What is Scandinavian Noir or Nordic Noir? Top Scandinavian Noir Books To Read

 

What is Scandinavian Noir or Nordic Noir? What are the key traits? What do you expect from one? Which are some good Scandinavian Noir series to read? All these queries are answered here in detail. If you don't wanna read the entire article then please watch this under 5 minutes video what sums up everything for your convenience. otherwise, read this article.




First, lemme tell you in most simple words “what Scandinavian noir actually is?” what can you expect from one? What are some key traits? Scandinavian Noir is also known as Nordic Noir is actually a genre of Crime Fiction. The most prominent feature is, their book is usually narrated from the point of view of a Police and setting of the plot is in some Nordic and Scandinavian countries. These books are generally written in plain, simple, straightforward language without any use of metaphors. As these books are set in bleak landscapes, a complex, tense, dark atmosphere looms. The plots involve mostly murder, misogyny, rape and racism. It totally contrasts whodunit style that can be noticed in English country house murder mysteries. Scandinavian Noir is not only about the plot as we can notice in British cozy mysteries were solving the puzzle matters most. But here people matter most! Their life, occupation, past, memories, regrets, secrets... Everything matters.

The atmosphere, weather, and climate... another key trait of Nordic Noirs, that makes it so addictive. Here nature plays a huge part.

Plots involving shocking messy cases are other characteristics. They are not so much well-articulated alike whodunit book. Rather whydunnit matters here. Violent sadistic psychology and terrible intentions play key roles actually.

Now let me provide 3 of Scandinavian books series that are according to me worth reading.


1.   Millennium trilogy by Steig Larsson:




The first book series I wanna recommend his Millennium trilogy. As a trilogy, there are basically three books namely The girl with the Dragon Tatto, the girl who played with the fire, the girl who kicked the Hornet’s nest. These books are bestsellers in several countries. Actually, Steig Larsson witnessed a rape when he was just 15 years old. But he was helpless to stop it and his event consistently haunted him for the rest of his life. The name of the girl being raped was Lisbeth that he later used as the name of the heroine of Millenium trilogy. One of the most striking features of this trilogy is a recurring theme of sexual violence against women.




2.   Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo:

      

Next book I wanna recommend is Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo. The main character is Harry Hole who is classic loose cannon in Oslo Police force. He has only a few friends. An unorthodox method to solve cases is his key feature.  There are twelve books in total. I can recommend you two: The Redbreast and The Devil’s Star. The Redbreast is a tale of murder and betrayal. It ranges from the World war two battlefields to modern-day Oslo. The plot of The Devil’s Star is really interesting. A tiny red diamond is found behind the eyelids of a woman who has been murdered in her flat. Harry hole is assigned to the case. Serial murders again with a pattern suggest there is a serial killer on the run in Oslo. So, these two books you can definitely try

 

3.   Fjällbacka Series by Camilla Läckberg: 

  Fjällbacka Series by Camilla Läckberg is my next recommendation. Patrik Hedstrom, a police detective and Erica Falck, a true-crime writer are prime characters. Formerly it was named Patrik Hedstrom series on Goodreads. There are 10 prime works and 25 total works. Together they solve baffling murder cases at small Swedish coastal town named Fjallbacka and the nearby countryside.

 

So these three series are according to me are worth reading, to begin with, Scandinavian noirs. If you are faint-hearted, please stay away from them. And I really mean it.


Popular posts from this blog

Love is a verb by Pramod Rajput Book Review

Interview of Author Margarita Felices

The Phoenix Keeper and the City of the Sun Book Review