Devon Book Club discussion

We are having a themed week in march focussing on Nordic/Scandi Noir. The idea is simply to read anything from that genre and share your views and recommendations - here on Goodreads and also on our Facebook and Twitter platforms.


Watch this space but get reading!!

Just finished the third of the Millenium Trilogy The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. These are great books for a fast paced action read.

Have you got some recommended titles of this genre to read? I watch Scandi nordic noir series on TV but would like some good book recommendations rather than reading the book of the series.

I have just started to read the Icelandic novel, The Darkness by Ragnar Jónasson (which is really hard to link here!)
I'm really enjoying it so far - only a couple of chapters in though, as I had all my digi-holds from the library come in at once so I'm reading lots of books at the same time!

As an aside, the library's hold system for ebooks is a nightmare really - some of these books I have been awaiting for months and it just slams me with 4 new titles in one day!

Karen wrote: "would like some good book recommendations rather than reading the book of the series."

I can de-recommend one for you in this context - I loved the TV series based on Forty Words for Sorrow (in the style of Scandi-noir, although based in Canada) so tried to read the book. I have never read such a heap of misogynistic tripe in my life! I have to applaud the writers of the TV series for desecrating the original as much as they did - so yes, sometimes it pays to avoid the book of the series!

Tonia wrote: "Karen wrote: "would like some good book recommendations rather than reading the book of the series."

I can de-recommend one for you in this context - I loved the TV series based on [book:Forty Wor..."
Cheers! I love a good derecommendation. Ive not seen that TV series. Will look it up in All 4. I loved The Killing and The Bridge on TV, mainly because of the lead women actors, but wouldn't want to read the books.

Karen wrote: "Tonia wrote: "Karen wrote: "would like some good book recommendations rather than reading the book of the series."

I can de-recommend one for you in this context - I loved the TV series based on [..."
Ah, Cardinal was the TV series. I saw one of the series. It was a good drama.

Tonia wrote: "I have just started to read the Icelandic novel, The Darkness by Ragnar Jónasson (which is really hard to link here!)
I'm really enjoying it so far - only a couple ..."

This sounds good. I'll order it from the library.

I've not got lots of recommendations myself as not a genre I read a lot either but try anything by Yrsa Siggurdardottir. The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup has also been recommended. I'll be posting more suggestions from members in the coming week or two.

Karen wrote: "Karen wrote: "Ah, Cardinal was the TV series. I saw one of the series. It was a good drama."


Yes, that's it - I couldn't remember. The TV series was great, but every time the female lead was mentioned in the book it came with a "and boy, was she pretty!" statement of some sort. I put up with it for a while, but then found myself hating life more every time I started reading so I shelved it!

Ian wrote: "I've not got lots of recommendations myself as not a genre I read a lot either but try anything by Yrsa Siggurdardottir. The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup has also been recommended. I'll be posti..."
Great! Thanks Ian.

Arrgh! Nothing by Yrsa Siggurdardottir in the library, but I've reserved Chestnut Man. It's been reviewed recently so had a queue of reservations. I'll look forward to that.

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "I've not got lots of recommendations myself as not a genre I read a lot either but try anything by Yrsa Siggurdardottir. The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup has also been recommended. I..."

That's a shame - I'll put out another call for suggestions

I checked the Godreads list and here are a few more to start to you off - Stieg Laarson, Jo Nesbo, Arnaldur Indriðason, Yrsa Siggurdottir, Åsa Larsson, Camilla Läckberg - others?

Thanks for the author list. Will check the library.

I've read all the Stieg Larsson. They're really exciting. It's a shame he died before seeing how popular they would become. He sent the copies of the three books to the publishers just before he died unexpectedly and young.

I've just found out that David Largercrantz from Stockholm has continued on from the Millennium trilogy following Stieg Larsson's death. There is speculation that these novels are nowhere near as good and that Stieg Larsson cannot be imitated. It is a strange idea to continue the series, but Stieg Larsson always meant to write more in the series apparently.

Karen wrote: "Thanks for the author list. Will check the library.

