[2] Sjöwall was best known for the collaborative work with her partner Per Wahlöö on a series of ten novels about the exploits of Martin Beck, a police detective in Stockholm.

[4] In 1971, the fourth of the Beck books, The Laughing Policeman (a translation of Den skrattande polisen, originally published in 1968) won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Novel; the book was also adapted into the film The Laughing Policeman starring Walter Matthau.

[5] After the death of Wahlöö, she continued working as a translator, writing columns for magazines and as an author.

[7] In 1990, she and author Tomas Ross published the thriller Kvinnan som liknade Greta Garbo.

[13] The best-known portrayal of Beck is by actor Peter Haber, who has appeared in 42 films/episodes in the role.