Dept Q books in order: How to read Jussi Adler-Olsen stories

Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Dept Q series is a cornerstone of modern Scandinavian crime fiction, blending dark, intricate mysteries with sardonic humour and a cast of unforgettable characters.

The novels follow Detective Carl Mørck as he heads Copenhagen’s cold case division, unearthing secrets that others would rather stay buried.

With the arrival of the Netflix adaptation – relocating the action to Edinburgh and bringing the stories to a new audience – there’s never been a better time to explore the original books in the order they were published.

Bear in mind, the books have different titles in the UK compared to the US, so we've stuck with the UK translations here.

So here’s your definitive guide to reading the Dept Q series from start to finish.

Dept Q books in order:

1. 1. Mercy (2011) - also known as The Keeper of Lost Causes in the US
   2. Disgrace (2012) - also known as The Absent One in the US
   3. Redemption (2013) - also known as A Conspiracy of Faith in the US
   4. Guilt (2013) - also known as The Purity of Vengeance in the US
   5. Buried (2014) - also known as The Marco Effect in the US
   6. The Hanging Girl (2015)
   7. The Scarred Woman (2017)
   8. Victim 2117 (2020)
   9. The Shadow Murders (2022)
   10. Locked In (2024)

Mercy (2011)

The series opens with Mercy, introducing Detective Carl Mørck, who is sidelined to the newly-created Department Q after a traumatic shooting incident. Tasked with investigating cold cases, Mørck begins with the disappearance of politician Merete Lynggaard, a mystery everyone else has written off as unsolvable.

This first novel establishes the series’ signature blend of psychological depth, grim humour and the complex moral landscape of Danish policing, while setting up the dynamic between Mørck and his soon-to-be indispensable assistant, Assad.

Disgrace (2012)

Disgrace sees Department Q handed a closed case – the brutal murder of a brother and sister two decades earlier. Although someone has confessed, Mørck is unconvinced by the official version and is drawn into a world of privilege and power. The novel deepens the partnership between Mørck and Assad, and introduces themes of institutional failure and the long reach of past sins.

Redemption (2013)

A cryptic message in a bottle, written in blood, lands on Mørck’s desk and launches Department Q into a harrowing investigation involving missing children and a chilling serial killer. Redemption is a turning point for the series, raising the stakes and expanding the team with the arrival of Rose, whose own backstory and sharp wit add new layers to the group dynamic. A relentless read.

Guilt (2013)

Guilt sees Mørck and his team drawn into a decades-old disappearance that soon reveals a pattern of vanished individuals and a sinister web of abuse and revenge. The investigation forces Mørck to confront his own past as well as the consequences of institutional neglect. This instalment stands out for its exploration of vengeance, justice, and the cost of unaddressed pain.

Buried (2014)

In Buried, Department Q investigates the case of a missing civil servant, presumed dead after returning from Africa, only to find that the answers may lie much closer to home. The novel introduces Marco, a streetwise teenager on the run, who becomes central to the investigation. The story weaves together themes of corruption, exploitation, and the resilience of those society overlooks, while giving the team one of their most challenging cases yet.

The Hanging Girl (2015)

A call from the Danish island of Bornholm draws Mørck and his team into the cold case of a 17-year-old girl found hanging in a tree. What begins as a local tragedy soon links to a shadowy cult and a series of new murders. The Hanging Girl is notable for its atmospheric setting and the way it pushes each member of Department Q to their limits, both professionally and personally.

The Scarred Woman (2017)

The Scarred Woman finds Department Q threatened with closure, with the team under pressure to deliver results. When the murder of an elderly woman in a Copenhagen park echoes an older unsolved case, and a series of attacks on young women rocks the city, Mørck and his colleagues must work against the clock. The novel delves deeply into Rose’s troubled past, making it one of the most personal and emotionally charged entries in the series.

Victim 2117 (2020)

The eighth novel, Victim 2117, brings the refugee crisis to the heart of Department Q’s work. The death of an unnamed refugee in the Mediterranean becomes the catalyst for a sprawling investigation with international implications – and a direct link to Assad’s own hidden history. This is a deeply political and personal story, broadening the scope of the series and revealing new details about the central characters.

The Shadow Murders (2022)

On her 60th birthday, a woman’s apparent suicide draws Mørck and his team into a labyrinthine case spanning three decades. As they connect a series of mysterious deaths, it becomes clear they’re dealing with a calculating murderer who has evaded justice for years. The Shadow Murders is the penultimate book, raising the tension and pushing the team to the brink as secrets from the past threaten to destroy them.

Locked In (2024)

The series concludes with Locked In, where Carl Mørck finds himself imprisoned, framed for crimes he did not commit, and with a bounty on his head. Department Q is fractured, trust is in short supply and the team must race against time to clear Mørck’s name and expose the true mastermind. This final entry is both a culmination of long-running threads and a high-stakes thriller, offering a fitting send-off to one of crime fiction’s most compelling teams.

How to get started

The best way to experience Dept Q is to read the novels in publication order, as each book builds on the last and the characters’ personal journeys are as important as the cases themselves.

Whether you’re coming to the series fresh from the Netflix adaptation or are a returning fan, it doesn't matter – Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Dept Q series is sharp enough for all-comers. Now get to it...

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