Set in the late 16th century Ottoman Empire, this novel explores the conflict between East and West, tradition and innovation, through the lens of miniaturist painters. When a renowned artist is murdered, his colleagues must solve the mystery while grappling with the changes in their art brought about by the western Renaissance. This complex narrative intertwines love, art, religion, and power, offering a deep exploration of the struggles between old and new.

The novel revolves around Smilla Jaspersen, a woman of Greenlandic-Inuit and Danish descent living in Copenhagen, who investigates the mysterious death of a small Inuit boy who falls from the roof of their apartment building. Despite the authorities ruling it as an accident, Smilla's understanding of the Arctic snow and ice, her intuition, and her relentless pursuit for truth lead her to uncover a much darker, dangerous conspiracy involving powerful corporations and government agencies.

The novel focuses on a man searching for his wife in Istanbul, who disappeared without a trace. In his search, he discovers a secret, surreal world in the city and starts to understand his wife's involvement in political activism. The narrative is interwoven with stories from a column written by his wife's half-brother, which the protagonist believes may hold clues to her disappearance. The book is a complex exploration of identity, storytelling, and the role of literature in society.

This novel delves into the gripping tale of a cold case that resurfaces, challenging the skills of Copenhagen's Department Q, a division dedicated to solving long-forgotten crimes. The story centers around the mysterious disappearance of a promising young politician five years prior, believed to have perished in a tragic accident. However, new evidence suggests a much darker fate. The head of Department Q, Detective Carl Mørck, along with his assistant Assad, embarks on a relentless quest to uncover the truth. Their investigation leads them into a sinister world of captivity and desperation, where they must race against time to save a victim whose time is running out. This thrilling narrative combines suspenseful twists, complex characters, and the stark realities of crime's impact on human lives.