English Translations of Scandinavian/Nordic Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Junying wrote: "Fizzycola, Florence, Sharon,

Many thanks. I'd be sad to see Wallander gone but I guess all heros get killed one way or another by their creators, and getting old is more natural :)"

Well, at least dear Kurt was only retired to old age and dementia and in the best possible way imaginable......HH was another matter and totally unnecessary IMO. I tend to be touchy about this as my favorites are all being retired off or such huge personality changes that I am feeling abandoned and let down....from Alex Cross, Scarpetta, Rebus to current reads. It is tough being a reader that is loyal to character driven writers!

Kenneth wrote: "Elizabeth I was not thrilled with it. It was long and drawn out. I gave it 2 stars. I did read all of it, but it left me flat."

Thanks for the info. Bought on a whim! Maybe will give it to a friend who reads anything.

By the way, you can check out our recent interview with Kristina Ohlsson, the author Unwanted, here:
http://www.mysterytribune.com/2012/05...

Elizabeth wrote: "Who knows about Leif GW Persson? I have "Between Summer's Longing and Winter's End " but have not started it yet. Love to hear info."
Hi Elizabeth,
Kenneth and I will have to agree to disagree about this one. I thought it was excellent. You might like to read my review of it. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I think it benefits from attentive reading as it isn't an easy read. It's a big book and there's quite a lot going on in it.
I think another book from this series is soon to be released in English translation.

Right now, as I am on my way to Paris, I've been enjoying the Aimee Ludec series by Cara Black. There's lots of action along with the insight into different districts of Paris. Ideal for travel reading.

You're the reason I read it. I'm sorry if our tastes differ. I've read all but the newest Cara Black. Have them in order.

Rereading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Sublime.

I adored "Purge". I liked how she twisted the plot lines and made you feel as if you were right there all the time. My relatives are Estonian and that may have influenced me after hearing their many stories. Maybe it should be in the category of "Scandinavian and Nordic Historical Fiction." Like " Semilla's Sense of Snow" by Hoeg it will always be with me.

Just finished "The Stone Cutter". Lackberg's books are so addictive. Just started "Ashes to Dust".

Vesna wrote: "Elizabeth, I'm from Slovenia and also know many stories how people lived in fear all the time while Slovenia was under Yugoslavian rule. I've heard stories about people dissapearing, horrible quest..."

I want to read it for sure now....thanks.

Currently reading "There Are Things I Want You to Know" about Stieg Larsson and Me. This is a must-read for those who love the Millennium Trilogy.

I'm currently reading Jussi Adler-Olsen's "Disgrace". So far, so good and another character has been added to Department Q.

Ancestral wrote: "I'm currently reading Jussi Adler-Olsen's "Disgrace". So far, so good and another character has been added to Department Q."

Thanks...I am confused...as usual. GRs has no listing of this book but I just pre ordered it from iBook store for 5.49€, due 21/6! When I search for Department Q 2 I get a title, The Absent One", it's on Amazon.". April 2012 12.99$ Kindle edition and will be publ under Dutton August 2012 ......but under the GRs list for this author I cannot find either! Mercy is also very expensive on Amazon but 4.99 on ibook store. Anyone know the line up for English translations? Any tips?

I have an unproofed copy on preview, hence being able to read it ahead of it's release. ;-)

Ancestral wrote: "I have an unproofed copy on preview, hence being able to read it ahead of it's release. ;-)"

Ah, lucky you! I pre-ordered on iBook Store. Look forward to it and knowing also that there is another on its way in August does not hurt either.

Well, I hear there are films of the trilogy on the way, and Jussi has done the scripting, so I'll be reading them sooner rather than later.

Ancestral wrote: "Well, I hear there are films of the trilogy on the way, and Jussi has done the scripting, so I'll be reading them sooner rather than later."

This would not surprise me. Actually I think right now all the Scandinavian arthors are so hot that it is simply one after the other. I just prefer originals from there. Have seen films on ARD Germany in the weeks schedule for Hakan Nesser's Carambole 2005. Looks like police film by Sweden, Denmark, Germany,Norway, Finland...production! This week Friday and next Irene Huss, Tystnadens circle, tv film swedish production 2011, books by Helene Tursten....see there are YellowBird series of her books / character too. Then more by Gunnar Staalesen......goes on and on! Suppose we can look forward to lots to come!

