Swedish Cosy Crime

Cosy fiction in Sweden

Sweden and the other Scandi countries are well known for their noir and Scandi crime but it would be a shame to think that this is the only kind of fiction that they do well.

I’ve been getting into cosy crime in Swedish and there’s so much of this, including cosy crime fiction that isn’t getting translated. Overshadowed by the more obvious noir?

This one I enjoyed:

I mean just look at the idyllic cover for a start!

The title roughly translates as: Victim in a tailcoat.

The location is Säbyholm by Lake Mälaren

Mälarsee (c) Wikipedia

Siri Ehrensvärd, a celebrated actress, and her nephew Anton run a nursery. Life is good, things are peaceful and it’s all very cosy. Until…..

A body is found in the lake and the victim is wearing a tailcoat like something out of a circus or posh dinner. The police are baffled and worry grows as they start to receive letters that appear to come from the killer.

As well as the central mystery, there is a lot of scene building here which I enjoyed. There’s a real sense of community, the search for a missing father and the life of a village and lake side community.

This is  a stand alone book but number 5 in a series of cosy crime. It’s part of Carin Hjulström’s hit series under the banner of Säbyholm’s Green Fingers. So, think gardening, hammocks, fresh food and flowers with a body or two.

I hope this series is translated into English soon as it gives a delightful look of Sweden and other lakeside communities that I think people would love.

Susan x