Press Release International crime fiction star Louise Penny confirmed for the 2026 Gothenburg Book Fair
PHOTO: Benjamin McAuley
Crime fiction star Louise Penny is making a long-awaited visit to Sweden this fall as she attends the Gothenburg Book Fair. With millions of readers worldwide and one of the most acclaimed crime series of our time, the Canadian author is one of this year’s major names.
The Canadian province of Québec is Guest of Honour at the 2026 Book Fair. With a special focus on Québec’s rich literature, culture, and storytelling tradition, both established and emerging voices will take centre stage. Among them is Louise Penny, one of the world’s most widely read authors.
Louise Penny has been specially invited by the Archbishop of Sweden, Martin Modéus, a devoted Penny reader, who will also be in conversation with her during the Book Fair: – I very much look forward to welcoming Louise Penny to this year’s Gothenburg Book Fair. Her writing explores questions of morality, faith, and human dignity, issues that are central to our time and vital to public discourse, says Martin Modéus, Archbishop of Sweden, about Louise Penny’s participation in the Book Fair.
Louise Penny regularly appears on The New York Times bestseller list, has received several prestigious awards, including the Agatha Award and the Anthony Award, and is considered one of the most prominent crime writers of our time. She is especially known for her acclaimed mystery series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, introduced in her debut novel Still Life, which also marked her breakthrough. The books have sold millions of copies worldwide and been translated into 35 languages.
– I am so looking forward to meeting some of my favourite Scandinavian writers, especially Swedish writers – and readers, of course. The Gothenburg Book Fair is a literary treasure trove. I am honoured to be invited and to be part of celebrating the literary riches of Québec, says Louise Penny ahead of her visit to Sweden this fall.
Among the author’s most widely read and beloved works are titles such as Still Life (2005), A Fatal Grace (2006), The Cruelest Month (2007), A Rule Against Murder (2008), and The Brutal Telling (2009). The books about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache have also been adapted into the internationally acclaimed TV series Three Pines.
In addition to her literary successes, Louise Penny has been inducted into the prestigious Order of Canada and Order of Québec for her significant contributions to literature.
The conversation will take place at Crimetime, the Book Fair’s dedicated arena for crime fiction and Sweden’s largest meeting place for the genre.
About Gothenburg Book Fair
Gothenburg Book Fair is the Nordic region’s largest cultural event and one of Europe’s leading book fairs. For over 40 years, Gothenburg Book Fair has promoted reading, the exchange of ideas, knowledge and learning. The Fair strengthens the role of literature in society – always with storytelling at its heart. Gothenburg Book Fair takes place on 24–27 September 2026 at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg. The 2026 Guest of Honour is Québec, and the themes of the year are Popular Adult Education and Games. Learn more at www.bokmassan.se.
For further information, please contact:
Martina Johansson Head of Communications and Marketing, Gothenburg Book Fair mj@bokmassan.se +46 70 614 1996
Press photos
Please visit the Gothenburg Book Fair Press Room for photos. Note that the press room is updated continuously – for easy access, please search for the related topic.
Gothenburg Book Fair takes place on the 24-27 September 2026 at the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre.
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