Indrek Hargla

Indrek Hargla is one of Estonia’s most acclaimed and prolific science fiction and fantasy authors, widely recognized for his diverse and genre-crossing body of work. His writing spans short stories, novellas, novels, and plays, often infused with elements of horror fiction, adding mystery and tension to his narratives.

A prominent theme in Hargla’s work is alternative history, where he reimagines past events through fascinating speculative scenarios. Many of his works are also crime novels or heavily influenced by the genre. Hargla is known for his technical mastery and broad stylistic range, and he has been praised for his extensive knowledge, wide perspective, and ability to bring both structural and thematic variety to his writing. His rich and varied literary output has made him one of Estonia’s most important and widely read authors.

Hargla gained broader public attention in 2010 with the release of the first novel in his historical crime fiction series featuring apothecary Melchior Wakenstede, who solves crimes in medieval Tallinn. The Apothecary Melchior series now includes seven novels and has inspired television adaptations and critically acclaimed feature films.

Indrek Hargla has received numerous awards, including the Estonian Writers’ Union novel competition prize and the Annual Literary Award of the Estonian Cultural Endowment. Several of his books have also been translated into other languages, further expanding his international reach.