If you enjoy reading books by Henning Mankell then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy Henning Mankell’s atmospheric and intricate mysteries will likely appreciate the work of Stieg Larsson. Larsson, a Swedish journalist and writer, created the Millennium trilogy, which begins with “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”
The story introduces Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who is investigating the decades-old disappearance of Harriet Vanger. Blomkvist teams up with Lisbeth Salander, an unconventional investigator whose past is as complex as the case itself.
Together, they uncover dark secrets involving powerful families and corporate corruption set against the backdrop of Swedish society. Larsson’s writing is sharp, dark, and morally layered, with vivid characters that linger in your mind long after finishing the book.
Jo Nesbø is a Norwegian author known for sharp, intense crime novels featuring detective Harry Hole. In “The Snowman,” Harry Hole investigates a chilling series of disappearances that seem connected by sinister snowmen left at crime scenes.
Set against Oslo’s dark and snowy backdrop, the detective navigates unexpected twists, psychological darkness, and a killer who seems always a step ahead.
If you’re drawn to the atmospheric suspense and complex, thoughtful detectives created by Henning Mankell, Harry Hole’s grim determination and Oslo’s haunting atmosphere will feel familiar yet fresh.
If you enjoy Henning Mankell’s thoughtful blend of crime fiction and human drama, Karin Fossum has plenty to offer. Often referred to as Norway’s “Queen of Crime,” Fossum creates detective stories full of intriguing moral questions and realistic characters.
“Don’t Look Back” features inspector Konrad Sejer, a perceptive investigator who uncovers dark truths behind a seemingly peaceful village.
When a young girl is found dead by the lakeside, Sejer methodically peels back layers of local secrets and suspicions, revealing a community with more hidden tensions and fears than anyone expected.
Fossum focuses on the psychology behind crime, drawing readers deep into her characters’ lives and minds.
Håkan Nesser Håkan Nesser has brought vivid tales to life in books such as “The Mind’s Eye” and “The Return.” His ability to craft complex characters and gripping plots sets his work apart.
Each story pulls readers into a world of both suspense and reflection, leaving a lasting impact. In “The Mind’s Eye,” Detective Chief Inspector Van Veeteren faces a puzzling case of a teacher accused of killing his own wife.
With only his intuition and limited clues, Van Veeteren searches carefully through conflicting testimonies and uncertain memories to uncover the truth.
Fans of Henning Mankell’s Inspector Wallander might appreciate Nesser’s approach to dark mystery, thoughtful investigation, and deeply human detective characters.
Readers who enjoy Henning Mankell’s atmospheric Swedish mysteries will find Camilla Läckberg equally engaging. Läckberg sets her stories in the quiet coastal town of Fjällbacka, where dark secrets simmer beneath a peaceful surface.
Her novel “The Ice Princess” introduces writer Erica Falck, who returns to her hometown after a tragedy. When her childhood friend is found dead, Erica teams up with detective Patrik Hedström to uncover the truth, revealing decades-old secrets and complicated relationships.
This mix of intriguing characters, suspenseful storytelling, and the chilly Swedish seaside setting makes Läckberg’s work appealing to fans of thoughtful crime fiction.
Jussi Adler-Olsen is a Danish crime writer known for his Department Q series featuring Carl Mørck. His novel “The Keeper of Lost Causes” introduces Carl Mørck, a detective returning to work after a traumatic incident that nearly ended his career.
Assigned to a new cold case unit called Department Q, Carl investigates unsolved mysteries from Denmark’s past. In this first case, he looks into the mysterious disappearance of politician Merete Lynggaard, presumed dead years earlier.
The deeper Carl digs, the more complex the mystery becomes. Adler-Olsen’s attention to detail, memorable characters, and exploration of Denmark’s darker corners create tension and suspense throughout the story.
Fans of Henning Mankell’s thoughtful, intense mysteries set in Scandinavia will likely enjoy Adler-Olsen’s work.
Arnaldur Indriðason is an Icelandic crime writer known for his atmospheric and intelligent detective novels.
If you enjoy Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander series, you might appreciate the detective Erlendur Sveinsson novels, which explore criminal cases set against Iceland’s landscapes and unique culture.
A good book to start with is “Jar City,” in which Detective Erlendur investigates the murder of an elderly man in Reykjavik.
The mystery unfolds gradually through dark family secrets, old tragedies, and forensic clues, as Erlendur carefully pieces together connections that reach far into the past.
Indriðason masterfully combines crime storytelling with insights into human relationships and Icelandic society, making his books hard to put down.
Liza Marklund is a Swedish author famous for her Annika Bengtzon series, a perfect match for fans of Henning Mankell’s detective stories. The gritty crime thriller “The Bomber” introduces reader to investigative journalist Annika Bengtzon.
