Icelandic writer Arnaldur Indriðason crafts thrilling crime fiction set in Reykjavik. His detective novels, particularly Jar City and Silence of the Grave, captivate readers with suspenseful stories and intriguing characters.
If you enjoy reading books by Arnaldur Indriðason then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy the atmospheric mysteries of Arnaldur Indriðason will likely appreciate Henning Mankell’s thoughtful approach to crime fiction.
Mankell, a Swedish author, created the introspective detective Kurt Wallander, whose investigations are often placed against Sweden’s moody landscapes and social challenges.
In Faceless Killers, the first in the Wallander series, the detective confronts a brutal double homicide at a secluded farmhouse. As Wallander uncovers clues and deals with tensions around immigration and xenophobia, the novel offers sharp commentary on modern society.
The detailed characterization and careful plotting create a story that is both immersive and thought-provoking.
Jo Nesbø is a Norwegian author famous for tense crime novels set in cold Nordic landscapes. If you enjoy Arnaldur Indriðason’s mysteries centered on complex detectives and dark atmospheres, Nesbø’s series featuring Inspector Harry Hole offers a similar thrill.
In The Snowman, Hole investigates a troubling series of disappearances that occur each winter’s first snowfall, marked disturbingly by the presence of a snowman built nearby.
Hole’s intuitive detective work and personal struggles deeply engage readers, while the chilling Norwegian winter sets an eerie tone throughout the novel.
Readers who appreciate Arnaldur Indriðason’s atmospheric Icelandic thrillers may also enjoy Stieg Larsson’s intense crime fiction set in Sweden.
Larsson is famous for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a mystery that centers around Mikael Blomkvist, a dedicated journalist, and Lisbeth Salander, a socially withdrawn yet strikingly intelligent hacker.
Together they investigate the decades-old disappearance of a wealthy industrialist’s niece. As Mikael and Lisbeth uncover hidden secrets, they confront corruption and dark family histories.
Larsson masterfully weaves social commentary with a dark, suspenseful mystery that pulls the reader deeper with every chapter.
Karin Fossum is a Norwegian author known for psychological depth in her crime novels. Like Arnaldur Indriðason, Fossum builds her stories around careful character shading and atmospheric tension, placing less emphasis on action than on motive and consequence.
Her novel Don’t Look Back features Inspector Konrad Sejer, a thoughtful detective dealing with an apparently quiet Norwegian town rattled by the murder of a teenage girl.
As Sejer uncovers secrets and confronts hidden tensions beneath the surface calm, the book explores how tragedy affects ordinary lives.
Readers drawn to Indriðason’s Inspector Erlendur and his quiet but thorough investigations could find Fossum’s Inspector Sejer similarly appealing.
Books by Håkan Nesser often explore mysteries set against atmospheric Nordic backgrounds, similar to novels by Arnaldur Indriðason. One interesting example is Borkmann’s Point, part of Nesser’s Inspector Van Veeteren series.
In this novel, detective Van Veeteren investigates two chilling murders in the quiet coastal town of Kaalbringen. The detective believes the key to solving a crime lies in finding Borkmann’s point—the moment when enough information emerges to clearly identify the killer.
Rich in character development and filled with thoughtful clues, this book guides readers through layers of suspense and subtle twists until the surprising resolution.
If you enjoy Arnaldur Indriðason’s mysteries set against atmospheric Nordic landscapes, then Åke Edwardson might catch your interest.
Edwardson, a Swedish author, has created the Inspector Erik Winter series, known for thoughtful characters and complex plots that explore human relationships and society’s darker sides.
In Sun and Shadow, you follow Inspector Winter as he investigates a chilling double murder in Gothenburg. The clues seem unrelated at first, but soon reveal hidden secrets lurking beneath the city’s quiet surface.
It’s a story filled with suspense, strong characters, and an ending you won’t see coming.
Readers who enjoy Arnaldur Indriðason’s atmospheric mysteries may also appreciate the influential crime novels by Swedish authors Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö.
Their famous series featuring detective Martin Beck gives a sharp, critical look at Swedish society through compelling police stories.
In Roseanna, the first novel of the series, detective Beck investigates the mysterious case of a young woman who is found dead in a canal, her identity unknown and leads scarce.
The careful detective work slowly reveals her past and the darker sides of seemingly peaceful society. Sjöwall and Wahlöö portray Beck’s methodical approach and human complexity, exploring social issues beneath the mystery’s surface.
Their style resonates with Indriðason fans who enjoy a thoughtful and grounded crime narrative.
Jussi Adler-Olsen is a Danish author known for his Department Q series, which features detective Carl Mørck and his eccentric assistant Assad.
