June 2015

The Black Mandala Trilogy: new praise and English sample!

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SourinewsletterJune2015White Shadow (Tammi 2015), Book I in the Black Mandala thriller trilogy by Katariina Souri, has received positive feedback from readers and literary bloggers throughout the spring and early summer. Many are eagerly anticipating Book II, Silent Heart (Tammi 2015), which will hit Finnish bookstores later this year. The trilogy will conclude next year with Shattered Face (Tammi 2016).

New praise for White Shadow:

“White Shadow is a refreshing thriller that offers a nice departure from the mainstream. Katariina Souri has branched out into a new genre, and I have to say that she has succeeded impressively…I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.”
– Suomalaisen suosikit (“Suomalainen’s Favorites”) book store blog, Finland

”Souri is an undeniably skilled writer. The story moves along smoothly, and the reader’s interest is held until the last page. I very much liked the character of Mona, and am interested in finding out what she will encounter in the following two parts of the series.”
– Kuuttaren lukupäiväkirja (“Moon Daughter’s Reading Diary”) literature blog, Finland

Contact the agency for an English sample of White Shadow as well as updated synopses of all three books!

A mix of thriller and women’s fiction, the Black Mandala Trilogy follows Helsinki-based, introverted mosaic artist Mona Malin, who has an inexplicable ability to experience intense and uncontrollable visions of people, whether they be family members or strangers. The story kicks off when a carpenter from whom Mona had commissioned work is found dead, and Mona fears that she may have killed him without her knowledge. Meanwhile an accomplished neuroscientist hopes to make use of Mona’s gift to help solve a particularly confusing case. Things take a frightening turn during a mosaic course organized by Mona on an isolated Finnish island.

About the author:

Katariina Souri (b. 1968) is a novelist, columnist and writer for film and television. Her debut novel, Me and Morrison (Tammi 1999) was adapted into a hit 2001 film. She is known for her fearless and entertaining writing style that combines realism, fairy tale and psychological thriller. After Scarab (Tammi 2010) and Path (Tammi 2012), she has now created the Black Mandala thriller trilogy.

RIGHTS SOLD
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi

Reading materials:
English sample of Book 1
English synopses of Books 1-3
Finnish edition of Book 1

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

About author


Katariina Souri

Katariina Souri (b. 1968) is an author, columnist and writer for film and television. Her debut novel, Me and Morrison (Minä ja Morrison, Tammi 1999) was adapted into a hit 2001 film. Souri is known for her fearless and entertaining writing style that combines realism, fairy tale and psychological thriller. After Scarab (Pillerinpyörittäjä, Tammi 2010) and Path (Polku, Tammi 2012), she has created the gripping and sensual Black Mandala thriller trilogy.

Read more

Bibliography


2016, Crime & Suspense

Shattered Face

Katariina Souri


2015, Crime & Suspense

Silent heart

Katariina Souri


2015, Crime & Suspense

White Shadow

Katariina Souri

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New Dutch cover and praise for Jussi Valtonen’s Finlandia Prize-winning They Know Not What They Do!

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ValtonenNewsletterJune2015Author Jussi Valtonen’s Finlandia Prize-winning They Know Not What They Do (Tammi 2014) has remained Finland’s most talked-about book for the first half of 2015.

The novel occupies a firm position on local bestseller lists, and Finland’s active literary blogger community continues to discover Valtonen’s story of cultural and family conflicts and the ethics of science and technology. They Know Not What They Do has sold more than 100,000 copies to date.

We are also happy to present the cover of the Dutch edition, published by Signatuur/A.W. Bruna later this year!

Rights have also been sold in the World English territories to Oneworld Publications, in France to Fayard, in Germany to Piper, and in Poland to Foksal.

