Estonian rights sold for THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT by Katja Kettu!

We are thrilled to let you know that the Estonian rights for Katja Kettu’s latest novel THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT have been acquired by Koolibri! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.
We are also happy to report that we have a French offer on table!

Since its original publication in Finland in September, THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT has become a national bestseller and has continued to garner great reviews from the critics and readers alike:

The attractiveness of Kettu’s novels smoulders in its multipaced idioms, the rhythm of its words, the mythological material [used in the novels] and historiography… [—] THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT succeeds in being an impressive depiction of the building blocks of being human and intergenerational experiences that shape selfhoods even after long journeys.
– Sanna Jääskeläinen in Savon Sanomat newspaper

Kettu’s rich language carries itself throughout the century-spanning novel.
– Anna magazine

Katja Kettu has written a wonderful novel in which the power of words brings justice to the world. It isn’t harmless or beautiful, but the novel approaches words as a form of magic. [—] The Cat takes over the novel and is turned into a novel, and now it sticks out, funny and teasing, and difficult in so many ways.”
– Maaria Ylikangas in Helsingin Sanomat newspaper

The depiction of miscarriage and the extreme sorrow it causes is perhaps the best one I’ve ever read. [—] Kettu’s fierce, saturated, wandering, and plunging style is perfect for depicting these emotions. The supernatural cat is a wonderful narrator through whom the heavy topics gain lightness and freshness. [—] [THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT] is a delightful and welcome continuation of Kettu’s literary output. [The novel’s] boldness and emphasizing of a woman’s strength felt good as a reader.
– Salla Brunou on Sallan lukupäiväkirja blog

THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT has so far been sold to 9 territories, but rights are still available for Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Spain, US, UK, etc!
Join the success!

Download the materials for THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT here!

The Investigations of a Certain Cat

Katja Kettu

Katja Kettu’s stunning novel spins through ages whilst surrendering to the wilderness of nature and the deep yearning for offspring. 

Can one find solace and meaning in life from the past once the future no longer exists?

An Author has a miscarriage and loses their ability to speak and write. From the Investigative Bureau of Heavens, a Detective is sent to the scene, but something goes awry. Soon, in the corner of the room, there appears Cat who starts examining a mysterious diary that once belonged to the Author’s Great Grandmother.

When a new life has been lost, the Author turns their gaze to the past and to the age-old words of creation in the old Finnish outskirts. The one who knows them, Great Grandmother, has the power of healers. The Great Grandmother’s diary sheds light on birth and death, love towards children, and the strength of heritage in one’s blood.

Combining autofiction and elements of magical realism, Katja Kettu’s latest novel also sheds light on the history of the Finnish frontiers.

THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT
ERÄÄN KISSAN TUTKIMUKSIA
Otava, 2023, 380 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish manuscript

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
CZECHIA: ARGO
DENMARK: Lindhardt og Ringhof
ESTONIA: Koolibri
FRANCE: offer on table
ITALY: Mondadori
NORWAY: Pax Forlag
ROMANIA: Humanitas Fiction
SWEDEN: Albert Bonniers Förlag

About author


Katja Kettu

Katja Kettu is an acclaimed and award-winning writer with a strong, unique voice from Northern Finland. Originally from Rovaniemi, Lapland, she graduated from the Turku Academy of Arts in 2001 as an animation director and has also studied in the University of Tampere and in the National Film and Television School in the UK. She has worked as a columnist for numerous Finnish newspapers and magazines.

Her debut novel Surujenkerääjä (2005) was nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize and won the Tiiliskivi Prize, but her breakthrough came with The Midwife (orig. Kätilö, 2011), which won the Kalevi Jäntti Prize, the Runeberg Prize and the Thank You for the Book Medal. The rights for the novel have been sold to 19 countries, it has sold more than 160,000 copies in Finland, and in 2015 it was adapted into a film.

To date, she has published five novels, written or edited two collections of short stories, authored a graphic novel, edited a fiction/non-fiction book on women’s experiences with sexual harassment and violence, and a biography of Ismo Alanko, a Finnish musician. In addition, she has collaborated with photographer Meeri Koutaniemi and documentarist Maria Seppälä on a book and a TV series about Finnish emigrants in North America and their relationships with the Ojibwe people. Outside of literature, Kettu has directed, written or helped produce 10 animations and been a singer in the punk band Confusa.

Kettu’s works have been characterized as “Laplandic magical realism”. Kettu is meticulous in the research for her works and she is interested in microhistory, especially the fates of women caught up in conflicts where individuals have a limited influence on their lives.

Her novel Rose on poissa was a Finlandia Prize 2018 nominee. Kettu's works have been translated into 23 languages.

Katja Kettu's literary works:

Surujenkerääjä, 2005 WSOY

Hitsaaja, 2008 WSOY

Kätilö, 2011 WSOY

Piippuhylly, novelleja, 2013 WSOY

Novelli palaa! Matkanovelleja, co-edited with Aki Salmela, 2013 WSOY

Yöperhonen, 2015 WSOY

Peräkammarin poika, illustrated by Jan Andersson, 2015 Otava

Rose on poissa, 2018 WSOY

Erään kissan tutkimuksia, 2023 Otava

Bibliography


2023, Literary Fiction

The Investigations of a Certain Cat

Katja Kettu