Jan Guillou

Swedish journalist and writer, who has gained international fame with his spy novels. Guillou's hero, the count Carl Gustaf Gilbert Hamilton alias agent Coq Rouge, the Nordic James Bond, has appeared in a series of books which have sold over four million copies.

What genres does Jan Guillou write in?

He is best known for spy fiction and historical fiction, including modern espionage thrillers and novels set in the time of the Crusades.

Which series is Jan Guillou best known for?

He is widely known for the Hamilton spy series featuring Carl Gustaf Gilbert Hamilton, alias agent Coq Rouge, and for his Crusades Trilogy, which includes The Road To Jerusalem, The Templar Knight and Birth of the Kingdom. His books have sold over four million copies.

What is the recommended reading order for the Crusades Trilogy?

Read the trilogy in publication order: The Road To Jerusalem, The Templar Knight, then Birth of the Kingdom.

Where should I start if I am new to Jan Guillou's work?

If you prefer modern spy thrillers, begin with the first novel in the Hamilton series featuring agent Coq Rouge. If you prefer historical epics, start with the Crusades Trilogy beginning with The Road To Jerusalem.

What themes recur in Guillou's books?

Common themes include espionage and political intrigue in the spy novels, and medieval history, warfare and the Crusades in his historical fiction.