Here are some of his most notable works:
* The Inspector Palmu series: This is his most famous series, featuring the fictional police inspector Palmu. The series is known for its dark humor and complex characters. Some popular books in the series include:
* *The Man Who Was Not There* (1963)
* *The Case of the Missing Corpse* (1964)
* *The Case of the Black Cat* (1965)
* *The Case of the Smiling Skull* (1966)
* Other novels:
* *The Unknown Soldier* (1954), a novel about the Winter War, considered a classic of Finnish literature.
* *The Summer of the Red Wolf* (1959), a historical novel about the Finnish Civil War.
Olavi Nevanlinna was also a successful screenwriter and playwright.
In addition to the above, he also wrote several other books, including:
* Children's books:
* *The Adventures of Pekka Puupää* (1955)
* Non-fiction:
* *The Finnish Police: A History* (1974)
* *The Life and Times of Olavi Nevanlinna* (1980)
His works have been translated into numerous languages and are still enjoyed by readers worldwide.