New praise for They Know Not What They Do:

“Because of the topics it highlights, the profound way in which it examines these topics and its wide perspective, this novel is a landmark of Finnish literature. It is also a showcase of the way in which mainstream and science fiction literature can be combined. [Valtonen] has done it here. Seamlessly.”
– Portti (“Gate”) science fiction quarterly, Finland

“Jussi Valtonen’s book is genuinely brilliant….it’s wonderful to know that multitalented voices such as this exist. This has genuinely earned its Finlandia Prize; have we even had literature of this caliber before?”
– Kirjapolkuni (“My Book Path”) literature blog, Finland

“Overall the book sparked quite a few thoughts: not only of the relationship between humans and technology, but also of people’s relationships with one another. What aspects of our past, if any, affect our future, how do we come to be the way we are, and, most importantly, do we know what we are doing?”
– Lukuvuosi (“Reading Year”) literature blog, Finland

“My expectations [after Carried by Wings] were high when I heard of Valtonen’s new book. He managed to exceed these expectations [with They Know Not What They Do], not by a small margin but a significant one. I didn’t read any of the other Finlandia nominees, but am not at all surprised that they couldn’t measure up to this one. No-one can.”
– Kaiken voi lukea (“You can Read it All!”) literature blog, Finland

About They Know Not What They Do:

When professor Joe Chayefski’s neuroscience lab in Baltimore is attacked by animal rights activists, he doesn’t connect the dots at first. But when he receives a phone call from Alina, his Finnish ex-wife, he begins to gradually realize that the threats on his career and new family are connected to Samuel, the son he left behind in Finland two decades ago. Joe soon learns that his son’s life has gone badly astray, and that Samuel has devoted himself to extreme animal rights activism. Joe realizes that he has to take action to protect his wife and two daughters from his estranged son, by any means necessary.

They Know Not What They Do offers readers piercing psychological insight. It is also a dystopian satire of a world in which nothing is private and everything is for sale.

RIGHTS SOLD:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi
FRANCE, Fayard
GERMANY, Piper Verlag
NETHERLANDS, Signatuur/A.W. Bruna
POLAND, Foksal
WORLD ENGLISH, Oneworld Publications

Reading materials:
English sample
English synopsis
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

 

About author


Jussi Valtonen

Jussi Valtonen (1974) is an author and psychologist from Helsinki. He has studied neuropsychology in the United States and screenwriting in the UK, and has also worked as a science reporter. He has written three novels and a short story collection.

Carried by Wings (Siipien kantamat, Tammi 2007) was given second place in Bonnier’s novel competition, and received a warm reception from both critics and bloggers. In 2014 Valtonen was awarded the Finlandia Prize, the country’s highest-profile literary award, for They Know Not What They Do (He eivät tiedä mitä tekevät, Tammi 2014).

Read more

Bibliography


2014, Literary Fiction

They Know Not What They Do

Jussi Valtonen

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Book III in Minna Lindgren’s Twilight Grove Trilogy is a commercial and critical hit!

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LindgrenNewsletterJune2015Minna Lindgren has another bestseller in her hands with The End of Twilight Grove (Teos 2015), the final part in her emotionally sharp, socially critical and satirical trilogy centering on a group of spirited 90-something ladies at a Helsinki retirement home.

The End of Twilight Grove, published in late April, was the #2 bestselling Finnish novel in May. The book has also received very positive reviews from critics.

“I write about cheerful and content elderly people. I want people to see old age as something that can be a happy time,” Lindgren said in a recent interview with Ilta-Sanomat newspaper.

This spring Book I, Death in Twilight Grove, was published in Estonia by Varrak, in France by Calmann-Lévy, in Italy by Marsilio and in Spain by Suma de Letras /Penguin Random House. In 2016 the trilogy will launch in Germany by Kiepenheuer & Witsch and in the UK by Pan Macmillan, which will publish the books as Death in Sunset Grove, Escape from Sunset Grove and The End of Sunset Grove.