I've read all the Stieg Larsson. They're really exciting. It's a shame he died before seeing how popular they would become. He sent the copies ..."

I had forgotten that - yes - so sad. I've read two of them but not the third

Karen wrote: "I've just found out that David Largercrantz from Stockholm has continued on from the Millennium trilogy following Stieg Larsson's death. There is speculation that these novels are nowhere near as g..."

Hard to continue someone else's series I think. It has also been tried with Agatha Christie I think

More recommendations

Ragnar Jonasson in Iceland, Will Dean in Sweden, Antti Tuomainen in Finland. All great.

Ian wrote: "More recommendations

Ragnar Jonasson in Iceland, Will Dean in Sweden, Antti Tuomainen in Finland. All great."

Cheers Ian. Cornwall libraries has got books by Antii Tuomainen The Man Who Died and Ragnar Jonasson Snowblind. I've got the first one of each series reserved.
Arnaldur Indriðason - reserved the first in the series Jar City.
Odd isn't it how nearly all these authors write books in a series?!
Yrsa Siggurdottir - none in library stock
Åsa Larsson - Library stock, but not the first one...do you need to read them in order? I suppose you do.
Camilla Läckberg - first one in series reservedThe Ice Princess. This is a popular one in the library!

Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Thanks for the author list. Will check the library.

I've read all the Stieg Larsson. They're really exciting. It's a shame he died before seeing how popular they would become. He se..."

I can send you the third if you like. It's not in great shape, but it's a good read.

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Thanks for the author list. Will check the library.

I've read all the Stieg Larsson. They're really exciting. It's a shame he died before seeing how popular they would b..."

Thanks - I have it already and a few other Nordic Noir to read - lots of which are in series as you say - but I don't think they all have to be read in order

Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Thanks for the author list. Will check the library.

I've read all the Stieg Larsson. They're really exciting. It's a shame he died before seeing how popula..."

Ah, that's good to know. Cheers.

I love this genre! Currently enjoying Will Dean. He features an almost deaf journalist Tuva. First novel Dark Pines was excellent. Currently reading no 2 Red Snow.

Sue wrote: "I love this genre! Currently enjoying Will Dean. He features an almost deaf journalist Tuva. First novel Dark Pines was excellent. Currently reading no 2 [book:Red ..."

They sound good - I've just finished The Black Path by Asa Larsson but have to say it wasn't my kind of read. A crime novel (which is not my favourite genre anyway) but it didn't hold me

I'm struggling a litle with this genre. Just about to start The Man Who Died, but not looking greatly forward to it and I'm looking forward to my trip to the library to get something else this week. I thought Snowblind was ok-ish, but repetitive, and my review certainly didn't rave about it. It was supposed to be a novel with a well written theme on claustrophobia, but that pales in comparison to the The Great Alone which does claustrophobia much better and more naturally.

I like watching Nordic Noir as a series on TV, but I don't think I want to read it as well.

The Man Who Died set in Finland was definitely better than Snowblind set in Iceland. I think the author is a more skilled writer, but although The Man who Died has rave reviews, it didn't quite do it for me. Too many oddities that made you wonder why the main character would do those things when he only has a short time to live and I don't want to give away the ending, so I'll just say it seemed rushed. I'm pondering whether to give it three stars.

I've just finished Jar City and found I couldn't put it down. Quite a compulsive read and an overall better read than the other Nordics I've read. This murder mystery is set in Iceland.

Hi Karen - I'm just back from a week away and catching up. I've read several books - The Black Path, The Fourth Victim: Anders Knutas series 9 The Darkness and, currently The Shadow District

I'm finding them all very similar and, though some are better than others, not very compelling - but more of that when we discuss in more detail next week.

Ian wrote: "Hi Karen - I'm just back from a week away and catching up. I've read several books - The Black Path, The Fourth Victim: Anders Knutas series 9 [book:The Darkness|3848..."
Well done reading so many. I read one and then have to have a break and read a book from another genre before going nordic again. I agree they are very similar in style and all seem to be in a series of many.

