Gunnar Staalesen

b. 1947

1 series 15 books in order

Gunnar Staalesen is a Norwegian writer and a major figure in Nordic noir crime fiction, known for his novels featuring Varg Veum, a private detective in Bergen on the west coast of Norway. He has sold more than four million books in 24 countries and has also worked as a screenwriter and playwright with Den Nationale Scene, Bergen's largest theatre. His Varg Veum series includes Fallen Angels, Big Sister, and Bitter Flowers.

Born
1947
Known for
Varg Veum

Series by Gunnar Staalesen

Varg Veum

15 books in order · 1979–2023

  1. Yours Until Death

    1979 · Gunnar Staalesen

    The single-mother families of an isolated community are being terrorised by a teenage gang. Varg Veum encounters the gang's pathetic but deadly…

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  2. Cover of At Night All Wolves Are Grey

    At Night All Wolves Are Grey

    1983 · Gunnar Staalesen

    At Night All Wolves Are Grey is a 1983 book by Gunnar Staalesen. It is book 2 of the series Varg Veum.

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  3. Black Sheep

    1988 · Gunnar Staalesen

    Black Sheep is a 1988 book by Gunnar Staalesen. It is book 3 of the series Varg Veum.

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  4. Fallen Angels

    1989 · Gunnar Staalesen

    Fallen Angels is a 2008 Norwegian film directed by Morten Tyldum and is the fourth installment in the Varg Veum series. The film was nominated for…

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  5. Bitter Flowers

    1991 · Gunnar Staalesen

    Bitter Flowers is a 2007 Norwegian crime thriller film directed by Ulrik Imtiaz Rolfsen, marking the first installment in a series of twelve films…

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  6. Cover of The Writing on the Wall

    The Writing on the Wall

    1995 · Gunnar Staalesen

    The Writing on the Wall is a 1995 book by Gunnar Staalesen. It is book 6 of the series Varg Veum.

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  7. Mirror Image

    2002 · Gunnar Staalesen

    Mirror Image is a 2002 book by Gunnar Staalesen. It is book 7 of the series Varg Veum.

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  8. Cover of The Consorts of Death

    The Consorts of Death

    2006 · Gunnar Staalesen

    The Consorts of Death is a 2006 book by Gunnar Staalesen. It is book 8 of the series Varg Veum.

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  9. Cover of Cold Hearts

    Cold Hearts

    2008 · Gunnar Staalesen

    In Bergen, Norway, private investigator Varg Veum is visited by a prostitute whose friend Margrethe has disappeared. Before vanishing, Margrethe had…

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  10. We Shall Inherit the Wind

    2010 · Gunnar Staalesen

    We Shall Inherit the Wind is a 2010 book by Gunnar Staalesen. It is book 10 of the series Varg Veum.

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Show all 15 Varg Veum books in order →

Frequently asked questions

How many books has Gunnar Staalesen written?

We list 15 books by Gunnar Staalesen across 1 series, published between 1979–2023 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Gunnar Staalesen's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “Yours Until Death.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Gunnar Staalesen's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.

Some summaries adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.