Department Q books in order

Reading order for the Department Q series by Jussi Adler-Olsen. A dark and gripping Nordic Noir series featuring Detective Carl Mørck.

Main Characters

  • Carl Mørck: A cynical, grumpy, but brilliant detective who leads Department Q.
  • Assad: Carl’s mysterious and highly capable assistant, whose background is a deeply guarded secret.
  • Rose: The unit’s eccentric but vital secretary and researcher.

Department Q Books

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Keeper of Lost Causes (Mercy) 2011 Buy
The Absent One (Disgrace) 2012 Buy
A Conspiracy of Faith (Redemption) 2013 Buy
The Purity of Vengeance (Guilt) 2013 Buy
The Marco Effect (Buried) 2014 Buy
The Hanging Girl 2015 Buy
The Scarred Woman 2017 Buy
Victim 2117 2020 Buy
The Shadow Murders 2022 Buy
Locked In 2024 Buy

Department Q is a series that thrives on the tension between its dark subject matter and the quirky relationships of its characters. Carl Mørck, a brilliant but difficult detective, is “promoted” to the basement of police headquarters to run a cold case unit—a job intended to be a dead end.

However, Carl, along with his enigmatic assistant Assad and the eccentric Rose, turns Department Q into a powerhouse of investigation. They dig into cases that everyone else has given up on, uncovering deep-seated corruption and shocking crimes. The series is celebrated for its intricate puzzles and the evolving mystery of Assad’s own past.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do the books have different titles?

The books often have different titles in the US and UK. For example, the first book is The Keeper of Lost Causes in the US and Mercy in the UK. This list includes both titles.

What is the Department Q movie order?

Several Department Q books have been adapted into films, starting with The Keeper of Lost Causes. They generally follow the book order.

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