Praise for The End of Twilight Grove:

“Once again Minna Lindgren taps into many sore spots that exist in Finland’s elderly care systems…the prose is multilayered and skilful. These old ladies speak flawless Finnish, and the author also sprinkles baffling teen speak and horrifying ‘consulting language’ into her text.”
– Keskisuomalainen newspaper, Finland

“Lindgren defends the human rights of her characters with gusto. No wonder, then, that the trilogy will shortly appear in several languages, including English, German and French.”
– Books from Finland literary journal

“The End of Twilight Grove warns us of a society in which human touch has been replaced by smart devices and nobody has a bookshelf at home.”
– Kirjavuori (“Book Mountain”) literature blog, Finland

“Minna Lindgren again makes a statement about elderly care, dignified life, death, and the use of state funds.”
– Kulttuuri kukoistaa (“Culture Blooms”) blog, Finland

About the Twilight Grove trilogy:

In Death in Twilight Grove (Teos 2013), Siiri, Irma and Anna-Liisa discover that their home, a Helsinki retirement community called Twilight Grove, is an optimal environment for both smaller swindles and larger criminal activities.

The second entry, Escape from Twilight Grove (Teos 2014), sees our heroines moving to an apartment in the Hakaniemi neighborhood as roommates. A fishy plumbing renovation at Twilight Grove evokes suspicions of more crimes taking place, but the real crimes may actually be happening elsewhere.

The final part in the trilogy, The End of Twilight Grove (Teos 2015), marks a return to the retirement community. But the place no longer feels like home, and has turned into a state-funded, technology-driven pilot project in elderly care. The conclusion brings together characters lost along the way, and murky details are brought to light. Legal justice is also served – in unexpected ways.

RIGHTS SOLD: THE TWILIGHT GROVE TRILOGY
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
CZECH REPUBLIC: Albatros Media/XYZ
DENMARK, Jensen & Dalgaard (Part I)
ESTONIA, Varrak (Part I)
GERMANY, Kiepenheuer & Witsch
FRANCE, Calmann-Lévy
ITALY, Marsilio
SPAIN, Suma de Letras /Penguin Random House
WORLD ENGLISH, Pan Macmillan

Reading materials:
Full English text of book 1
English synopses of books 1-3
Finnish editions of books 1-3

For rights inquiries contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

About author


Minna Lindgren

Minna Lindgren (b. 1963) is a freelance journalist and columnist known for her whimsical writing style and fearless approach to topics as strange as opera and death. In addition to novels, she has authored nonfiction books on classical music. In 2009, Lindgren won the Bonnier Journalism Prize for her article entitled “Father’s Death” (“Isän kuolema”).

Lindgren is best known for the Sunset Grove trilogy, which has been sold to 18 territories, and the final part, The End of Sunset Grove, was nominated for the International Dublin Literature Award in 2019. She has also written four standalone novels and a non-fiction book about the history of opera.

Minna Lindgren’s books have been critical and commercial successes, in Finland and internationally.

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2020, Literary Fiction, Humor

Hope Never Dies

Minna Lindgren


2019, Literary Fiction, Humor

A Far, Far Love

Minna Lindgren


2018, Literary Fiction, Humor

Angry Widow

Minna Lindgren


2015, Literary Fiction, Humor

The End of Sunset Grove

Minna Lindgren


2014, Literary Fiction, Humor

Escape from Sunset Grove

Minna Lindgren


2013, Literary Fiction, Humor

Death in Sunset Grove

Minna Lindgren

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Praise and publication news for Salla Simukka’s Snow White Trilogy!

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SimukkaJun2015This year marks the publication of the final entry in author Salla Simukka’s Snow White Trilogy, As Black as Ebony (Tammi 2014), in several territories. Simukka, whose YA thriller trilogy has been sold in more than 50 countries, continues to draw international acclaim.

Hot Key Books in the UK and Amazon/Skyscape in the U.S. will publish As Black as Ebony in August. That month Simukka will also appear at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. See here for more information.

