Scandinavian crime fiction today

An opportunity to learn more about the wave of Scandinavian authors that create the new Nordic noir, often from a troubled police's view.  

  • Most of Indridason's books feature the protagonist Detective Erlendur.

  • Scandinavian crime thrillers today Dr. Jim Kaplan, professor emeritus at Minnesota State University-Moorhead will discuss the Scandinavian crime novels that are enjoying world-wide popularity. Huge successes as books, movies and TV shows, they feature internationally recognized characters such as Lisbeth Salander, Kurt Wallander and Harry Hole. Featured in this program will be “Jar City” by Icelandic author Arnaldur Indridason, “The Snowman” by Norwegian author Jo Nesbø, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Swedish author Stieg Larsson, as well as “The Department Q Trilogy” by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. 

  • The thriller novel "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," published posthumously, by the late Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson (1954–2004) was the first book of the Millennium series to become an international bestseller.

  • Crime thrillers enable readers to learn about the real lives of Scandinavian people today and are a fun and exciting introduction to literature and the humanities. Dr. Kaplan will highlight the films made from these books that are available on streaming video and DVD.

  • Danish author, publisher, editor and entrepreneur Jussi Adler-Olsen's books have become increasingly popular internationally in recent years.

  • The program will be presented three times:

  • Two of the best beaches in Sweden: Rigeleje in Kristianstad and Råå Vallar in Helsingborg. Both are in Skåne, the province that offers the best beaches in Sweden, at least environmentally. Here: Rigeleje.

  • Monday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Woodside, CA Public Library, 3140 Woodside Rd. For more information call 650.851.0147.

  • Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Glen Park Branch of the San Francisco Public Library, 2825 Diamond Street near the Glen Park BART Station. For more information contact 415.355.2858.

  • Monday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. at the Sixty Plus group in the Rosa Parks Room of the Cesar Chavez Student Center on the SFSU Campus.
    The programs are free and open to the public but attendees of the Sixty Plus event are asked to make a reservation by calling 415.405.0489.

  • For more info on facts, trivia and travel to Swedish literary destinations (Premium content)