Adler-Olsen / Birkegaard / Blædel / Bodelsen / Davidsen / Egholm / Friis / Gazan / Hammer / Hoeg / Isaksen Steffan Jacobsen / Sander Jakobsen /Jensen / Juul / Jungersen / Kaaberbøl / Kazinski / Larsen / Nielsen / Ørum / Rydahl / Sarvig / Theils / Turèll / Wolf
Adler-Olsen, Jussi
It’s probably fitting that Adler-Olsen’s first publications were an encyclopedia of comics and two books about Groucho Marx. Born in 1950 and raised on the grounds of the mental hospitals where his father worked, Adler-Olsen’s first forays into fiction were thrillers. In 2007 he published the first in a series about a detective in Copenhagen’s imaginary Department Q. Rights to the first Department Q novel were sold to 25 countries. His style is quirky and humorous, his plots suspenseful.
Books
The Alphabet House (Alfabethuset) Denmark 1997; UK 2014; US 2015
translated by Steve Schein
Department Q Series
The Keeper of Lost Causes / apa Mercy (Kvinden i buret) Denmark 2007; UK 2011; US 2011
translated by Lisa Hartford
The Absent One apa Disgrace (Fasandræberne) Denmark 2008; UK 2012; US 2012
translated by K. E. Semmel
A Conspiracy of Faith / apa Redemption (Flaskepost fra P) Denmark 2009; UK 2013; US 2013
translated by Martin Aitkin
The Purity of Vengeance / apa Guilt (Journal 64, apa Journal Fireogtreds) Denmark 2010; UK 2014; US 2013
translated by MartinAitkin
The Marco Effect / apa Buried (Marco Effekten) Denmark 2012; UK 2015; US 2014
tranlated by Martin Aitkin
The Hanging Girl (Grænseløse) Denmark 2014; UK 2015; US 2015
translated by William Frost
The Scarred Woman (Selfies) Denmark 2017; UK 2017; US 2017
translated by William Frost.
Birkegaard, Mikkel
Born in 1970, Birkegaard is an IT developer whose first novel, a mix of fantasy and thriller, was a bestseller in Denmark. Foreign rights were sold for translations into 17 languages.
Books
The Library of Shadows (Libri di Lucca) Denmark 2007; UK 2009
translated by Tiina Nunally
Death Sentence (Over Mit Lig) Denmark 2009; UK 2011
translated by Charlotte Barslund
Blædel, Sara
A journalist, television director, and graphic artist, Blædel was born in 1964 and began publishing her police procedural series featuring Louise Rick in 2004.
Books
Call Me Princess / apa Blue Blood (Kald mig prinsesse) Denmark 2005; UK 2012; US 2011
translated by Erik J. Macki and Tara F. Chase
Only One Life (Kun ét Liv) Denmark 2007; US 2012
Farewell to Freedom (Aldrig mere fri) Denmark 2008; US 2012
translated by Erik J. Macki and Tara F. Chace
The Forgotten Girls (Glemte Piger) Denmark 2011; US 2015
translated by Signe Rod Golly
The Killing Forest (Dødesporet) Denmark 2013; US 2016
translated by Mark Kline
The Lost Woman (Kvinden de meldte savnet) Denmark 2016; US 2017
translated by Mark Kline
The Undertaker’s Daughter (Bedemandens datter) Denmark 2017; US 2018
translated by Mark Kline
Bodelsen, Anders
Born in 1937, Bodelsen’s thrillers are reminiscent of the Martin Beck series in that his work is in the same realistic vein that examines the discontents of modern life and the effect of materialism on human relationships. One of his books, Think of a Number, was the basis of a Danish film that was remade into a critically acclaimed Canadian film starring Elliott Gould and Christopher Plummer. In addition to fiction for adults and children, he is the author of a number of radio plays.
Books
One Down / apa Hit and Run, Run, Run (Hændeligt uheld) Denmark 1968; UK 1970, US 1970
translated by Carolyn Bly
The Silent Parter / apa Think of a Number (Tænk på et tal) Denmark 1968; UK 1969; US 1978
translated by David Hohnen
Freezing Down (Frysepunktet) Denmark 1969; US 1971
translated by Joan Tate
Straus (Straus) Denmark 1971; US 1974
translated by Nadia Christensen and Alexander Taylor
Consider the Verdict (Bevisets stilling) Denmark 1973; US 1976
translated by Nadia Christensen
Operation Cobra (Operation Cobra) Denmark 1975; UK 1976; US 1979
translated by Joan Tate
Davidsen, Leif
Having worked as a foreign correspondent in radio and television, with a specialty in East European affairs, Davidsen’s thrillers often draw on international issues.
Books
The Sardine Deception (Uhellige alliancer) Denmark 1984; US 1986
translated by Tiina Nunnally & Steve Murray
The Russian Singer (Den russiske sangerinde) Denmark 1988; UK 1991; US 1991
translated by Jørgen Schiøtt.
