Photo: Anton Soggiu Photo: Anton Soggiu

Jørn Lier Horst

Jørn Lier Horst (b. 1970) has with his award-winning novels about William Wisting joined the elite of Nordic crime writers. Having worked as a head of investigations before becoming a full-time author, Horst brings a unique brand of suspense and realism to the table. Besides his novels for grown readers, Horst has gained recognition for his unparalleled ability to thrill even young readers with charming mysteries. His standing as the Norwegian king of crime fiction for all ages was cemented when he created the Detective Agency No. 2 and CLUE series, both the most popular children’s book series in their respective age categories.

“Horst, a former Norwegian police detective, is often compared to Sweden’s Henning Mankell for his moody, sweeping crime dramas.”
-New York Times

“Jørn Lier Horst writes literary crime with high credibility and keen-eyed societal depictions – he’s Norway’s own Henning Mankell.”
-Hjorth & Rosenfeldt

“Jørn Lier Horst writes some of the best Scandinavian crime fiction available. His books are superbly plotted and addictive, the characters wonderfully realized.”
-Yrsa Sigurdardóttir

Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes


Norwegian writer Jørn Lier Horst (b. 1970) and illustrator and animator Hans Jørgen Sandnes (b. 1979) have together created the bestselling children’s book series Detective Agency No. 2 for ages 6-9. Jørn Lier Horst has won multiple awards for his crime fiction for adults, and is also the author behind the highly praised CLUE series for children aged 9-12. Horst’s ability to create charming and believable characters has resulted in a rich universe full of adventure and mystery. Together with Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ award-winning illustrations, the Detective Agency No. 2 series’ universe and its lovable young detective duo are brought to vivid life before the reader.

Set in the idyllic small town of Riverton, the Detective Agency No. 2 series follows the adventures of our main protagonists Tiril and Oliver – not to mention their dog Ocho! Together the two young detectives collect evidence, search for connections, and join the at times perilous hunt for criminals. Concluding each book is an afterword in which readers can put their own sleuthing skills to the test.

Awards

Shortlist for The Petrona Award (Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year) UK – Grenseløs Snowfall 2024
The Finnish Whodunnit Society’s Award for Excellence in Foreign Crime Writing Finland 2024
The Teskjekjerring Award Norway 2023
Shortlisted for Bøkekrimprisen (Best Crime Novel) Norway – Sak 1569 A Question of Guilt 2021
Shortlisted for the Prix du Bureau des Lecteurs France – Blindgang Ordeal 2021
Shortlisted for Vrij Nederland’s Thriller of the Year The Netherlands – Katharina-koden The Katharina Code 2021
Shortlisted for BOK365’s Book of the Year Award Norway – Sak 1569 A Question of Guilt 2020
Shortlisted for the Petrona Award (Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year) UK – Det innerste rommet The Cabin 2020
Longlisted for the CWA International Dagger UK – Det innerste rommet The Cabin 2020
Shortlisted for BOK365’s Book of the Year Award Norway – Illvilje The Inner Darkness 2019
Longlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière France – Hulemannen The Caveman 2019
The Petrona Award (Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year) UK – Katharina-koden The Katharina Code 2019
Longlisted for the CWA International Dagger UK – Katharina-koden The Katharina Code 2019
Nordic Noir Thriller of the Year Sweden 2018
Longlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière France – Jakthundene The Hunting Dogs 2018
Longlisted for the CWA International Dagger UK 2017
Shortlisted for the Bokslukerprisen Award Norway – Ulvehundgåten The Wolfhound Mystery 2017
Shortlisted for the Bookworm Award Norway – Rivertongåten The Riverton Mystery 2016
Special Award for Excellence in Crime Fiction Writing Poland 2016
The Petrona Award (Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year) UK – Hulemannen The Caveman 2016
Shortlisted for the Ark’s Book of the Year Award Norway – Blindgang Ordeal 2015
The Swedish Academy of Crime Writers’ Award Sweden – Jakthundene The Hunting Dogs 2014
Shortlisted for the Petrona Award (Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year) UK – Vinterstengt Closed for Winter 2014
The Glass Key The Nordic Countries – Jakthundene The Hunting Dogs 2013
Shortlisted for the Norwegian Booksellers’ Prize Norway – Hulemannen The Caveman 2013
The Vestfold Literature Prize Norway 2012
The Riverton Prize Norway – Jakthundene The Hunting Dogs 2012
The Norwegian Bookseller’s Prize Norway – Vinterstengt Closed for Winter 2011
Close award list

Bibliography

William Wisting

Wisting: The Prequel

CLUE

Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes

Stand-alone

Activity books

Children’s non-fiction

On the Case

Detective Agency No. 2

Related news

‘Dry land’ and ‘Harvester of Sorrow’ nominated to Sølvkniven

Jørn Lier Horst’s Dry Land, the latest installment in the international bestselling William Wisting series, and Heine Bakkeid’s Harvester of Sorrow, the fifth book in the acclaimed Thorkild Aske series, have been nominated for the Norwegian Sølvkniven, which honors Norwegian crime literature.

