To be accurate only Sweden, Norway and Denmark are actually Scandinavian countries. If you count in also Finland and Iceland you should talk about Nordic countries, albeit it is less known name. Just saying. I have nothing against the name staying as it is, but I'd love the description to call the countries Nordic, not Scandinavian. :)

Okay that is a fair point. I don't think most people outside of the region make that distinction, but I'll change it.

Thank you! I know what you mean (I have even argued about this with a Swedish person...), but it makes me (a Finn) so happy when someone actually recognizes the difference.

It's nice to know I put a smile on someone's face today : )

I also have called it Scandinavian! A Dane told me Finland & Iceland were included 0_0

Well, it's rather common to call all of the Nordic countries Scandinavian in English, but if you want to be exact Nordic countries is the right term. I guess this is closer to heart to us Finns since we don't want to be called Scandinavian. :D

If you want to read more about the difference I can recommend the Wikipedia articles about Nordic countries and Scandinavia. They are actually rather good articles.

My vote is to call it "Scandinavian" because it REALLY pisses my Finnish friends off when you include Finland in Scandinavia. Culturally, historically, even Culinary, Finland is as much of Scandinavia as the rest of them are. I'm just saying. Actually, I love the Finns. Suomi RULES!

Finland also has strong cultural, historical and culinary to the east, not only to Scandinavia. Also Finnish language is not a Scnadinavian language, but belongs to a completely different language family.

And yes, I can definitely relate to your Finnish friends Aaron. :D

Riikka wrote: "Finland also has strong cultural, historical and culinary to the east, not only to Scandinavia. Also Finnish language is not a Scnadinavian language, but belongs to a completely different language ..."

Truth, Finno-Ugric family is not Teutonic.

It is, in fact, not Indo-European. It is the other major language group found in Europe.

Susanna wrote: "It is, in fact, not Indo-European. It is the other major language group found in Europe."

Is it related to Basque, do you know ?

As a Finno-Ugrian (of the Hungarian branch), I can say that Basque is sui generis -- no relatives.

As far as I know, Basque is an isolate, with no known relatives either living or extinct.

finally find this thread, so excited. I'm so happy that I've read and also rated the same to almost all of your top 10s. Besides from being a Scandinavian, can you guys tell me what intrigues you to read novels from there?

???!!! wrote: "finally find this thread, so excited. I'm so happy that I've read and also rated the same to almost all of your top 10s. Besides from being a Scandinavian, can you guys tell me what intrigues you..."

Well, they write such intriquing novels.

o, comeon,be a little specific, is it the storyline, plotting, pace, description....... In other words, what are the differences btwn American novels and Scandinavian novels?

???!!! wrote: "o, comeon,be a little specific, is it the storyline, plotting, pace, description....... In other words, what are the differences btwn American novels and Scandinavian novels?"

The Scandinavian novels take me to Scandinavia, and there's not so much Bible-banging as one finds in America.... Read all of Sigrid Unset years ago, suddenly there's Kurt Wallender , Stieg Larsson, Smila's Sense of Snow, Icelandic mysteries. I live in Cincinnati where the old Germanic culture is melting into the McAmerican ugliness. Love to get away. Travel, yeah. "There is no frigate like a book, " said Emily Dickenson. Speaking of specificity.... I'll think of you as "Panda-with-urgent-questions" 'kay ?

If you look close enough it's a panda in shock! Kinda tells you that mystery and thrillers are my favorites. It wasn't till five years ago that I started reading Hakan Nessar which than introduced me to many Swedish authors. So far my favorites are Mankell and Indriason. So happy this thread leads me to more good Swedish authors.

Yes, I enjoyed the authors description of the landscape, mostly cold, snowy winter scenes. Most of the books would even print out a map for visual understanding of the geography. Whereas, the main characters are like lone wolf searching for bits and pieces of information, sometimes long long ago.

I adore Nordic mysteries - so atmospheric and almost invariably intelligent. Have read 90% of the lists, and am in a state of anxiety when I read that one of my favorite authors has birthed a new book. I am German, from Chicago, living in northern Minnesota - and a great-grandmother who obviously loves to read. Viva a good mystery!!

This list is superb. Thanks for all this books.

Nancy wrote: "I adore Nordic mysteries - so atmospheric and almost invariably intelligent. Have read 90% of the lists, and am in a state of anxiety when I read that one of my favorite authors has birthed a new ..."

Have you read any of Arnaldur Indrithason ? His detective is a long-sufferer comparable to Kurt Wallander but somehow more likeable. I recommend Jar City to anyone who likes a gloomy rummaging through the hardscabble lives of "little" people.

This is a great list! I discovered Nordic mysteries a few years ago and got hooked. Thanks for all the new authors to read.

I'm delighted to find this list! The character development in Nordic mysteries is almost always excellent...so much is revealed with few words! I'm usually disappointed when I read mysteries other than these now.

Nice to see there are so many fans of Nordic literature. I was also glad to see Basque language mentioned, as a Basque speaker and reader. In fact, the origin of basque is still a mystery. Thanks