Within the Circle by Arne Dahl is a gripping and masterfully crafted crime novel that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The plot is layered with twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end. thrilling, and enjoyable . Highly recommended for anyone who loves a smart, compelling mystery!

Right... I wasn't expecting this to happen to be honest. I have a weak spot for Nordic noir and I've been meaning to try this author for quite some time now... Add the fact that the premise of Within The Circle sounded positively explosive (pun intended), and I have been looking forward to pick up this first book of a new series. Sadly, it wasn't ment to be in the end... I'm not sure if it was the translation or simply Fickle Freida acting up once again, but the fact is that I ended up struggling considerably to even make it to the final page.

Don't get me wrong, I still love the premise and this story had SO much potential. The bombings, the possible involvement of a former colleague, the cryptic letters... They all sound like key aspects of a gripping and action-packed plot, and on paper Within The Circle should have been a perfect fit for me. Why didn't this story work for me personally then? Part of my less than positive reaction has everything to do with the writing style and multiple POV structure. There was just something about the writing and tone I ended up clashing with, and this made it a lot harder to enjoy the story. The multiple POV structure only made things worse; there were so many POV switches even within the same chapter, and it made it really hard to get a proper grip on what is going on. It didn't really help with the connection to the characters either... I felt like we never got to spend enough time with any of them.

Talking about the characters... I can't say that I liked any of them, and a lot of their development was considerably cliche. Take Sonja Ryd for example: she cheated on her partner a while ago, and as a result she became an alcoholic and she still constantly punishes herself for her infidelity. The non-stop references to this not only feel misogynic, but also made me like her character less and less... The behavior of the rest of the team isn't much better to be honest, and not even the suspect Lucas Frisell was remotely interesting with all that preaching.

What really slowed me down (literally!) was the pace itself though. The pace was so incredibly slow in parts and I was surprised to feel properly bored most of the time. Not something you expect for a story about multiple bombings, that's for sure... I actually caught myself starting to skimread more than once; the plot was just too repetitive, and it never managed to catch my attention completely. I kept inventing excuses to put my kindle down and do something else instead, which is never a good sign... And I was actively skimreading long before the halfway mark.

All in all it seems like Arne Dahl isn't the Nordic noir author for me after all... Or at least that is until my especially fickle reading mood stops acting up and I might try another of his books. What I can say is that I struggled considerably with Within The Circle. I kind of wish I had just DNFed it instead, as I have to be honest and say I wasn't invested in how things would end AT ALL.

after a series of terrorist attacks & a strange note left behind. inspector nyman instantly recognizes the mannerisms in the note as her old boss. her old boss and s currently MIA and now a survivalist living out in the woods. can her team find him and get to the bottom of everything. overall it's a decent book the beginning half i was very lost if i'm being honest. there was so much information happening that it wasn't until like 25% in i could understand what was actually happening.

This is my first Arne Dahl novel though I am familiar with the Swedish TV detective series. This book follows the story of Eva Nyman, who heads up Nova, a criminal investigation team who are tasked with investigating a series of bombings and assassinations which appear to be linked to environmental activism and Eva’s former mentor and boss Lukas Frisell. Both Eva and Lukas are compelling characters and the story is meticulously plotted. After a slow start due to the large numbers of characters to get into your head, the story soon gathers pace and momentum. A very enjoyable and accomplished book. Not sure if it’s part of a series, but it feels it could be.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Arne Dahl's "Within the Circle" launches readers into a chilling new series centered around Stockholm's DI Eva Nyman and her specialized team, Nova. With its intricate plotting and intense character dynamics, this novel is a thrilling ride from start to finish.

The story begins with a harrowing car explosion on a motorway, targeting an unknown director. As more attacks unfold, each meticulously planned, the urgency to unveil the perpetrator intensifies. The plot masterfully intertwines themes of environmental activism with a gripping investigation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Dahl's depiction of Stockholm serves as a vivid backdrop, adding depth and realism to the narrative.

Eva Nyman emerges as a formidable protagonist, her past and present struggles lending her character a compelling depth. The Nova team, each member uniquely skilled, adds layers to the investigation. Particularly intriguing is the antagonist, Lukas Frisell, whose sinister motives and actions add a chilling dimension to the story. The complex relationships among the characters are handled with finesse, making their interactions both believable and engaging.

Dahl expertly explores themes of justice, moral ambiguity, and the impact of global issues on personal lives. His writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the intensity of the investigation while delving into the personal lives of the characters. The dialogue is authentic and natural, enhancing the realism of the story. The suspense is palpable, with each chapter leaving readers eager to discover the next piece of the puzzle.

"Within the Circle" is a standout novel that showcases Arne Dahl's talent for crafting compelling crime fiction. The intricate plot, combined with well-developed characters and thought-provoking themes, makes this a must-read for fans of the genre.

Whether you're new to Dahl's work or a longtime admirer, this novel delivers an exhilarating and immersive experience.