The jury have the following to say about each title:

“Jørn Lier Horst has delivered his best Wisting crime novel to date with Dry Land. The plot is especially well-constructed, where almost nothing feels improbable. Yet, it still sends chills down your spine as you read. Very well written!”

“Bakkeid never disappoints when it comes to the literary quality of his crime novels. In this all-consuming thriller, we encounter a brutal and unsettling atmosphere woven between the lines. A sharp crime writer, Bakkeid paints a disturbing picture of both the environment and the characters. The novel is steeped in an almost melancholic, dark tone, yet the trademark Bakkeid humor—dark and raw—is never far away.

The winner will be announced on March 15.

Photo: Rickard L. Eriksson; Jarli & Jordan; Anton Soggiu; Christopher Helberg; Ewa-Marie Rundquist

The complete Norwegian bestseller lists of 2024

The complete Norwegian bestseller lists of 2024 have been released, and Pascal Engman dominates the paperback list. Tierra del Fuego takes the top spot, while The Widows comes in at No. 3, closely followed by Femicide and Cocaine taking the No. 4 and No. 5 spot, respectively. Meanwhile, Jo Nesbø’s The Kingdomsecures the No. 2 position on the same list.

Jørn Lier Horst’s Dry Land claims the No. 1 spot on both the crime and fiction bestseller lists. Jo Nesbø’s Blood Ties follows closely, taking the No. 2 and No. 3 positions in the same categories. Meanwhile, Lars Kepler’s The Sleepwalker ranks No. 3 in the crime category and No. 5 in fiction. The Scream by newly formed duo Jørn Lier Horst and Jan-Erik Fjell lands at No. 4 on the crime list.

Pascal Engman, Jo Nesbø, and Jørn Lier Horst among the most sold in Norway 2024

The official Norwegian bestseller lists of 2024 are out. Among the most sold titles across all genres, Pascal Engman is featured with four books in the top 6. Tierra del Fuego, the first installment in the Vanessa Frank series, comes in at No. 2, while The Widows and Femicide take the No. 4 and No. 5 spot, respectively. The Kingdom, Jo Nesbø’s lauded thriller, seizes the No. 3 spot.

On the list of newly published titles of the year, Jørn Lier Horst’s latest William Wisting title, Dry Land, claims the No. 4 spot, while Jo Nesbø’s Blood Ties comes in at No. 5.

‘Dry Land’ No. 1 in Norway

Jørn Lier Horst’s Dry Land, the latest installment in the bestselling Wisting series, tops both the hardcover and e-book bestseller lists this week.

Lars Kepler, Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Enger, and Jørn Lier Horst stays put on the Norwegian bestseller lists

Lars Kepler’s The Sleepwalker remains firmly at the top of the e-book bestseller list, holding steady at No. 1. Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger’s  Victim continues to secure the No. 2 spot on the paperback list. Meanwhile, Jørn’s Dry Land ranks No. 2 in both the hardcover and e-book categories.

 

Lars Kepler and Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Enger on the Norwegian bestseller list

Lars Kepler’s The Sleepwalker claims the No. 1 position on this week’s e-book list. Meanwhile, Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger’s Victim secures the No. 2 spot on the paperback list. Jørn’s Dry Land ranks No. 2 in the e-book category, and in the children’s category, The Search for the White Eagle by Jørn Lier Horst & Jørgen Sandnes holds the No. 3 position.

Lars Kepler and Jørn Lier Horst on the Norwegian bestseller list

Lars Kepler’s The Sleepwalker, lands the No. 1 spot on the Norwegian e-book list this week and ranks No. 2 on the hardcover list. Meanwhile, Jørn Lier Horst’s Dry Landholds the No. 3 position on both the hardcover and e-book list.

The 2024 Petrona Award shortlist

The jury for the 2024 Petrona Award has just revealed the shortlist for the ‘Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year.’ Among the six nominees are Jørn Lier Horst with Snow Fall, and Yrsa Sigurdardóttir’s The Prey

The Judges have the following to say about each title:

“A slow methodological approach gathers pace and pulls readers into a complex web of low-key international ties. As always Lier Horst delves deep into the psychology and motives of the characters, creating a slow-burning police procedural of empathy and human interest, firmly rooted in Norwegian society.”

“Sigurðardottir balances these three storylines, each with her trademark creeping sense of unease, in this dark and disturbing standalone.”

The winning title will be announced on 14 November 2024.

‘Dry Land’ No. 1 in Norway

For the third consecutive week, Dry Land, the latest installment in the William Wisting series, holds the No. 1 spot on the hardcover bestseller list and also tops the e-book list. Notably, it was No. 2 on the official September bestseller list, despite being published on September 16th.

Jørn Lier Horst No. 1 in Norway

Jørn Lier Horst’s Dry Land, the 17th installment in his Wisting series, stays put at No. 1 on the bestselling list for hardcovers. Meanwhile, Operation Tractorthe latest installment in Jørn and Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ Detective Agency No. 2 series, climbs to No. 2 on the children’s list.

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