In late May As Red As Blood was included on The Booklist Reader‘s list of The 100 Best Children’s and YA Mysteries of the Past 10 Years.

“Lumikki, who calls herself the ”secret love child of Hercule Poirot and Lisbeth Salander,” tries to avoid meddling in other people’s business. That is, until she finds bloodied money in her art school’s darkroom.”
– The Booklist Reader

New international praise for The Snow White Trilogy:

“Lumikki is the embodiment of a female empowerment fantasy while still containing familiar elements. As a reader you’ll want to meet her again. As soon as possible.”
– Buch + Maus (“Book and Mouse”) culture publication, Germany (on As Red as Blood)

“I adore the fact that [Simukka] has interwoven the Snow White and the Snow White and Rose Red fairy tales so seamlessly into her writing even though Lumikki’s tale is so different from what we expect to read when the reader sees a trilogy entitled The Snow White trilogy.”
– A Bibliophile’s Reverie literature blog (on As Red as Blood)

“The prose [of As White as Snow] is expressive, and it is easy to devour the book in a flash.”
– BokMolnet (“Book Cloud”) literature blog, Sweden (on As White as Snow)

“This book is fast and fun…I would buy this for teens of all ages who enjoy good thrillers.”
– Pjatt.is online publication, Iceland  (on As Red as Blood)

The Snow White Trilogy comprises As Red as Blood, As White as Snow and As Black as Ebony. Starring a headstrong, haunted and sharp 17-year-old girl named Lumikki Andersson, the series has received praise from numerous international publications including Financial Times and The Guardian, and starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews and Booklist.

See the Snow White Trilogy trailer here.

The official Snow White Trilogy page: snowwhitetrilogy.wordpress.com

Follow Salla Simukka on Facebook and Twitter

RIGHTS SOLD IN 48 TERRITORIES: THE SNOW WHITE TRILOGY
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi
ALBANIA, Botime B-Books
ARAB WORLD, Arab Scientific
ARGENTINA, Nuevo Extremo
AZERBAIJAN, Qanun
BELGIUM, Clavis
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA, BTC Sahinpasic
BRAZIL, Novo Conceito
BULGARIA, Egmont
CATALAN, La Galera
CHINA, Modern Press
CROATIA, Znanje
CZECH, Egmont
DENMARK, Gyldendal
ESTONIA, Pegasus
FAROE ISLANDS, Bókadeildin
FRANCE, Hachette Livre
GEORGIA, Bakur Sulakauri
GERMANY, Arena
GREECE, Metaixmio
HUNGARY, Athenaeum
ICELAND, Forlagid
INDONESIA, Kompas Gramedia/Bhuana Ilmu Populer
ISRAEL, Yedioth
ITALY, Mondadori
JAPAN, Nishimura
KOREA, Gimm Young
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA, Alma Littera
MACEDONIA, Bata Press
MALAYSIA, Buku Fixi
MONTENEGRO, BTC Sahinpasic
NETHERLANDS, Clavis
NORWAY, Gyldendal
POLAND, Foksal/WAB
PORTUGAL, Presença
ROMANIA, Trei
RUSSIA, Eksmo
SERBIA, Vulkan
SLOVAKIA, Verbarium
SLOVENIA, Mladinska
SPAIN, La Galera
SWEDEN, Rabén & Sjögren
TAIWAN, Emily Publishing
THAILAND, Nanmee Books
TURKEY, Altin Kitaplar
UK, Hot Key Books
U.S, Amazon Publishing/Skyscape
VIETNAM, Alpha Books

Reading materials: The Snow White Trilogy
English edition of books 1-2
Full English text of book 3
French edition of book 1
Finnish editions of books 1-3

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

 

About author


Salla Simukka

Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 52 territories and in Hollywood. She has written several novels for young readers and her accolades include the Topelius Prize 2013 and the Finland Prize 2013. Simukka has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award  every year 2021–2024. Where It All Begins, published in 2022, is her first novel for adults and in 2024 she started a collaboration with JP Ahonen on a middle grade novel.

