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Harri Nykänen, born in Helsinki in 1953, was a well-known crime journalist before turning to fiction. He won the Finnish crime writing award The Clue in 1990 and in 2001. His fiction exposes the local underworld through the eyes of the criminal, the terrorist, and, most recently, from the point of view of an eccentric Helsinki police inspector.
'Where does Harri Nykanen's hero sit in the detective constellation?' He's as cynical as Morse but with more of a sense of humour and fewer crosswords. Perhaps he's a little like Jack Reacher but shorter, with fewer opportunities for fisticuffs and seduction. Or maybe, just maybe, Ari Kafka is Ari Kafka and, where ever he fits, I'm sure that this first book won't be the last.' Book Bag
“Nykänen’s twist on Nordic crime fiction may be the most inventive of the year.Not just for readers of Nordic fiction, this should also be suggested to those who relate to New York Jewish detectives, including Lenny Briscoe (from Law & Order) and John Munch (from Homicide and Law & Order: SVU), as well as readers who enjoy the black humor of Stuart MacBride." Booklist
‘Professional responsibility and ethnic affiliation clash in Nykänen’s intriguing first novel starring Finnish police detective Ariel Kafka.The resolution will satisfy noir fans.’ Publishers Weekly
‘In Harri Nykänen Nights of Awe, Ariel Kafka, of Helsinki’s Violent Crime Unit, wins the award for most intriguing name for a fictional detective, and it suits this impressively labyrinthine mystery. When two Arabs turn up dead on his patch and more murderous mayhem arrives at an Iraqi-owned garage, Kafka finds himself up against the Mossad as well as the Finnish State Security. But is he dealing with terrorists, drug runners—or worse? A cool debut for Kafka, with the promise of more to come.’ Time Out
'A solid police procedural, but also a great character study into a man who has a job to do while dealing with his religious upbringing.' Bookgasm
Harri Nykanen: Harri Nykanen (born in Helsinki in 1953 ) is a detective novel writer and was a long-time crime journalist for the largest Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. He won the Finnish crime fiction award "The Clue" both in 1990 and in 2001. His stories expose the underworld through the eyes of the criminal, the terrorist and, more recently, from the point of view of an eccentric Helsinki police inspector. He writes four different crime series and has written over 30 novels.
Kristian London: Kristian London lives in Helsinki. Translator of prose (After you, Max (Sinun jälkeesi, Max), Leena Parkkinen (2009), The Trap (Ansa), Marko Leino (2010)) and poetry.