Lime’s Photograph (Lime’s billede) Denmark 1998; UK 2001
The Serbian Dane (Deb Serbiske Dansker) Denmark 1996; UK 2007
Translated by Gaye Kynoch
The Woman from Bratislava (Gode søstre) Denmark 2001; UK 2009
Translated by Barbara J. Haveland
- Eurocrime
- Slovak Spectator
- The Times (London)
Egholm, Elsebeth
After a career in music as a pianist at the the Royal Academy of Music and at the Department of Musicology at the University of Aarhus, then as a journalist, Egholm published her first novel in 1999 and in 2002 began a series featuring Dicte Svendsen, a journalist sleuth, which has been translated into several languages. In 2011, a ten-part television series about a serial killer investigation that she created, Dem som dræber. was broadcast in Denmark, followed by Dicte in 2012.
Books
Next of Kin (Nærmeste pårørende) Denmark 2006; Australia 2011
Life and Limb (Liv og Legeme) Denmark 2008; Australia 2012
Three Dog Night (Tre Hundes Nat) Denmark 2011; UK 2013
translated by Charlotte Barslund and Don Bartlett
Dead Souls (De Døde Sjæles Nat) Denmark 2012; UK 2015
Agnete Friis
After a successful writing partnership with Lene Kaaberbøl for a four-book series, Friis (a journalist and children’s author) began to write mysteries on her own.
What My Body Remembers (Blitz) Denmark 2015; US 2017
translated by Lindy Falk van Rooyen
Friis, Agnete & Lene Kaaberbøl
Born in 1974, Friis is a journalist and author of children’s books. Her first collaboration with Lene Kaaberbøl led to a Harald Mogensen award and was shortlisted for the Glass Key.
Books
The Boy in the Suitcase (Drengen i kufferten) – Denmark 2008; US 2011
translated by Lene Kaaberbøl
Invisible Murder (Stille umærkeligt drab) Denmark 2010; US 2012
translated by Tara Chace
Death of a Nightingale (Nattergalens Død) Denmark 2011; US 2013
translated by Elisabeth Dyssegaard
The Considerate Killer
Gazan, Sissel-Jo
Born in 1973 and trained as a biologist, Gazan is cultural journalist and the author of several novels.
Books
The Dinosaur Feather (Dinosaurens fjer) Denmark 2008; UK 2011; US 2013
translated by Charlotte Barslund
The Arc of the Swallow (Svalens graf) Denmark 2013; UK 2014; US 2015
translated by Charlotte Barslund
Hammer, Lotte & Søren Hammer
Trained as a nurse, Lotte Hammer joined with her brother, Søren Hammer, a lecturer at Copenhagen University College of Engineering, to write a police procedural series. The first in the series has been published in twenty countries.
Books
The Hanging (Svinehunde) Denmark 2010; UK 2013; US 2013
translated by Ebba Segerberg
A Price for Everything /apa The Girl in the Ice (Alting har sin pris) Denmark 2010; UK 2015; US 2015
The Vanished (Ensomme hjerters klub) Denmark 2011; US 2016
translated by Martin Aitken
The Lake (Pigen i Satans Mose) Denmark 2014; US 2017
translated by Charlotte Barslund
Hammer, Søren see Hammer, Lotte
Høeg, Peter
Born in 1957 in Denmark, Høeg worked as a ballet dancer, fencer, actor, sailor, and mountaineer before turning to writing full-time. His work mixes elements of the thriller with philosophical and mystical components.
Books
Smilla’s Sense of Snow / apa Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow (Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne) Denmark 1992; UK 1993; US 1993
translated by Tiina Nunnally
Borderliners (Måske egnede) Denmark 1993; UK 1995; US 1994
translated by Barbara Haveland
The History of Danish Dreams (Forestilling om det tyvende århundrede) Denmark 1988; UK 1995; US 1995
translated by Barbara Haveland
Tales of the Night (Fortællinger om natten) Denmark 1990; US 1998
translated by Barbara Haveland
The Woman and the Ape (Kvinden og aben) Denmark 1996; UK 1997; US 1996
translated by Barbara Haveland
The Quiet Girl (Stille pige) Denmark 2006; UK 2007; US 2007
translated by Nadia Christensen
Jógvan Isaksen
A Faroese writer, literary historian, and publisher, Isaksen was born in 1950 and has received awards for his work and service. He writes in Faroese and his crime novels, children’s books, and non-fiction have been translated into Danish and other languages.
Books
Walpurgis Tide (Krossmessa) Faroe Islands 2005; Denmark 2009; UK 2016
(translated by John Keithsson
Jacobsen, Steffan
Born in 1956, Jacobsen is an orthopedic surgeon and consultant whose first work of crime fiction was published in 2008.
