Turkish rights sold for STIVEN and STELLA!

We have very happy news! The Turkish rights for both STIVEN and STELLA by Ted Forsström and Åsa Lucander have been acquired by Doğan Kitap! The deal was closed by Satu Sallantaus at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

This follows the recent Hungarian deal for Stiven with the publisher of Stella. Doğan Kitap is part of Doğan Yayınları, one of Turkey’s leading book and magazine publishers.

Rights are available in Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, France, Latvia…

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST MATERIALS FOR BOTH TITLES

About STELLA

A father tries to put his child to bed, but keeps getting interrupted by Stella the dog barking hysterically. Something unexpected always happens, and the reader is treated to Stella’s lively imagination: it may be a door opening or a car driving by, but Stella is strongly convinced it’s Grandma coming to give her food, or that squirrels have built a nest in the toaster.

Anyone who has ever tried to put a child to bed knows how cozy yet fragile the situation is. It requires the right amount of patience and determination. The right bedtime story can be the key to a successful, quiet night. Stella is a book you can read again and again, night after night.

Stella is full of warmth, playful rhymes and an unusual mix of familiar ordinariness with fantastic antics. Very familiar for anyone trying to combine cozy moments with a pet!

About STIVEN

The food is gone! Stiven roars. This is urgent! Come out!

Have you ever thought how frustrating life can be for a cat? When something as simple as getting fed turns into a daily battle? For Stiven, the logic is simple: an empty bowl must be filled immediately. How can an entire family have such a hard time understanding this?

The glutton Stiven is a stubborn drama queen, holding the whole family hostage with one mission: more food immediately! He’s a big personality, alternately majestic and pathetic, and neither mom, dad, the child, nor the baby escapes his constant demands for food and attention. This leads to comedic moments in the everyday life of a young family with a pet, brilliantly captured in Åsa Lucander’s lively illustrations.

Ted Forsström’s text is atmospheric and down-to-earth, with his characteristic playful rhymes occasionally shining through. It’s highly relatable for families with young children and especially for anyone who owns a cat—or is owned by one.

Publication info:
STELLA
Snälla Stella, sluta skälla!
Förlaget 2023, 44 pp.

STIVEN
Stivens fat är utan mat

Förlaget 2025, 44 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND, SWEDEN: Förlaget (orig. Finland-Swedish)
FINLAND: Etana Editions (Finnish) (Stella)
FINLAND: Teos (Finnish) (Stiven)
DENMARK: Gads Forlag
ESTONIA: Tammerraamat
GERMANY: Mixtvision (Stiven)
GERMANY: dtv (Stella)
HUNGARY: Cerkabella (Stiven and Stella)
NORTH MACEDONIA: Ars Lamina
POLAND: Widnokrag
SLOVAKIA: Arkus
TÜRKIYE: Doğan Kitap (Stiven and Stella)
UNITED STATES: Spinning Wheel Stories (Stiven and Stella)

Reading Materials:
Full English pdf & Swedish edition

About author


Åsa Lucander

Åsa Lucander is a director and designer, working in illustration and animation both in the UK as well as Scandinavia.

Originally from Finland, she moved to London in 2001 where she was introduced to animation while studying illustration. After graduating she joined the animation studio 12foot6 where she stayed until 2014.

In 2015 she joined Aardman Animations in Bristol, where she is now based.

With multi-faceted strengths in storytelling, design and animation she loves exploring various creative styles, be it in 2d, stop motion or CGI. Åsa has a passion for hand rendered drawings and explores many different textures and mediums in all areas of her work. She loves mixing humour with melancholy and thrills in bringing characters of every shape and form to life with compelling scripts and inventive visions. She nimbly blends music, authentic dialogue, film segments, hand drawn characters and dolls in innovative ways.

Åsa has directed multiple shorts, including her award-winning film Lost Property, as well as many heart-warming commercial films for clients including Blue Peter, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Project Every- one and Childline, and a VR documentary film for BBC. Most recently she directed the music video for Coldplay’s track Daddy that has won numerous awards.

The Finlandia-nominated Stella (2023) was the first picture book by Åsa Lucander, who, in addition to being a director and illustrator at Aardman Animations, has also animated music videos for artists such as Coldplay. She created the book together with Ted Forsström. In spring 2025 her and Ted's second collaboration, Stiven, was published.

About author


Ted Forsström

Ted Forsström is a Finnish-Swedish media personality, author, and comedian based in Ostrobothnia. He has worked as an actor, radio host, and screenwriter, and is widely known as one half of the popular duo Ted & Kaj. Together with Kaj Korkea-aho, he co-wrote the Finlandia Junior-nominated YA trilogy ZOO! and currently co-hosts Ted & Kaj, the most popular Swedish-language podcast in Finland.

