As Black as Ebony

Lumikki Andersson is set to play the leading role in a modern-day version of Snow White at her high school. The rehearsals are going well, and Lumikki seems to have found a stable and loving relationship with the boy playing the Huntsman. As opening night approaches, Lumikki starts receiving notes from a secret admirer whose infatuation soon turns out to be a dangerous obsession. The admirer threatens to turn the premiere into a blood bath unless Lumikki consents to his demands.

Lumikki tries to uncover the stalker’s true identity, and in doing so comes face to face with the darkest secrets from her past: being a victim of bullying at school and the mysterious disappearance of her sister from Lumikki’s life. Time is running out, the opening night is just around the corner and Lumikki has to find a way to outwit the stalker with a soul as black as ebony.

Praise:

“Limned in stark red, white, and black, this cold, delicate snowflake of a tale sparkles with icy magic.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“Simukka creates a tough, self-sufficient heroine in seventeen-year-old Lumikki Andersson in this first book in the Snow White Trilogy…Fans of Nesbø and Larsson won’t be disappointed.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“[A] YA novel in the tradition of Nordic noir—edgy crime novels set in frigid lands.” —Booklist (Starred Review)

“A compelling start, a strong female character, the rich background setting of Finland, and a hint of a Snow White retelling are highlights of this work.” —School Library Journal

“The Arctic setting of this import is used to full advantage, evoking a chilling mood and strewing genuine frigid weather obstacles in Lumikki’s way…The first entry in Simukka’s Snow White trilogy will tempt mystery readers back for more.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The fact that this, in a nutshell, is a mix of YA novel and mystery is less discouraging for adult readers as the chase in the story is appealing enough and the cinematic scenes depicted by a sensible translation bring joy to the readers.” — MysteryTribune.com

“Lumikki is fit, resourceful and a mistress of disguise, able to transform her appearance at a moment’s notice…With its sex, drugs and violence, the world Lumikki infiltrates is amoral and cynical; a sophisticated tale, then, suavely translated by Owen F. Witesman.”
– Financial Times

“Discovering these fantastically crafted novels by the very talented Finnish author, Salla Simukka has been a real highlight this year for me. Salla’s courageous and vivid heroine, Lumikki, takes us on a compelling journey, and this outstanding sensual thriller sequence will utterly entrance readers! We are thrilled to be the UK home for The Snow White Trilogy.  “
– Emily Thomas, Publisher, Hot Key Books

“We were delighted and proud to hear that Salla Simukka had chosen Hachette’s Black Moon imprint for her SNOW WHITE trilogy.  Lumikki is a strong and vibrant heroine whose trials and tribulations I personally look forward to sharing with our readers.  No doubt this new voice will have the greatest happily ever after with the French YA community of readers.”
– Aurélia Goyens, Editor,  Hachette Livre Black Moon, France

“What a strong, extraordinary and compelling new voice! And what a thrilling and convincing story! We are absolutely enthusiastic to be able to add Salla Simukka to our list and to make her Snow White trilogy our focus title at the next Frankfurt bookfair and in fall and winter 2014. We are sure that German readers will love Salla Simukka!”
– Katrin Weller, Editor-in-Chief, Arena Verlag, Germany