If you’re a fan of Lisbeth Salander (aka, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) and Henning Mankell’s earnest Kurt Wallander you’ll find Scandinavian Noir an informative exploration of mysteries from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Wendy Lesser takes the reader on a tour of Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole novels and Stieg Larsson’s noirish mysteries as well as the Martin Beck series of police procedurals by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. If you’re interested in this genre, you’ll find much to learn and enjoy in Scandinavian Noir. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
| Caveat Lector | 3 | (2) | |
| Fiction As Reality | 5 | (124) | |
| Reality As Fiction | 129 | (126) | |
| Appendix: An Annotated List Of Mysteries And Thrillers | 255 | (18) | |
| Acknowledgments | 273 |
I’m interested in this — I loved the Sjowall/Wahloo books back when they were new, and have read the Larssons twice — but I’d be more interested if it were Nordic rather than Scandinavian. I want the bigger picture.
Jeff, you’ll enjoy Wendy Lesser’s reflections on Nordic noir.
I read some of the book on Amazon’s “Look Inside” and it does seem pretty good.
Jeff, I’m sure you’ll find SCANDINAVIAN NOIR informative and entertaining.
These seem too dark for me.
Rick, I never thought of these Nordic countries being hotbeds of crime and violence…until I read some of these Scandinavian noir novels!
I’m a big fan of Nordic/Scandinavian crime fiction. I would probably enjoy this. Have to check with the library if and when they ever open back up.
Steve, rumors abound that the libraries in Erie County may open to limited service tomorrow. I live in Niagara County, which borders Erie County, so I’m hoping our libraries offer the same services soon.
Will check it out. Not as big a Larsson fan as you (and Jeff) and I only read one Mankell, but I loved the Sjowall/Wahloo Martin Beck series and like the Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbo, as well as other Scandinavian/Nordic books. Is Iceland included? I’d say Arnaldur Indridiason is about as dark as it gets.
Jeff, I haven’t read any Arnaldur Indridiason but I’ll check him out as soon as the libraries open.
This title sits on a post-it right here. Maybe I will order it.
Patti, I think Wendy Lesser does a wonderful job exploring these Nordic Noir writers. I’m sure you would enjoy her book.
What a great cover.
I’ve not read either. I do like the Wallandar tv series. I saw The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (not the American version) and it was just too graphic for my tastes. Not sure the the novels read the same way.
Carl, although there’s violence in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO series, they’re worth reading for Lisbeth Salander alone.
I remember trying the sjowal and wahloo books many years ago and not enjoying them. I did like the girl with the dragon tattoo movie and audio book. This might be entertaining, at least parts of it.
Maggie, Wendy Lesser does an excellent job of making these Nordic writers and their mysteries appealing. This is a very seductive book for readers of this genre.