Books
When the Dead Awaken (Når de døde vågner) Denmark 2011; UK 2015
translated by Charlotte Barslund
Trophy (Trofæ) Denmark 2013; UK 2014
translated by Charlotte Barslund
Retribution (Gengældelsen) Denmark 2014; UK 2016
translated by Charlotte Barslund
Jakobsen, Sander
The pseudonym of two writers, journalist Dagmar Winther (born 1980) and Kenneth Degnbol (born 1972), a musician who teaches both music and philosophy at the Rønde Højskole, where Winther also teaches journalism.
Books
The Preacher (Forkynderen) Denmark 2013; UK 2013
translated by the authors
Jensen, Martin
Born in 1946, Jensen worked as a teacher and school administrator before turning to writing full-time. He has published 21 novels including two historical crime series.
Books
The King’s Hounds (Kongens hunde) Denmark 2010; US 2013
translated by Tara Chace
Oathbreaker (Edbryder) Denmark 2011; US 2014
translated by Tara Chace
A Man’s World US 2015
tranlated by Tara Chace
Juul, Pia
Born in 1962, Juul is a poet as well as an author of shorts stories and novels, one of which involves the investigation of a crime (but could be considered literary fiction rather than crime fiction).
Books
The Murder of Halland (Mordet på Halland) Denmark 2009; UK 2012
translated by Martin Aitkin
Jungersen, Christian
Author of two novels, the second of which is available in English, Jungersen has also worked as a script consultant and film teacher. Born in Copenhagen, he now lives in New York.
Books
The Exception (Undtagelsen) Denmark 2004; US 2006
translated by Anna Paterson
You Disappear (Du forsvinder) Denmark 2012; US 2014
translated by Misha Hoekstra
Kaaberbøl, Lene
Best known for her fantasy series written for young readers, Kaaberbøl’s first book was published when she was 15 years old. See Agnete Friis for details of their collaboration on the Nina Borg series.
Books
Doctor Death (Kadaverdoktoren) Denmark ; US 2015
translated by Elisabeth Dyssegaard
A Lady in Shadow (Levende kød) Denmark 2014; US 2017
translated by Elisabeth Dyssegaard
Kazinski, A. J.
Pseudonym of two filmmakers, Anders Rønow Klarlund and Jacob Weinreich.
Books
The Last Good Man (Den Sidste Gode Mand) Denmark 2010; US 2012
translated by Tiina Nunnally
Larsen, Michael
Born in 1961, Larsen trained as a journalist. In addition to several thrillers, he has also written film scripts.
Books
Uncertainty (Uden sikker viden) Denmark 1994; UK 1997; US 1996
translated by Lone Thygesen Blecher and George Blecher
The Snake in Sydney (Slangen i Sydney) Denmark 1997; UK 2000
translated by Anne Born
Books
An Unsuccessful Man / apa A Gallowsbird’s Song (Galgesangen) Denmark 1973; UK 1976; US 1976
translated by Marianne Helweg
Nineteen Red Roses (Nitten røde roser) Denmark 1974; UK 1978
Ørum, Poul
Born in 1919, his books feature Detective Inspector Jonas Mørck. Ørum died in 1997.
Books
Scapegoat / apa The Whipping Boy (Syndebuk) Denmark 1972; UK 1975; US 1975
translated by Kenneth Barclay
Nothing but the Truth (Kun sandheden) Denmark 1974; US 1976
translated by Kenneth Barclay
Rydahl, Thomas
Born in Aarhus in 1974, Rydahl won a writing award for a short story when he was seventeen years old. He has worked in communications strategy and translated two book by Malcolm Gladwell into Danish before publishing his first novel, which won the Glass Key among other awards and became a bestseller in Denmark.
Books
The Hermit (Eremitten) Denmark 2014; UK 2016
translated by K.E. Semmel
Sarvig, Ole
Born in 1921, Sarvig was best known as a poet, but he published several novels including one late novel with an apocalyptic theme. He died in 1981.
Books
The Sea Beneath My Window (Havet under mit Vindue) Denmark 1960; US 2003
Theils, Lone
After sixteen years in Britain as a Danish news correspondent, Theils returned to her native Denmark to write full-time.
Books
Fatal Crossing (Pigerne fra Englandsbåden) Denmark 2015; Australia 2017
translated by Charlotte Barslund
Turèll, Dan
A prolific author of novels, criticism, and poetry, Turèll’s crime series, published between 1981 and 1989, included 12 novels (with titles all beginning with the words “Death in”) and a volume of short stories. He was born in 1946 and was heavily influenced by American culture, including the beat poets and Raymond Chandler. He died in 1993 at the age of 47, leaving behind an impressive body of work. A public square in Copenhagen was named Onkel Dannys Plads in his honor.
Books
Murder in the Dark (Mord i Mørket) Denmark 1981; UK 2012; US 2013
translated by Mark Mussari
Wolf, Inger
Born in 1971, Wolf began publishing a series about a Danish detective and an IT specialist, the first of which won a Danish award for best debut crime novel in 2006. Only the fifth in the series is available in English, and only in ebook format.
Books
Evil Water (Ondt vand) Denmark 2012; English edition, 2012
Scandinavian Crime Fiction in English Translation 