The official Icelandic bestseller lists of 2026’s first quarter have been published, and Kristina Ohlsson and Jo Nesbø grab the two top spots on the crime fiction list. Kristina Ohlsson is No. 1 with Storm Watch, the first installment in the August Strindberg series. Jo Nesbø is No. 2 with the standalone Wolf Hour.

Lisa Ridzén’s acclaimed debut When the Cranes Fly South is a finalist for the 2026 Nota Bene Prize in the UK. The Nota Bene Prize celebrates thought-provoking and relatable reads that engage diverse topics to make you stop and take note. Selected in coordination with a panel of notable readers, the finalists are reads that have received organic, word-of-mouth recognition and are deserving of a wider readership.

The readers can now vote for their favourite title up until the 5th of May. To see the finalists and vote, click ‘Read More’ below.

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is currently the Global #1 non-English show, with a staggering 6,9 million views only this past week, confirmed by Netflix last night.

Matias Varela has become a defining force in film and TV, with work spanning Sweden, Europe, and Hollywood. He moves effortlessly between character-driven projects and global blockbusters, bringing grounded intensity and emotional depth to every role he portrays.

Varela first gained widespread attention for his role as Jorge in the Easy Money films (2010–2013), a breakthrough that earned him two Guldbagge nominations and established him as a major talent, leaving a lasting mark on Swedish cinema.

From there, Varela carved an international path, leading to a main role in season three of the Netflix mega-hit Narcos (2017), where he portrayed Jorge Salcedo, a complex insider within the Cali Cartel. His performance was hailed by critics as “outstanding,” “excellent,” and “the show’s stealth star.”

Other notable credits include the HBO series Raised by Wolves (2020–2022), produced by Ridley Scott, the international historical drama The Borgias (2013), the acclaimed Swedish financial thriller series Fartblinda (2019–2022), and the praised feature film 438 Days (2019), which earned him another Guldbagge nomination. He also stars in the lauded Spanish series Hierro (2021), further showcasing his range across languages and cultures.

At the 2026 Guldbagge Awards, Varela received his fourth nomination, for his role in The Dance Club (2025), reaffirming his status as one of Sweden’s most renowned actors.

Emmelie Uggla (b. 1979) has a background in law, and has established herself as a sharp and compelling voice in Swedish suspense fiction. With her previous thrilling novels she showcased her mastery of psychological depth and unexpected twists. She moves seamlessly between several genres, such as fantasy, suspense, and children’s literature, and has among other works written the award-winning Drakar och Demoner series, inspired by the classic role-playing game.

With her new thrilling novel Forever Forgotten, the first installment in the suspense series Fate Lines, she begins an exciting new chapter in her writing career, all while maintaining her distinctive voice, her talent for crafting fast-paced plots, and her skill in developing complex characters.

Since premiering on Netflix less than a week ago, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole has already stormed the charts and is currently the most-watched Netflix-show in the world.