If you enjoy reading books by Stieg Larsson then you might also like the following authors:
Jo Nesbø is a popular Norwegian author who writes gritty crime thrillers. A great starting point is his book “The Snowman,” which features detective Harry Hole. In this novel, Harry Hole is called to investigate several unsettling disappearances in Oslo.
These occurrences all seem linked by the creepy presence of a snowman at each scene. As Harry tries to solve the case, clues take him deep into Oslo’s dark streets and hidden secrets.
Jo Nesbø's writing brings readers close to the danger, suspense and darkness typical of Scandinavian crime fiction. Those who appreciate the atmosphere in Stieg Larsson’s novels can find similar elements in “The Snowman.”
If you enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s stories, Henning Mankell is another author to try. He is a Swedish crime writer known for his detective Kurt Wallander. One of his best books is “Faceless Killers.”
It begins on a quiet Swedish farm where elderly book lovers become victims of a brutal crime. Detective Kurt Wallander faces a complicated case without any clear motive. He follows confusing clues through cold rural landscapes and dim city streets.
Mankell’s writing has clear descriptions, realistic characters and thoughtful mysteries.
Camilla Läckberg is a Swedish author known for writing crime fiction set in small coastal towns. Readers who enjoyed Stieg Larsson may appreciate her book “The Ice Princess.”
In this story, Erica, a writer, returns to her hometown and discovers that her childhood friend Alex was found dead. She joins detective Patrik Hedström to uncover what happened in this quiet, chilly community.
As they look deeper into Alex’s past, secrets from the town gradually come to the surface. The characters are relatable, smart, and complex enough to keep readers hooked from start to finish.
If you enjoyed the intense plots and complex characters by Stieg Larsson, Karin Slaughter is another author worth your time. She writes suspenseful crime thrillers set in the American South, often featuring detective Will Trent.
In her novel “Triptych”, she introduces readers to a tense murder investigation in Atlanta. Detective Trent must unravel a puzzling case where the truth is hidden beneath layers of secrets.
The characters feel realistic, with backstories that reveal surprising connections as the plot moves forward. Slaughter does a good job building suspense, making it difficult to set the book down.
If you enjoy Stieg Larsson, try the crime novels by Åsa Larsson. She is a Swedish author known for her suspenseful mysteries set in the north of Sweden. Her book “Sun Storm” introduces Rebecka Martinsson, a lawyer who returns to her hometown to help a friend accused of murder.
Rebecka faces old memories and complicated relationships as she works to uncover the truth. The setting is cold and dark, and the plot reveals secrets in a small community. The story moves quickly, with moments of intense drama and emotion.
Åsa Larsson writes with clarity and a steady pace, and offers interesting characters that make you want to follow their stories.
Jussi Adler-Olsen is a Danish author known for detective thrillers that often combine troubling cold cases with dark secrets. His book “The Keeper of Lost Causes” introduces detective Carl Mørck, a man transferred to run a new department working on cases everyone else gave up.
When Mørck opens a mysterious old investigation into a politician’s sudden disappearance, unexpected details slowly reveal themselves. Fans of Stieg Larsson will enjoy the tense mood and complex situations Adler-Olsen creates.
Liza Marklund is a Swedish author known for crime novels set in Sweden. Her book “The Bomber” introduces journalist Annika Bengtzon, who investigates a bombing at Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium. Bengtzon digs into a dangerous puzzle filled with media tension and political conflict.
Marklund’s storytelling is direct and suspenseful, and readers familiar with Stieg Larsson’s Lisbeth Salander character may find excitement in following Annika Bengtzon’s determined search for truth.
Arnaldur Indriðason is an Icelandic crime writer known for detective stories set in Reykjavik. His books often show Iceland’s stark landscape, realistic characters and dark atmosphere. One good title for those who enjoy Stieg Larsson is “Jar City.”
In this novel, detective Erlendur investigates a murder that leads him to uncover old secrets from Iceland’s past. Erlendur’s quiet persistence and insight make him stand out among fictional detectives.
Indriðason draws you into a world that feels remote and mysterious, yet surprisingly easy to relate to. “Jar City” offers readers a thoughtful mystery with memorable characters and sharp dialogue.
Mo Hayder writes dark crime thrillers that often have complex characters and disturbing mysteries. Readers who enjoyed Stieg Larsson may appreciate her style as well.
In her novel “Birdman,” Detective Jack Caffery investigates a series of brutal murders where victims are discovered with small birds sewn into their bodies. The story unfolds through gripping investigative scenes and deep character exploration.
Hayder’s writing is direct and vivid, with scenes that build suspense and keep you guessing until the last page.
Håkan Nesser is a Swedish crime novelist known for thoughtful and realistic mysteries set in northern Europe. His book “Borkmann’s Point” follows inspector Van Veeteren, who heads to a small town to solve a puzzling murder case. Two people have died, and clues remain scarce.
Van Veeteren relies on logical reasoning and carefully observed details to find answers, while the suspense quietly builds. If you enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s detective stories, Nesser’s novels offer a similar atmosphere and memorable characters.
Peter Høeg is a Danish author known for his thoughtful style and carefully structured thrillers. Readers who enjoy Stieg Larsson may also find Høeg’s work interesting.
His novel “Smilla’s Sense of Snow” follows Smilla Qaavigaaq Jaspersen after her young neighbor falls to his death. Smilla suspects foul play, and her investigation uncovers a complex mystery connected to her own Greenlandic background.
The story combines suspense, intriguing characters and a glimpse into Danish and Greenlandic societies.
Roslund & Hellström are a Swedish crime-writing duo known for gritty crime fiction with deep character portraits and tense storylines. Their novel “Three Seconds” centers on Piet Hoffman, an undercover informant caught between criminals on one side and police on the other.
Hoffman must survive inside a ruthless prison system while maintaining his cover. Readers who enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s dark mysteries and intriguing characters will find Roslund & Hellström’s style similarly intense and readable.
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir is an Icelandic writer known for crime and thriller novels with intriguing characters and good suspense. If you’ve enjoyed Stieg Larsson, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir’s work might interest you too.
Her novel “Last Rituals” features attorney Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, who investigates a dark murder mystery tied to old Icelandic folklore. The victim is a university student from Germany found dead with strange symbols carved on his body.
As Thóra searches for answers, she uncovers secrets about historical witch hunts and hidden rituals. The book combines suspense, history, and atmospheric scenery set in Iceland.
Tana French is an Irish crime writer who creates thoughtful crime novels and memorable characters. Readers who enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s style and detailed plots may be interested in French’s work, especially her novel “In the Woods.” This book introduces detective Rob Ryan.
He investigates a crime near the same woods where, years before, his childhood friends disappeared without a trace. The novel is rich in atmosphere and suspense, and explores characters’ past experiences within a contemporary crime story.
Leif G.W. Persson is a Swedish crime author known for realistic police stories set in Sweden. If you’re familiar with Stieg Larsson’s books, you might also enjoy Persson’s work, such as “Between Summer’s Longing and Winter’s End.”
This novel begins with the death of an American falling from a Stockholm apartment balcony. Soon enough, police investigations uncover connections to political secrets and intelligence operations that affect the heart of Sweden’s government.
Persson combines police procedures with insights into Sweden’s society at the time of Prime Minister Olof Palme. The story moves around different police officials, bureaucrats and intelligence agents whose goals are often at cross-purposes.
The book looks into Sweden’s political systems and police services with believable characters and realistic situations.