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "Hi Karen - I'm just back from a week away and catching up. I've read several books - The Black Path, The Fourth Victim: Anders Knutas series 9 [book:The D..."

I'm also listening to an audio book by Henning Mankell - am quite enjoying this one.

Is that the Wallender series? I tried watching the British version on TV, but didn't get on with it. I think the main character irritated me.

I'm reading The Ice Princess at the moment and quite enjoying that now that I'm getting used to the crime thriller style of writing.

Here's an interesting observation, or a daft one, or an individual readers block...
I've just read The Golden Legend. Aslam is known for his flowery language and I found it really hard to get into this book after reading a fair few of the Nordic Noir genre. The style is so utterly different. I love Nadeem Aslam and The Golden Legend certainly didn't disappoint, but after the focussed thriller type reads I found it hard to visualise the scene Aslam was setting. Luckily, it only took a couple of chapters and I got right into it. Funny how the brain works though.

Karen wrote: "Is that the Wallender series? I tried watching the British version on TV, but didn't get on with it. I think the main character irritated me.

I'm reading The Ice Princess at the mom..."

That looks a little different to some of he others - a bit more to it.

Karen wrote: "Here's an interesting observation, or a daft one, or an individual readers block...
I've just read The Golden Legend. Aslam is known for his flowery language and I found it really h..."

That is interesting - I am going to give the Nordic Nor genre a rest now and return to warmer climes - I wonder how I'll fare

A reminder that this coming week is Nordic/Scandi Noir week on Devon Book Club. I'm keen to hear about books you've read or films you've watched - or anything else you want to share about the countries, mythology or wider culture of that part of the world.

Here is a quote from The Shadow District by Arnaldur Indridason:

" My thoughts went there.... To the stillness. There is an incredible clarity and silence in the Icelandic wilderness!

Is it the wilderness and the climate that generates this genre?

Ian wrote: "A reminder that this coming week is Nordic/Scandi Noir week on Devon Book Club. I'm keen to hear about books you've read or films you've watched - or anything else you want to share about the count..."

I agree the wilderness and remoteness could be a real driver in this profusion of thrillers coming from this part of the world.

Another really good book from Iceland but not of this genre is The Sealwoman's Gift

Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Here's an interesting observation, or a daft one, or an individual readers block...
I've just read The Golden Legend. Aslam is known for his flowery language and I fou..."

I'll be interested to hear how you fare. My imagination felt rather stilted and I seemed to get lost in the description which felt almost over the top at first. I'm reading another Nordic Noir now and notice that there is a lot of repetition in detail and inner questioning, which I is quite helpful for somebody like me with poor memory!

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Here's an interesting observation, or a daft one, or an individual readers block...
I've just read The Golden Legend. Aslam is known for his flowery langua..."

I'll let y9ou know. I'm also enjoying listening to an audio book The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell - also Nordic Noir. Love the e-service from Libraries Unlimited

Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Here's an interesting observation, or a daft one, or an individual readers block...
I've just read The Golden Legend. Aslam is known for his ..."

I love the 24 hour availability of BorrowBox and overdrive from Cornwall and Devon libraries, especially living out in the sticks. They seem to be populated with lots more choice nowadays and it means I can read kindle books on my iPad or iPhone. Incredible really! But I will always, always prefer a book.

Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Ian wrote: "Karen wrote: "Here's an interesting observation, or a daft one, or an individual readers block...
I've just read The Golden Legend. Aslam is kn..."

Me too but great to have the choice

"Characterised by dark, wintry settings and even darker themes, Nordic Noir frequently addresses important questions about crime, social welfare, immigration, gender, family and marginalised, vulnerable citizens" (Nordic Noir Book Club).

Does this speak to you?

#devonbookhour #nordicnoir

Fascinating discussion over on Twitter, with lots of insight and recommendations. Use of tension, folklore and saga, together with the weather (of course) as a motif and the characterisation.

