Literature and Fiction / Mystery and Crime · Hardback

Operation Helena

Norwegian title: Operasjon Helena

Johnny BrennaSigbjørn Mostue

The killing of a police informer by torpedoes brings about the collapse of a prestigious heroin operation being run by Oslo police’s Special Operations Section (SO). The newly-appointed detective Axel Th.Munthe and his partner Tobben are left stranded. Shortly afterwards, fifteen-year-old Caroline Fredrikke Walters, daughter of a wealthy investor, is brutally kidnapped and raped. Instead of picking up the threads of the heroin case, the department’s resources are channelled into finding the girl before it is too late.

The case brings Axel into contact with the darkest sides of Norwegian society, where international crime syndicates are are already spreading their tentacles. It makes for a tough introduction to the world of human depravity, but there is light in the form of Noor, a woman Axel feels may be the right one for him.

‘Sigbjørn Mostue and Jonny Brenna have joined forces and written a disturbing thriller set in the criminal world in the capital.’ Oppland Arbeiderblad ‘Sigbjørn Mostue and Johnny Brenna impress with a well-constructed plot and a wealth of detail in their first work of crime fiction. (...) Dense, realistic tale of investigating crime in Oslo’s underworld.’ Dagbladet

‘Operasjon Helena is fantastic. So well written and so exciting I almost stopped breathing!’ Liv Gade, Bokinspirator‘Narcotics, organised crime, mutilation, honey traps; all feature in an ice-cold overview of the everyday reality of police work in Oslo that is the starting point for an action-driven and quite cynical narrative.’ VG ‘A successful debut!’ Kulturspeilet ‘The plot in Operasjon Helena and the account of the on-going police work are the most realistic seen in Norwegian crime fiction for a long time. And it feels good to be able to welcome a protagonist who doesn’t struggle with alcohol problems and who likes being a team player together with his police colleagues.’ Trønder-Avisa