Carl Valdemar Jussi Henry Adler-Olsen is a Danish writer of crime fiction, as well as a publisher, editor, and entrepreneur. He was born on August 2, 1950. Adler-Olsen is best known for his thrilling Department Q series. His literary journey began with nonfiction in 1984, and he ventured into fiction in 1997.

Adler-Olsen's debut fiction work was the thriller Alfabethuset in 1997, which gained bestseller status both in Denmark and internationally. His other successful novels include "And She Thanked the Gods" (previously titled "The Company Basher") in 2003 and "The Washington Decree" in 2006. The first book in the Department Q series is Kvinden I buret (2007), followed by Fasandræberne (2008). His main detective character is Deputy Superintendent Carl Morck from Department Q, who also stars in the third volume, Flaskepost fra P, released in 2009.