November was a little quiet for new Nordic entertainment – that might be because there is a whole hoard of new things coming soon in December! But of course we still managed to find some fantastic things to watch.

We really enjoyed a new Swedish thriller on Netflix, which seems to have become very popular, and a fun Christmas movie provided some light but gruesome relief. And our resident book reviewer, Glen Pearce, has been getting through a lot of great reads this month.

So, here’s our update and watchlist for november 2023 – and watch out for a bumper packed December post!

BOOKS

(Reviewed by Glen Pearce for Nordic Watchlist)

It is has been a busy month for those avid fans of authors from the Nordic region here Glen give us his top picks from the month which has kept him VERY busy!

Stigma – Thomas Enger & Jørn Lier Horst

In what is fast becoming one of Norway’s most successful writing partnerships, Thomas Enger & Jørn Lier Horst deliver the latest Blix and Ramm series. In Stigma, police officer Alexander Blix is starting a 12-year prison sentence for Murder. Being behind bars, however, doesn’t stop his former colleagues from calling on him for advice in helping solve a cross-border murder case.

It is a thrilling and twisting journey through the darker side of Norwegian society Enger and Horst take us on and a welcome addition to a popular franchise.

The Wolf – Samuel Bjørk

Samuel Bjørk has introduced readers to the unlikely crime-solving partnership of Holger Munch and Mia Krügger in three successful books. Here in book four, The Wolf, we head back to the beginning and a time where the slightly world-weary old-school detective employs a young, and somewhat haunted profiler.

As two eleven-year-old boys are found murdered in Norway, detectives are struck by the identical motif to a near decade-old murder in Sweden. The Wolf is a complex work, with multiple story arcs crossing and merging. In a way, the murders, though shocking, take second place to discover the roots of what has become one of Norway’s most popular crime partnerships.

The Prey – Yrsa Sigurdardottir

The Icelandic winter is known for its chills, but Yrsa Sigurdardottir turns the thermostat down several degrees in the utterly terrifying The Prey. Three initially separate plot lines combine into a darker overall story that gives readers plenty of scares.

A mystery sibling who died in childhood, disconnected phone lines that ring with ghostly voices and a group of friends being chased through the snow by some unknown horror – this is a book where you are keen to turn the page to find out what happens next while simultaneously being scared to do so!

Yule Island – Johana Gustafsson

Purists may question if this is  Nordic Noir, being the latest from an author known as the Queen of French Noir. While originally published in French Johana Gustafsson’s Yule Island is set on the Swedish island of Storholmen and the author herself now lives in Sweden.

Yule Island mixes Norse and Viking mythology into a modern murder mystery that sees a series of murders every nine years linked to one of Sweden’s wealthiest families. Gustafsson’s work has an almost old-fashioned feel and echoes of Susan Hill’s The Woman In Black, but an interesting start to a promised new series.

TV

A Nearly Normal Family | Netflix

A Nearly Normal Family has been a bit hit with our fans. Perhaps because it has been a while since we enjoyed a good Nordic thriller here in the UK and the USA, so the series has certainly been welcome.

The lead star Alex Karlsson Treyfors puts in a magnificent performance along with a very strong supporting cast – read our interview with the upcoming star.

Limbo | Viaplay

We still have no idea when Viaplay might vanish so for anyone who no longer uses it, we understand, in fact we also have recently not bothered going onto the streamer as it hadn’t looked like any new content was being added. Turns out we were wrong, and one of the new shows that has been added is much-talked-about series – Limbo.

The series stars Sofia Helin (Saga inThe Bridge), Oscar Töringe (Thin Blue Line), Louise Peterhoff (The Truth Will Out), and Rakel Wärmländer (Sommaren med släkten) and follows three friends’ lives when their kids are caught up in a tragic accident.

Those of you who have missed seeing Sofia Helin on the screen will be delighted by her return but the cast around her are also absolutely incredible.

FILMS

Violent Night | USA | Now TV / Sky Cinema

Now, you might be wondering what we are doing recommending this American action-comedy – but we have good reason. The film is directed by famous Norwegian director, Tommy Wirkola, the man behind such films as Dead Snow and most recently The Trip (a cult classic in the making hidden away on Netflix!).

People familiar with his work will know to expect blood, violence, and gore – so let that be a warning to you in case the title of the film wasn’t!

David Harbour’s (Stranger Things) Santa falls down the wrong chimney when a heist is in action with a group of ruthless killers, but it turns out Santa is the wrong guy to mess with!

Thank you to October’s Sponsor

SCANDINORDIC

We would also like to say thank you to our November Sponor – Scandinordic!

Scandinordic creates original, unique and beautiful Scandinavian gifts not available elsewhere. Their online Christmas store has just launched, so we recommend a browse and give them a follow on social.

Find anything from mugs and glasses to clothes and decorations – order by November 30 to get it in time for Christmas, with FREE DELIVERY on most items!

What Nordic series, films, and books have you been enjoying this month? Let us know in the comments below!