Book Trends: Scandinavian Crime Fiction

Vampires not your thing? Not to worry, there's another trend blazing up the bestseller charts right now. Scandinavian crime fiction is hotter than ever here in the states, and abroad. If you don't know the girl with the dragon tattoo , chances are you soon will. She's Lisbeth Salander who, along with Mikael Blomkvist, is the complicated star of Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy. This wildly popular series (with support from the publications of some consistently first-rate Scandinavian authors) is leading the movement to put Scandinavian crime fiction on the map and in your hands. Check out some of the most popular authors in this genre and start your international love affair today.

Karin Fossum - Inspector Sejer series
Peter Hoeg
Arnaldur Indriðason - Reykjavik Murder Mysteries
Camilla Läckberg - Patrik Hedstrom
Stieg Larsson - Millenium Trilogy
Henning Mankell - Kurt Wallander series
Jo Nesbø - Harry Hole series

What are your thoughts on these authors? Any to add to the list?

Detectives by the Book

Avid readers can attest to the fact that many movies and television shows are based on books. For example, three incredibly popular movies, Mystic River, Gone, Baby, Gone and Shutter Island, were all based on books written by Dennis Lehane. The list of movies and television shows based on books is impressive, but this post is all about detective fiction that has been translated to the small screen.

There is something intrisically interesting about solving a mystery. Keys to success in both detective series' and TV shows include quirky characters, puzzling crimes and an evolving storyline...of course, some romantic tension never hurts. Shows based on books already have a built in audience - the legions of fans who love the books. Who wouldn't like to see their beloved characters in real life? This doesn't always keep a show on air, however, as was the case for Women's Murder Club - the ABC drama based on James Patterson's series of the same name that only ran for a year. Other stories enjoy long-lasting popularity in both book and TV format.

*Here are a few TV detective shows based on books:

Bones (FOX) - based on the Temperance Brennan series written by Kathy Reichs and based on the author, herself

Jesse Stone made-for-TV movies (CBS) - based on Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone series

No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (HBO) - based on Alexander McCall Smith's series by the same name

Rizzoli and Isles (TNT) - based on the Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles series by Tess Gerritsen

*On the flip side, here are some books that were inspired by TV shows:

Heat Wave by Richard Castle - based on the ABC show Castle

Mr. Monk series by Lee Goldberg - based on the USA Network show Monk

Murder, She Wrote series by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain - based on the CBS Network show Murder, She Wrote

What are your favorite detective novels and/or TV shows?

Cozy Up with a Good Book

Keep warm this winter with the help of some cozy mysteries. These fictional detective tales are usually set in quaint towns and involve some sort of domestic crime, minus any graphic violence or language. The hero tends to be an amatuer detective, adept at solving puzzling problems. Cozies are very popular among readers looking for a light mystery that engages the mind. Get acquainted with this genre, or find a new favorite author, with this list of top-notch cozy mystery writers and their series' titles.

*Nancy Atherton - Aunt Dimity

*Emily Brightwell - Mrs. Jeffries

*Laura Childs - Tea Shop Mysteries / Scrapbooking Mysteries / Cackleberry Club Mysteries

*Mary Daheim - Bed-and-Breakfast / Emma Lord

*Carola Dunn - Daisy Dalrymple / Cornish Mystery

*Sarah Graves - Home Repair is Homicide Mysteries

*Carolyn Hart - Death on Demand / Henrie O / Bailey Ruth

*Joan Hess - Claire Malloy / Arly Hanks

*G.A. McKevett - Savannah Reid

*Maggie Sefton - Knitting Mystery

Do you have a favorite cozy series?