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Scandinavian Target: The Stavanger Protocol
SCANDINAVIAN THE STAVANGER PROTOCOLBook Four of The Pursuit Series
A revolutionary technology buried beneath the North Sea. A web of corporate corruption reaching the highest levels of power. And two investigators racing to expose the truth before marine ecosystems collapse worldwide.
THE DEADLY PRESENT: When biologist Amelia Wiedner-Thompson discovers anomalous readings in the Canadian Rockies, she uncovers the first signs of a global crisis. The data lead to NordGreen, an energy conglomerate whose revolutionary CO₂ storage technology has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against climate change. But what she observes under her microscope tells a different story.
Her husband, investigative journalist Erik Wiedner, receives a cryptic call from Detective Brenner, drawing them into the heart of Norway's oil empire. In Stavanger, behind the gleaming facade of modern environmental technology, they discover a cover-up that threatens offshore infrastructure worldwide.
Racing against former governor Detlev Klüver—who has emerged from prison as a reformed environmental advocate but harbors his most dangerous agenda yet—Erik and Amelia must navigate corporate boardrooms and storm-lashed oil platforms to prevent an ecological disaster of unprecedented scale.
"Scandinavian Target"
A cutting-edge environmental thriller spanning three continentsCorporate conspiracy at the highest levels of European politicsAuthentic Scandinavian settings and marine scienceThe evolution of Erik and Amelia's partnership under extreme pressureA symbiotic organism that could change life in Earth's oceansHeart-stopping action from research labs to North Sea oil platforms
Perfect for readers who enjoy the environmental mysteries of Nevada Barr and the corporate thrillers of John Grisham, as well as the authentic international settings of Martin Walker.
A revolutionary technology buried beneath the North Sea. A web of corporate corruption reaching the highest levels of power. And two investigators racing to expose the truth before marine ecosystems collapse worldwide.
THE DEADLY PRESENT: When biologist Amelia Wiedner-Thompson discovers anomalous readings in the Canadian Rockies, she uncovers the first signs of a global crisis. The data lead to NordGreen, an energy conglomerate whose revolutionary CO₂ storage technology has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against climate change. But what she observes under her microscope tells a different story.
Her husband, investigative journalist Erik Wiedner, receives a cryptic call from Detective Brenner, drawing them into the heart of Norway's oil empire. In Stavanger, behind the gleaming facade of modern environmental technology, they discover a cover-up that threatens offshore infrastructure worldwide.
Racing against former governor Detlev Klüver—who has emerged from prison as a reformed environmental advocate but harbors his most dangerous agenda yet—Erik and Amelia must navigate corporate boardrooms and storm-lashed oil platforms to prevent an ecological disaster of unprecedented scale.
"Scandinavian Target"
A cutting-edge environmental thriller spanning three continentsCorporate conspiracy at the highest levels of European politicsAuthentic Scandinavian settings and marine scienceThe evolution of Erik and Amelia's partnership under extreme pressureA symbiotic organism that could change life in Earth's oceansHeart-stopping action from research labs to North Sea oil platforms
Perfect for readers who enjoy the environmental mysteries of Nevada Barr and the corporate thrillers of John Grisham, as well as the authentic international settings of Martin Walker.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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August 21, 2025This novel, about a CO2 storage facility in the North Sea, is a riveting but concerning read. The descriptive prose and vivid imagery are so immersive that the reader feels as if he or she is right there. What seems to be a dry subject is an unlikely subject for a high-paced thriller. It is just that. The alert cast of characters unearth both scientific and financial fraud, and things become dangerous when the chambers beneath the oil rigs show signs of collapse.
At the end, I was left with great concern about the environmental effect of this type of activity and livid about the fraud. Read this thought-provoking book. You will not regret it.
At the end, I was left with great concern about the environmental effect of this type of activity and livid about the fraud. Read this thought-provoking book. You will not regret it.
July 4, 2025
A while back I watched the Norwegian drama, “Lykkeland” (State of Happiness) about the discovery of oil in the North Sea and the growth of the industry in Stavanger. It’s a subject that has long interested me and I love a good thriller. When I saw this book, I had to read it.
I wasn’t disappointed.
It’s set in the present, when the oil has mostly dried up and CO2 capture and storage, and other environmental concerns, are becoming big business. This story involves a multi-million-dollar plan to store it in the depleted oil cavities.
NordGreen is the company behind it and it’s not long before anomalies are discovered in both the accounts of the company and in the sea bed. And things become very dangerous when the cavities beneath the oil rigs begin to collapse. I remember all too well the horror of the Alexander Kielland and Piper Alpha disasters.
It’s best described in this line from the book – “A global deception under the guise of climate protection.”
Erik, a journalist, and Amelia his wife, who is a biologist are rushing to stop both the corruption and the damage before it spreads worldwide.
This is such an exciting book with a wonderful cast of characters. Erik and Amelia are the main ones but there is also Ingrid, patiently waiting decades for justice, Freya, Lars, and the heroic Mikkel, to name but a few. I was gripped from the first pages and Amelia’s discovery of a new strain of bacteria that could have devastating consequences was fascinating, and very frightening.
It's a book that leaves you breathless, frightened for the future, and angry at the fraud.
Highly recommended.
I wasn’t disappointed.
It’s set in the present, when the oil has mostly dried up and CO2 capture and storage, and other environmental concerns, are becoming big business. This story involves a multi-million-dollar plan to store it in the depleted oil cavities.
