Anders de la Motte Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Anders de la Motte

Anders de la Motte is one of Sweden’s most versatile crime writers, meaning your starting point depends entirely on what flavor of mystery you prefer. Because his series span vastly different styles, tones, and subgenres, readers generally choose one of three entry points:

• For Atmospheric, Psychological Scandi-Noir: Start with End of Summer, the first book of the acclaimed Skåne Quartet (also known as the Seasons Quartet). These are standalone psychological thrillers focusing on memory, grief, and long-buried rural secrets.
• For Classic Police Procedurals with a Modern Twist: Start with The Mountain King, which introduces Inspector Leonore Asker in a hunt for missing persons and bizarre miniature dioramas.
• For High-Tech, Fast-Paced Action: Start with Game, the award-winning opener to his cyber-thriller Game Trilogy, which follows a slacker sucked into a dangerous, real-world alternate reality game.

The Leo Asker Series (Inspector Leonore Asker Books)

Introducing one of de la Motte's most compelling leads, this series follows Detective Inspector Leonore "Leo" Asker, who is sidelined to the department for "lost souls"—a basement unit handling odd, cold, and bizarre cases. The series blends classic police investigations with highly eerie, gothic-tinged mysteries.

Recommended Reading Order:

1. The Mountain King (Original Swedish: Bortbytaren, 2022 / English: 2024)
2. The Glass Man (Original Swedish: Glasmannen, 2023 / English: 2025)
3. The Rust Forest (Original Swedish: Rostskogen, 2024 - English translation pending)
4. The Night Hunter (Original Swedish: Nattjägaren, 2025/2026 - English translation pending)

Reading Advice: This series should be read in chronological publication order as it features recurring character arcs, department dynamics, and evolving subplots surrounding Leo Asker.

The Skåne Quartet (Seasons Quartet)

This series of books cemented de la Motte's reputation as a master of slow-burn, atmospheric psychological suspense. Set in the beautiful yet haunting landscape of northwestern Sweden, each book is themed around a different season and a distinct mystery.

Publication & Reading Order:

• End of Summer (Original Swedish: Slutet på sommaren, 2016 / English: 2020) — The Summer Book. A bereavement counselor is forced to confront the mysterious disappearance of her brother twenty years earlier.
• Deeds of Autumn (Original Swedish: Höstdåd, 2017 / English: 2021) — The Autumn Book. A group of old friends reunite at a quarry, only for past tragedies and childhood secrets to rise to the surface.
• Dead of Winter (Original Swedish: Vintereld, 2018 / English: 2022) — The Winter Book. Set in a remote community, focusing on a fatal fire from the past that continues to cast a dark shadow.
• Rites of Spring (Original Swedish: Våroffer, 2019 / English: 2021) — The Spring Book. A ritualistic murder from 1986 becomes the obsession of a newly arrived doctor.

Reading Advice: Although there is a thematic flow, all four books are completely standalone. They feature different characters, settings, and storylines. You can read them in any order, though reading them in the Swedish publication order (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring) provides a wonderful transition through the seasonal atmospheres. Note that a TV adaptation of End of Summer was produced and broadcast on BBC Four.

The David Sarac Series (Stockholm Police Intelligence)

Drawing directly from de la Motte's years in the police force, this dark, gritty duology deals with handlers, informants, and corruption within the Stockholm Police Intelligence Unit.

The Reading Order & Title Confusions:

1. MemoRandom (2014) — Also published under the UK title The Missing Informant (2018).
2. Ultimatum (2015) — Also published under the UK title The Silenced (2017).

Important Warning for Readers: Depending on where you buy your books, you might see these novels listed under their original Swedish translations (MemoRandom and Ultimatum) or their UK alternative titles (The Missing Informant and The Silenced). They are the exact same books, so be careful not to purchase them twice!

The Game Trilogy (H.P. Pettersson Books)

This is the trilogy that launched Anders de la Motte's literary career, winning the Swedish Crime Writers’ Academy Debut Award. It is a fast-paced, high-tech thriller series that deals with the dark, manipulative nature of social media and mobile technology.

Reading Order:

1. Game (2010)
2. Buzz (2011)
3. Bubble (2012)

Reading Advice: This is a continuous story following the protagonist Henrik 'HP' Pettersson and his police officer sister Rebecca Normén. You must read these books in order to understand the overarching conspiracy and character development.

Cozy Mystery Collaborations

In addition to his dark thrillers, Anders de la Motte has branched out into lighter, classic "cozy" crime fiction, partnering with other writers to create charming puzzle mysteries.

The Österlen Murders (Co-authored with Måns Nilsson)

This series features the fastidious Stockholm Inspector Peter Vinston, who is forced to team up with local police officer Tove Esping in the scenic rural region of Österlen. It is heavily inspired by classic Agatha Christie-style whodunits.

1. A House to Die For (Original Swedish: Döden går på visning, 2021)
2. Death Goes Antiquing (Original Swedish: Ett fynd att dö för, 2022)
3. Borta på vinden (2024 - English translation pending)

Murder Under the Sun Series (Co-authored with Anette de la Motte)

Co-written with his wife Anette, this new series shifts the setting from Sweden to sunny Italy, combining culinary delights, cultural details, and lighthearted mystery.

• Death in Capri (Original Swedish: Döden på Capri, 2025)

What to Know Before You Start

Anders de la Motte’s writing is heavily informed by his real-life background. Before publishing his debut novel, he spent five years as a police officer in Stockholm (1996–2001) and later worked as an international security director for major technology companies. This background gives his police procedurals (like the Leo Asker and David Sarac series) a high level of realistic detail, while his tech-focused plots (like the Game Trilogy) benefit from his firsthand knowledge of corporate security and digital systems.