I cirkelns mitt

I cirkelns mitt Within the Circle

The NOVA series #1

When a division manager in the steel industry is found dead in a field outside of Uppsala in his burning BMW, it is quickly dismissed as an accident. But when another “accident” occurs, it becomes clear for criminal inspector Eva Nyman that this is part of something greater, something which presumably has something to do with the ongoing climate debate.

Because she receives a letter, written on an old typewriter – a letter that does not only describe the two events but predicts an upcoming, and much worse, attack.

The clues lead to Nyman’s past, to a trauma she thought she had safely put behind her.

Now, before the next attack is executed, she must activate her special forces team NOVA to find out who’s behind it all.

Who is hiding within the circle.

Within the Circle is the first installment in Arne Dahl’s highly anticipated NOVA series.

“Once again Arne Dahl shows that he is one of the best Swedish crime writers of all time.”
—Pascal Engman

In his new novel Within the Circle Arne Dahl shows he is at the top of his game – the novel hits all the right spots for crime novel enthusiasts, a well written page turner with an intriguing plot and great characters.
—Yrsa Sigur∂ardóttir

Reviews

  • “A breath of fresh air from Arne Dahl, the most current one he has written to date. [Within the Circle] is polished and the author has mastered the art of writing. It is probably the darkest one by Dahl’s pen yet. /…/ The opening sequence makes the hairs on your neck rise /…/ The tempo is galloping through the pages and I can guarantee that your eyebrows will be raised throughout because this is explosive. I have no words left after reading this literary phenomenon. Dahl gets under your skin like few others can. He has mastered the art of depicting the characters and the setting. The tension builds up quickly and the short chapters make it easy to follow, combined with gloomy insights into humanity. Dahl’s strength lies in his ability to disturb, in the sense that he writes about current topics. Masterfully, he builds up for a climax rarely seen by a Swedish author, and [the story] is filled with surprises that ties together in the end. We can only look forward to more thrilling installments in the NOVA series, and in many ways it’s good that Dahl changed pasture – he needed to renew himself and succeeded with excellence.”

    ★★★★★★

    Randaberg 24, Norway

  • “Dahl’s crime novels reflect specific circumstances on a global scale. /…/ Within the Circle shows off Arne Dahl’s ingenious and exciting side. (…) [I]t pays off to pay attention to the details when the intrigue is laid out. /…/ [Dahl’s] crime stories are concrete police crimes, where forensic science, technological breakthroughs, and the latest in police work is tied in. /…/ [F]ans will not be disappointed and worry about ending up with a cliffhanger.”

    Politiken, Denmark

  • “With Within the Circle, Arne Dahl once again proves that he is one of the best Swedish crime authors./…/ A great Arne Dahl crime novel; high tension from the first to the last page, a very current theme, and an investigative team with many rough edges. You won’t be able to put this novel down.”

    Ruhr Nachrichten, Germany

  • “Arne Dahl has invented a smart, efficient detective here, who […] is relatively unpretentious, and maintains a concerned and warm relationship with her colleagues. Within the Circle is very good crime material.”

    NDR Kultur, Germany

  • “Arne Dahl succeeds in weaving current debates into an engaging novel. He captures individual opinions and moods, allowing his characters to speak. This not only makes the reading authentic but also keeps it thrilling until the last page. For those who appreciate profound Swedish crime novels, the new Arne Dahl is a must-read.”

    24books.de, Germany

  • “Get to know Eva Nyman and her team – it’s worth it. A thrilling start to the new series by bestselling author Arne Dahl.”

    Kronen Zeitung, Germany

  • “Linguistically confident, thematically highly relevant, and narrated with suspense.”

    Kleine Zeitung, Germany

  • “It is definitely exciting from page one; there is great action as well as detailed police work, so the mixture is absolutely right.”

    Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Germany

  • “It is without a doubt justified to claim that Arne Dahl once again takes charge, convincingly demonstrating that he maintains the leading position among Swedish crime writers. His language is highly effective, a perfect fit with the often lively pace. The characters are well-crafted, full of invigorating complexity and credibility.”

    Magasinet Paragraf, Sweden

  • “It is thrilling, complex and contemporary.”

    Borås Tidning, Sweden

  • “A master has returned. A thrilling story with many layers.”

    Senioren, Sweden

  • Within the Circle is a very promising start to Arne Dahl’s new series. /…/ Dahl depicts his settings in a way that makes us sense the scent of both the forest and danger, and he has a language that captures every shift in pace and scene change. /…/ I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series.”

    Göteborgs-Posten, Sweden

  • Within the Circle is a strong start [to Dahl’s new series].”

    Dagens Nyheter, Sweden

  • “Autumnal suspense of the highest quality!”

    Femina, Sweden

  • “There’s no doubt that Dahl had fun even when creating his Nova Group – playfulness and humor are present. At the same time, there’s also room for profound seriousness and Dahl’s always sharp insight into the contemporary world. /…/ Once again, [Arne Dahl] has shown how excellent, beautifully written, enjoyable, and burning with relevance a Swedish crime novel can be.”

    Skånska Dagbladet, Sweden

  • “This year, Arne Dahl celebrates his twenty-fifth anniversary as a suspense author. To mark this occasion, this star is launching an entirely new series that demonstrates he still possesses an exhilarating storytelling joy alongside his great skill. /…/ It’s an exciting journey leading to an extended resolution with several unexpected twists. All elements are combined in the author’s very own masterful way. Here, you’ll find the entire range from large-scale societal critique to the deeply personal, with brilliant language and well-researched credibility in the midst of high-drama suspense. I believe this will become his best series.

    Kapprakt, Sweden

Download all reviews
Author
Photo: Sara Arnald Arne Dahl
Published
2023
Genre
  • Thriller
Pages
413
Reading material

Swedish edition

English translation

Rights sold

Arab World, Al Arabi

Bulgaria, Emas

Czech Republic, Moba

Denmark, Modtryk

Estonia, Eesti Raamat

Finland, Into Kustannus

Germany, Piper

Greece, Metaixmio

Hungary, Animus

Japan, Shogakukan

Netherlands, De Geus

Norway, Cappelen Damm

Portugal, Dom Quixote

Romania, Crime Scene Press

Serbia, Dokaz

Slovakia, Grada

Spain, RBA

Sweden, Albert Bonniers

US, Crooked Lane

More From Arne Dahl

The NOVA series

Berger & Blom

Opcop

Intercrime

Stand-alone