Alphabet House

British pilots James Teasdale and Bryan Young have been chosen to conduct a special photo-reconnaissance mission near Dresden, Germany. Intelligence believes the Nazis are building new factories that could turn the tide of the war. When their plane is shot down, James and Bryan know they will be executed if captured. With an enemy patrol in pursuit, they manage to jump aboard a train reserved for senior SS soldiers wounded on the eastern front.

In a moment of desperation, they throw two patients off the train and take their places, hoping they can escape later. But their act is too convincing and they end up in the Alphabet House, a mental hospital located far behind enemy lines, where German doctors subject their patients to daily rounds of shock treatments and experimental drugs. The pilots only hope of survival is to fake insanity until the war ends, but their friendship and courage are put to the ultimate test when James and Bryan realize they arent the only ones in the Alphabet House feigning madness.

Millions of fans around the world—and in this country—know Adler-Olsen for his award-winning Department Q series. His first stand-alone, The Alphabet House, is the perfect introduction for those who have yet to discover his riveting work.

“If you like the dark humor, wisecracking, and layered betrayals of Raymond Chandler, then read Adler-Olsens Department Q series.” -Men's Journal on The Marco Effect

"A tense, pleasurable read." - USA Today on The Marco Effect

“[A] sordid tale… inspired by actual events during a dark period of Danish history. Ah, but there is more, so much more in this frenzied thriller…”

— The New York Times Book Review on The Purity of Vengeance

"Adler-Olsen merges story lines...with ingenious aplomb, effortlessly mixing hilarities with horrors...This crime fiction tour de force could only have been devised by an author who can even turn stomach flu into a belly laugh."

— Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Purity of Vengeance

“This series has enough twists to captivate contemporary mystery readers and enough substance and background to entertain readers with historical and literary tastes."

—Library Journal (starred review)

"Comparisons [to Stieg Larsson] are inevitable....Adler-Olsen's prose is superior to Larsson's, his tortures are less discomfiting, and he has a sense of humor."

--Booklist (starred review) on The Keeper of Lost Causes

"Plan on putting everything else in your life on hold if you pick up this book.”

— The Oregonian on The Keeper of Lost Causes

“When your series relies on cold cases, its not always easy to craft plots that have both historical interest and an air of urgency, but its something Adler-Olsen is very good at.”

— Booklist on The Purity of Vengeance

“Adler-Olsen meticulously constructs the Alphabet House…and the stomach-turning evils of Nazi culture to create a pitch-perfect thriller atmosphere.” 

-- Booklist

“Adler-Olsen meticulously constructs the Alphabet House…and the stomach-turning evils of Nazi culture to create a pitch-perfect thriller atmosphere.” 

-- Booklist

"This is a suspense/thriller to beat them all. Not only does it offer action, but readers will start waiting for the rabbit to jump out of the hat and change everything."

-- Suspense Magazine

A teenaged boy on the run propels Detective Carl Mørck into Department Qs most sinister case yet

Fifteen-year-old Marco Jameson longs to become a Danish citizen and go to school like a normal teenager. Unfortunately, his Uncle Zola forces the children of their former gypsy clan to beg and steal for his personal gain. When Marco discovers a dead body that proves the true extent of Zolas criminal activities, he goes on the run. But it turns out his family members arent the only ones who want to keep Marco silent … forever.

Detective Carl Mørck wants to save the boy, but Marcos trail leads him to a case that extends from Denmark to Africa, from embezzlers to child soldiers, from seemingly petty crime rings to the very darkest of cover-ups.

In the middle of his usual hard-won morning nap in the basement of police headquarters, Carl Mørck, head of Department Q, receives a call from a colleague working on the Danish island of Bornholm. Carl is dismissive when he realizes that a new case is being foisted on him, but a few hours later, he receives some shocking news that leaves his headstrong assistant Rose more furious than usual. Carl has no choice but to lead Department Q into the tragic cold case of a vivacious seventeen-year-old girl who vanished from school, only to be found dead hanging high up in a tree. The investigation will take them from the remote island of Bornholm to a strange sun worshipping cult, where Carl, Assad, Rose, and newcomer Gordon attempt to stop a string of new murders and a skilled manipulator who refuses to let anything—or anyone—get in the way.