The 52 Book Club: 2025 / 2026 Challenge discussion

24. Nordic Noir

What is Nordic Noir? Nordic noir, also known as Scandinavian noir or Scandi noir, is a genre of crime fiction usually written from a police point of view and set in Scandinavia or Nordic countries (Wikipedia). These feature crime investigations that have dark atmosphere and twisty plot points. They often explore social issues, set amidst a cold Scandinavian backdrop.

Looking for a lighter, creative interpretation? Try a different genre set in a Scandinavian country, or perhaps a short story or novella instead. As always, feel free to ask in our Facebook group for some introductory reads into the genre.


Click here for our Goodreads List of suggestions

Would Fredrik Backman's "Beartown" series work for this prompt? They are set in Sweden and are very twisty and can get dark.

Kim wrote: "Would Fredrik Backman's "Beartown" series work for this prompt? They are set in Sweden and are very twisty and can get dark."

Sure! Personally I don't feel that book is dark & gritty enough to fit the prompt for how I'm interpreting it, but that's the beauty of this challenge, we can all use it how we want!

I don't know how noirish they are, but Viveca Sten and Jorgen Brekke are both Scandinavian mystery writers, so I'll probably count one of them.

No be clear, Nordic but non Scandinavia countries count?

The Witch Hunter by Max Seeck

The girl with the dragon tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Thomas wrote: "No be clear, Nordic but non Scandinavia countries count?"
Correct. If it is Nordic, it works, either Scandinavian or not.

A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson

Laura wrote: "The girl with the dragon tattoo by Stieg Larsson"
This was my choice too

I'm going to read The Rabbit Factor by Antti Tuomainen

I read “The Forbidden Place” bySusanne Jansson. Much less graphic than some of the other titles I browsed. Happy with my choice.

I’ve read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo already. Would the second book the Girl who played with fire also fit into this?

Erica wrote: "I’ve read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo already. Would the second book the Girl who played with fire also fit into this?"
absolutely

I read The Tenant for this prompt. First part of a series of thrillers - I will read the rest of them as well.

I read https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... for this prompt. It was more intense than I am used to. I didn't think I would make it through the first chapter but it was worth it by the end. Lots of twists and turns.

That didn't post very well. It was The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup

I've read Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö -- written, and set, in the Sixties, which makes it an interesting historical document!

The Ice Princess, by Camilla Lackberg

Easy Money -first in a series. Fits the description of the prompt

I googled 'Nordic Noir' and Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman came up. Does anyone know if this fits this prompt for sure? Thanks!

April wrote: "I googled 'Nordic Noir' and Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman came up. Does anyone know if this fits this prompt for sure? Thanks!"

It might be Noir but it doesn't seem to be Nordic, the author is American and the book is set there too

I decided to go with The Lost Village by Camilla Sten. It was listed in the Goodreads prompt list and sounds really good!

I’m reading The Fires by Sigridur Hagalin Bjornsdottir about a volcanic eruption in Iceland!

I’m going to read ‘The Crow Girl’ by Erik Axl Sund which I had given to me and seems to fit the prompt. Written from the perspective of Detective Superintendent Jeanette Kihlberg and set in Sweden. It’s quite a long one and hope it’s not too graphic!

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. I've owned it for ages and now finally had a real reason to tackle it.

The Mystery of the Lone Wolf Killer: Anders Behring Breivik and the Threat of Terror in Plain Sight by Unni Turrettini

This was a hard one for non-fiction only. This book is about the killer who shot 69 adults and youth at a summer camp in Norway. About half the book was about other lone wolf killers. Tough to listen to.

I read Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason. Honestly I found it very cliched. I know to expect certain tropes in a murder mystery, but although the story itself was very intriguing, I felt I'd seen and heard the characters and dialogue before. It worked much better as a film.

"The Girl in the Spider's Web" by David Lagercrantz.

I must admit, I tried anJo Nesbo book and quickly realised that this genre is not my thing so I read The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave which is about the Vardo witch trials. It was quite dark so I chose to use this. I would highly recommend it as a read.

I read The Boy in the Suitcase.

The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye - David Lagercrantz

Probably will read Let the Right One In

read A Nearly Normal Family, a story about a pastor, her wife and her daughter that is accused of murder. 5 stars

87 seconds by Lone Theils was a quick read! It took me about 3 hours to listen to it

Winterfrost by Michelle Houts Enjoy

The Girl Who Died by Ragnar Jónasson 2/5

I was thinking Faceless Killers but I may take inspiration from here... not quite sure atm.

This isn't a genre I usually reach for, so I went with something shorter but ended up really liking it. Quirky and engaging and about a four-hour listen: An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good

I listened to Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbø for this one.

Cruel Tides - Maria Adolffson

Scandinavian Noir: In Pursuit of a Mystery by Wendy Lesser 3.5 stars

I've just finished Gallows Rock by Yrsa Sigurdardottir. It was soooo good I'm going to read another book by this author.

I’m reading The House That Jack Built by Jakob Melander

I read An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good by Helene Torsten...noir, but also darkly funny. Looking forward to reading the sequel

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Undesired is a standalone Nordic Noir by Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurdardottir. In a gripping, atmospheric story Ódinn is tasked with investigating the Króker Boys Home which took in juvenile delinquents in the 1970s. He soon discovers the mysterious deaths of two of the boys, and as he does so more and more secrets are uncovered. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

I read "The Boy in the Suitcase" by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis

I read The Leopard by Jo Nesbø, 4 Stars

Tanya wrote: "I've read Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö -- written, and set, in the Sixties, which makes it an interesting historical document!"

This was my choice as well. That it was set in the pre-computer and gadgets days made the mystery tougher to solve for the detective.