This was an interesting Swedish crime novel. It was a little hard for me to get into, I felt that the beginning was a lot of information in a quick amount of time, and it was hard to keep sorted. However, as the pages went on, things became clearer, and I really got into the story. There were some really fantastic twists, and definitely some that I didn’t see coming. I really enjoyed the discussion of modern-day technology in this book. It is fascinating to see how far we have come technology wise in such a short time. I still remember before cell phones, and now I don’t think I could live without it. Despite the slow start, this book is gripping. I needed to know what was going to happen and I read this one in one sitting.

If you’re looking for a Nordic noir, then you should check this one out.

A must read for me! Loved the style and tone of writing.
I’ll be looking out for more from this author for sure.

This is an interesting read, very climate change focused, and the lengths some of those will go to get their cause noticed. A man driving a BMW suddenly veers off the highway and crashes into a field, he dies in the crash which was determined to be due to an explosion in the vehicle. Not long after another man, an executive, is in the office on the weekend to open an anxiously awaited package, it explodes along with him. A group of police, NOVA, specialize in certain crimes, and they are tasked with looking into the explosions, one of the group, the leader, Eva Nyman, begins receiving letters from the person/organization doing the bombs, her group quickly determine where the next one will be, in a crowded subway platform. They were right, but it was a decoy and the bomb was outside the station and killed several when it went off. The team focuses on a former policeman, who has gone off grid to live in the woods, a 'prepper' they call him. They bring him in, not arrested though under police watch, he quickly loses them and they now believe he's the culprit. Until it another letter, and another bomb and they determine he could not have done it, he was under watch during the time, so they still watch him but not as close. A letter then threatens the biggest bomb yet, at an airport, part of the team heads off there and one member, who thinks she might have an idea who's doing this, goes off on her own, which leads to a very intense ending. I would recommend, especially if you like Nordic type stories. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

After two people are killed in mysterious bombings, Inspector Eva Nyman receives a letter promising another attack to come. Though her investigative team was about to be reassigned, they instead are given a new name, Nova, and put in charge of solving the case. When terminology in the letter and the fact that it was sent directly to her suggests to Nyman her former colleague, now a fierce environmentalist and survivalist, may be the culprit. When the team seeks him out and the bombings continue, they soon find themselves with a much deeper and more elaborate scheme than they could have imagined.
This book starts out, literally, with a bang and never lets up. The story maintains an intensity nearly the entire time and keeps you riveted to the page as you wait to see where it goes next. The plot is expertly layered and deep, and a real joy to experience. There were clues planted very casually throughout the investigation which I picked up on long before the detectives did, but while they allowed me to know what was behind the plot, the motivations weren't so easily revealed. This was my first book by Arne Dahl, but I hope to read much more of him in the future.

I don’t know what attracts me to Nordic Noir, but I’m hooked. I soak up learning about other countries police procedures, the cultural tendencies, especially the dramatically different climate. This is a new author for me and I know I’ll read more from her. The setting is in Stockholm, Sweden. The characters include a Detective, Eva, and a multiple members of a newly formed team called the Nova Group. There’s been a bombing, it’s suspected that a climate terrorist group could be responsible. It soon becomes apparent the perpetrator could be one of their own. A former Chief Inspector, Lukas, was a mentor to Eva. Then he turned into a tree hugger/nature lover and went off grid. Eva is receiving riddles warning of more destruction to come. The targets are climate polluting institutions. The stakes are life in the balance high, the tension nonstop. Members of the NOVA team are well defined with a good portion of personal backgrounds. Lukas was an enigma to me, I couldn’t decide if he was the bad guy. I did not guess the culprit. The plot was different from any of my previous reads and I was invested in the resolution.
Crooked Lane Books (via NetGalley) provided an Advance Reader Copy of “Within the Circle” by Arne Dahl publication expected 02/11/2025. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

When you see name Arne Dahl on the book cover, you know it will be good. Within the Circle represents a great introduction to the new Nova series. The story starts developing slowly, but effectively. We are meeting the characters, we are learning bits and pieces about them and their background, while still being curious and eager to hear more. I really liked the main idea of the book. Writing style is amazing, author is using really rich vocabulary so it is easy for us to imagine all the things he is writing about. I was trying to resolve the crimes together with our detectives and I was feeling like I had my own part in the book. The atmosphere is specific, a bit murky, a bit tense and. I cannot wait for the sequel.

Within the Circle is the explosive (pardon the pun) first book in the new Nova series by Swedish crime writer Arne Dahl.
Nova are a newly formed team within the National Operations Department (NOD.) Led by Chief Inspector Eva Nyman, the team are tasked with finding an alleged climate change activist who has been responsible for several bombs. Eva believes the bomber is her former disgraced boss, Lukas Frisell.
What follows is a a taut, tense thriller, where all is not as it seems. A slow burn to begin with, when the pace picks up, it hits the ground running.
Within the Circle was a gritty, thoroughly enjoyable read, and a great start to a new series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

An exciting thriller that will surprise you at every turn. Some of the twists had me shocked, literally my jaw hung open. A very unique story with characters you will really care for.

