As of: March 26, 2024, 9:29 a.m
By: Sven Trautwein
Jussi Adler-Olsen, one of Scandinavia's most renowned thriller writers, closes his successful series with "Betrayed".
In the conversation he reveals what comes next.
The tenth volume, “Betrayed”, was published at the same time as the start of the Leipzig Book Fair, which ended successfully.
Jussi Adler-Olsen is one of Denmark's most prominent thriller authors.
Some of his books have been successfully filmed for television, translated into numerous languages and Netflix is planning a new edition of the thrillers.
In 2013, the first film adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen's extremely popular book series was realized, with Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Fares Fares in the leading roles.
In an interview with
Ippen.Media
, Jussi Adler-Olsen reveals what a writing day looks like and what follows after “Betrayed”.
Jussi Adler-Olsen: Family comes first
Jussi Adler-Olsen in an interview: What follows after the tenth volume of Sonderezernat Q?
© Jens Kalaene/dpa
Is Carl Morck always present in your daily life?
Yes, indeed – Carl is a part of me in many ways too.
I put several of my own characteristics into his personality.
He will always be a part of me.
And Carl Mørck and Special Department Q were central to my life for so many years.
Everywhere I look in my home, I see things that remind me of the many wonderful adventures they have given me.
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Was it originally planned to write ten volumes for the series?
Oh yeah.
Before I wrote the first sentence of the first novel, I had written a summary of the entire series.
I knew roughly what each novel would have as its main theme.
I also knew the long story quite well and had a good idea of how to drop clues in each novel.
What I didn't know was whether people would continue reading and read all ten volumes.
I am eternally grateful that they did.
What does a typical writing day look like?
There is nothing typical about my working days.
It all depends on what else happens.
And when my wife has plans, I organize my writing to fit them.
At least in the early stages of writing.
When it's closer to the deadline, I'm more disciplined.
But one thing is important to me: that all emails and other matters are taken care of.
If that's not the case, I can't concentrate on writing.
What comes after Special Department Q?
For years I have been working on an international thriller that I would like to complete.
But now it's time to put my family first.
And it's not hard, I love spending time with my wife and we now have two wonderful grandchildren.
What a privilege.
Which authors have influenced you?
I love absurd literature like Erlend Loe and Peter Bichsel.
The only books I have read more than once are those by the great authors like Steinbeck, Dickens, and masters like Hugo and Dumas.
But generally speaking, I'm always curious to learn more - I love being challenged.
Thank you for the interview.
Find out more about Jussi Adler-Olsen here.
If you would like to know how other authors came to write or what ideas particularly inspire them, you can find interviews with Nele Neuhaus, Hubertus Borck, Johannes Groschupf or the Danish crime queen Katrine Engberg here.
His thriller film adaptation of “Expectation” is available in the ZDF media library.
Jussi Adler-Olsen “Betrayed”
Special Department Q, Volume 10
Translated from the Danish by Hannes Thiess (original title “Syv m2 med lås”)
2024 dtv, ISBN-13 978-3-423-28352-6
Price: pre-order hardcover €26.99, e-book €21.99, 608 pages (different format)