Forsström also creates children’s content for Svenska Yle. In 2023, he published the Finlandia-nominated children’s book Stella together with illustrator Åsa Lucander. In spring 2025, the follow-up Stiven was published.

Italian rights sold to Tiina Raevaara’s A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE!

We are excited to announce that the Italian rights to Tiina Raevaara’s A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE have been acquired by Salani Editore.  The deal was closed by Martti Berner at at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency

These news follow the recent the World Spanish and the Dutch rights for this narrative non-fiction title. A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE is a narrative non-fiction title by the award-winning popular science author for fans of Yuval Noah Harari and Rutger Bregman. The book was awarded the 2024 Nonfiction Jury Award by the Association of Finnish Nonfiction Writers.

Would you like to find out more about this title? We have an English sample for you to read!

Rights are available in the UK, US, Nordics, Poland, Czechia, Asian territories…

Click here to request materials for A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE!

About A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE:

Science is developing at an even faster pace, and people are living longer and longer. With what methods has humanity over time fought against aging and death, and what methods will be used in the future?

Tiina Raevaara’s book weaves together the beginnings of scientific history, vampire stories, as well as the discoveries of stem cell treatment and gene editing. It dives into the cryotank and asks whether the vision of a lengthy life is still worth pursuing. If humanity accepted that they are part of all things organic – both living and dead – could we finally get rid of all the exhaustion, anxiety and need to rush?

 

Publication info:
Ikuisen elämän lyhyt historia, Otava/Like 2024, 318 p.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava/Like (orig.)
ITALY: Salani Editore
NETHERLANDS: Uitgeverij De Bezige Bij
WORLD SPANISH: Planeta Mexico

Reading Materials:
English sample & synopsis, Finnish edition

About author


Tiina Raevaara

Tiina Raevaara (b. 1979) is a writer, science journalist, and biologist who received a PhD for her work in genetics. She received the State Award for Public Information and the Pro Scientia Prize from the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. She has published ten novels, five non-fiction books, and a novella collection which was awarded the Runeberg Prize. Her suspense novel Double Helix (2020), the opening chapter of a new thriller series, received the Laurin Kirja audio book award, and the second installment in the series, Polar Vortex (2021), has been widely praised.

Raevaara’s books combine grand perspectives of natural science with compelling literary expression. She draws inspiration from Nordic nature, the major questions of science, and the complexities of humanity.

Raevaara lives in Kerava, a small town in Southern Finland, and goes on daily walks in the forest with her two black dogs.

Bibliography


2024, Narrative Nonfiction

A Short History of Eternal Life

Tiina Raevaara


2022, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction

Me, My Dog, and Humanity: A History of Coexistence Between Species

Tiina Raevaara

Bastei Lübbe acquires the German rights to MILO 2 by Max Seeck!

We are happy to share, that the German rights to MILO #2: BETRAYED by New York Times & Spiegel Bestselling Author Max Seeck has been sold to Bastei Lübbe! The deal was negotiated by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Warmest Congratulations, Max Seeck and Bastei Lübbe!

Milo #2: Betrayed is a gripping thriller and part #2 of the bestselling Milo series. The book will be published in Finland this September, with Estonian rights previously sold to Pegasus.

The first book Milo #1: Checkmate sold over 45,000 copies in Finland, rights for the novel have been sold to 9 territories, and a TV series based on the novel is in pre-production with Solar Films, shooting slated to start in 2025/2026 for a 6-episode TV series with focus on international sales & distribution.

The French edition of Milo, titled Échec et Mat, was published by Mera Editions in January, and the German edition, titled Blindspiel, was published just few weeks ago. Latvijas Mediji, will publish the book soon in Latvia. With more publishers to follow in 2026.

Request materials for MILO here!

Milo #2: Betrayed

Max Seeck

How to survive in a world where nothing is as it seems?

They know your every step.

When a breathtakingly beautiful woman sits opposite art gallery owner Milo Perho on a terrace in Helsinki, Milo has no way of anticipating where their meeting leads. Soon, the Helsinki police are dealing with several murders and Milo is being chased by someone for whom Milo’s past is no mystery. A pursuit ensues where the hunter can be anyone and finding a place where to hide is impossible.

Milo #2: Betrayed is a hardened thriller about the world of espionage and part #2 of the Milo series.

Milo #1: Checkmate

Max Seeck

Bodies with chess pieces in their mouth – Milo needs to understand the game of chess in order to catch a killer.

The game has only just begun.

