Since his literary debut in 1966, Nygårdshaug has written nearly forty children's books, poetry and fairy tales, as well as suspense and crime novels. He is one of the most distinguished authors of his generation. His writing enjoys a diverse background due to his knowledge, hobbies and personal travels. It combines realistic and wonderful elements based on a strong interest in myths, ancient cultures and archaeology. Fly fishing, gastronomy and wine are some recurring motifs in his novels. Mino's trilogy (Mengele zoo, Himmelblomsttreets muligheter and Afrodites basseng) brought him immense recognition from critics and audiences. With almost 400,000 copies sold in Norway, Mengele zoo was chosen as Norway's favourite novel at the Lillehammer International Literature Festival in 2007. His crime novels starring chef and cryptologist Fredric Drum also make Nygårdshaug regularly appear on bestseller lists in Norway. In 2004, the South African film company Lithium Entertainment bought the film rights to four of his books: those of the Mino and Prost Gotvins geometry trilogy. Nygårdshaug currently resides in Lier, Belgium.