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.