On a cold November evening, a body is discovered on the shore of Seurasaari. The victim’s skin is covered with a thick layer of white paint, and during the autopsy, a chess piece is found lodged in its throat.  The police are baffled. Why would the murderer go to such lengths to disguise the body? And why wasn’t there any attempt to hide it?  Milo Perho, an art gallery owner specializing in profiling killers, is called in to assist. What follows is a nerve-wracking game where every move costs a life, and no-one wants it to end in checkmate.

Milo is the gripping debut of the Milo series by internationally acclaimed author Max Seeck. Even before its release, the book’s translation rights were sold to numerous countries, and a TV series adaptation is already in the works.

Milo is a slightly different Seeck detective story and, as such, a quality piece of work. More than that, it’s an outright masterpiece in how to breathe new life into an oft-treated narrative and raise the tension with wit, not brutal violence.

MILO series publication info:

MILO #1: Checkmate
Merkitty, Tammi, September, 2024

Reading materials: English sample, English synopsis, German edition, French edition, Finnish edition

 

MILO #2: Betrayed
Petetty, Tammi, September, 2025

Reading materials: English synopsis, Finnish edition

Rights sold MILO series:

FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ESTONIA: Pegasus (2 books)
FRANCE: Mera Editions
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe (2 books)
ITALY: Piemme
JAPAN: Kodansha Ltd.
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
NORWAY: Aschehoug
UKRAINE: Laboratoria
FILM & TV RIGHTS: Solar Films

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“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 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.

Photo credit: Mikko Rasila

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Milo #2: Betrayed

Max Seeck


2024, Crime & Suspense

Milo #1: Checkmate

Max Seeck


2022, Crime & Suspense

Ghost Island

Max Seeck


2021, Crime & Suspense

The Last Grudge

Max Seeck


2020, Crime & Suspense

The Ice Coven

Max Seeck


2019, Crime & Suspense

The Witch Hunter

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Mephisto Touch

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Call of Hades

Max Seeck


2016, Crime & Suspense

Angels of Hammurabi

Max Seeck

Two new foreign deals for LITTLE MOUSE!

We are happy to announce that the Estonian rights for LITTLE MOUSE’S SCHOOL PICTURE DAY by Riikka Jäntti have been sold to Rahva Raamat, the Estonian publisher of the LITTLE MOUSE picture book -series. On top of this, the upcoming title LITTLE MOUSE GOES FLYING by Riikka Jäntti was sold to Filia, Poland pre-publication! The book will be published in Finland in Spring 2026. The deals were closed by Satu Sallantaus at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

We are super proud of our Little Mouse, who is a constant bestseller in both Poland and Estonia!

Little Mouse’s School Picture Day starts a new series introducing the beloved picture book character to young readers 5+ in a new chapter book series! The original Little Mouse series has already been sold to 21 territories and is a book series for the youngest readers of the family.

Click here to request reading materials for Little Mouse!

Little Mouse’s School Picture Day:

The little mouse boy Hiiru, known from the beloved picture books, is ready for grade school where he’ll take on new adventures in illustrated chapter book form! What kind of mischief can happen during a normal school day?

Hiru and his friends are dressed up to get their pictures, and the class photo, taken that afternoon. Will the outfits stay clean until the shoot even though the kids are playing soccer and eating lunch? And what will happen to Hiiru when his head gets stuck in a chair right before the shoot?

This easy-to-read chapter-book series with black-and-white illustrations is cheerful and bursting with gentle humor. Little mouse and his friends will discover that when a problem is big, help is always nearby!

Little Mouse series:

Adorable bestselling picture book series about a little mouse and its everyday adventures. The Little Mouse series is an international bestseller with rights sold in over 20 territories. The stories focus on the toddler Little Mouse, who lives with Mummy Mouse and has fun and exciting adventures, whether they go camping, playing in the park, or cleaning up the house in preparation for guests. The lovely illustrations and familiar scenarios make the series relatable for children.

Publication Info:
Hiiru. Karmea kuvauspäivä, Tammi 2024, 48 pages

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.), ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat, POLAND: Filia

Reading Material:
Fully illustrated English PDF, Original Finnish edition

About author


Riikka Jäntti

Riikka Jäntti, a 2003 graduate of University of Industrial Art of Helsinki, now part of Aalto University, is a Helsinki-based illustrator and author who has created art for both nonfiction and fairy tale books for children. Her first children’s book was published in 2005. Jäntti is best known for the adorable Little Mouse series that has publishers in 20 territories, including Australia, Nepal, and China!

In her illustrations, she uses pen and ink as well as watercolor and gouache. In 2009 Jäntti won the first-ever Tieto-Lauri, an award for children’s and juvenile non-fiction, for her illustrations in Viidakkotanssi (Jungle Dance). The book was written by Markku Löytönen about the explorer Rafael Karsten in Ecuador.

