AN ABERYSTWYTH University psychologist has expressed his “surprise” that his work is the reading of choice for a famous TV detective.

Nordic Noir detective Saga Norén, star of The Bridge currently screened on BBC4 name-checked a work by Dr Nigel Holt.

In Episode six, aired on Saturday, 5 December, when asked what she was reading, Norén, played by Sofia Helin, replied: ‘Psychology – The Science of the Mind & Behaviour” by Nigel Holt.’

Now in its third edition, and published by McGraw Hill, Psychology – The Science of the Mind & Behaviour is a best-selling introductory psychology textbook used for English speaking courses in many parts of Europe and South Africa, and widely used in Scandinavia.

It is co-authored by Dr Holt (Aberystwyth), Andrew Bremner (Goldsmiths) Ed Sutherland (Leeds) and Michael Vliek (Amsterdam).

Dr Holt is Head of the Department of Psychology at Aberystwyth University.

After studying for his PhD at University of York he worked in industry before returning to academia as a research fellow in auditory psychology at University of Reading.

He joined Aberystwyth in 2012.

Speaking after seeing his name on screen, Dr Holt said: “This is one of my very favourite TV shows so you can imagine my surprise when Saga identified my book in this way.

“Writing textbooks is not regarded by some as a terribly worthwhile academic pursuit, but I’ve written and edited books from GCSE, through A-level and to undergraduate level, and some are used by those in professions, so I would disagree.

“It is probably one of the most important components of pedagogy, and it is central to what I, my co-authors and my colleagues here in Aberystwyth do.”