The settings in his novels, often dark and cold like the Norwegian winter, create a mood of gloom and foreboding. It makes the reader feel the danger lurking around every corner.
The settings play a huge role. For example, when he sets a scene in an old, dilapidated building in Oslo, it gives off a feeling of decay and unease. The cold weather and the often gray skies in the city settings add to the sense of melancholy and mystery. The contrast between the beautiful but sometimes desolate Norwegian landscapes and the brutal crimes that take place there also heightens the overall mood of tension and suspense.