We are excited to announce that the Finnish rights for Michaela von Kügelgen and Anne Hietanen’s Helsinki Noir trilogy have been acquired by Kustantamo S&S! The deal was closed by Noora Al-Ani at Ahlback Agency.
The trilogy consist of the titles The Last Word, Deep Water and Deadly Contract.
The Last Word is a gripping literary thriller about family, ambition, and the secrets we bury to protect our image.
When celebrated author David Berglund is found dead in Helsinki’s harbor on the day he was to receive a major literary award, his seemingly perfect life begins to unravel. His pregnant wife, a grieving foundation director, a disgraced hockey star turned rookie cop, and a relentless cultural journalist all become entangled in the mystery. As each of them digs deeper, they uncover a web of ambition, loss, and deception—where appearances are everything, and the truth comes at a price.
The Last Word will be published in Autumn 2026.
PRAISE:
THE LAST WORD is a crime novel that grabs the reader from the very first page and never lets go. You can really feel that the authors had fun writing it! And Tilde and Philip are perfect as the main characters, a match made in heaven, just like the book’s authors.
– Martin Welander, publisher, Schildts & Söderströms, Finland
Rights sold:
SWEDEN: Schildts & Söderströms (orig.), FINLAND: Schildts & Söderströms (orig. Finnish-Swedish)
DENMARK: Cicero/Gyldendal (print), Gyldendal Astra Denmark (e-book & audio)
FINLAND: Schildts&Söderströms
Reading material:
Swedish original manuscript (82,000 words), English sample & synopsis, Synopses of Book 2 & Book 3
Anne Hietanen
Anne Hietanen (1974) is a well-known journalist with a prominent role at Svenska Yle, a public broadcasting service. Anne has built a diverse career, working as both a host and producer in radio, as well as in television, including on the talk show An Evening with Anne and Hannah.
Currently, she hosts the popular podcast Sällskapet. Anne has long been an advocate for raising awareness about eating disorders, speaking extensively in schools and media. Her series Behandlingshemmet (Rehab) is a deeply personal account of her own journey to overcoming binge eating disorder. Throughout her career, Anne has written widely read articles and produced several audio series for Svenska Yle. She holds a master’s degree in literature and has studied philosophy in London.
In addition to writing, Anne has a passion for grindcore music, values kindness, and enjoys laughing as much as possible.
Photo credit: Markus Perttula
Michaela von Kügelgen
Michaela "Kugge" von Kügelgen (1986) has four published titles under her belt. Her most recent novel, Sommar på Villa Hilda, will be published in eight territories and has been optioned for the screen.
Since 2020, Kugge offers highly regarded online writing courses, which have attracted participants from both Sweden and Finland. Her newsletters on writing and entrepreneurship have 1,600 subscribers. In the newsletters she shares her journey, offering encouragement to others while candidly discussing her own challenges and triumphs. Together with author Anne Hietanen, Kugge is working on a crime novel series with book #1, The Last Word slated to be published in 2026.
In addition to her writing career, Kugge plays handball, has recently developed a passion for second-hand fashion, and slow travels to Berlin whenever she can — after having lived there for two years.
Photo credit: Frida Lönnroos
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