NordGreen is the company behind it and it’s not long before anomalies are discovered in both the accounts of the company and in the sea bed. And things become very dangerous when the cavities beneath the oil rigs begin to collapse. I remember all too well the horror of the Alexander Kielland and Piper Alpha disasters.
It’s best described in this line from the book – “A global deception under the guise of climate protection.”
Erik, a journalist, and Amelia his wife, who is a biologist are rushing to stop both the corruption and the damage before it spreads worldwide.
This is such an exciting book with a wonderful cast of characters. Erik and Amelia are the main ones but there is also Ingrid, patiently waiting decades for justice, Freya, Lars, and the heroic Mikkel, to name but a few. I was gripped from the first pages and Amelia’s discovery of a new strain of bacteria that could have devastating consequences was fascinating, and very frightening.
It's a book that leaves you breathless, frightened for the future, and angry at the fraud.
Highly recommended.
July 29, 2025
I first heard about CO₂ storage while watching Simon Reeve’s Scandinavia series, which explored the environmental cost of oil extraction in the North Sea. Norway has grown incredibly wealthy from its oil industry, but the long-term consequences, especially under the seabed can’t be ignored. That backdrop made this present-day thriller even more gripping.
The story imagines what happens when companies begin using abandoned oil cavities to store CO₂ - until things start to go very wrong. Erik, a journalist, and his wife, Amelia, a biologist, find themselves caught in a fast-unfolding crisis as financial irregularities, seabed collapses, and a terrifying new bacterial discovery reveal a cover-up with global consequences.
The characters were interesting, each with personal stakes in this unfolding drama that went back to the 1970s.
That said, I only realised partway through that this is Book 4 in a series, and I felt the effects of not having read the earlier instalments. I did find at times the narrative hard to follow, however the pace and tension kept me hooked.
This book really got me thinking - I ended up reading more about CO₂ storage and the risks of abandoned boreholes in the North Sea. It’s the kind of story that leaves you not just entertained but informed and a little unsettled. Particularly in this current climate.
A thought-provoking, timely eco-thriller. I’ve already downloaded Book 1.
The story imagines what happens when companies begin using abandoned oil cavities to store CO₂ - until things start to go very wrong. Erik, a journalist, and his wife, Amelia, a biologist, find themselves caught in a fast-unfolding crisis as financial irregularities, seabed collapses, and a terrifying new bacterial discovery reveal a cover-up with global consequences.
The characters were interesting, each with personal stakes in this unfolding drama that went back to the 1970s.
That said, I only realised partway through that this is Book 4 in a series, and I felt the effects of not having read the earlier instalments. I did find at times the narrative hard to follow, however the pace and tension kept me hooked.
This book really got me thinking - I ended up reading more about CO₂ storage and the risks of abandoned boreholes in the North Sea. It’s the kind of story that leaves you not just entertained but informed and a little unsettled. Particularly in this current climate.
A thought-provoking, timely eco-thriller. I’ve already downloaded Book 1.
August 26, 2025
I just finished Scandinavian Target: The Stavanger Protocol by John Eriksen, and it was a truly engaging read. As the fourth book in The Pursuit Series, it offers a captivating blend of science, mystery, and high-stakes drama that kept me hooked. Eriksen masterfully creates a story that feels relevant and immersive, with the Scandinavian setting adding a rich, atmospheric backdrop. The plot, centered on innovative environmental technology, unfolds with enough intrigue to keep you turning pages. I appreciated how Eriksen seamlessly wove authentic scientific details into a fast-paced narrative without overwhelming the reader. The characters, Amelia and Erik Wiedner, are sharp and determined, guiding you through a maze of corporate secrets with confidence. The Mexico City scenes were a highlight, especially since I recently visited there. They felt vivid and brought the story to life. Overall, this book was a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend it to fans of smart thrillers. I’m excited for Eriksen’s next work!
October 31, 2025
Scandinavian Target: The Stavanger Protocol is a clear and steady thriller with a good mix of mystery, science, and real-world danger. The story follows Amelia, a biologist, and her husband Erik, a journalist, as they uncover a secret behind a new energy project under the North Sea. What starts as a strange discovery in a lab turns into a race to stop a disaster that could harm oceans around the world. I liked the calm but tense style, and how the story moved between research centers, oil platforms, and the Norwegian coast. The setting feels real, and the science makes sense without being too heavy. Amelia and Erik have a believable relationship that adds warmth to the story. Some parts slow down a bit, but the mystery keeps you reading. The ending brings everything together in a smart and satisfying way. A well-written, modern thriller that feels grounded in reality and worth reading for anyone who likes environmental or political stories.
August 16, 2025
I’ve read quite a lot about climate change and energy politics, but this book offered a completely different experience. The setting in the North Sea feels so realistic and timely that at times it was like reading the news rather than fiction. The concept of CO₂ storage, which might sound dry and technical, is turned into a gripping, high-stakes thriller without losing momentum. Amelia’s scientific discoveries and Erik’s investigative instincts bring both human and political depth to the story, while the side characters add their own layers of meaning instead of just filling space. By the time I finished, I was both breathless and unsettled, asking myself: ‘What if this really happened?’ A powerful, thought-provoking eco-thriller.
October 28, 2025
This book kept me turning pages with its - quite believable plot - about dodgy corporate practices in Norway's energy sector. The moment Mikkel gets found out working undercover on the oil rig had me gripped and I felt it was well crafted. The author handles the environmental angle well without getting preachy, showing both sides of the oil industry debate. The pacing works nicely throughout, and I appreciated how the story tackles timely issues while delivering solid entertainment. Worth a read if you fancy thrillers with substance.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews