Jørn Lier Horst

Jorn Lier Horst is a highly regarded Norwegian author, best known for his Scandinavian crime fiction novels. Born in Bamble, Telemark in 1970, Horst began his career in law enforcement, working as a Senior Investigating Officer for the Norwegian police force. It was this experience that provided the foundation for his popular William Wisting series.

Horst's background in law enforcement gives his writing an authentic and realistic edge, allowing him to paint an accurate picture of Nordic society in his books. His crime novels not only provide a detailed and engaging mystery, but they also include commentary on both the political and social aspects of Norwegian life. This balance between entertainment and insight has helped establish Horst as one of the foremost Nordic crime writers.

Horst made his literary debut as a crime writer in 2004 with the publication of his debut novel "Nokkelvitnet" in his native Norwegian. This novel, later published in English as "Key Witness," introduced readers to his signature character, Chief Inspector William Wisting. The first book of Horst's to be published in English was "Dregs," which was released in 2011, a year after its original Norwegian publication. Since then, Horst has continued to write and publish both the William Wisting series and the Clue series, establishing himself as a prominent and prolific author in the crime fiction genre.