlsson made her debut with Unwanted in the Swedish security service and as a counter-terrorism Jens Lapidus marked a new(b. direction1974) for Swedish crime subject with ironically humorous observation. His cast (2009), a traditional police thriller and the first in a series of LAPIDUS PERSSON (b. 1945) officer in the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation fiction. While James Ellroy and Dennis Lehane write in a of police characters ranges from the masterly Inspector six about police inspector Alex Recht and investigative analyst The 2006 publication of Easy Money by criminal lawyer The summer of 2015 saw the arrival of the eleventh in Europe). Kristina Ohlsson made her debut with Unwanted similar vein, Lapidus is something new. The language is Lars Martin Johansson, a northerner who ‘can see round Fredrika Bergman, whose investigations become increasingly Jens Lapidus marked a new direction for Swedish crime police novel from Sweden’s best-known criminologist, (2009), a traditional police thriller and the first in a series of clipped, hip hop-influenced and full of slang expressions corners’, according to his admirers, to the corrupt and fiction. While James Ellroy and Dennis Lehane write in a Leif G W Persson, who mixes a close familiarity with his fiveinternational about police in character. inspector Especially Alex Recht in andHostage investigative (2012) analyst and mannerisms. The settings are the flashy nightclubs prejudiced Evert Bäckström. They usually operate from similar vein, Lapidus is something new. The language is subject with ironically humorous observation. His cast FredrikaKristina OhlssonBergman, incorporates whose investigations her knowledge become about increasingly terrorism around central Stockholm, but also drug-running Stockholm’s police station in Kungsholmen, but Inspector clipped, hip hop-influenced and full of slang expressions of police characters ranges from the masterly Inspector internationaland security policing.in character. Kristina Especially Ohlsson in hasHostage since (2012) written two locations around Stockholm with poor suburban youth Johansson’s favourite haunts are an Italian bar and a hot- and mannerisms. The settings are the flashy nightclubs Lars Martin Johansson, a northerner who ‘can see round Kristinahard-boiled Ohlsson thrillers incorporates about lawyer her knowledgeMartin Benner, about Lotus’ terrorism as foot soldiers. Lapidus calls his first trilogyStockholm dog stand elsewhere in the city. The protagonists seldom Blues (2014) and Mio’s Blues (2015). around central Stockholm, but also drug-running leavecorners’, Stockholm, according but to in his Linda admirers, – As into the the Linda corrupt Murder and , STIEG and security policing. Kristina Ohlsson has since written two Noirlocations. His latestaround novel Stockholm to date, with Top poorDog (2017),suburban concludes youth prejudiced Evert Bäckström. They usually operate from hard-boiled thrillers about lawyer Martin Benner, Lotus’ another triolgy including the critically acclaimed prequels Evert Bäckström makes life difficult for people in the as foot soldiers. Lapidus calls his trilogy Stockholm southernStockholm’s town central of Växjö. police station in Kungsholmen, LARSSON (1954–2004) Blues (2014) and Mio’s Blues (2015). TheNoir .VIP He Roomhas since (2014) its completion and Stockholm written Delete two (2015).further but Inspector Johansson’s favourite haunts are an The Trilogy scarcely needs any introduction: novels, The VIP Room (2014) and Stockholm Delete Italian bar and a hot-dog stand elsewhere in the city. journalist and the tough, asocial computer (2015), which are rooted in the trilogy but with The protagonists seldom leave Stockholm, but in Linda – hackerSTIEG are world famous. Their creator, Stieg different protagonists and partly different style. ARNEAs in the Linda Murder, Evert Bäckström makes life The Stockholm metro. Stockholm is a city of water and light built Larsson, died before the series(1954-2004) was published and the trilogy on islands connected by bridges. difficult for people in the southern town of Växjö. LARSSON DAHL achieved worldwide fame. It is an affectionate pastiche on