
Photo: Anton Soggiu
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
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.
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 |
2022, Crime
2021, Crime
2020, Crime
2019, Crime
2018, Crime
2017, Crime
2015, Crime
2013, Crime
2012, Crime
2011, Crime
2010, Crime
2009, Crime
2007, Crime
2006, Crime
2005, Crime
2004, Crime
2019, Children’s suspense
2018, Children’s suspense
2017, Children’s suspense
2016, Children’s suspense
2016, Children’s suspense
2015, Children’s suspense
2015, Children’s suspense
2014, Children’s suspense
2014, Children’s suspense
2013, Children’s suspense
2013, Children’s suspense
2012, Children’s suspense
2012, Children’s suspense
2023, Children’s crime fiction
2023, Children’s crime fiction
2022, Children's
2022, Children’s suspense
2021, Children’s crime fiction
2021, Children’s crime fiction
2021, Children’s crime fiction
2020, Children’s crime fiction
2020, Children’s crime fiction
2019, Children’s crime fiction
2019, Children’s crime fiction
2018, Children’s crime fiction
2018, Children’s crime fiction
2017, Children’s crime fiction
2017, Children’s crime fiction
2016, Children’s crime fiction
2016, Children’s crime fiction
2015, Children’s crime fiction
2015, Children’s crime fiction
2014, Children’s crime fiction
2014, Children’s crime fiction
2014, Children’s crime fiction
2013, Children’s crime fiction
2013, Children’s crime fiction
2013, Children’s crime fiction
2023, Children’s activity book
2022, Children’s activity book
2022, Children’s activity book
2021, Children’s activity book
2021, Children’s activity book
2020, Children’s activity book
2019, Children’s activity book
2018, Children’s activity book
2017, Children’s activity book
2016, Children’s activity book
2015, Children’s activity book
2020, Children’s activity book
2020, Children’s activity book
2018, Children’s activity book
2017, Children’s activity book
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?
Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ The Search for the Viking Treasure climbs the Norwegian bestseller list for children’s fiction again, landing the No. 1 spot this week.
Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Engers’ Scars remains No. 1 on the paperback list also this week, just as Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ The Search for the Viking Treasure repeats its No. 1 placement on the children’s list.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Operation Racing Stripes and Other Mysteries, Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ latest title in the Detective Agency No. 2 series, shoots to No. 1 on the official Norwegian bestseller list for children’s books.
Operation Racing Stripes and Other Mysteries, Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ just published latest title in the Detective Agency No. 2 series, debuts at No. 4 on the official Norwegian betseller list for children’s books.
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.
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.
The Search for the Magical Christmas Village, the latest activity book in Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes’s Detective Agency No. 2 series, is No. 2 on the official Norwegian bestseller list for children’s books.