I've read Michael Ridpath's Where the Shadows Lie, and he has mastered how the Scandinavian authors write their books. He has the names and the streets down. And he has it based on a saga. Iceland has fewer people than Chicago by a long shot. Although Michael is from Brittian he has been to Iceland and knows a lot about it. I would read it again if there weren't so many books to read, see if you can tell he is British?

Kenneth wrote: "You're the reason I read it. I'm sorry if our tastes differ. I've read all but the newest Cara Black. Have them in order."

I just finished Murder in the Bastille.
WOW!

Well you've got 8 to go. I haven't had time to get her last 2. But will soon.

Today I finally started the first in the Wallander series by henning Mankell. I have the whole series in durch translation but never made them a priority as they were patiently waiting in my bookcase :-))
So far so good!

I started Fifty Shades of Grey and got to admit, I love it!

I'm reading Death in a Cold Climate by Barry Forshaw. It's a survey of just about all the Scandinavian crime writers translated into English. I've just finished the Swedes, and on to Norway.

He doesn't speak the original languages, but he's quite interesting on the translation process.

Yesterday I read first Kari Vaara book from Jim Thompson and now started the next, Kylmä kuolema (Lucifers tears). I like the book but finnish translate was a little wierd (perhaps I should read rest of the books in english)

Hi Nina, Snow Angels Finnish version uses the dialect spoken in and around Kittilä. If you're not familiar with it, it can seem odd. Maybe that's what you found weird. Actually, it is often weird. The translation received kudos from reviewers here. Lucifer's Tears (Kylmä kuolema) is set in Helsinki and uses that dialect. Personally, I sometimes prefered the novels in Finnish.

I have relatives in lapland so local language is common (even i've live most my lifa in helsinki) but after thinking this it's maybe that i'm so use to read in shwedish or english that all other language feel weird ;)

So I've better start to use more my motherlanguage as well!

Plus, since you're Finnish, there's exposition in the international that you'll have heard before and will likely bore you. The Finnish version is a slightly tighter read.

Nina, try the Vaara books in both/all languages and see which one you prefer (and why). Should be different enough also because they are targeted for different groups. :)

One of the bunch of books I'm reading now is Jo Nesbø's Phantom. Couldn't resist it while flying thru Heathrow...

I'm on Nesbo, too, reading Headhuntersand enjoying it a lot. Very different from his Harry Hole books, but still a good read IMHO.

Finished the four Ava Larsson books; waiting eagerly for the rest! Now starting on Ake Edwardson and his Erik Winter series; so far, so good!

I've read Jar City and I loved it, I'll probably start reading Silence of the Grave

Just finished "The Dinosaur Feather" by Sissel-Jo Gazan. It had a lot of
characters to keep track of but it was actually interesting to read.

I am reading Phantom. I have read all his (eng translated) Harry Hole and my favourite still is Snowman.

I am eagerly waiting for the next Inspector Erlunder (Indridason. Pity there is no more Wallander though :(

Lori wrote: "I am reading Phantom. I have read all his (eng translated) Harry Hole and my favourite still is Snowman.

I am eagerly waiting for the next Inspector Erlunder (Indridason. Pity there is no more Wa..."

Now that I've read all the books, I'm getting my Wallander fix via the Swedish and BBC movies. I highly recommend them!

I'm hoping to start The Phantom next week!
Nesbo is so awesome. I'm also juggling Marklund and re-reading A Feast of Crows! I think Im overloaded? Ahhhh! Who cares!!!!

Lori wrote: "I am reading Phantom. I have read all his (eng translated) Harry Hole and my favourite still is Snowman.

I am eagerly waiting for the next Inspector Erlunder (Indridason. Pity there is no more Wa..."

I have not sadly had time to start Indridason yet but agree re Wallander and Harry Hole. Really love the flow of the Hakan Nesser books though so starts The Return yesterday and my paper reading is first of three Helene Tursten, Detective Inspector Irene Huss..series billed as the Swedish Crime Suspect...reads very well. Now for time! :-)

Florence wrote: "Lori wrote: "I am reading Phantom. I have read all his (eng translated) Harry Hole and my favourite still is Snowman.

I am eagerly waiting for the next Inspector Erlunder (Indridason. Pity there ..."

