The crime fiction genre exploded at the end of the 2000s and there are no signs that the great reader interest will decrease. Nor does the publishing industry's output. Only this year, around 500 Swedish-language crime novels will be released.
It's actually far too many, says Nisse Scherman with a laugh.
He is a member of the Swedish Crime Writers' Academy and says that the genre is not only successful in terms of volume.
I would say that the crime fiction genre is more vital and varied than ever before. Stieg Larsson paved the way. He showed that you can write crime fiction exactly as you want.
"Deserves all attention"
He mentions the upcoming debut "The House at the End of Pearl River" by communicator and filmmaker William Älgebrink as an example of such an original and unique crime novel. It takes place in the deep forests outside Jokkmokk and is about bus driver Dylan and a boy who takes Dylan's bus to school every day. One snowy afternoon, strange things happen.
It really shows that a crime novel doesn't have to be written according to a certain formula. It's sad and serious and told in a new way. I think it deserves all attention.
The attention is, of course, a crucial issue. As a debutant, getting media space alongside established crime queens like Anna Jansson or Camilla Läckberg, or later star Pascal Engman, can be difficult. It's about standing out.
It really requires something completely extra, says literary scholar, critic, and author Kerstin Bergman, who is also a member of the Swedish Crime Writers' Academy.
Who do you think has had that extra something in this year's crime fiction releases?
Hannes Dükler's "The Living and the Others" and Monica Nebelius Lüning's "Merit and Skill".
Both of these novels have received fine reviews this spring. Journalist Hannes Dükler tells the story of a famous artist who died. His children gather on the island where their father lived to find out if it was really a drowning accident that took his life.
Monica Nebelius Lüning has previously worked as a chief of police within the Police Authority and her debut novel takes place in a police environment. The book, which is the first part of a series, depicts how a police officer and a judge collaborate to solve a brutal murder that shakes Varberg.
Both are well-written and well-constructed crime novels, says Kerstin Bergman.
Hannes Dükler: "The Living and the Others".
Monica Nebelius Lüning: "Merit and Skill".
William Älgebrink: "The House at the End of Pearl River" (coming in October).
Founded in 1971.
Awards prizes annually to the best crime fiction in various categories, including best debutant.
Last year, Negar Naseh & David Sandström's novel "A Farmer's Death" was awarded best Swedish debut.
