Friday, January 24, 2014

Ten of the best crime novels in translation

Ann Cleeves's books have been translated into twenty languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 2007. It has been adapted for radio in Germany - and in the UK where it was a Radio Times pick of the day when it was first broadcast Radio adaptations of Raven Black and White Nights have both been repeated, and a television adaptation of Red Bones will be followed by three more two part adaptations of Cleeves's Shetland novels.

Three series of Vera, the ITV adaptation starring Brenda Blethyn and David Leon, have been broadcast in the UK, and sold worldwide. A fourth series is forthcoming.

Cleeves's latest book is a Vera Stanhope novel, Harbour Street.

One of her ten top crime novels in translation, as shared with Guardian readers:
Treasure Hunt by Andrea Camilleri (translated by Stephen Sartarelli)

I loved Camilleri long before the fine TV adaptations appeared. In the dark days of winter it's a treat to read about the sunshine, food and wine of Chief Inspector Montalbano's native Sicily. Camilleri has developed a great supporting cast in the accident-prone Catarella and Montalbano's argumentative girlfriend Livia. Here, the detective is led on a strange treasure hunt involving an inflatable doll and rhyming clues until the story reaches its surprisingly bleak conclusion.
Learn about another entry on the list.

Visit Ann Cleeves's website and online diary.

The Page 99 Test: Raven Black.

The Page 99 Test: White Nights.

The Page 99 Test: Red Bones.

The Page 69 Test: Blue Lightning.

--Marshal Zeringue