When a bombing kills an Olympic official, Annika digs deeper into the case. She finds corruption and powerful people willing to go far to hide their secrets.
Set in Stockholm, the story portrays a tense, realistic world of media pressure and political intrigue—ideal for readers seeking Scandinavian crime fiction similar to Mankell’s Wallander books.
Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö were a Swedish crime-writing duo who set the stage for modern Scandinavian detective stories. Their series featuring detective Martin Beck explores crime and social issues in Sweden during the 1960s and 1970s.
In “Roseanna,” Beck investigates the murder of a young woman whose body turns up in a canal. He patiently pieces together her identity and last movements as he confronts the darker layers of Swedish society.
Fans of Henning Mankell’s detailed police work and social commentary in the Wallander series will appreciate Sjöwall and Wahlöö's realistic portrayal of detective work and the thoughtful examination of society beneath the crime.
Åsa Larsson is a Swedish author known for her absorbing crime novels set in northern Sweden. Readers who enjoy Henning Mankell’s atmospheric mysteries might appreciate Larsson’s work, which offers equally intriguing characters and evocative Scandinavian settings.
In her novel “Sun Storm,” Larsson introduces Rebecka Martinsson, a tax lawyer who becomes involved in a murder investigation after returning to her childhood home in Kiruna.
Rebecka confronts her own difficult past as she uncovers troubling secrets within the small community’s religious circles. Larsson weaves suspense, memorable characters, and a strong sense of setting into a crime story that is hard to forget.
Readers who enjoy Henning Mankell’s atmospheric mysteries and intricate character studies may find Ruth Rendell equally fascinating. Rendell is known for her psychological crime novels that explore the darker aspects of everyday life.
A great example is “Judgement in Stone,” a chilling story of class tensions and hidden resentments that lead to tragedy.
This novel begins by openly revealing who’s responsible for a family’s murder; the suspense builds as Rendell carefully uncovers why the killer acted as she did.
If you appreciate detectives who dig deeply into human motives, Ruth Rendell’s novels deliver intense psychological depth that makes you rethink what you know about crime and criminals.
Peter Robinson is a British-Canadian crime author known for his well-crafted Inspector Alan Banks series. Fans of Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander series will appreciate Robinson’s atmospheric storytelling, complex plots, and character depth.
In “In a Dry Season,” Banks investigates a decades-old murder discovered when a drought reveals a submerged village. As the village emerges from the drying reservoir, long-buried secrets and tensions reappear.
Robinson weaves parallel narratives from past and present, unraveling relationships, small-town politics, and wartime memories to create a vivid mystery you won’t easily forget.
Readers who enjoy Henning Mankell’s atmospheric crime novels might also appreciate Philip Kerr’s suspenseful Bernie Gunther series. Kerr, a Scottish author, combines detective fiction with historical elements in a way that brings 1930s Berlin vividly to life.
In “March Violets,” the first book of the series, private detective Bernie Gunther investigates a disappearance amid the dark political climate of Nazi Germany.
Bernie navigates corrupt officials and dangerous motives, gradually uncovering secrets hidden deep within a society heading toward disaster. Kerr’s detailed writing and sharp dialogue closely capture the tension of historical moments, all wrapped in a classic noir mystery.
Andrea Camilleri was an Italian author best known for his Inspector Montalbano detective series, set in Sicily.
Fans of Henning Mankell’s Inspector Wallander novels often appreciate Camilleri for his realistic characters, thoughtful detective work, and vivid Mediterranean settings. A good book to start with is “The Shape of Water,” the first in the Inspector Montalbano series.
It introduces Salvo Montalbano, a sharp-minded, somewhat stubborn detective who solves crimes by navigating Sicily’s politics, corruption, and local traditions.
After discovering the suspicious death of a well-known politician, Montalbano must unravel the truth against pressure from powerful interests eager to stop him.
Readers will find Camilleri’s storytelling engaging, his protagonist relatable, and Sicily beautifully captured in every page.
Ian Rankin is a Scottish author famous for his Inspector John Rebus novels set in Edinburgh. Rankin’s crime fiction offers keen insight into society, character-driven narratives, and strong atmospherics, similar to Henning Mankell’s approach with Kurt Wallander.
In Rankin’s “Knots and Crosses,” the first book in the series, readers are introduced to Inspector John Rebus, a conflicted detective haunted by his past. When a series of chilling murders shakes the city, Rebus must unravel cryptic clues that mysteriously mirror his own life.
Rankin paints vivid scenes of Edinburgh’s darker side, giving the city itself depth and intrigue. Fans of Mankell may appreciate Rebus’s reflective nature and the complex moral questions highlighted by the investigation.