NORDIC NOIR THRILLERS – Discover the chilling allure of Nordic Noir, a genre that dives deep into the shadows of the Scandinavian landscape, where long, dark winters mirror the bleakness of the human soul. In these gripping tales, moral ambiguity reigns, and the line between right and wrong is often blurred. From the icy streets of Stockholm to the remote fjords of Norway, Nordic Noir exposes the underbelly of society, where complex characters grapple with their own demons while navigating intricate plots filled with twists and turns. Prepare to be captivated by the haunting atmosphere, complex characters, and intricate plots that define this compelling genre . . . in a chilling world where shadows lurk around every corner, let coffee be your trusted ally.
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I’m Traveling Alone
Read more: I’m Traveling AloneMy rating: 4/5 stars. I’m Traveling Alone by Samuel Bjørk has been sitting on my TBR shelf for ages, and I’m glad I finally picked it up over the weekend. This dark, atmospheric Nordic Noir police procedural hooked me right from the start. Set in Norway, the story follows members of a special police unit…
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The Cabin (William Wisting #13, Cold Cases #2)
Read more: The Cabin (William Wisting #13, Cold Cases #2)My rating: 4/5 stars. The Cabin by Jørn Lier Horst is an excellent Nordic Noir crime fiction novel – a measured, character-driven police procedural rather than a twisted, action-heavy thriller. It’s the thirteenth installment in the much-loved Wisting series, and the second in the Cold Case Quartet, a four-book subseries focused entirely on long-unsolved cases.…
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The Katharina Code (William Wisting #12, Cold Cases #1)
Read more: The Katharina Code (William Wisting #12, Cold Cases #1)My rating: 4/5 stars. The Katharina Code by Jørn Lier Horst is an excellent Nordic Noir crime fiction novel – a measured, character-driven police procedural rather than a twist-laden, action-heavy thriller. It’s the twelfth installment in the much-loved Wisting series, and also the first in the Cold Case Quartet, a four-book subseries focused entirely on…
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The Crow Girl
Read more: The Crow GirlMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Crow Girl is a dark and disturbing Nordic Noir crime fiction/psychological thriller novel by Erik Axl Sund, the pen name of Swedish author duo Jerker Eriksson and Hakan Axlander Sundquist. Originally published in Sweden as a trilogy (The Crow Girl in 2010, Hunger Fire in 2011, and Pythia’s Instructions in…
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The Glass Man – Asker Series #2
Read more: The Glass Man – Asker Series #2My rating: 5/5 stars. The Glass Man by Anders de la Motte is the second installment in the Asker series and a gripping Nordic Noir crime novel. After finishing The Mountain King, I couldn’t wait to dive into this one and it definitely didn’t disappoint. This narrative weaves together two compelling storylines, and de la…
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The Mountain King – Asker Series #1
Read more: The Mountain King – Asker Series #1My rating: 4/5 stars. The Mountain King by Anders de la Motte is a Nordic Noir crime novel and the first book in the Asker series. This was my first time reading de la Motte, and I’m already excited for the next installment coming later this year. The story is expertly crafted – there’s a…
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Under The Storm – Hallandssviten #1
Read more: Under The Storm – Hallandssviten #1My rating: 4/5 stars. Under The Storm by Christoffer Carlsson is the first installment in this Nordic Noir, crime fiction series. It’s the first novel I’ve read by Carlsson and definitely won’t be my last. This story is exceptionally well-written and complex, and I was quickly drawn into its brooding, melancholic atmosphere. It captures everything…
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Blood Ties – The Kingdom Series #2
Read more: Blood Ties – The Kingdom Series #2My rating: 3.75/5 stars. Blood Ties by author Jo Nesbø is a Nordic Noir thriller and the second installment in The Kingdom series. The story revolves around themes of loyalty, deception, and violence, following two brothers as they struggle to maintain control over their small town while a dark past threatens to dismantle everything they’ve…
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Snowblind – Dark Iceland Series #1
Read more: Snowblind – Dark Iceland Series #1My rating: 3/5 stars. Snowblind by Ragnar Jónasson was a somewhat engaging read for me. Jónasson skillfully captured the essence of small-town life, where everyone is familiar with each other’s business. The story featured numerous characters, and I felt that Jónasson successfully navigated between them. He provided enough backstory for each character, and I felt…
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Death at the Sanatorium
Read more: Death at the SanatoriumMy rating: 3/5 stars. Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jónasson was a fast-paced and somewhat engaging read for me. Jónasson skillfully navigated between characters and timelines and it was extremely easy to follow. The storyline built nicely but I thought the frequent references to the main character’s interest in classic detective fiction and whodunnits…
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The Mermaid – Detectives Von Klint and Berg Series Book #2
Read more: The Mermaid – Detectives Von Klint and Berg Series Book #2My rating: 4/5 stars. The Mermaid by Anki Edvinsson is a standout Nordic Noir thriller and the 2nd installment in the Detectives von Klint and Berg series. The novel’s gripping prologue sets the tone for the entire book and the story delivers on its promise of a thrilling ride! Swedish author Edvinsson’s storytelling prowess shines…
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The Sandman – Joona Linna Series Book #4
Read more: The Sandman – Joona Linna Series Book #4My rating: 3/5 stars. The Sandman by Lars Kepler is a book that falls somewhere in the middle for me. While it had some compelling elements, overall, it didn’t quite hit the mark. I might have felt more let down because this book had such promise. I’m a big fan of gripping serial killer thrillers,…
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Killing Moon – Harry Hole Series #13
Read more: Killing Moon – Harry Hole Series #13My rating: 5/5 stars. Nesbø’s long-running Harry Hole series has kept me intrigued since I stumbled upon it a few years ago. Nesbø crafts masterful, immersive, and unforgettable stories that have kept me thoroughly entertained and fully invested across 13 novels. Thank you, Mr. Nesbø, for an unforgettable reading experience!