Previously Simukka has written book reviews for the newspapers, translated all kinds of texts into Finnish, worked as an editor at a literary magazine and as a screenwriter for a popular TV show for young audiences.  She has also been working on the programme of Turku Book Fair in 2017–2020.

Read more

Bibliography


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Secret Staircase

Salla Simukka


2022, Literary Fiction

Where It All Begins

Salla Simukka


2021, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

In the Dark I Can Be Yours

Salla Simukka


2020, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Detained

Salla Simukka


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Turn off the Lights! Turn on the Lights!

Salla Simukka


2016, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Sisterland

Salla Simukka


2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Black as Ebony

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As Red as Blood

Salla Simukka


2013, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

As White as Snow

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Elsewhere

Salla Simukka


2012, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Without a Trace

Salla Simukka

Related news

Ukrainian rights sold to books by Anna-Lena Lauren and Jyrki Vainonen

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Ukraine_newsletterWorks by two acclaimed Finnish writers, journalist Anna-Lena Laurén and author Jyrki Vainonen, are headed to Ukraine.

Piramida, publisher of three other books by Laurén, has acquired Ukranian rights to her latest book, Ukraine: The Borderland (Schildts & Söderströms 2015), co-authored with journalist Peter Lodenius.

Known for her empathetic and in-depth reporting on the former Soviet Union, Laurén has received several prizes for her work, including the  2010 State Journalist Award.

Ukraine: The Borderland  examines recent unrest and political shifts in Ukraine, and the country’s subsequent role as the symbol of a new East-West divide.

“By spending time with ordinary people, Laurén understands the betrayal and humiliation felt by Ukrainians….she lived in Russia for seven years, and complies by strict professional ethics in her work.”
– Talouselämä business publication, Finland

Meanwhile, Komora has acquired Ukranian rights to several short stories by acclaimed author Jyrki Vainonen, including his collection The Explorer & Other Stories (Tutkimusmatkailija ja muita tarinoita, Loki-kirjat 1999). The collection won the prestigious Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize, given to an outstanding debut book.

An English-language collection of Vainonen’s best stories from his three published collections, also entitled The Explorer & Other Stories and featuring an introduction by Johanna Sinisalo, was launched by Cheeky Frawg in 2013. In addition to his career as an author, Vainonen has gained acclaim as an English-to-Finnish translator of the likes of Jonathan Swift, Seamus Heaney and William Shakespeare.

“The author shows an easy comfort with the odd and disturbing, and sympathy even with his less sympathetic protagonists.”
– Publishers Weekly

RIGHTS SOLD
Ukraine: The Borderland
Original publisher: FINLAND, Schildts & Söderströms
UKRAINE, Piramida

READING MATERIALS
Ukraine: The Borderland
Swedish edition
Finnish edition
The Unknown Price of Freedom
Swedish edition
Finnish edition
English sample

RIGHTS SOLD
The Explorer & Other Stories
Original publisher: FINLAND, Loki-kirjat
WORLD ENGLISH, Cheeky Frawg
UKRAINE, Komora

READING MATERIALS
The Explorer & Other Stories
English edition
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

About author


Jyrki Vainonen

Jyrki Vainonen (1963) is an award-winning Finnish author who is renowned for his Finnish translations of the works of Seamus Heaney, Jonathan Swift and William Shakespeare. His debut work, collection of short stories (Tutkimusmatkailija ja muita tarinoita, Loki-kirjat 1999 ) Vainonen received the Helsingin Sanomat Debut Book of the Year Award in 1999. Vainonen has lived in Ireland and wrote his licentiate thesis on Jonathan Swift’s Irish pamphlets.

