We explore favorite political thriller characters, many of which have been adapted for television and cinema, growing their readership. This popular sub-genre of crime fiction elevates crime stories by immersing readers in significant political events throughout history.
Crime and detective stories are a genre that will never lose their worldwide popularity. Narratives centered around a crime or mysterious event—often involving jumps in time and space—gradually surprise readers with unexpected twists and secrets, maintaining a constant demand in literature and television. The gripping structure of these stories provides an undeniable sense of pleasure for their audience. On the other hand, there is a sub-genre of detective fiction that has gained increasing attention since World War II: political thrillers.
As a crime fiction reader, the simplest way I can describe political thrillers is as follows: The protagonist, often a detective, seeks to solve a mysterious case—whether a murder, missing person, or criminal incident—only to uncover dark political relationships, social injustices, and power struggles that cross national boundaries. Political thrillers blend the mysteries of crime fiction with critiques of political systems, power struggles, and social inequities. Unlike traditional detective stories that focus solely on solving individual crimes, these narratives lead the reader into the heart of corruption, authoritarian rule, or ideological conflict.
Whether the protagonist is a superintendent, journalist, or private detective, they follow the trail of a seemingly isolated incident, uncovering not only individual wrongdoings but also systemic abuses.
Political thrillers have garnered significant attention in recent years, thanks to their focus on historical political events, institutional critiques, and intertwined mysterious crime stories. Adapted for television and film, many of these series have cultivated a loyal following. Most of these series center around a single detective character, which authors often develop in depth, making them the Sherlock Holmes of our time. So, why not take a closer look at political thrillers that have cultivated their own dedicated readership and their iconic detective protagonists?
Adrian McKinty’s Sean Duffy Series
Irish author Adrian McKinty’s Sean Duffy series is set in Northern Ireland during the 1980s, amidst the violent backdrop of the Troubles. The protagonist, Sean Duffy, whom journalist Özlem Özdemir describes as “Bohemian Irish,” is a rare Catholic cop in the predominantly Protestant Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). This alone makes him an outsider, but his sharp wit, rebellious nature, and refusal to follow political agendas make him even more so.
Dipnot Publishing has translated four books from the series into Turkish: Cold Soil, Woman of the Deep, Siren Sounds in the Street, and Tomorrowless Country (translated by İbrahim Yıldız). In these novels, McKinty blends murder investigations with paramilitary violence, police corruption, British intelligence (MI5) operations, and sectarian tensions. Set at the height of the conflict between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British state, Duffy not only solves crimes but also exposes a world where justice is often sacrificed for political expediency. The books also capture the eerie atmosphere of life in Northern Ireland during that period, with Duffy routinely checking under his car for bombs before beginning his day.
Adrian McKinty’s Sean Duffy series makes a significant contribution to the political thriller genre, skillfully weaving personal and political conflicts into an insider’s account of life in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The series offers invaluable insight into the social and historical divisions that shaped the region.
Volker Kutscher’s Gereon Rath Series
The Gereon Rath series by German journalist and author Volker Kutscher is set in the late Weimar Republic in Germany after the First World War, providing an excellent example of political detective fiction. The series begins with Babylon Berlin (2008), and its protagonist is Gereon Rath, a Cologne-born detective who is transferred to the Berlin homicide squad in 1929. While investigating murder cases, Rath becomes embroiled in the city’s growing unrest, police corruption, and the underworld of a society teetering on the brink of dictatorship.
The series, translated into Turkish by İletişim Yayınları, is historically significant for its in-depth portrayal of the rise of Nazi authoritarianism. The German local newspaper Neue Ruhr Zeitung praised Kutscher’s work: “In today’s political history thrillers, the history of the period is usually conveyed in minimal doses. Kutscher is the polar opposite with his passionate and detailed narrative.” Kutscher skillfully incorporates period-specific events, such as violent street battles between communists and Nazis, political conspiracies, and the gradual erosion of democratic institutions.
Unlike traditional detectives, Gereon Rath is neither a hero nor a rebel. At times, he is morally ambiguous, occasionally breaking the law to protect himself or those he cares about. His reluctance to take a firm political stance sets him apart in the political detective genre. While he does not openly oppose the Nazis, he grows increasingly uneasy as Germany slides toward fascism. The series gained international acclaim with the popular TV adaptation Babylon Berlin, which brought Kutscher’s novels to life with stunning period detail and compelling cinematographic storytelling. Both the books and the series highlight how ordinary individuals struggle to navigate a crumbling system. Kutscher’s Gereon Rath novels are essential reading for fans of historical crime fiction with a political edge.
Kostas Haritos Series by Petros Markaris
The Kostas Haritos series by Greek author Petros Markaris, who was born in Heybeliada and belongs to the “Mediterranean crime fiction” school known for its socialist and political crime narratives, explores Greece’s economic and social crises. Kostas Haritos, a police inspector based in Athens, conducts his investigations within the country’s shifting socio-political landscape. In Markaris’ novels, translated into Turkish by Alfa Publishing and Can Publishing, Haritos’ cases uncover the state’s failures, the disillusionment of the middle class, and the effects of globalization.
