Behind God’s Back

71khSVPlq1LBehind God’s Back

by Harri Nykänen
translated from the Finnish by Kristian London
Published by Bitter Lemon Press (UK)

There are two Jewish cops in all of Helsinki. One of them, Ariel Kafka, a lieutenant in the Violent Crime Unit, is a religiously non-observant 40-something bachelor who is such a stubborn, dedicated policeman that he’s willing to risk his career to get an answer.

Murky circumstances surround his investigation of a Jewish businessman’s murder. Neo-Nazi violence, intergenerational intrigue, shady loans – predictable lines of investigation lead to unpredictable culprits. But a second killing strikes closer to home, and the Finnish Security Police come knocking. The tentacles of Israeli politics and Mossad reach surprisingly far, once again wrapping Kafka in their sticky embrace.

Named a notable translation of 2015 by World Literature Today.

Available from Elliott Bay Books, Amazon, or your favorite bookseller.

Acclaim for Behind God’s Back:

“Crime-reporter-turned-author Harri Nykanen brings his very human detective out for a second airing after the debut Nights of Awe and once again I’m smitten.” –The Bookbag

“Ariel Kafka is an acerbically funny counterpoint to the more conventional, noble but almost invariably po-faced Scandinavian cop.” – The Irish Examiner

“Intricately plotted… Kafka manages to perform a delicate balancing act on his way to an unexpected resolution of the crime.” –Publisher’s Weekly

“A very welcome addition to the genre of Nordic noir.” –Booktrust

“Given a crisp translation by Kristian London, Nykänen’s second outing in English for Ariel Kafka is a hugely entertaining blend of police procedural and spy thriller.” –The Irish Times

“A compelling read from beginning to end, “Behind God’s Back” by Harri Nykanen is an impressive and suspenseful mystery replete with unexpected plot twists and turns. A riveting novel.” –Midwest Book Review

 

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