“Vainonen, an award winner in his native Finland, debuts in English with seven selections from three of his previous collections, introduced by Finnish fantasy powerhouse Johanna Sinisalo. Opening with the absurd—a husband vanishes on an ill-fated expedition into his unfaithful wife’s thigh in “The Explorer”—the book then delves into questions of identity (“Blueberries”) and transformation (“The Aquarium”). Sex is mutable (“The Pearl”) and comforting truths are revealed to be false, while faint suspicions prove terribly true (“The Refrigerator”). The author shows an easy comfort with the odd and disturbing, and sympathy even with his less sympathetic protagonists. The translators have done a masterful job of presenting his work with clarity. The one shortcoming of the collection is its brevity; at a scant hundred pages it seems too short to function as a proper introduction to the author. (Oct.)”

Read more

Related news

Turkish rights to Maresi by Maria Turtschaninoff sold to Altin Kitaplar!

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Maresi_reviews_SwedenWe are thrilled to announce that Altin Kitaplar, publisher of Stephen King and Salla Simukka, has acquired Turkish rights to Maresi, Part I in the Red Abbey Chronicles by Maria Turtschaninoff. Rights are now sold in eight languages, most recently in Canada (in French)!

“I am especially excited about the recent sale to Turkey. Not only do I get to join the same publishing house as Salla Simukka and Stephen King, but Maresi will also reach a whole new audience! It is very humbling to me that readers from so many different countries will be able to know and, hopefully fall in love with, Maresi.“
– Maria Turtschaninoff

Maresi won the 2014 Finlandia Junior Prize, the highest accolade given to a children’s or YA book in Finland. The book has also been nominated for the 2015 Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize.

Set in a historically inspired fantasy world, the three-part Red Abbey Chronicles tell the story of a community of women who provide a refuge for girls who have suffered hardships in their own communities. In Part I, main character Maresi prefers to spend her time in the world of books – until she has to step up to protect a new Red Abbey arrival escaping an unthinkable trauma. Naondel, Part II in the Red Abbey Chronicles and a prequel to Maresi, will publish in Finland in 2016.

Praise from international publishers:

“I was blown away by Maresi, quite simply. Maria Turtschaninoff has written an incredibly original, vivid and gripping story with appeal not only for YA readers but far beyond. And embedded in the story is a passionate feminist voice that I strongly believe will resonate with a wide variety of readers, young adult ­ and adult alike. I’ve no doubt that Maresi and The Red Abbey Chronicles as a whole will become classics of the genre.”
– Adam Freudenheim, Publisher and Managing Director, Pushkin Press/Pushkin Children’s Books

“Maresi is a powerful, intelligent and utterly thrilling adventure story with a strong and timely feminist message. Set in a beautifully drawn fantasy world, this story is as compelling as it is challenging, and I devoured it in one sitting. I’m sure many, many more readers will be doing the same over the coming years.”
– Daniel Seton, Commissioning Editor, Pushkin Press/Pushkin Children’s Books

”Maresi takes the reader into a world full of wonder. And, most importantly, it tells us about the magical power of friendship. A truly enchanting story.“
– Stefanie Brösigke, Junior Editor, Heyne Verlag, Germany

RIGHTS SOLD: MARESI
Original publisher: FINLAND, Schildts & Söderströms
CANADA (French), Editions de la Bagnole/Groupe Livres Quebecor Media
DENMARK, Turbine
FINLAND, Tammi
GERMANY, Random House/Heyne
ROMANIA, Editura Univers
SWEDEN, Berghs
TURKEY, Altin Kitaplar
WORLD ENGLISH, Pushkin Press

Reading materials: The Red Abbey Chronicles
Book I, Maresi:
Full English text
Swedish edition
Finnish edition
Book II, Naondel:
English synopsis

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

About author


Maria Turtschaninoff

Maria Turtschaninoff is known for crafting lyrical, historically inspired fantasy stories starring strong female protagonists. In addition to J.R.R. Tolkien, she counts Philip Pullman, Ursula K. Le Guin and C.S. Lewis among her favorite authors. She is a two-time winner of the Society of Swedish Literature Prize, winner of the Swedish YLE Literature Prize, winner of the Thank You for the Book Award, a nominee for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (2020-2024), and winner of the 2014 Finlandia Junior Prize.

