Annotation:Dark, suspenseful, psychologically-driven novels are the home turf of Swedish author Alvtegan. Well-drawn, conflicted characters and a cracking pace are her trademark. She has been compared to Ruth Rendell and is the grand-niece of Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren.

Annotation:A new voice in Scandinavian crime, Ceder is a former social worker and introduces Gothenberg police detective Christian Tell. A multi-stranded and complex plot which shifts nimbly between the past and present, this is a classic ensemble police procedural. Like Kjell Eriksson's series.

Annotation:Åke Edwardson’s first Chief Inspector Erik Winter title Sun and Shadow was released in English translation in 2005. Set in the Swedish city of Gothenburg, these are atmospheric police procedurals with sharp dialogue and suspenseful plots.

Annotation:Journalist and novelist Mari Jungsted’s novels star Detective Superintendent Anders Knutas and journalist Johan Berg. Set on the island of Gotland, these titles convincingly portray a police investigation while also giving a credible “slice of life” look at the lives of the central characters.

Annotation:Set in the small fishing community of Fjällbacka, Läckberg’s novels feature police detective Patrik Hedstrom. These titles have a contemporary setting, tight plots and a host of believable and interesting characters.

Annotation:The outstanding success story of Scandinavian crime, the Millennium trilogy catapulted Larsson to posthumous fame. Featuring investigative journalist Mikael Blomqvist and activist and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, these complex novels are as much modern moral fable as mystery or thriller.

Annotation:"Where else can you find a better backdrop for a crime novel than here, in the most secure society on earth?" Best-seller Marklund is talking about Sweden, more specifically Stockholm, where she sets her stories of murder and mayhem. They feature Swedish newspaper reporter Annika Bengtzon, whose private iife is nicely woven into the plots of her books.

Annotation:Set in the fictitious European city of Maardam, Chief Inspector Van Veeteren is a detective in the classic mould; gruff, intolerant of bureaucracy and with a strong sense of justice. These novels are slow in pace with Van Veeteren relying heavily on intuition and methodical police work to solve the case.

Annotation:Starring Inspector Irene Huss — a 40-something judo expert and earnest policewoman and mother, these police procedurals focus on social change. Issues such as immigration, racism, neo-Nazism and gangs are all put under the spotlight.