the The Millennium Trilogy scarcely needs any introduction: Stockholm is a city of water and light built Arne Dahl is the pseudonym of author (b. 1963), Swedishjournalist crime Mikael writing Blomkvist genre, and represented the tough, byasocial the whodunit, computer The on islands connected by many bridges. who has written eleven books about the ‘A Group’, a talented Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the police novel, The Girl Who Photo: Magnus Fröderberg hacker Lisbeth Salander are world famous. Their creator, Stieg groupARNE of unusual police investigators in Stockholm operatingThe Stockholm metro. PlayedLarsson, with died Fire before, and the the series spy thriller, was published The Girl Whoand theKicked trilogy the in traditional Stockholm environments: the old industrial zone Hornet’sachieved Nest worldwide. Stieg Larssonfame. It caringlyis an affectionate describes pasticheSödermalm on thein atDAHL Sickla (now gone), the increasingly trendy streets of the Stockholm, where both Lisbeth and Mikael lives, but also the Arne Dahl is the pseudonym of author Jan Arnald (b. 1963), Swedish crime writing genre, represented by the whodunit, The Södermalm district, and luxury villas in wealthy suburbs such StockholmGirl with the archipelago Dragon Tattoo and, sparselythe police populated novel, The areas Girl inWho northern Played aswho Danderyd. has written But 11 crime books no about longer the recognises ‘A Group’, frontiers, a talented and Sweden. In 2015 an original sequel, The Girl in the Spider’s Web, Photo: Let Ideas Compete group of unusual police investigators in Stockholm operating Photo: Magnus Fröderberg with Fire, and the spy thriller, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s consequently Arne Dahl’s series Opcop (2011) follows up by writtenNest. Stieg by David Larsson Lagercrantz caringly describes (b. 1962), Södermalm followed the in Stockholm,original featuringin traditional a group Stockholm of Europol environments: officers in the The old Hague industrial in Holland, zone trilogy, which was in turn followed by The Girl Who Takes an Eye Photo: Let Ideas Compete at Sickla (now gone), the increasingly trendy streets of the where both Lisbeth and Mikael lives, but also the Stockholm who work across borders. The subsequent novels Watching You forarchipelago an Eye (2017). and sparsely populated areas in northern Sweden. (2017)Södermalm and Hunteddistrict, (2018),and luxury introducing villas in wealthydetectives suburbs Sam Bergersuch as Danderyd. But crime no longer recognises frontiers, and In 2015 an original sequel, The Girl in the Spider’s Web, written and Molly Blom, has since been appreciated by critics for by , followed the original trilogy. bringingconsequently to life Arne yet anotherDahl’s new side series of Arne is Opcop,Dahl’s skillsabout as a agroup crimeof Europol fiction officers writer. in The Hague in Holland who work across KATARINA borders. The ‘A Group’ favourites are still there, of course. ’s favourite café in (b. 1973) So far, four Opcop books have appeared, with titles taken Stockholm, Mellqvist Coffee Bar. WENNSTAM Stockholm by night. It began with a much-publicised non-fiction book about rape, in from old Swedish children’s games. Stieg Larsson’s favorite café in Stockholm, Mellqvist Coffee Bar. which the then criminal reporter Katarina Wennstam revealed Stockholm by night. that rape most often takes place in the home. She wrote another booklet on the subject but changed tracks in 2007 and started writing crime novels that became extremely popular. In her eight The stripped beauty of Skogskyrkogården crime novels (and two for teenagers) written to date, she relies (the Forest Cemetery) recalls the places where rites of ancient Scandinavians took place. on her knowledge of the subject, and often uses real-life cases as a basis. The books are not just about violence against women; Wennstam has also portrayed the violent culture among extreme football fans in the crime novel ‘The Traitor’ (2012). The stripped beauty of Skogskyrkogården (the Forest Cemetery) recalls the places where rites of ancient Scandinavians took place. Photo: Richard Hemmer Photo: Jason Wesley Upton