Her Red Abbey Chronicles YA trilogy has been sold into 30 languages, while her first adult novel Inherited Land has been sold to 23 territories. Maria has a Master of Arts in human ecology and works full-time as a writer.

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Manticore

Maria Turtschaninoff


2022, Literary Fiction

Inherited Land

Maria Turtschaninoff


2018, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Maresi: Red Mantle

Maria Turtschaninoff


2016, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Naondel

Maria Turtschaninoff


2014, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Maresi

Maria Turtschaninoff

Related news

Danish rights to Minna Lindgren’s Death in Twilight Grove sold to Jensen & Dalgaard!

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LindgrenNewsletterDenmarkWe are very happy to announce that Jensen & Dalgaard, publisher of acclaimed and award-winning authors such as Katri Lipson, Diego Marani and Robert Louis Stevenson, has acquired Danish rights to Minna Lindgren’s Death in Twilight Grove (Teos 2013), Part I in the Twilight Grove Trilogy.

Also comprising Escape from Twilight Grove (Teos 2014) and The End of Twilight Grove (Teos 2015), Lindgren’s sharp, humorous and socially conscious trilogy set in and around a Helsinki retirement home follows the adventures of three bright, spirited and inquisitive 90-something ladies.

“Jensen & Dalgaard is very much looking forward to introducing this fabulous, highly acclaimed, humorous and exciting literary trilogy in Denmark.”
– Bjarne Michael Jensen, publisher, Jensen & Dalgaard

The conclusion to the trilogy, The End of Twilight Grove, was published in Finland in late April and immediately jumped to local bestseller lists. Book II, Escape from Twilight Grove, was nominated for the prestigious Runeberg Prize last year.

This spring Death in Twilight Grove has been published in Estonia by Varrak, in France by Calmann-Lévy, in Italy by Marsilio and in Spain by Suma de Letras /Penguin Random House.

“According to Carl-Gustav Jung, the Swiss inventor of analytical psychology, a “magical act” allows one to see life from another angle and thus find a new perspective. It’s a modern, confident outlook on life. One could imagine that the great Finnish writer Minna Lindgren is an active reader of Jung! In her novel the nonagenarian characters have understood that the essential act of magic is humor! What a joy to read their adventures! What liberation!”
– Femme Actuelle magazine, France

About the Twilight Grove trilogy:

In Death in Twilight Grove (Teos 2013), Siiri, Irma and Anna-Liisa discover that their home, a Helsinki retirement community called Twilight Grove, is an optimal environment for both smaller swindles and larger criminal activities.

The second entry, Escape from Twilight Grove (Teos 2014), sees our heroines moving to an apartment in the Hakaniemi neighbourhood as roommates. A fishy plumbing renovation at Twilight Grove evokes suspicions of more crimes taking place, but the real crimes may actually be happening elsewhere.

The final part in the trilogy, The End of Twilight Grove (Teos, 2015), marks a return to the retirement community. But the place no longer feels like home, and has turned into a state-funded, technology-driven pilot project in elderly care. The conclusion brings together characters lost along the way, and murky details are brought to light. Legal justice is also served – in unexpected ways.

