Ospreys

Erling Ravnåker #1

by Arnar Vik

Panic and chaos erupt among the concert audience on the Oslo Opera House roof as gunshots are fired into the crowd.
The shooter disappears without a trace after the assassination attempt on the Minister of Justice, and a large-scale police hunt is launched.
Police investigator Erling Ravnåker is pulled from his routine job at Stovner Police Station and placed in the special unit of the Norwegian Security Service. There he meets surveillance officer Rubina Amini, and soon they find themselves in mortal danger, following in the bloody wake of the assassin.
The investigation uncovers ties to military intelligence, and Erling is haunted by a ghost from the past.
In this nerve-wracking thriller, you’re drawn into an intense hunt for ruthless killers, in a world where loyalty is a commodity.
Will Erling and Rubina make it through their confrontation with a desperate cop killer—and put an end to the deadly escape?

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2025

About the author

Arnar Vik is a Norwegian author based in Oslo. Writing under a pseudonym, Arnar leads a professional life far removed from the literary world. His debut novel, Ospreys, is the first in a series rooted in the covert operations of Norway’s intelligence services. With a focus on realism and tension, Arnar aims to guide readers through stories that feel close to real life—where suspense drives the narrative forward. He makes no grand claims about his literary talents, but hopes the books will offer solid entertainment for anyone who appreciates a gripping thriller. Arnar is currently working with book number three in this series. Akula - the second book - has just come out on Amazon.

Reviews

[ROMY NOIR · Rating 5 out of 5]

A razor-sharp Scandinavian thriller that grips from the first page to the last gunshot

This book begins with an assassination attempt so vividly, thoroughly realised that it’s clear to readers: This is a serious, high-quality political thriller. From the stunning assault on the Oslo Opera House in Norway in broad daylight to a chase with doublecrossing and coldblooded betrayal, men and women named in some of the most secret documents in American history.Mr.The Nemesis Program leaves no time for anything except suspense as it drags the reader from shock to shock, inspired counterterrorist operatives among them—to believers—all entangled at last in a game one cannot win.
What hits the hardest is just how real it is. The procedural side — police procedure, intelligence coordination, military diving methodology, encrypted communication — is cared for with a level of precision that implies either intimate firsthand experience or near-encyclopedic research. Nothing feels improvised or exaggerated. The investigation takes shape slowly and methodically — a reflection of real-life counterterrorism work, not Hollywood shortcuts — which also adds a lot of credibility and tension.
The characters are another strong part. Besides, the story is told from several viewpoints — investigators, security staff and characters in a penumbra of writers — but every voice here has purpose and feel. Most compelling is the contrast between public heroism and private secrets, as we see how institutions, reputations and individual ambition grind against each other under extreme pressure. There is no hero in this novel, nor a single character who is all bad or good, aphorism about vague institutions notwithstanding; that’s why it’s such an uncomfortably realistic book.
The pace is slow but inexorable. Instead of relying on relentless action to keep up suspense, the author generates it through carefully timed reveals, investigative breakthroughs and quiet moments that pack an ominous punch. The underwater scenes are particularly memorable — claustrophobic, technical and nerve-racking — some of the most immersive in the book.
Thematically, the novel is more than a whodunit. It’s about power, and accountability — and the discomfiting recognition of the truth that threats to democracy are not always apparent enemies. The geopolitical subtext and the no-dumbs rap anthem are not overdone, giving readers room to form their own opinions with very little proselytising.
This is a heavy read but well worth it. If you are a lover of Nordic noir, political thriller and intelligence-led crime fiction, this is for you, which would make it both cinematic and very smart, and creepily plausible.
Recommended for those who enjoy realism, complication and lingering tension long after the last page.

[Damir Salkovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norwegian police officer Erling Ravnåker becomes entangled in an investigation involving a series of violent incidents: a shooting at the Oslo Opera House, a suspicious fire at Mysætra, and a botched arrest on a Swedish train that spirals into multiple deaths. Erling joins forces with surveillance officer Rubina Amini and delves into a brutal, cross-border manhunt for a presumed-dead special forces operative who refuses to stay buried.

