Eva Fretheim joins Winje Agency

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome “the new Norwegian queen of crime fiction” Eva Fretheim to the Winje Agency roster!

We don’t represent a lot of crime authors, but when we read Eva Fretheim’s books, we immediately felt that hers is a voice that belongs on our list—no matter what genre. This is the type of suspense that not only deals with a crime and an investigation, but that moves inside the protagonist’s minds and tries to identify the bigger context that they are a part of. Eva Fretheim has a rare ability to craft characters with genuine emotions, flaws and anxieties, while at the same time evoking a vivid and complex literary universe: a peripheral place with few inhabitants but plentiful of secrets. It is subdued and sinister, thrilling and atmospheric.

Over the past few weeks, Eva has enjoyed a splendid breakthrough with fantastic reviews for The Paper Dolls (Papirdukkene), her third book about detective Vigdis Malmstrøm, and today, the second book in the series, The Bird King (Fuglekongen), was announced as the winner of Norway’s most prestigious crime award, the Riverton Prize, with the following motivation:

“The winner of the Riverton Prize – The Golden Revolver – 2024 is a crime novel in which people and nature appear side by side in an elegant and intense character-driven drama.

Fretheim’s second crime novel is a subdued psychological drama where seemingly innocent events occur under immense pressure, hidden relationships and connections simmer, and secrets are gradually and inevitably revealed.

Through short, effective chapters, the author writes elegantly and effortlessly, with beautiful restraint and timing."

So far, there are three books in the series about Vigdis Malmstrøm: Queenland (2022), The Bird King (2024) and The Paper Dolls (2025), all published by Tiden Norsk Forlag.

More rave reviews for The Paper Dolls :
“The book is quiet and lyrical, with masterful language and a creeping sense of unease. A Scandinavian psychological thriller of the highest order. In my opinion, with this book, Eva Fretheim has firmly established herself as one of Norway’s truly significant crime writers.” – NRK, 6/6 stars

“The new Norwegian queen of crime fiction! In an age when readers are often shamed for their choice of genre, it’s a joy to pick up a crime novel that’s not only gripping but also holds up as quality fiction.” – Dagbladet, 6/6 stars

“Eva Fretheim just keeps getting better. She writes with a momentum and intensity that set her apart from most of her Norwegian peers. … The story is intricate and gripping throughout, with a plot resolution that is both surprising and logical.” – Adresseavisen, 5/6 stars

Eva says: “I’m looking forward to working with Gina Winje and Winje Agency. I’m proud and honored that they want me on the team. This is going to be very exciting!”

The feeling is mutual—welcome, Eva!