Meny

Sample of literary figures

  • Tiny (Thobela) Mpayipheli

    Male

    South African warrior from the Xhosa tribe, renowned freedom-fighter – former ANC soldier – but also a Stasi agent and assassin for the KGB. He is the son of a peaceful pastor, and according to author Deon Meyer is a giant of a man with very dark skin and dazzlingly white teeth. Thobela ‘Tiny’ Mpayipheli is a skilled rugby player and for a while lives together with Miriam Nzululwazi, whose death hits him hard.

    Further reading

  • Kafa Iqbal

    Female

    She was born in Jordan, which her skin hints at: she always seems to have a suntan, according to author Ingar Johnsrud. But Kafa Iqbal works for the Norwegian security service as an expert on religious terrorists when she is introduced to the readers – however, she soon switches to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Oslo Police. She is beautiful, slim, with dark, shoulder-length hair with a parting in the middle. She is also good at karate – and single.

    Further reading

  • Erica Falck

    Female

    When her parents have died, author Erica Falck travels home to Fjällbacka, and she remains there. She becomes involved in a murder mystery, and meets Detective Inspector Patrik Hedström with whom she gets married and they make a family. With her help, he contributes to solving a row of cases. She is described as ‘very pretty’, and her personality is partly based on Camilla Läckberg’s own.

    Further reading

  • Varg Veum

    Male

    With his books about the private detective Varg Veum, author Gunnar Staalesen transferred American hardboiled noir to a Scandinavian setting – Bergen in Norway. Veum is one of the best-known fictional characters in Norway; he features in several television productions as well as a comic strip. He operates in widely different social settings and is prone to commenting on current affairs.

    Further reading