4 ⭐️

An action thriller that follows a series of terrorist attacks in Sweden that are closely linked to environmental activism. A very topical and thought provoking novel.

We follow the Nova team, as they investigate each attack and fight against the clock to stop the next one.

It begins as a slowburn thriller, that builds up and keeps you at the edge of your seat until the very end.

A really big thank you to Arne Dale, Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book prior to its release, in return of an honest review.

Within the Circle by Arne Dahl is a crime novel that uses modern day themes in its plot. The story is about the use of technology and going back to a day when no one had any, when no one had a car or airplane or especially a cell phone. Perhaps the book would be interesting for someone who longs for the days before modern conveniences.

First there is a bomb that goes off killing a corporate executive, but could possibly be explained away. Then there is another almost identical type of bomb that goes off killing another corporate executive, but is more spectacular. Then a police woman named Eva Nyman receives a letter stating that the killings will escalate and saying that those who are climate offenders will be targeted. She seems to recognize the phrasing in the letter as a former police detective she once worked with. That starts a search for him, but he is off the grid, living in nature with few or no conveniences in the Swedish woods.

The story is engaging and timely, with many people wanting to go back to nature, to protect our earth. The story shows how radicalism can be a very bad thing, even though protecting the planet should be a good thing. Arne Dahl has written a thought provoking novel that may keep you up at night, partly because it is hard to put down!

Within the Circle reads like a good thriller with the twist of a foreign setting. It reminds me (in a good way) of an Alison Brennan novel.
Detective Eva Nyman receives anonymous letters warning of upcoming bombings in Stockholm. Personally directed to her, they point to environmental activism - and to her mentor, who has left police work behind and disappeared from the grid. Together with her team, she works to find Lukas Frisell and to stop each bombing before it occurs.
The story immersed me in Sweden. It takes its most amusing turn when the team visits a settlement named Baton Rouge that is styled after the residents’ idea of the American south.
Often translated books don’t seem to flow well. This prose had its moments of getting oddly flowery for a thriller. But all in all, it had an easy flow.

Within the Circle Arne Dahl

Within the Circle opens with an aggressive BMW driver, looking for an opportunity to express some road rage. What is his issue - slower drivers? EV’s? Poised to “flip the bird” at the driver of the next EV he passes, his car explodes and he is killed. Is this an accident? Or something more?

When additional bombings and fatalities occur and the lead investigator, Eva Nyman receives letters about those bombings – details of past and future bombings – this is no longer considered an accident. Eco-terrorism? Who is behind this? The clues - letters to Eva, lead her to the possibility that someone she knows, worked for, mentored her may be responsible. Aside from the letters (the writing style is familiar) and the symbol (circle within a circle) found at/near each bombing site, they don’t have much more to go on. The NOVA group is formed to solve this mystery.

The story is a slow burn for the first two parts – providing both background of each group member as well as details about how the bombings occurred and the steps to solve them. The third section is where the action really picks up and I couldn’t put the book down - NOVA’s intense search for the perpetrator and the motivation, along with the hideout; while at the same time trying to prevent another bombing. And the clock is ticking...

Thank you to NetGalley, Arne Dahl and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy of Within the Circle.
Review posted on Goodreads (link below) and on Amazon (once they open it for reviews on pub day).

The NOVA group bursts upon the genre scene like a supernova in this enthralling thriller from Arne Dahl. It's a fantastic start to a new series. Dahl is masterful with the plot and pacing in this one. Within the Circle is populated by characters the reader can relate to. They're not perfect. They're all too human. But, they're a fascinating team. An entertaining read from start to finish. I can't wait to see what awaits this group next. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

OMG! I did not want to put this book down and it’s just the first in a new series. I also have found another Scandinavian writer to add to my list.

But back to this one. What a thrill ride as a new police unit is formed and their first case is a doozy. A serial environmental-inspired bomber is terrorizing Stockholm and must be stopped. Could it possibly be a former police officer with ties to the head of this newly formed unit, or is something else going on here?

Character development is slow, but I expect more in later books. Oh, the ending on this one! I’ll say no more but please place this one on your to read list. I am thinking of learning Swedish so I won’t have to wait on an English translation. In the meantime I’m going to take a look at his other books.

I like Arne Dahl's take on the story because it could turn into four more stories if he plays it right. Maybe only one but it has the makings of four. He has a love triangle, he has an officer killed, and he has a female officer wanting a promotion, and finally they had an officer reinstated. This next book should be pretty good if he keeps Eva Nyman on board. They finally solved who was involved with the bombings, trying to implicate Lucas Frisell in the process. You'll be kept on your toes in this story and should like it. I recommend it.