Photo: Richard Hemmer

Photo: Jason Wesley Upton

Photo: Cecilia Larsson

Photo: Cecilia Larsson CAMILLA LÄCKBERG (b. 1974) Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden, One of Sweden’s bestselling crime writers is Camilla experiences polar nights for a few weeks in Läckberg, who moved the Swedish detective story closer winter and midnight sun in summer. to the chick lit genre in her ten novels. She writes both Kiruna, the northernmost city in about Inspector Patrik Hedström, who pursues traditional Sweden has an eternal night in ANDERS (b. 1961) winter and midnight sun in summer. police investigations, and about the woman he lives with, ROSLUND Erika Falck, who always gets involved but can do things Photo: Rob de Wit KERSTIN BÖRGE HELLSTRÖM (1957–2017) that police are not allowed to. Their life together is given ANDERS (b. 1961) This crime writingROSLUND duo first appeared in 2004 withThe Beast, EKMANconsiderable attention (b. in 1933)the books, not least all the whichBÖRGE dealt withHELLSTRÖM paedophilia but also asked questions(1957-2017) about Photo: Rob de Wit ÅSA Nowadays,problems faced Kerstin by Ekman families doesn’t with young write children.crime novels, They live the impact of individual acts on the community at large. In butin the both idyllic her firstseaside six townbooks of and Fjällbacka, her best-known a fishing work port on This crime writing duo first appeared in 2004 withThe Beast, LIZA LARSSON (b. 1966) the west coast, where Läckberg often bases her murder theirwhich six dealt books, with Roslund paedophilia and Hellströmbut also asked scrutinise questions Sweden’s about and ÅSA are murder stories. She made her debut in the 1950s especially Stockholm’s underworld, sometimes literally, as in MARKLUND (b. 1962) The far north of Sweden, around Kiruna in northern duringstories the on goldenhistorical age events. of Swedish crime writing with the impact of individual acts on the community at large. In Lapland, is the setting for Åsa Larsson’s five detective The Girl Below the Street (2007), in which homeless people LIZAWith her debut novel, The Bomber, in 1998, Liza Marklund changed LARSSON (b. 1966) VIVECA 30 Metres of Murder which was widely acclaimed, as their six books, Roslund and Hellström scrutinise Sweden’s and novels about the nervy lawyer Rebecka Martinsson liveespecially in city Stockholm’stunnels. Two underworld, Soldiers (2012) sometimes describes literally, a fictitious as in MARKLUNDthe Swedish crime writing map. (b. The 1962) book was a major success. The far north of Sweden, around Kiruna in northern were her subsequent books. But the book selected a few Stockholm suburb which has turned into a ghetto. Their last Lapland,who leaves is theStockholm setting forfor Åsathe Larsson’ssmall village five Kurravaara. detective STEN (b. 1959) years ago as the best Swedish crime novel ever written The Girl Below the Street (2007), in which homeless people live WithMarklund her debut was awardednovel, The both Bomber the Swedish, in 1998, Crime Liza MarklundWriter Academy’s changed title together was Three Minutes (2016). Since 2014, Anders novelsTogether about with the the nervy calm lawyer and self-possessed Rebecka Martinsson local police Lawyer Viveca Sten writes about Sandhamn, a favouritewas Blackwater , a horribly suggestive story about a in city tunnels. Two Soldiers describes a fictitious Stockholm theprize Swedish for a first crime book writing and themap. new The Poloni book wasPrize adesigned major success. to encourage Roslund has published two acclaimed thrillers, Made in Sweden whoofficer leaves Anna-Maria Stockholm Mellan, for the she small investigates village Kurravaara. cases island among sailors in the Stockholm archipelago youngand an woman and her daughter who arrive in a small suburb which has turned into a ghetto. In recent years, Anders Marklundwomen writers was awarded of crime both fiction. the SwedishSince then, Crime restless Writer tabloid Academy’s reporter I & II, together with co-writer Stefan Thunberg (b. 1968). Togetherwhere priests with theare calmmurdered, and self-possessed sects are exposed, local policemurder appreciated excursion destination for tourists. But Vivecavillage in the forest region of Jämtland province. Roslund and Hellstrom Börge have not written together, but prizeAnnika for Bengtzon a first book has starredand the innew a totalPoloni of elevenPrize designed books (the to encourage officervictims areAnna-Maria found both Mellan, on and she under investigates the ice, casesand in Sten’s desription of Sandhamn starts out in a differentAn incredibly era, beautiful Swedish summer greets them, are working with