Alex Dahl

Alexandria Bockfeldt Dahl, also known as Alex Dahl, is an American/Norwegian crime novelist who writes in the Nordic noir genre. She is best known for her critically acclaimed novel The Boy at the Door (2018).

Alex Dahl was born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and an American mother. She grew up in the West End of Oslo and is a native speaker of Norwegian and English. Alexandria pursued higher education in Russian and German linguistics with international studies, completing her B.A. in Oslo and Moscow. Later, she earned an M.A. in creative writing from Bath Spa University and an M.S. in business management from the University of Bath.

Her literary career began with the publication of her first novel, Før jeg forlater deg (Before I Leave You), in 2013 under the name Alexandra Bockfeldt. This Norwegian-language book set the stage for her future works in the crime and thriller genres.

In 2018, Alex Dahl gained significant attention with her first English-language novel, The Boy at the Door, published by Penguin Random House. The book was one of the most widely sold e-books in England that year. It was praised by The Times as one of the best crime fiction books of 2018 and has since been translated into twelve languages.

Following this success, Dahl continued to publish in the crime genre. Her next novel, The Heart Keeper, came out in 2019, followed by Playdate in 2020. Playdate became a Disney+ television series starring Holiday Grainger.

Dahl's latest work, Girl Friends, is set to be published by Head of Zeus in April 2024. This thriller follows the story of Charlotte, a woman with a seemingly perfect life, who meets the free-spirited Bianka. Their friendship leads to a wild and dangerous adventure during a girls' trip to Ibiza, with devastating consequences.

Girl Friends explores themes of control, deception, and the hidden cracks beneath a carefully curated life. Charlotte, an online sensation known as the 'Keto Queen,' lives a meticulously organized life with her family in London. However, her marriage has grown stale, and she seeks excitement. When Charlotte invites Bianka on a trip to Ibiza, their friendship turns dark.

The story is told from the perspective of Charlotte, Bianka, and Bianka's stepson Storm. Storm's subplot adds depth to the narrative as he uncovers unsettling truths about his family's past, particularly the mysterious death of his mother.

In addition to her novels, Dahl has published short stories in the U.K. and the U.S.

Alex Dahl currently lives in London and continues to write, drawing on her rich background and experiences.

Photo credit: © Nina Rangoy