The Norwegian tradition of Påskekrim, or Easter crime, involves indulging in crime stories during the Easter holiday, a practice that originated from a clever PR stunt in 1923.

This phenomenon began with a fake newspaper headline about a train robbery that coincided with the release of the crime novel 'Bergenstoget plyndret inat!', which led to a significant spike in crime novel sales during Easter.

The initial stunt executed by publisher Harald Grieg was remarkably successful, selling over 7,000 copies within days and inspiring other publishers to follow suit.

Today, nearly half of adult book sales in Norway during the week leading up to Easter consist of crime novels, underscoring the genre's immense popularity during this festive period.

Despite Norway's low crime rates, with only about 30 murders annually, the appeal of crime fiction may reflect a societal desire to explore darker themes in an otherwise peaceful environment.

The long winters and vast, empty landscapes of Norway may contribute to a collective sense of dark loneliness, further fueling an interest in crime narratives.

The juxtaposition of cheerful Easter decorations with crime themes mirrors a cultural engagement with fear and the thrill of the unknown, akin to Halloween celebrations.

Norwegian crime writer Alex Dahl emphasizes that reading crime novels during Easter evokes shared cultural memories, such as packing specific foods for nature trips.

Dahl also suggests that the structured nature of Norwegian society may lead to crime stories serving as a form of rebellion against societal norms.

The cultural significance of crime stories in Norway is further highlighted by events like the annual Krimfestivalen, a three-day celebration of crime literature, and the Rivertonprisen award for crime writing, both held around Easter.