Breaking away from the typical image of the lonely, melancholic detective, Kostas Haritos is a bureaucratic, conservative, and somewhat grumpy civil servant who spends his free time reading dictionaries. Despite his traditional views, Haritos is a relentless investigator who becomes increasingly skeptical of the system he serves. His dry humor, love for Greek food, and evolving political consciousness make him an intriguing protagonist. The Kostas Haritos series was adapted into a Greek television series, bringing Markaris’ politically charged crime stories to the screen. However, the novels remain the best way to experience the Haritos series, where crime and politics are inextricably linked.
Wolfgang Schorlau’s Georg Dengler Series
Now we turn to the Georg Dengler series, which lives up to its title as a “political thriller.” Written by German author Wolfgang Schorlau, the series tackles real political conspiracies, state corruption, and institutional irregularities in modern Germany, making it one of the best examples of political thrillers. The cases handled by Dengler, a former Federal Criminal Police (BKA) officer turned private detective, expose deep-rooted institutional failures and dark secrets hidden beneath Germany’s democratic façade.
Schorlau’s novels, translated into Turkish by İletişim Publishing, cover a wide range of topics, including the murders committed by the neo-Nazi group NSU, economic crimes, cover-ups by intelligence agencies, and the influence of powerful lobbies on the lives of ordinary people. The author blurs the lines between fiction and investigative journalism, offering readers insight into real events and inequalities with every book. Private detective Dengler’s investigations often bring him into conflict with government agencies, corporations, and shadowy interest groups, further reinforcing the series’ dark, conspiracy-driven tone.
Georg Dengler is a compelling character: he distrusts authority but doesn’t completely lose faith in justice. Unlike many detectives, he works as a political informant, fully aware of the increasingly surveilled and manipulated society he lives in. His skepticism and determination make him a unique modern hero in the political thriller genre. Starting with Dengler – Die letzte Flucht (2015), the novels have been adapted into a television movie series in Germany, cementing their reputation as some of the country’s most politically charged crime narratives. Schorlau’s Dengler novels are a must-read for fans of political thrillers that challenge power structures.
Manuel Vázquez Montalbán’s Pepe Carvalho Series
A prominent branch of “Mediterranean detective fiction” comes from Spain. Barcelona-born Manuel Vázquez Montalbán’s Pepe Carvalho series, blending crime, social criticism, and literary wit, stands as a cornerstone of political thrillers. Set in post-Franco Spain, the protagonist, Pepe Carvalho, is a private detective in Barcelona trying to make sense of a world rife with political corruption, economic struggles, and cultural shifts. A former communist, Carvalho, as both a researcher and an intellectual, offers sharp critiques of Spain’s transition from dictatorship to democracy. The series, with two novels translated into Turkish by Dipnot Publishing, offers readers insight into the political dynamics that connect Spain’s past to its present.
Montalbán uses Carvalho’s investigations to expose the lasting influence of Franco’s regime, the rise of capitalism, and social decay in Spain. Unlike traditional detectives, Carvalho doesn’t just seek justice but also questions the institutions that are meant to administer it. His disdain for authority, combined with his love for literature and gourmet food, sets him apart from the typical detective. Carvalho often uses books to light his fireplace, symbolically rejecting ideological rigidity.
The Pepe Carvalho series has been adapted for television several times, including various films, but the books remain the most compelling way to experience Carvalho’s world. For readers who enjoy crime novels with a sharp social conscience, Montalbán’s Carvalho novels are an essential series.
Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö’s Martin Beck Series
The Martin Beck series, regarded as “the touchstones of Scandinavian crime fiction,” was created by Swedish Marxist writers Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, known for their social and political critique. Beginning with Roseanna (1965), the series follows Detective Martin Beck, a quiet, methodical officer in the Swedish police force, as he investigates complex crimes. The series, translated into Turkish by Ayrıksı Kitap, focuses not only on the cases themselves but also on the social and political context in which they occur.
Set in Sweden during the 1960s and 1970s, the novels critique the failures of the welfare state, the corrosive effects of capitalism, and the institutional corruption of Swedish society. Throughout his investigations, Martin Beck confronts systems that perpetuate inequality, exposing flaws that go beyond the immediate crimes he solves.
What distinguishes Martin Beck as a detective is his anti-heroic nature. He is not driven by ambition or a desire for victory but is a weary, deeply observant officer who grapples with personal and professional dilemmas. Unlike many detectives, Beck is neither charismatic nor emotionally invested; he adopts a realistic and grounded approach to his work. The Martin Beck series has been adapted into numerous TV series and films over the years, with the most popular adaptations being the Swedish television series from the 1990s and the new film series featuring Gösta Ekman and Rolf Lassgård. These adaptations capture the gritty, political essence of the original novels.
