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This article opens on the question of a new form of historical transmission of media culture: Does it lead to “fantasy history” or is it used in a more unusual and creative fashion? From this general question the article sketches a short story of the historical thriller in England, the USA, and Scandinavia and provides a new typology and analysis of the functions History can have in combination with detective stories and thrillers. From the time of Occupation we will show how these functions assert their positions in three main types of historical thrillers. Historical thrillers provide many examples of “fantasy history”, but can also shatter stereotyped representations of history.