If you enjoy Arnaldur Indriðason’s moody mysteries set in Iceland, Adler-Olsen offers a similarly atmospheric style in Danish surroundings.
One standout from his work is The Keeper of Lost Causes, where detective Carl Mørck returns to work after a traumatic shooting to lead a newly formed cold-case department.
He begins investigating the disappearance of a female politician, a case everyone assumed was closed, but new details point to a disturbing reality.
The humor between Carl and his assistant Assad, along with a relentless unfolding of clues, makes the story both dark and captivating. If the combination of strong character development and engrossing crime mysteries appeals to you, Adler-Olsen might be worth your time.
Camilla Läckberg is a Swedish crime writer known for her atmospheric detective novels set in the small coastal town of Fjällbacka. Her book The Ice Princess introduces readers to Erica Falck, a writer who returns to her hometown after a personal loss.
When her childhood friend is found dead in unsettling circumstances, Erica teams up with detective Patrik Hedström to uncover long-hidden secrets beneath their serene community.
Readers who love Arnaldur Indriðason’s detailed character development and dark mysteries will appreciate Läckberg’s knack for building suspense and revealing surprising twists hidden in ordinary lives.
Peter Høeg is a Danish author known for suspenseful mysteries set against unique cultural backdrops. If you enjoy Arnaldur Indriðason’s atmospheric and subtle novels, Peter Høeg’s Smilla’s Sense of Snow might appeal to you.
The story follows Smilla, a Greenlander living in Denmark, who discovers her young neighbor dead in suspicious circumstances. Refusing to accept the official explanation, she uses her deep knowledge of snow to uncover signs others miss.
What begins as a personal quest gradually reveals chilling secrets tied to corporate greed, science, and her own roots.
Ian Rankin is a Scottish crime novelist known for stories set in gritty Edinburgh streets with complex characters and authentic detective work.
If you’re someone who enjoys the intense atmosphere and deep character exploration found in Arnaldur Indriðason’s novels, Rankin may be a great choice. A good place to start is Knots and Crosses, the first in Rankin’s famous Inspector Rebus series.
Detective John Rebus tackles the disturbing case of young girls kidnapped and murdered in Edinburgh. The city becomes darker and more menacing with each crime, and Rebus himself discovers strange clues connected to his own past.
Rankin shows the shadowy underbelly of Edinburgh, building suspense until the final reveal.
Michael Connelly is an American author known for crime novels that capture the gritty side of Los Angeles through the eyes of his detective protagonist, Harry Bosch.
If you enjoy Arnaldur Indriðason’s atmospheric crime stories set in Iceland, you might also appreciate Connelly’s sharp, character-driven narratives.
In The Black Echo, his debut novel, Harry Bosch investigates the mysterious death of a fellow Vietnam War veteran discovered in a drainage pipe. Bosch digs deeper into a case connected to a daring bank heist and the shadows of his own past.
The combination of police procedures, complex plotting, and Bosch’s relentless pursuit of justice makes it a standout for crime fiction fans.
Books by Tana French can really hit the spot for fans of Arnaldur Indriðason. French is known for psychological depth, rich atmosphere, and intricate detective work. In In the Woods, detective Rob Ryan investigates the murder of a young girl in a small Irish town.
The case gets complicated quickly, as Rob is forced to revisit a troubling event from his own childhood. The town itself hides plenty of secrets, and French carefully uncovers each one, piece by piece.
If you enjoy the introspection and sense of place found in Indriðason’s Icelandic mysteries, Tana French’s novels have that similar feel—but set against the vivid backdrop of Ireland.
If you enjoy Arnaldur Indriðason’s atmospheric crime novels set in chilly northern cities, you’ll appreciate Denise Mina’s gritty mysteries set in the streets of Glasgow. Mina combines complex characters and realistic dialogue to create suspenseful, tightly plotted narratives.
In her book Garnethill, Maureen O’Donnell wakes up after a hard night to find her boyfriend murdered in her own apartment.
Maureen quickly becomes the suspect, and as she investigates the crime herself, she unravels disturbing family secrets and uncovers dark aspects of Glasgow’s underground scene.
Mina brings the city’s back streets vividly to life as Maureen struggles to clear her name and face difficult truths about her past.
Readers who enjoy Arnaldur Indriðason’s atmospheric crime novels set in Iceland may want to check out Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. Her book Last Rituals introduces Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, an attorney drawn into investigating a strange and disturbing murder at a Reykjavík university.
A young German student is dead, his body marked by unusual symbols, and Thóra must unravel connections to dark legends, hidden manuscripts, and Icelandic folklore to uncover the truth.
Yrsa’s books deliver compelling mysteries, a strong setting, and characters you’ll want to follow through every suspenseful turn.