Per Wahloo Reading Order
4 series · 16 books
Per Wahloo was a Swedish crime writer whose career spanned from the 1960s through the early 2010s, establishing him as a significant figure in Scandinavian detective fiction. He is most renowned for his groundbreaking decade-long collaboration with Maj Sjöwall on the Martin Beck series, ten novels featuring a Stockholm homicide detective that revolutionized the police procedural genre between 1965 and 1975. Beyond this celebrated partnership, Wahloo also wrote standalone thrillers and contributed to various anthologies, leaving behind a body of work that demonstrated both his skill at intricate plotting and his influence on Nordic noir literature.
Are you Per Wahloo? Add a note for your readers →
Anthologies Series
Complete1 book (2013–2013)
Inspector Jensen Series
Complete2 books (1964–1968)
Per Wahloo's Inspector Jensen series consists of two mystery novels published between 1964 and 1968. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Murder on the Thirty-First Floor followed by The Steel Spring. Both entries feature the detective's investigations into complex crimes within Wahloo's distinctive thriller framework.
Start with Murder on the Thirty-First Floor and read in order.
Start this series with Murder on the Thirty-First Floor
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Martin Beck Series
Complete10 books (1965–1975)
The Martin Beck series comprises 10 mystery and thriller novels written by Per Wahloo between 1965 and 1975, following Swedish police detective Martin Beck through investigations of increasingly complex crimes. Published in order from Roseanna through The Terrorists, this complete series should be read in publication sequence to fully appreciate the character's development and the evolving crime landscape of Sweden. Each standalone case builds upon Beck's experiences and methods, making chronological reading essential for understanding the detective's evolution as a solver of murders and criminal conspiracies.
Start with Roseanna, the first of 10 books in the Martin Beck series.
Start this series with Roseanna
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 |
Standalone Novels Series
Complete3 books (1960–1965)
Per Wahloo's three-book mystery and thriller series spans from 1960 to 1965 and is now complete. Though marketed as standalone novels, these books should be read in publication order: A Necessary Action (also titled The Lorry), followed by The Assignment and The Generals. Each entry stands independently while contributing to Wahloo's exploration of crime and intrigue across this formative period of his career.
Start with A Necessary Action / The Lorry and read in order.
Start this series with A Necessary Action / The Lorry
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Per Wahloo written?
- Per Wahloo has written 16 books across 4 series. Their published works span from 1960 to 2013.
- What is the first book in each Per Wahloo series?
- Here are the first books in Per Wahloo's series: Inspector Jensen: Murder on the Thirty-First Floor; Martin Beck: Roseanna.
- What order should I read Per Wahloo's books?
- We recommend reading Per Wahloo's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are Per Wahloo's series complete?
- Per Wahloo has 4 completed series.