Joachim B. Schmidt
(b. 1981), grew up in the Swiss canton of Grisons before emigrating to Iceland in 2007. His novels Tell and Kalmann were bestsellers, with Kalmann receiving the Crime Cologne Award 2021 and placing third for the Swiss Crime Fiction Prize. Kalmann was also shortlisted for the 2023 Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award and is currently shortlisted for the Petrona Award in the UK, for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel 2023.
Schmidt, who has dual citizenship, lives with his wife and their two children in Reykjavík, Iceland.
Pro Helvetia supports translations. www.translateswissbooks.ch/book/kalmann/
“Joachim B. Schmidt’s novels show a sensitivity to how the accumulation of seemingly small events makes up the drama of human life.”
SJÓN, WRITER
“Schmidt reveals himself to be an incredibly empathetic and skilled narrator with a strong sense for light humour.”
HANSPETER EGGENBERGER / TAGES-ANZEIGER, ZURICH
“He lets the Icelandic world shine from within and you grow fond of the main character.”
Manfred Papst / NZZ am Sonntag, Zurich
“A welcome addition to the Icelandic literary flora.”
EGILL HELGASON, KILJAN/ICELANDIC NATIONAL TV
“This is a thriller in its form; […], but the main strengths are the portrayals, the humor, the scenery, the good conversations and the nature experiences. […] I did not get up from the couch until the last page had been flipped.”
EINAR KARASON, AUTHOR
“He creates characters that are more Icelandic than anything Icelandic. What kind of magician is this?”
HALLGRIMUR HELGASON, AUTHOR
“The thriller is light and fun, although the undertone is black and cruel.”
STEINTHOR GUDBJARTSSON, MORGUNBLADID DAILY, ICELAND
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