New deals for Max Seeck and Leena Lehtolainen

We have exciting news on our latest crime & thrillers from Finland: first up, Max Seeck’s hot-off-the-press sophomore novel The Mephisto Touch has been acquired by Newton Compton in Italy.

The novel is an explosive standalone follow-up to Seeck’s Best Debut Thriller of the Year winner, The Angels of Hammurabi, taking readers on a manhunt, and in to the deep, dark layers of a psychopath’s mind.

“A brilliant novel, for readers who love adventurous thrillers but who appreciate the psychologically well described characters too,” said Raffaello Avanzini, CEO and publisher of Newton Compton, of the acquisition.

In Germany, Rowohlt will continue to champion Leena Lehtolainen in a deal for her 14th book in the best-selling Maria Kallio series, The End of Innocence. A female detective police procedural, the novel also examines issues of young men’s fragile sexuality and the devastating consequences of abuse.

English sample materials for The Mephisto Touch and The End of Innocence are available – please get in touch with your requests.


LATEST REVIEWS

The Mephisto Touch by Max Seeck

With this second novel, Max Seeck is well on his way to earning a permanent position in the ranks of Finland’s top crime and thriller writers.” — Anssi Väisänen, Kaleva newspaper, Finland

Fast-paced like a fighter jet, Max Seeck’s The Mephisto Touch is an unputdownable novel. With its short chapters and fluid plot progression to be devoured in one sitting, the book will leave you wanting more of Daniel Kuisma and Annika Lehto after the story has ended.” — Leena Lehtolainen, author, Finland

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The End of Innocence by Leena Lehtolainen

“In her characteristic style, Lehtolainen tackles contemporaneous issues in society, allowing Maria [Kallio] plenty of space to contemplate the ethics of her cases, as well as her own approaches. Maria is by no means a robotic character whose only objective is to catch the perpetrator.” – Etelä-Suomen Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“The End of Innocence does not disappoint. The Maria Kallio series still has well-drawn, believable characters and enough spark to keep the reader hooked.” – Chocolate and Sparkles blog, Finland

Publishers of Max Seeck:
ESTONIA, Pegasus
FINLAND, Tammi (Orig. publisher)
GERMANY, Blanvalet
ICELAND, Forlagid
ITALY, Newton Compton

Reading material for The Mephisto Touch:
English sample & synopsis
Finnish edition

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Publishers of Leena Lehtolainen:
BRAZIL, Autentica
ESTONIA, Pegasus
FINLAND, Tammi (Orig. publisher)
FRANCE, Gaia
GERMANY, Rowohlt
GREECE, Livani
HUNGARY, Animus (r)
ISRAEL, Penn
JAPAN, Tokyo Sogensha
LATVIA, Zvaigzne
POLAND, Rebis (r)
RUSSIA, Ast
TAIWAN, Linking
TURKEY, Bizin Kitaplar (r)
WORLD ENGLISH, Amazon Crossing

Reading material for The End of Innocence:
English sample & synopsis
Finnish edition

About author


Leena Lehtolainen

Leena Lehtolainen is the top female crime author in Finland: her new titles always head straight to #1 on the Finnish bestseller lists.

Lehtolainen created her successful protagonist, detective Maria Kallio, in 1993. Having already featured in 16 novels and a complete TV series, a new Maria Kallio TV reboot series was launched in Fall 2021 on C More. Lehtolainen’s novels have been translated into 30 languages and have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.

And just like the events in Bodyguard, a that takes the heroine Hilja Ilveskero all around Europe, Lehtolainen’s own work takes her to book festivals, exhibitions and other events across the globe.

Leena Lehtolainen has also published outside the crime genre; her book The Charm of Figure Skating was voted sports book of the year 2010 in Finland, and A Life in Six Scenes showed her return to literary fiction.

The Crossing of the Green Dragon is her first title for YA audiences.

In her free time, Lehtolainen enjoys all kinds of music and follows lynx trails in the forests – just like Maria Kallio.

About author


Max Seeck, New York Times Best Selling Author

Max Seeck - New York Times Bestselling Author of THE WITCH HUNTER.

Winner of the prestigious Glass Key Award 2023 for his novel THE LAST GRUDGE.

“Another star has been added to the firmament of thriller writers,” announced Iltalehti newspaper, when Max’s debut novel was published in 2016. Four books later, Max Seeck’s novels have been sold to more than 40 countries, including US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries and as far as Korea!

His debut trilogy following protagonist Daniel Kuisma sold over 40,000 copies in Finland. His Jessica Niemi series landed him on the New York Times Bestseller list! 2024 will see the release of his independent novel MILO, which is already creating buzz internationally with several rights pre-empts ahead of the Finnish publication!

Max Seeck has a background in sales and marketing, and has lately been able to dedicate his time to his lifelong love of writing. His interests include well-conducted research, reading Nordic Noir and listening to movie soundtracks as he writes.