It was one of those literary phenomena that seemed to come out of nowhere. Who cared about crime fiction from a bunch of small countries in the frozen north of Europe? A few of us had heard of, and even read, Inspector Kurt Wallander, actor-writer Henning Mankell’s world-weary cop from the flatlands of the Skåne county in the Swedish south. Yet it was Stieg Larsson’s posthumously published trilogy that really woke the world up to the dark side of the Social Democratic Nordic idyll. Jo Nesbø’s madcap Oslo detective, Harry Hole, seemed to seal the deal, and even a small Danish crime drama called The Killing grabbed international attention.
You could say we are now in the second wave of the Scandinavian noir, and, with Sweden being the “guest country” at the book fair, one of the genre’s latest leading lights in crime fiction, Kristina Ohlsson, is being featured. Not that Ohlsson cares particularly for the tag.
“I do not feel part of any group. I am not totally comfortable with any label on my writing,” she says. “I don’t really like the Wallander books. It was not until Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbø came along that I found something that was fast-paced enough for me.” Before that, American novelists Dennis Lehane and Stephen King (“Yes, I know he is not a crime writer,” she laughs) were the names that drew her in.
Ohlsson’s 2009 debut novel, Unwanted, was well-received and was swiftly followed by the more assured Silenced and several other books featuring an elite team of detectives led by tough cop Alex Recht and his civilian-analyst sidekick, Fredrika Bergman, a series that now runs to five novels. The latest, Lotus Blues, is due out in October.
Ohlsson, now in her mid 30s, has worked for both the Swedish security services and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. One of her fields of expertise is the Middle East.
“I had always written, mostly short stories and the beginnings of novels, but never finished them,” she admits. “Then, in 2007, I was so bored with my work that I produced Unwanted, it was published and I found my voice.”
Ohlsson, who has since also turned her talents to children’s fiction, is sure that one of the reasons for her success outside Sweden is the quality of the translator. “It sounds obvious but I was really pleased when my native English-speaking friends enjoyed the books. A good translation is vital.”
She contends that a writer must take a different approach when writing children’s books. “Of course, you must never talk down to children but, as my books are aimed at 9- to 12-year olds, certain subject matters would not only frighten them, but also lose their interest in the story.”
Meantime, the Middle East security expert is keenly anticipating her first visit to Abu Dhabi. “It will be exciting – and a lot warmer than Stockholm right now.”
• Meet Kristina Ohlsson on Thursday at The Tent at 7.30pm, and attend a session about Swedish Noir with Ohlsson and the author Marie Hermanson on Friday at 8.45pm at The Tent
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