Author Tim Leach commented " I started reading them on a whim and was immediately hooked by the world they presented. A harsh frontier culture that trapped people in codes of honour, but full of beautiful friendships as well, people dedicated to one another against the odds"

Mark Norman observed

The Huldufolk are still a strong motif in Iceland, and even now you find that building projects may be moved or prevented to avoid upsetting them and bringing about ill luck. This is in one of the episodes of my podcast @folklorepod which looks at fairy lore.

When I get a minute I'll go back through it and pull out titles that people mentioned.

Ian wrote: ""Characterised by dark, wintry settings and even darker themes, Nordic Noir frequently addresses important questions about crime, social welfare, immigration, gender, family and marginalised, vulne..."

So far the books I've read haven't addressed the issues of immigration, although the Icelandic series I'm watching at the moment 'Trapped' does, and others have touched upon the subject very lightly. Family and social welfare feature highly. Gender is addressed with a fairly light touch in the books I've read, but more prominent in TV series. Indeed, in the book I'm reading at the moment the women seem rather interested in beauty, home furnishings and attracting men!

Ian wrote: "Fascinating discussion over on Twitter, with lots of insight and recommendations. Use of tension, folklore and saga, together with the weather (of course) as a motif and the characterisation.

Auth..."

I agree friendships and codes of honour feature in all of the books and tv series. It's not a Nordic Noir, but the Sealwoman's Gift tells us about folklore.

I've just started reading The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy and I'm only on chapter three, but already there have been two references to Norse mythology and cosmogony. That's more than in any of the Nordic Noir genre I've been reading.

Half way through The Snowman by Jo Nesbo. Excellent so far. Nesbo and Jussi Adler Olsen are first rate. Norway and Denmark are well served by by Nesbo and Olsen.

So far I have read Police, a Nesbo, my least favourite of the Noirs I have read so far. I've also rrad The Killing, One Step Behind (Wallander) and The Silent Girl. I have a Stieg Larsson still to read. I struggled with Police due to the misogynistic portrayal of some of the women early on. I persevered and as the book developed, I realised that the misogyny was actually a character voice. That wasn't immediately obvious on the first read-through and I almost abandoned it. Glad I persisted, though. It's extremely rare for me to abandon a book part-way through. Police and The Killing featured an over-use of sentence fragments, I thought. However, while it was a little irritating, the genre does seem to feature more naturalistic speech, which reminded me that August Strindberg, the playwright, was Swedish and known for his naturalistic language. Husband and I have been watching the TV series of The Killing and I have to say that both the books and the TV do an excellent job of making you feel cold. The palettes and colour grading in the TV series are equally as effective as the descriptions in the books - muted, cold, dark. I also found the character of Sarah Lund in the novel of The Killing a lot more unlikeable than Sophie Grabol portrays her on TV. Not, however, as unlikeable as Sebastian Bergman in The Silent Girl. What is it with Nordic Noir and such flawed and thoroughly unlikeable characters?! The Silent Girl does have a cracking twist at the end, though, which completely blindsided me and which I enjoyed even more as a result. I love it when an author makes me stop and gape in disbelief (in a good way!) and this was definitely one of those times.

Karen, I saw you mentioned immigration as one of the themes you hadn't seen much of. The Killing covers it - albeit indirectly and in the context of social integration being used as a tool to help Troels Hartmann become elected as mayor of Copenhagen. He believes in the value of immigrants to society, but the issue is used as a political tool by the characters. It's explored more in the book than the TV series. I enjoyed the book - it's a hefty tome running to 704 pages or thereabouts!

I'm delighted to say that thanks to the discussion and tagging on Twitter on Monday, the top Icelandic crime author Yrsa Sigurdardottir is going to be recording an interview via Skype with me for my podcast on the way she uses Icelandic lore in her writing. So that was a great result from Monday's discussion. I'll let people know when it's happening

Tracey wrote: "Karen, I saw you mentioned immigration as one of the themes you hadn't seen much of. The Killing covers it - albeit indirectly and in the context of social integration being used as a tool to help ..."

I really enjoyed The Killing on TV and saw that immigration was addressed in the series. I haven't read the novels though.