Ariel 1: Night of Awe

Harri Nykänen

Original title: Ariel

Author: Harri Nykänen

Published: 2004

Publisher: WSOY

Genre: Crime & Suspense

Part of a series: Ariel series

Reading material:

Finnish text

English edition

The first entry in the Inspector Kafka series.

During the period known as the Days of Awe that lead up to Yom Kippur, Ariel Kafka, inspector in the Violent Crime Unit of the Helsinki police and one of two Jewish policemen in Finland, is confronted with the most difficult case of his career. Two Arabs are killed near the capital city and, shortly after, Kafka discovers two more bodies at an Iraqi-owned garage. Are these deaths evidence of gang warfare or international terrorism?

When it transpires that an Israeli Minister will make an unofficial visit to Helsinki, matters become truly complicated. The Finnish Security Police and Mossad all have a role to play and Kafka is on a trail that leads him back to his youth.

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Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
UNITED KINGDOM: Bitter Lemon Press

About author

Harri Nykänen

Harri Nykänen (1953-2023) was an industrious novelist who drew on his 20 years of experience as a crime reporter at Helsingin Sanomat, the largest daily in the Nordic countries. An author since 1986, he wrote dozens of books portraying the customs and rules of the Helsinki underworld – through the eyes of both criminals and members of the police force. Nykänen won the Finnish crime writing award The Clue twice, and was nominated for the Glass Key for the Best Scandinavian Crime Novel in 2004.

Nykänen’s brutal antihero Raid, starring in ten of his books, has become iconic in Finland. His story has also been adapted into a movie and TV series. Television rights to the original Finnish series have been sold in Russia, and Nykänen also received interest in television remake rights from the U.S. His Ariel Kafka series, starring a cool-headed policeman who is also a member of Helsinki’s Jewish community, received praise in international press. Drawing from current events, the series is firmly rooted in the streets of the Finnish capital.

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We are deeply saddened by the news of author Harri Nykänen passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Harri Nykänen's family and friends. Our heartfelt condolences.

Bibliography


2015, Crime & Suspense

Harri Nykänen

Ariel 5: The Lion King


2011, Crime & Suspense

Harri Nykänen

Ariel 4: Holy Ceremony


2009, Crime & Suspense

Harri Nykänen

Ariel 3: Behind God's Back


2005, Crime & Suspense

Harri Nykänen

Ariel 2: The Spider Woman


2004, Crime & Suspense

Harri Nykänen

Ariel 1: Night of Awe