Nordic Noir discussion

Hakan Nesser

Why are there no titles listed on Goodreads for Nesser's Swedish mysteries?

There are... http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... is his author's page.

because Hakan has a diacretic over his name, which makes searching really hard! because the search engine doesn't recognize letters without diacretics as substitutes for them

Usually the search engines do search for the alternatives, like Hakan should find Håkan, just like Nesbo should find Nesbø. Maybe Håkan is Håkan in some places and Hakan in o thers, just like Nesbø is Nesbø in most places (incl. US prints), and Nesbo for others (incl. UK).

Are any of Nesser's books actually located in any real place?
Van Veeteren is in a "Sweden-like country", which is a Netherlands-Denmark-Poland-Hungary-some bits of Scandinavia-Random bits of North/Central/Eastern Europe-like, more than Sweden-like.
Take a Guido Brunetti, put him in this Dutchs-ish gibberishland, make him old and boring, and add a casually always mentioned son who's in a prison. Blend in a bit of old, demented Wallander, and an aged version of Van de Wetering's stuff, and here we have Van Veeteren.

He also has another series, Barbarotti, apparently of some Italian-Swedish policeman living in some place called Kymlinge. Which apparently is a suburb in Stockholm, assuming it's the same Kymlinge.///
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/97... - GR lists the Barbaretti books in other languages than English - has anyone tried any yet? I've tried two of Van Veeterens, and just didn't like them, so I'd be reluctant to try these unless they are a) located somewhere b) with more interesting characters, c) with more action, and d) less boring.

AFAIK - all his van veeterens are in that mythical place...lol!

and you are right most search engines do - unfortunately, the GR's one doesn't...I have seen some authors where it has their real name (daicreticized) and then the anglicized non-diacretics one so it is searchable

Naomi wrote: "There are... http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... is his author's page."

Thank you. That is what I was looking for but appreciate all the other remarks also. Just started his newest and it hit me that maybe this isn't Sweden. Kept sounding like the Netherlands. Don't really care too much but glad to have my wonderings confirmed. Thank you all.

Van Veeteran kinda reminds me of Adam dalgeigh some PD James books - the super smart guy that solves the crime with only a few hints, but lets them reveal themselves

Ohhhh, he was my second favorite. Just do him in little bits.

Thanks...you prompted me to go in and look. I didn't realize that one had been translated that I missed. Ordered from the library! ;)

I have really enjoyed the Van Veeteren books, though agree it feels odd that the country is undentifiable. I would prefer it was grounded in a real Scandinavian country for preference. But the characters do become solid and sympathetic and the stories good.

Jan wrote: "I have really enjoyed the Van Veeteren books, though agree it feels odd that the country is undentifiable. I would prefer it was grounded in a real Scandinavian country for preference. But the char..."

See, I liked how he eludes to it. I think it makes it a bit more atmospheric because he goes more into describing the scenery vs. it is set in Sweden or whatever...

Just finished The Strangler's Honeymoon. Nesser's writing throughout this series is consistently strong and enjoyable. I feel his work is getting better with each new book.
It used to worry me that the country his books are set within was fictional and a conglomeration of all things Scandinavian, Dutch and Germanic. However, it has left me with a greater sense of place relying as previously stated on the descriptions given and the wonderful world he has created.

When I last checked, there are 8 that are translated.

I just finished The Inspector and Silence (about my 3rd and not getting them in order). I very much like the quirky writing style and the humor, and the characterizations of individual police and others. I don't think they are particularly realistic, but enjoy it for what it is. I prefer authors like this that focus on the people in the crime-solving process rather than on gruesome crimes and creepy criminals - some "noir" is too "noir" for me, tried a chapter of a Theorin - no thanks!

Love Nesser!

Highly recommend the seventh in the series and the one Nesser won the Glass Key for: Carambole/Hour of the Wolf

Brad wrote: "Love Nesser!

Highly recommend the seventh in the series and the one Nesser won the Glass Key for: Carambole/Hour of the Wolf"

I just ordered this one from ILL. I had been looking for it for the longest time and now more libraries have it.