Ariel 5: The Lion King

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.