"Basically, we'll be looking at what continues to make this genre such a success," explained Eha Vain, a cultural adviser with the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia and the driving force behind the literature forum. "We'll be asking our speakers why authors write these books, and why readers read them. What methods do the authors use to manipulate their readers? To what extent does the violence in such stories reflect and influence events in real life? And is crime writing too male-centric?"

It has been estimated that almost half of all literature published around the world falls within the genre of crime fiction. Recession and increasing political tension in society are said to contribute to a particular need for good crime writing.

Crime novels from the Nordic countries stand out very noticeably from the rest of the genre. British literary circles have dubbed crime writing from the region 'Nordic noir': It is dark, sometimes shocking, but always honest and believable.

Guest speakers at the forum include Leena Lehtolainen (Finland), Vigdis Hjorth (Norway), Kerstin Bergman (Sweden), Bo Tao Michaëlis (Denmark), Nilss Sakss (Latvia) and Árni Þórarinsson (Iceland).

The forum will also feature local authors Indrek Hargla, Ott Sandrak, Mika Keränen and Jaan Martinson.

In addition, an exhibition of Swedish crime fiction entitled 'The Crimedom of Sweden' will be on display at the National Library of Estonia during the Tallinn Book Fair, while big-screen adaptations of Nordic crime novels will be shown at the Artis cinema from April 6-9.

The Tallinn Book Fair will take place in the National Library until April 11. Entry to the fair is free of charge. Click here for the full schedule of events.