others. womenconcluding writers book, of Thecrime Final fiction. Word ,Since appeared then, inrestless 2015) tabloid– and shereporter is wherea small priests dog kennel are murdered, a boy who sects can areno longerexposed, speak murder is beginning with the hard life of archipelago farmersbut and the idyll is shattered by the discovery of two tourists Annikaan unusual Bengtzon protagonist. has starred She leadsin a total an everyday of eleven brand books of (the city life victimshiding. Theare foundlandscape both ison mortally and under cold the and ice, people and in live fishermen of old. Even her descriptions of contemporarymurdered in their tent. Kerstin Ekman is one of Sweden’s concludingin her Stockholm book, Theflat, Final forever Word puzzling, appeared together in 2015) bus –times, and shepress is afar small apart, dog but kennel it is strangely a boy who warm can noand longer secure speak in the is life are broader than what the tourists see: there isforemost a daily contemporary authors. andeadlines unusual and protagonist. parental obligations.She leads an The everyday first books brand of of the city series life in hiding.kitchens The where landscape the dogs is mortally sleep in coldthe heatand peoplefrom the live life-cycle all year round where nature plays a major role. inparticular her Stockholm are set flat,on the forever streets puzzling of the capital,together where bus times, murder press victims farstove. apart, In recentbut it isyears, strangely Åsa Larsson warm and has secure started in to the write Since the debut in 2008, she has written ten crime novels deadlinesare discovered and parental in a Jewish obligations. cemetery The in first the inner books city, of the a woman series inis kitchenschildren’s where books the that dogs have sleep become in the very heat popular. from the about police Thomas Andreasson and lawyer Nora Linde, particularmurdered arein the set central on the square,streets ofSergels the capital, Torg, andwhere Bengtzon murder meets victims stove. In recent years, Åsa Larsson has started to write most recently ‘In the wrong company’ (2018). area bomber discovered at a fictitiousin a Jewish Olympic cemetery stadium in the in inner southern city, aStockholm. woman is In children’s books that have become very popular. murderedlater books in Annika the central Bengtzon square, has Sergels been to Torg, the north,and Bengtzon in Luleå, meets but also acrossed bomber the at country’sa fictitious borders, Olympic including stadium to in ’s southern Costa Stockholm. del Sol. In later books Annika Bengtzon has been to the far north, in Luleå, but also crossed the country’s borders, including to Spain’s Costa del Sol. MICHAEL HJORTH (b. 1963) Nighttime in one of SOFIE Stockholm’s suburbs. HANS ROSENFELDT (b. 1964) (b. 1978) SARENBRANT Criminal psychologist Sebastian Bergman has in the so-far Nighttime in one of One of the most popular narrators of Stockholm today is Sofie Stockholm’s suburbs. five books been one of the more unpleasant main characters The granite archipelago of Bohuslän Sarenbrant, whose book series about police detective Emma in Swedish crime fiction. He is gifted but so unreliable that near Camilla Läckberg’s Fjällbacka. Sköld has become popular among readers. Sofie Sarenbrant the head of the National Homicide Squad, Torkel Höglund, is strongly rooted in contemporary events, writing about the The snowmobile has become dares not give him any demanding assignments. Bergman an essential means of transport Photo: Daniel Mott Stockholm Marathon in ‘Second Wind’ (2013), about Stockholm’s is nevertheless drawn in when a boy disappears in the quiet in the large snowy expanses soaring housing prices in Killer Deal (2015), and about the town of Västerås, when a woman is found dead in the of the north. increasing gulf between classes in ‘Scapegoat’ (2018), where Photo: Daniel Mott Stockholm suburb of Tumba, when two women hiking in well-to-do homeowners use illegal immigrants to perform the Jämtland province discover skeletons, and when an Photo: Henrik Trygg underpaid renovations and cleaning jobs. entire family is murdered in the province of Värmland. In the most recent book Those Who Failed (2015), Photo: Peter Grant reality show participants are murdered.

At the opening of Sofi Sarenbrant’s novel ‘Second Wind’ (2013), the annual Northern Sweden, as described Stockholm Marathon is struck by a by Åsa Larsson, is a mixture series of mysterious deaths. of pervasive nature and indispensableLapland described technology. by Åsa Larsson is a mixture of pervasive nature and indispensable technology.

Photo: Sara Ingman

Photo: Henrik Trygg

Photo: Henrik Trygg