Barry Forshaw is the UK’s expert on Scandinavian crime fiction. His excellent Death in a Cold Climate is a book that I often dip into if I need information about a Scandinavian author that I’m unfamiliar with. Now he has produced Nordic Noir: The Pocket Essential Guide to Scandinavian Crime Fiction, Film & TV, a brief but very entertaining overview of not only Nordic crime novels but also of many of the Scandinavian TV and films that are now appearing on our screens.
The book opens with a look at the beginnings of Scandinavian crime fiction, and the influence of Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö and other early writers on the genre. The following chapters then assess the two great writers Henning Mankell and Steig Larsson and how they led the way for many of their contemporaries and began the craze for Nordic Noir. There is plenty of food for thought here. Camilla Lackberg, for example, has a significant following but has never quite reached the popularity of say, Jo Nesbo. Forshaw comes up with some convincing explanations for this, not least the intimate setting of Fjallbacka which, although harks back to Christie’s St Mary’s Mead, doesn’t have the international feel of Nesbo’s books. Nesbo himself dominates the Norway chapter, although there are also plenty of other writers discussed, including the excellent Anne Holt and Thomas Enger.
The chapters on the other Nordic countries Iceland, Finland and Denmark were particularly interesting as I’m less familiar with some of the writers and you get a strong sense of both the personality of the authors and the essence of their works. The latter part of the book assesses the impact of Nordic Noir in TV and Film and identifies some emerging writers to look out for which will provide a useful point of reference in the future.
For a short book (around 160 pages) this packs a lot in and shows Forshaw’s knowledge of the subject. His interviews with many of the authors form the basis of the book and there are some amusing anecdotes and asides, including an interview with Henning Mankell who spots mice in an upmarket hotel in central London. But you also get a sense of the author’s preferences and his views on the merits of different writers. So there is plenty to delight fans of Nordic Noir and also those who want an informative but succinct introduction to the genre.
Sarah, this would probably be helpful for me in my quest to get upto speed on Scandinavian cousins, thanks.
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Yes it’s a useful book Col. I’m sure you’d enjoy it.
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Sarah – I couldn’t agree more about Forshaw’s knowledge and good writing. I will definitely have to get hold of this as it sounds like an excellent resource.
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Thanks Margot.
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Great info, Sarah! This should help me find more authors. I’ve ordered the book from my local bookstore.
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Thanks Deb. I hope you enjoy it! And thanks for stopping by and commenting. I’m just heading over to check out your site now.
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I tried to buy this book yesterday but not available in the US yet. I was convinced sight unseen. So I am glad to see from your review that it will be a good buy when it is available. I have Death in a Cold Climate on my Kindle and am reading it at a leisurely pace. Also have Forshaw’s Rough Guide to Crime Fiction, which is almost falling apart, I read it so much. I am a sucker for any mystery reference books that I can afford.
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Yes I know what you mean Tracy. I’m sure it’ll be available in the US shortly.
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Sounds like a realliy indispensable guide – thanks Sarah, think I will have to indulge!
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I think you’ll enjoy the informal style of writing Sergio.
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You mean … no footnotes? Sounds like a really useful primer – thanks.
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The first time Lackberg’s been called noir, I should think! Thanks for the review Sarah. I love reference books too…
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Yes me too Rich. And yes, Lackberg isn’t noir although the term ‘nordic noir’ encapsulates a range of styles.
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I want to read this book, and I’ll put it on Mount TBR and wait for it to make its way across the pond.
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Thanks Kathy.
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I just read parts of Death in a Cold Climate last week so Forshaw has been on my mind. On the TV front, I’m dismayed that there’s an American remake of The Bridge. I hope it’s not as boring as the American version of The Killing.
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Given that the original was so good, it’s a shame that ‘The Bridge’ is being remade but as you say this has happened before.
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This sounds like a really good introduction to Scandi crime and would no doubt add hundreds more books to my wishlist! Thanks for the review.
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Thanks Lindsay.
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Oh, Sarah,
I’m so interested in consulting both of Forshaw’s books, but unfortunately Nordic Noir will not be available for sale here until September, and Death in a Cold Climate is not available in any library, though I could purchase it for $28 from Barnes & Noble or Amazon. Ouch!
I may investigate ordering from The Book Depository just to see if the cost is less. I’m sad I have to count the pennies these days, because I love literary reference books and Forshaw seems to be filling a huge hole for English readers of Scandinavian crime.
Thanks so much for writing about these books!
Judith
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Ooops. Just ordered both Forshaw books from The Book Depository. I guess that’s my birthday present (not until June, though). Yikes. Lots cheaper than the alternative.
Best,
Judith
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That’s great news Judith. You won’t regret your purchases I promise! I haven’t really heard of The Book Depository but I’ve just looked it up. We are all counting the pennies these days…..
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