Totally agree Florence. The original,Wallander series and there are many many episodes are like perfect films each 90 minutes. Just watch Sebastian Bergman two episodes on BBC4 and was that tense and dark! The Bridge was excellent IMO and glad to hear they are making a second season of it as well as second Borgen and third and final The Killing coming up. I see films advertised on ARD Germany for the Tursten and Nesser books too but never caught any yet as I need English sub titles. There was an old series Peter or Johan Falk that was good years ago too.....love the series, films and books. We are lucky.

Sharon wrote: "Florence wrote: "Lori wrote: "I am reading Phantom. I have read all his (eng translated) Harry Hole and my favourite still is Snowman.

I am eagerly waiting for the next Inspector Erlunder (Indrid..."

I'm glad there are so many movies out there, too! I will put all those on my list. I saw 6 of the 9 BBC Wallanders, and I'm about halfway through the first season of the Swedish ones. I think they're excellent, particularly the interaction between Krister Henriksson and Johanna Sallstrom, who plays his daughter.

A sad thing, though, is that she committed suicide after the first season due to emotional issues. From what I read, this affected Mankell deeply, which is why he didn't complete his projected Linda Wallander trilogy (although luckily she appears in The Troubled Man). But it's good fortune that Johanna at least felt well enough to do the first series; I think she's amazing.

Florence wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Florence wrote: "Lori wrote: "I am reading Phantom. I have read all his (eng translated) Harry Hole and my favourite still is Snowman.

I am eagerly waiting for the next Inspector E..."

Totally agree. Shame as HM planned to write a series for Linda apart from Kurt. Before the Frost being the first in 2005! But w/o her the second 26 episodes are still truly fabulous ...each 1.5 hours long and excellent. Way more tv series than books were done. Plus I read on FB that HM is doing a new series or film using Krister H. Hope to see that.

Really enjoyed the film made of HM's The Man From Beijing. Read they are filming his book Italian Shoes too. Will want to see as enjoyed the book.

Hakan Nesser - The Unlucky Lottery

Eva wrote: "Hakan Nesser - The Unlucky Lottery"

Reading his book The Return right now. Nice flow to his writing....

Sharon wrote: "Eva wrote: "Hakan Nesser - The Unlucky Lottery"

Reading his book The Return right now. Nice flow to his writing...."

100% agree

I've started Jo Nesbø's The Redbreast and I'm not really sure what is happening. It flips from in the trenches on the eastern front during WWII to a presidential summit in 1999 then back again. I suppose, or rather I hope it all comes together in the end.

Don't worry, it will!

Xavier, I liked Silence of the Grave much more than Jar City.
Sigh... and when I want to discover something neat, sorta like Scandi noir type, but located somewhere super exotic (like SE Asia or Africa etc), what do I start to read? He Who Fears the Wolf by Karin Fossum...

Just cracked open my first Arnaldur Indridason book, Voices. Love the Iceland setting, and so far the main character seems a little Wallander-like--divorced, troubled kids, excellent at his job. Not that this is a bad thing; an Icelandic Wallander is just as interesting!

I just finished "Penguin Lost " and " Death and the Penguin"
By Audrey Kurkov. A Ukrainian writer, dry wit, and hard to get into at first, but deadpan funny, post Soviet humor. Some strange circumstances that are hysterically funny and dangerous at the same time.

Florence wrote: "Just cracked open my first Arnaldur Indridason book, Voices. Love the Iceland setting, and so far the main character seems a little Wallander-like--divorced, troubled kids, excellent at his job. No..."

Sounds wonderful Florence....I look forward to getting time to start these.

Read all of Indriadason's books. This author got me started on Scandi-Nordic Noir and I have never looked back.

Read Operation Napoleon awhile ago and loved it. Such a different plot for him.

But must say my favorite remains Hoeg's Similla's Sense of Snow.

Goodness went iBook store shopping today and have all the Hakan Nesser books downloaded and one due in August on pre order, Munster's Case! Great to look forward to.
See Carambole from 1999 is now translated into NL perhaps English to follow and from the description, it truly seems HNs first Van Veeteren book!

There are 10 Van Veeteren books all in all.

Det grovmaskiga nätet (1993)The Mind's Eye
Borkmanns punkt (1994)Borkmann's Point
Återkomsten (1995)The Return
Kvinna med födelsemärke (1996)Woman with Birthmark
Kommissarien och tystnaden(1997)The Inspector and Silence
Münsters fall (1998)The Unlucky Lottery
Carambole (1999)Hour of the Wolf
Ewa Morenos fall (2000)
Svalan, katten, rosen, döden (2001)
Fallet G (2003)