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Knife – Harry Hole Series #12
Read more: Knife – Harry Hole Series #12My rating: 5/5 stars. Knife is the 12th installment in the Harry Hole series, and demonstrates why Nesbø is a master Nordic Noir storyteller. It surpasses the complexity of the previous two novels and mirrors the scope and scale of The Redbreast, Nesbø’s third book in the series and my personal favorite.
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The Hypnotist – Joona Linna Series Book #1
Read more: The Hypnotist – Joona Linna Series Book #1My rating: 3/5 stars. The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler is a book that falls somewhere in the middle for me. While it had some compelling elements, overall, it didn’t quite hit the mark. The story starts strong, with a brutal murder scene that sets the stage for a gripping mystery. While Detective Inspector Joona Linna…
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The Thirst – Harry Hole Series #11
Read more: The Thirst – Harry Hole Series #11My rating: 4/5 stars. The Thirst is the 11th book in the Harry Hole series and once again, I was quickly drawn into the setting and storyline of this intriguing Nordic Noir thriller. Nesbø’s is a master at suspense and drew me into the dark and twisted world of the killer and the relentless pursuit…
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Police – Harry Hole Series #10
Read more: Police – Harry Hole Series #10My rating: 4.5/5 stars. This is the 10th book in the Harry Hole series. I like dark, atmospheric and complex thrillers this is one of Nesbø’s best. It is a compelling story, intricately plotted and full of shocking twists. When a police officer is found murdered at the scene of an old unsolved murder case…
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The Chestnut Man
Read more: The Chestnut ManMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup is a dark and gripping thriller set in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is an absolute masterpiece of Scandinavian crime fiction, delivering a dark and atmospheric tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
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Phantom – Harry Hole Series #9
Read more: Phantom – Harry Hole Series #9My rating: 5/5 stars. I like dark and twisted crime thrillers, and this is one of Nesbø’s best. It is a compelling story, intricately plotted and full of shocking twists. Hole’s pursuit to prove Oleg innocence hooked me from the first pages and kept me reading late into the night. Phantom is the bleakest Harry…
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The Leopard – Harry Hole Series #8
Read more: The Leopard – Harry Hole Series #8My rating: 4/5 stars. The Leopard by Jo Nesbø is the 7th book in the Harry Hole series. Reeling from trauma of his last case, at the beginning of the story, we find Hole self-exiled in Hong Kong, deeply entrenched in alcohol, opium, and in gambling debt to the local mafia. Hole’s Oslo Crime Squad…
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The Snowman – Harry Hole Series #7
Read more: The Snowman – Harry Hole Series #7My rating: 5/5 stars. Wow! One of Jo Nesbø’s best novels to date. The Snowman is a gripping and haunting atmospheric thriller that kept me guessing from the beginning. Nesbø’s writing style is top notch, and he does an excellent job of creating a sense of tension and unease that permeates the entire novel.
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The Redeemer – Harry Hole Series #6
Read more: The Redeemer – Harry Hole Series #6My rating: 4/5 stars. The Redeemer by Jo Nesbø is another enthralling installment in the Harry Hole series. The story begins with a young Salvation Army worker, Ane, being shot dead during a Christmas street concert in Oslo. Inspector Harry Hole is assigned to the case and soon discovers that Ane’s death is linked to…
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The Devil’s Star – Harry Hole Series #5
Read more: The Devil’s Star – Harry Hole Series #5My rating: 4.5/5 stars. The Devil’s Star by Jo Nesbø starts strong and never lets up. The novel begins with the discovery of a young woman’s body, marked with a pentagram and a red diamond-shaped star left as a calling card. As Harry Hole delves into the case, he discovers that the killer is leaving…
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Nemesis – Harry Hole Series #4
Read more: Nemesis – Harry Hole Series #4My rating: 4.5/5 stars. This is the 4th book in the Harry Hole series. Nemesis by Jo Nesbø is a gripping and multilayered thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Nesbø’s writing style is engaging, and he does an excellent job of creating a dark and atmospheric setting…
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The Redbreast – Harry Hole Series #3
Read more: The Redbreast – Harry Hole Series #3My rating: 5/5 stars. I was excited to read my first novel in the Harry Hole series and The Redbreast far exceeded my expectations! The Redbreast is a compelling and intricately crafted novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. Nesbø’s writing style is engaging, and he does a masterful job weaving together multiple…
Mugs & Manuscripts 