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

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

Detective Agency No. 2

Activity books

Children’s non-fiction

Stand-alone

Related news

‘Operation Prison Break’ published in Norway

A new mystery lands itself on Detective Agency No. 2’s table when a jewelry thief escapes from Askmo prison. The thief has made her way out via a laundry wan, but has now gone missing without a trace. The launderette happens to be located in Riverton and it is therefore highly likely that the escaped inmate is hiding in the Detective Agency’s very own neighborhood. Will Tiril, Oliver and Ocho be able to trace her down? And will they be able to find the precious stolen Maximilian-jewelry that were never located upon the thief’s arrest?

‘The Search for the Viking Treasure’ No. 1 in Norway

Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ The Search for the Viking Treasure debuts on the official Norwegian bestseller list for children’s fiction this week, going straight to No. 1. Also new on the lists are Jo Nesbø’s The Night House, which claims the No. 2 spot on both the hardcover and the e-book lists. Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Engers’ Scars stays put at No. 1 on the paperback list.

‘The Search for the Viking Treasure’ published in Norway

A thousand years ago there was a Viking village just outside Elvestad. The valuable treasure of the Viking king Hagbard was hidden somewhere nearby and has never been found. Now, the Detective Agency No. 2 have set out on a quest together with Roar Redbeard to find the treasure. Perhaps an old runestone can help them on their way?

Pay close attention and keep your eyes open throughout The Search for the Viking Treasure. The pictures hold traces, clues, codes, and hints for young detectives.

The Search for the Viking Treasure is the eleventh activity book in the Detective Agency No. 2 series.

Liza Marklund and Horst & Enger the most sold of 2023 so far

The Norwegian booksellers’ association has announced a list of the most sold crime novels of 2023 so far, and Liza Marklund takes the No. 1 spot with The Polar Circle. Horst & Enger meanwhile is the most sold domestic authorship, featuring at the top with their Unhinged, followed by Smoke Screen and Death Deserved. Also on the list are Anne Holt’s The Eleventh Manuscript, Liza Marklund’s The Mire, Jørn Lier Horst’s The Traitor, Jo Nesbø’s Killing Moon, Lars Kepler’s The Spider, and Kristina Ohlsson’s Storm Watch.

Horst & Sandnes and Stefan Ahnhem on the Norwegian bestseller lists

Operation Racing Stripes and Other Mysteries, Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ latest title in the Detective Agency No. 2 series, is No. 1 for the third week in a row on the official Norwegian bestseller list for children’s books. Stefan Ahnhem’s An Entirely Different Story meanwhile debuts on the e-book list, going straight to No. 4.

Jo Nesbø and Jørn Lier Horst the most sold of 2022 in Norway

Jo Nesbø and Jørn Lier Horst are the two most sold Norwegian authorships during 2022. Jo Nesbø is the No. 1 best selling author with his Killing Moon, the thirteenth Harry Hole novel. Jørn Lier Horst is No. 2 with The Traitor, the sixteenth novel about William Wisting.

‘The Traitor’ No. 1 in Norway

Jørn Lier Horst’s The Traitor bounces back up to No. 1 on the official bestseller list for ebooks in Norway this week. The Traitor is the sixteenth volume in the series about William Wisting.

Show more stories