Since the late 1960s, the novels of Sjöwall and Wahlöö’s Martin Beck detective series, along with the works of Henning Mankell, Håkan Nesser and Stieg Larsson, have sparked an explosion of Nordic crime fiction—grim police procedurals treating urgent sociopolitical issues affecting the contemporary world. Steeped in noir techniques and viewpoints, many of these novels are reaching international audiences through film and television adaptations. This reference guide introduces the world of Nordic crime fiction to English–speaking readers. Caught between the demands of conscience and societal strictures, the detectives in these stories—like the heroes of Norse mythology—know that they and their world must perish, but fight on regardless of cost. At a time of bleak eventualities, Nordic crime fiction interprets the bitter end as a celebration of the indomitable human spirit.

Mitzi M. Brunsdale is a professor emerita of English from a small North Dakota university, and has been an adjunct lecturer in English at North Dakota State University, Fargo.

Mitzi M. Brunsdale

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 572
Bibliographic Info: bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2016
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7536-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2277-4
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments viii
Preface 1
Introduction 3
Denmark 7
Finland 102
Iceland 183
Norway 243
Sweden 367
Works Cited 527
Index 553

• Winner—ALA Outstanding Reference Source
• Finalist, Edgar Allan Poe Award—Mystery Writers of America
• “Brunsdale’s exhaustive resource explores the origins and impact of Nordic crime fiction. Scholars and enthusiasts will find much to enjoy in this unique resource”—Booklist
• “Brunsdale has transformed her knowledge and experience into this helpful resource, which endeavors to dig beneath the often shiny Scandinavian surface to uncover issues fueling these books…valuable information not easily found elsewhere. A hefty works cited section is a highlight of this resource. Highly recommended”—Choice
• “a serious work of scholarship”—Against the Grain
• “in-depth…thoughtful and well-documented…highly recommended”—ARBA
• “fills a welcome gap…very detailed overview of an important and popular genre…the work is a masterly contribution to the literary history of the Nordic countries”—Reference Reviews