RIGHTS SOLD: THE TWILIGHT GROVE TRILOGY
Original publisher: FINLAND, Teos
CZECH REPUBLIC: Albatros Media/XYZ
DENMARK, Jensen & Dalgaard (Part I)
ESTONIA, Varrak (Part I)
GERMANY, Kiepenheuer & Witsch
FRANCE, Calmann-Lévy
ITALY, Marsilio
SPAIN, Suma de Letras /Penguin Random House
WORLD ENGLISH, Pan Macmillan

Reading materials:
Full English text of book 1
English synopses of books 1-3
Finnish editions of books 1-3

For rights inquiries contact: info@ahlbackagency.com

About author


Minna Lindgren

Minna Lindgren (b. 1963) is a freelance journalist and columnist known for her whimsical writing style and fearless approach to topics as strange as opera and death. In addition to novels, she has authored nonfiction books on classical music. In 2009, Lindgren won the Bonnier Journalism Prize for her article entitled “Father’s Death” (“Isän kuolema”).

Lindgren is best known for the Sunset Grove trilogy, which has been sold to 18 territories, and the final part, The End of Sunset Grove, was nominated for the International Dublin Literature Award in 2019. She has also written four standalone novels and a non-fiction book about the history of opera.

Minna Lindgren’s books have been critical and commercial successes, in Finland and internationally.

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2020, Literary Fiction, Humor

Hope Never Dies

Minna Lindgren


2019, Literary Fiction, Humor

A Far, Far Love

Minna Lindgren


2018, Literary Fiction, Humor

Angry Widow

Minna Lindgren


2015, Literary Fiction, Humor

The End of Sunset Grove

Minna Lindgren


2014, Literary Fiction, Humor

Escape from Sunset Grove

Minna Lindgren


2013, Literary Fiction, Humor

Death in Sunset Grove

Minna Lindgren

Related news

Euromedia acquires Czech rights to Granny Hatchet by Marko Hautala!

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HautalaCzechdealJun2015We are thrilled to announce that Euromedia, publisher of authors including Agatha Christie, Gillian Flynn and John Green, has acquired Czech rights to Marko Hautala’s literary horror novel Granny Hatchet (Kuokkamummo, Tammi 2014).

“Granny Hatchet is a gripping and atmospheric work: part thriller, part horror and part mystery, but also a story with a human dimension. Hautala’s expertly built plot sparks the reader’s imagination, while his ingenious, culminating sense of suspense takes one’s breath away.”
– Martina Bekešová, editor, Euromedia

Lauded by many critics as Hautala’s best work yet, Granny Hatchet will be published in September in the U.S. by AmazonCrossing under the title The Black Tongue. German rights were also recently sold to DTV, who has previously published Worms (Tammi 2011) and Shrouds (Tammi 2009) by Hautala.

Based on a real Finnish urban legend, Granny Hatchet is a mythical creature who kills her young victims with a hatchet and devours their hearts. Hautala’s devilish novel, exploring childhood fears, regrets and buried secrets, is set in a small town where two characters return to confront their past demons.

Praise for Granny Hatchet:

”A tour de force…the book startles, terrifies and makes the reader laugh. By far Hautala’s best novel.”
-Ilkka newspaper, Finland

“The character of Granny Hatchet carries such a chill that the temperature in the pit of a reader’s stomach seems to go down a few degrees.”
-Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“Hautala is a trailblazer who has elevated Finnish horror to a new level.”
– Turun sanomat newspaper, Finland

About the author:

Marko Hautala’s (b. 1973) signature blend of psychological thriller and realism has earned him a reputation as the Finnish Stephen King. Beyond his skill of generating spine-tingling fear in his readers, he is also known for his literary mastery and intelligence as a storyteller: Hautala has been awarded the Tiiliskivi Prize in 2008 and the coveted Kalevi Jäntti Literary Prize for Young Authors for Shrouds (Tammi 2009) in 2010.

RIGHTS SOLD:
Original publisher: FINLAND, Tammi
WORLD ENGLISH, AmazonCrossing (Granny Hatchet)
CZECH REPUBLIC, Euromedia (Granny Hatchet)
ITALY, Newton Compton (Shrouds)
GERMANY, DTV (Worms, Shrouds, Granny Hatchet)

Reading material:
Full English text
English synopsis
Finnish edition

Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com