Former soldiers, buried secrets, and a ghost from the past collide in this tense Nordic crime thriller. Arnar Vik demonstrates strong familiarity with espionage tradecraft and military and police tactics. His prose is sparse and tactical, mirroring the cold efficiency of the Norwegian intelligence services it depicts. Erling is a believable main character and comes across more like a weathered bureaucrat than a Bond clone. The action sequences are vivid and convincing. I’m a sucker for “Scandinavian noir” and unresolved endings, but the dense procedural details and the large cast of characters occasionally dilute emotional impact. Overall, “Ospreys” is a tense, meticulously researched thriller that prioritizes authentic tradecraft over explosive set-pieces. Perfect for fans of “Slow Horses” and hard espionage fiction.

[Fiction and Tea :D · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the opening pages, it was clear this wasn’t a standard thriller built on noise and spectacle. The assassination attempt at the Oslo Opera House hits fast and hard, and instead of lingering on shock, the story immediately shifts into something far more unsettling: competence. The attacker knows exactly what he’s doing, the escape is meticulously planned, and the tension doesn’t come from chaos, but from precision.

What really pulled me in was the contrast between what happens on the surface and what’s hidden underneath — literally and metaphorically. Concerts, politics, media headlines, press conferences — all of it feels performative, while the real story unfolds below the waterline, in preparation, silence, and long-laid plans. The underwater escape is one of the most gripping and believable sequences I’ve read in a long time. It never feels flashy. It feels earned.

If you enjoy intelligent thrillers, military realism, and stories that value credibility over comfort, this book is worth your time. If you prefer emotional immediacy and relentless pacing, you may find it demanding. Either way, it’s a book that knows exactly what it is — and never tries to be anything else.

[Mehmet Çalışkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnar Vik’s novel Ospreys is a work of political thriller and intelligence-based crime fiction. The story takes shape around Erling Ravnåker, a police officer reassigned to a special security unit, and technical surveillance specialist Rubina Amini as they attempt to uncover an assassination attempt against the Minister of Justice at the Oslo Opera House. The narrative progresses in a methodical manner rather than relying on constant action, and while the long paragraph structures somewhat limited my reading experience, the realism of police and intelligence procedures conveys a strong sense of tension in a successful way. I think readers who enjoy intelligence novels, Scandinavian crime fiction, and stories that include system critique will definitely appreciate this book.

[Ken Fredette · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I were to give any advice to Mr. Vik I would say that he didn't give his characters much of a description of their lives which would have made it more interesting. He tried to give them descriptions of sort but it lacks the depth that would make it so much more interesting to the reader. Otherwise it had all the action that I like which makes it interesting, but I like to know about the characters. Especially how they interact with each other. Erling and Irene or Sofie what a difference it could make. The action was good but extremely heavy to read, one thing after another. Give us some breaks. I like the author, but he asked for examples to his book so there they are.

[Olivia Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ospreys by Arnar Vik is a gripping, atmospheric read that pulls you in from the very first page. The writing is sharp and immersive, creating a tense mood that builds steadily as the story unfolds. The pacing is well balanced, keeping the momentum strong without feeling rushed, and the plot keeps you guessing.

The characters feel authentic, and the emotional weight of the story really lands. This is the kind of book that stays with you after you finish, making you think about it long after the final page. A powerful, well-written novel and an easy five-star recommendation.

[Don Locke · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read that feels like an unusual cross between Steig Larsson and Clive Cussler. Takes a while to get going, the first few chapters perhaps spend a little too long focusing in on the fine details of diving. However, once the story gets going, it cracks along at a fair pace drawing the reader in. The main character Erling is almost amusing in attitude, calm in the face of chaos and quietly courageous. If you like Scandinavian thrillers then I would recommend giving this a go.

[Helen Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read that gripped me from the start. Loved the details of the diving and terrain in Norway - the author uses either excellent research or personal experience to describe both vividly. Real page turner and am looking forward to enjoying the next of Erling's cases.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the way the author wrote this book, very detailed and got really good imagery