Carl Mørck

Character profile for Carl Mørck from Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q series. Learn about the cynical detective leading the cold case unit.

Carl Mørck is the definition of a brooding anti-hero. A brilliant homicide detective in Copenhagen, his career is derailed by a violent incident that leaves him physically unharmed but psychologically scarred. Guilt-ridden and difficult to work with, he is exiled to the basement to run Department Q, a new cold case unit.

Carl is cynical, stubborn, and often rude, but he possesses an obsessive drive to find the truth. He refuses to let sleeping dogs lie, often clashing with his superiors as he re-opens cases they would rather forget. His rough edges are softened only by his relationship with his unconventional team, particularly his assistant Assad.

Reading Order

See the complete Department Q reading order for all books in the series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Carl Mørck sent to Department Q?

Carl was transferred to Department Q after a traumatic ambush that left one colleague dead and another paralyzed. His superiors wanted him out of the way, but he turned the assignment into a success.

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