There’s often a lull in new book releases in the New Year after the frenetic round of releases to capture the Christmas sales, but 2024 has already seen announcements of several new books that look like being ‘must reads’ on any Nordic literature fans reading list, and all good choices for those looking to try something new in 2024 and dip their toes into the area for the first time.

Here are 8 new Nordic novels to look out for in 2024!

The Dancer – Óskar Guðmundsson | Iceland

Óskar Guðmundsson’s debut novel, Hilma, was awarded the Icelandic Crime Syndicate’s Drop of Blood award for the best crime novel of 2015 and this book, The Dancer, marks the start of a new series of novels from Guðmundsson.

When a body is found on a Reykjavík hillside it soon becomes clear there’s a vicious killer on the loose. As a novice police officer takes her first case with the city’s CID, she soon finds there’s little about the crime that is what it first appears to be.

The Dancer by Óskar Guðmundsson, translated by Quentin Bates, is published by Corylus Books on 5 January 2024

The Guests – Agnes Ravatn | Norway

As the saying goes: “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive”. As a couple enjoy a stay in a luxurious holiday home in the Norwegian fjords a little white lie soon spirals out of control and traps the couple in a nightmare.

Norwegian author Agnes Ravatn made her literary debut in 2007 with Week 53 and her work The Bird Tribunal has also been turned into a successful stage play in Oslo.

The Guests by Agnes Ravatn, translated by Rosie Hedger, is published by Orenda Books on 18 January 2024.

The Mermaid – Anki Edvinsson | Sweden

Anki Edvinsson is a familiar face in Sweden, having been a popular television host and weather forecaster. It is no surprise though she’s turned to crime writing, with her father and brother serving in the Swedish police. Last year saw the English release of her first Detectives von Klint and Berg series book, The Snow Angel and now we’re awaiting the release of the second book The Mermaid.

When the body of a homeless woman is found in a river a young immigrant soon becomes prime suspect. When he turns up in the town wearing a high explosive vest though things become more complex.

The first book in the series garnered a lot of English language fans and so this second offering is one to look out for.

The Mermaid by Anki Edvinsson, translated by Paul Norlen, is released by Thomas & Mercer on 20 March 2024

Murder Under the Midnight Sun– Stella Blómkvist | Iceland

Following the success of 2023’s Murder at the Residence, Stella Blómkvist returns with Murder Under the Midnight Sun.

Blómkvist has been a bestseller in Iceland since the 1990s. Published under a pseudonym the mystery of Blómkvist’s identity is one that remains a mystery.

An arm emerging from an ice cap had a mysterious ruby ring on its frozen finger. When it looks like there’s a link to other disappearances then questions begin to be asked about the police investigations.

Murder Under the Midnight Sun by Stella Blómkvist, translated by Quentin Bates is published by Corylus Books on 5 May 2024

Reverberations – Helga Flatland | Norway

While Helga Flatland is one of Norway’s most widely read authors, she’s still a relative unknown in the UK compared with some of her compatriots. A frequent top seller in Norway, an English translation therefore is something to look forward to.

Mathilde leaves her teaching job in Oslo after her relationship with 18-year-old student Jacob is exposed, escaping to the countryside for a more authentic life. Beneath the surface, though something darker lurks and threatens to disturb the rural peace.

Reverberations by Helga Flatland will be published by Orenda Books on 23 May 2024

Boys Who Hurt – Eva Björg Ægisdóttir | Iceland

With You Can’t See Me featuring high in our top 10 Nordic Noir books of 2023, the next instalment in the Forbidden Iceland series is a tantalising prospect.

After the prequel in 2023, we return to the present in Boys Who Hurt as Detective Elma returns from maternity leave to investigate a murder in a holiday cottage in the depths of the Icelandic countryside.

Eva Björg Ægisdóttir has become one of Iceland’s most popular writers. Her first novel won the Blackbird Award, and the Forbidden Iceland series now reaches its fifth instalment with this latest release.

Boys Who Hurt by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir, translated by Victoria Cribb, is released by Orenda Books on July 18, 2024

Ice Town – Will Dean | Sweden

Living in the middle of a moose forest in remote Sweden, Will Dean crafts work that can send chills down the spine of even the bravest reader.

In the much anticipated sixth instalment of the Tuva Moodyson series, Dean brings back one of Nordic Noir’s most beloved characters. The deaf reporter finds herself at the centre of a missing person hunt in an almost cut-off village. There’s only one way in – a tunnel – but when that closes at night and more people go missing it’s clear there’s a murderer among the villages.

This sixth Tuva novel continues the series last seen in 2022’s Wolf Pack and offers to chill readers yet again.

Ice Town by Will Dean is published by Hodder & Stoughton on 7 November 2024

The Medium – Sólveig Pálsdóttir | Iceland

The fourth in the series of crime novels featuring detective Guðgeir Fransson and Elsa Guðrún, The Medium explores a murky world of deception and family enmity – and an ill-concealed murder.

Sólveig Pálsdóttir began her career as a trained actor before moving into teaching literature, linguistics, and drama. Now one of Iceland’s most popular literary exports, any new novel is an eagerly anticipated event. The Medium by Sólveig Pálsdóttir, translated by Quentin Bates, will be published by Corylus Books in 2024 (date to be confirmed).

We can’t wait to read all of these and discover which others might spring up during the cours of the year – which ones are you most excited about reading?