It's been a week since Dept. Q dropped on Netflix, introducing us to Detective Carl Morck, Akram and Rose as they attempt to solve the case of Merritt Lyngard, a prosecutor who disappeared four years ago without a trace. And if, like us, you raced through the series, and are now wondering when you'll next get to see them in action, well then you're in luck. While we're still waiting for season 2 to be confirmed (hurry up, Netflix), you can read what cases the unlikely trio solve next because there are 10 books in the series the Netflix show is based on.
First published in Denmark in 2007, the Department Q books are written by Jussi Adler-Olsen and have since been translated and published all over the world. The first novel in the series, Mercy, follows a very similar plot to that of the TV show, except it and the subsequent novels are all set in Copenhagen.
The next nine books explore all the trio's backstories, while also seeing them solve a variety of cold cases. All 10 books are available to buy in the US and while we would recommend reading them in chronological order, you could also start with the case that sounds most intriguing to you. So here all the plots of the Department Q books by Jussi Adler-Olsen.
All the Department Q book plots
1.The Keeper of Lost Causes
The first book in the series follows Carl, Assad (his name is changed in the Netflix series to Akram) and Rose solving the disappearance of a politician called Merete Lynggard who has been missing for five years.
2. The Absent One
Back again to solve another mystery, Carl is presented with the case of a brother and sister who were killed 20 years prior. It appears to be a solved case, a group of boarding school kids were questioned at the time, and one ended up confessing for the crime. So why did someone leave the case file on Carl's desk?
3. A Conspiracy of Faith
One day Carl receives a truly haunting letter covered in blood. It's a message in a bottle from two brothers who have woken up bound in a boathouse with no hope of escape, can Carl find them in time? Or is too late?
4. The Purity of Vengeance
Rita Nielsen is an escort agency owner, but she's now gone missing and it's up to Carl and the team to find her. But as they dip deeper into the disappearance of Rita, they uncover a string of crime going back more than 20 years.
5. The Marco Effect
Three years ago a man disappeared after returning from a work trip from Africa, while the world presumes him dead, his family think differently and it's up for Carl to deduce what happened to him. However, what he doesn't know is that a 15-year-old boy who is rough sleeping could hold all the answers to this mystery.
6. The Hanging Girl
Carl is awoken from one of his deskside naps, with the news of a cold case. It relates to that of a 17-year-old girl who disappeared and was later found dead hanging from a tree. The team must travel to the remote island of Bornholm which leads them to a deeper mystery of cults and a string of murders.
7. The Scarred Woman
Carl and the team have a lot on their plate in this novel. First, Rose's past is catching up with her and she's struggling, as it's revealed she's connected to one of the station's most sinister cases.
There's also the matter of an elderly woman who is found dead in a park. The case is extremely similar to that one from 10 years ago, but they can't find any connection between the victims. And then across town a group of young women are being hunted down.
Oh, and Department Q also faces being shut down by Carl's superiors who are putting pressure on the team to achieve results.
8. Victim 2117
Over 2,000 refugees die in the Mediterran sea, but Victim 2117 has a link to the team at Department Q, with Assad finding the victim has links to a life and family he has long since buried. The team's paths collide with that of a Danish teenager who sees the death of Victim 2117 as the perfect excuse to unleash his murderous tendencies.
9. The Shadow Murders
A woman commits suicide on her 60th birthday, except Carl's boss doesn't think it's suicide but related to an unsolved case from years ago. As the team digs into the mystery while also coping with COVID-19 restrictions, it becomes clear there's far more to this story, and the killer is still on the hunt.
10. Locked In
After nine books, this is the final installment of the Department Q novel series. It begins the day after Christmas and Carl finds himself handcuffed and headed to Copenhagen's prison. He is being framed and is in grave danger, with a million dollar bounty on his head. Can his team save him this time?
