Christoffer Petersen lives in a small forest in Jutland, in southern Denmark. He hasn’t always been Danish; in fact, he borrowed his pseudonym surname from his Danish wife, Jane. Chris writes all kinds of stories under different pen names, but is best known for his crime books and thrillers set in Greenland. (You can find Chris’ other pen names here.)
Chris (and Jane*) spent seven years in Greenland living and working as a teacher in remote communities far above the Arctic Circle. He spent four years on the island of Uummannaq, named after the heart-shaped mountain that dominates the island. Moving north, Chris lived in Qaanaaq – not so very far from the North Pole – for two years before moving to Greenland’s capital: Nuuk, where he taught at the higher education college and the Police Academy. (*Jane worked as an enrolled nurse in the hospitals in Uummannaq and Nuuk.)
Chris has a BA in Outdoor Education from the University of Strathclyde, a Danish teaching qualification, and an MA in ICT and Learning from Aalborg University. While living in Greenland, Chris studied for a Master of Arts in Professional Writing from Falmouth University. Chris graduated with a distinction in 2015. He has been writing full-time since January 2018.
Chris writes about strong, positive Greenlanders living and working in a modern Greenland, with a few bad eggs in between, just to spice things up.
All Christoffer Petersen’s stories are fictional, but often flavoured with his memories and experiences of life in Greenland*.
*Have a look at the book page for The Last Flight for an example of how Chris’ life in Greenland has inspired the stories. More personal stories and photos will be added to each book over time.
While Chris is a little wary of social media*, you can find him on Goodreads. Chris is also active on Kickstarter.
*Update: Just succumbed to Facebook again! Can’t seem to get any traction without it.
Gary says
Funny guy. Like your books and looking forward to your development of the inspector. Btw, really liked your short stories.
Gary Carlberg
Christoffer Petersen says
Hey Gary!
Thanks for your comment. It means a lot to hear someday say they like what I am writing, and I appreciate it. Also, the fact that you are enjoying the short stories makes my day because there’s a lot of experimentation going on there – playing with POV and character arcs. A bit experimental.
Thanks again again for reaching out.
Chris
Christine Norris says
I just finished Seven Graves One Winter and I absolutely loved it! Thank you so much for creating this world for me!
Christoffer Petersen says
It’s great to hear from you, Christine. I’m so pleased you enjoyed Seven Graves. Book 2 is a little different, and three is just plain dark. 🙂 But I’m on this journey with Maratse, and I think it’s great when other people join us for the ride.
Have a great day – you just made mine!
Chris
juneviannepalmer says
I have read all the books set in Greenland and other parts of the Arctic, in fact everything apart from the Aussie books (I think!) All the short stories, which I enjoy and keep me going until the next novel. I think you can guess that I love the books. The Konstabel was brilliant and a great female role model (despite her problems) and I am probably a little bit in love with Maratse. They are crime thrillers but so much more. I’m on the journey!
Keep writing
June Palmer
Jennifer says
Lol – I agree with you! Hard not to fall in love with Maratse. I haven’t read as many books as you have, and none of the Konstabel books yet, but I have greatly enjoyed every one I have read so far. So glad to have found this author!
Christoffer Petersen says
Too kind, Jennifer, but thank you. 🙂 Feedback like yours just makes me want to write more.
Christoffer Petersen says
Hi June!
Your message has picked me up on a slow writing day – I successfully caught my wife’s cold, despite her attempts to dissuade me! 🙂
I really appreciate your comments on my books. I sometimes feel I have been awful to Fenna, put her through so much, but I need her to be strong and fearless for book 4 (currently playing around with it). As for Maratse (yes, he is lovely), it’s fun, he’s getting more and more lines as the books develop – I blame that on Petra.
As you can see, these characters are quite real in my head. I’m so pleased you are enjoying them too.
Plenty more books on the way!
Thanks again!
Chris
Mark Braunfeld says
i just read seven graves one winter, while on holiday in mexico. i am hooked, cannot wait for next one to arrive !
Christoffer Petersen says
Hi Mark!
Thanks for your comment. I really appreciate the feedback. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks too for making me smile.
Chris
COLIN Smith says
Currently a furloughed worker in the uk, have just finished virusi…… how timely as you say. Love the short stories. Beginning to think Greenland should be visited at some stage. Well the accessible bits anyway. Thank you for such wonderful stories
Christoffer Petersen says
Hi Colin.
You are very welcome. I’m sorry to hear about your situation, and I am very humbled that you chose my books as distraction. If you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my newsletter as I often give books away for free. I hope your situation changes very soon.
Thanks again for reaching out.
Chris
Sarah Margolis Pearce says
I just discovered your books. As an indy writer/publisher, I understand the enormous effort to write, edit and then market the “little darlings”. However, to do all that and have a great result is a treat. Tight prose, compelling characters and good plot…no easy task to bring that all off and still have the energy to market. Hats off to ya~
Just want to say that Maratse is sticking with me. Thought about him all day yesterday whilst I was hiking. Good job!
Christoffer Petersen says
Hi Sarah
Thanks for reaching out. I really appreciate your comment and your feedback. From one indy to another a heartfelt thanks! I’ll be sure to check out your work. Happy hiking!
Chris
PT Bowman says
As a fan of European mysteries, I rather “stumbled upon” your books via Kindle Unlimited. Blew me away.
I even found myself looking up words, locations, foods, customs, history, and culture of that fascinating island.
In this time of Covid, with all its travel restrictions and limitations, your books have taken me on a real adventure. Thank you!
Christoffer Petersen says
You are so very welcome, and thanks for your lovely comment. I’m pleased you’re enjoying my stories. There are plenty more on the way.
Elizabeth Anderson says
I just finished your first novella and loved it, looking forward to reading all your books. I lived in Greenland in 1956, at the US airbase in Narsarssuaq. Your book took me back to a much-loved place.
Christoffer Petersen says
Thanks, Elizabeth! You were in Narsarssuaq! Fantastic. Greenland is incredible. Once you’ve been there, as you’ll know, it gets in your blood. Thanks for reaching out and reading my books. I truly appreciate it. 🙂
Elizabeth Anderson says
Yes, even though I was only 8 I remember it vividly. For years afterward I dreamed about it. The mountains started right behind our house. In summer we ran wild like mountain goats in fields of wildflowers with ice cold streams. No trees, just low shrubs and lots of big grey rocks covered with lichens and moss. In winter we sleded. It was light all night in the summer.
Elizabeth Anderson says
We also got to visit the ruins of the Viking church across the fjord from Greenland. I think it was part of Leif Erikson’s settlement.
Christoffer Petersen says
That’s great, Elizabeth. It sounds like you had a true Greenland experience! And for those memories to stick with you after such a long time, just shows how much Greenland means to you. It is, clearly, under your skin, too. 🙂