Witness History Wallander and the rise of Nordic Noir
Oct 13, 2025
Anneli Høier, former literary agent for Henning Mankell, delves into the impactful rise of Nordic Noir, centered around the Wallander series. She shares how the gripping themes of social critique and xenophobia in 'Faceless Killers' resonated globally. Høier contrasts Wallander’s relatable flaws with traditional detectives, highlighting his human appeal. She also discusses Mankell's struggles in exporting Scandinavian literature and his influential humanitarian work, painting a picture of a revolutionary figure in crime fiction.
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Opening Scene Sets The Tone
- The podcast opens with a dramatic excerpt from Faceless Killers showing Inspector Wallander finding a horrific crime scene.
- The scene establishes the novel's gritty tone and social realism that differentiates it from classic whodunits.
A New Era For Crime Fiction
- Faceless Killers introduced grittier social realism to crime fiction and shifted the genre away from cosy mysteries.
- The Wallander series helped position Scandinavia as the new epicentre of crime writing.
Agent's First Encounter With Wallander
- Anneli Høier recounts first reading Faceless Killers after a friend introduced the book in 1990.
- She immediately saw it as different, with a clear message about xenophobia and racism in Swedish society.