Bibliography


2025, Chapter Books (3-6 Years)

Little Mouse and the Amazing Universe

Riikka Jäntti


2024, Chapter Books (3-6 Years)

Little Mouse's School Picture Day

Riikka Jäntti


2024, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse Goes on a Cruise

Riikka Jäntti


2023, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse Welcomes Spring

Riikka Jäntti


2023, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse Goes to the Museum

Riikka Jäntti


2022, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse's Fables

Riikka Jäntti


2022, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse and the Birthday Present

Riikka Jäntti


2021, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse Goes Camping

Riikka Jäntti


2020, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse's Summer

Riikka Jäntti


2019, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse's Winter

Riikka Jäntti


2018, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse's Holiday

Riikka Jäntti


2017, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse's Christmas

Riikka Jäntti


2016, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse Helps Out

Riikka Jäntti


2015, Picture Books (0-3 Years)

Little Mouse

Riikka Jäntti

World Spanish rights sold to Tiina Raevaara’s A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE

Planeta Mexico has acquired the World Spanish rights to Tiina Raevaara’s A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE. The deal was closed by Elina Ahlbäck at at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency in co-operation with our wonderful co-agent Anna Ascolies at IMC Agencia.

The Spanish edition will be published in 2026. Earlier this year, Dutch rights were acquired by De Bezige Bij, who will publish the book in January 2026. See their beautiful cover here.

A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE is a narrative non-fiction title by the award-winning popular science author for fans of Yuval Noah Harari and Rutger Bregman. The book was awarded the 2024 Nonfiction Jury Award by the Association of Finnish Nonfiction Writers.

Would you like to find out more about this title? We have an English sample for you to read!

Rights are available in the UK, US, Nordics, Poland, Czechia, Italy, Asian territories…

Click here to request materials for A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE!

About A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE:

Science is developing at an even faster pace, and people are living longer and longer. With what methods has humanity over time fought against aging and death, and what methods will be used in the future?

Tiina Raevaara’s book weaves together the beginnings of scientific history, vampire stories, as well as the discoveries of stem cell treatment and gene editing. It dives into the cryotank and asks whether the vision of a lengthy life is still worth pursuing. If humanity accepted that they are part of all things organic – both living and dead – could we finally get rid of all the exhaustion, anxiety and need to rush?

 

Publication Info:
Ikuisen elämän lyhyt historia, Otava/Like 2024, 318 p.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava/Like (orig.)
NETHERLANDS: Uitgeverij De Bezige Bij
WORLD SPANISH: Planeta Mexico

Reading Material:
English sample & synopsis, Finnish edition

About author


Tiina Raevaara

Tiina Raevaara (b. 1979) is a writer, science journalist, and biologist who received a PhD for her work in genetics. She received the State Award for Public Information and the Pro Scientia Prize from the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. She has published ten novels, five non-fiction books, and a novella collection which was awarded the Runeberg Prize. Her suspense novel Double Helix (2020), the opening chapter of a new thriller series, received the Laurin Kirja audio book award, and the second installment in the series, Polar Vortex (2021), has been widely praised.

Raevaara’s books combine grand perspectives of natural science with compelling literary expression. She draws inspiration from Nordic nature, the major questions of science, and the complexities of humanity.

Raevaara lives in Kerava, a small town in Southern Finland, and goes on daily walks in the forest with her two black dogs.

Bibliography


2024, Narrative Nonfiction

A Short History of Eternal Life

Tiina Raevaara


2022, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction

Me, My Dog, and Humanity: A History of Coexistence Between Species

Tiina Raevaara

Midsummer must-reads from Finland’s finest authors: Juha Itkonen, Martta Kaukonen, Kaisu Tuokko, Elina Backman & Joona Keskitalo

As Midsummer approaches, Finns everywhere prepare for bonfires, feasts, and the beloved sauna tradition — and what better time to dive into some outstanding new books? This summer, we’re proud to present an exciting lineup of remarkable books from some of Finland’s finest authors, each bringing something unique to the table.

Juha Itkonen – Tomorrow I’ll Tell You Everything

Acclaimed author Juha Itkonen returns with a deeply psychological and beautifully crafted novel that explores love, and the contradictions of human nature. The first print run sold out within days of publication, underscoring his status as a beloved voice in Finnish literature.

  • Helsingin Sanomat:
    An intense and wise psychological novel that cuts deep into the contradictions of human nature. [–] A confessional odyssey that disorients, unsettles, and lingers long after the final page. [–] Itkonen gives us a narrator we can’t trust, yet can’t stop listening to. [–] A love story, a lament, and a late-life reckoning, all in one.”

  • Anna magazine:
    “A love story between two adults, full of deep emotion and doubt: is the present moment enough for love, or must one truly know the other completely.”

  • Tuijata blog:
    “A satisfying companion for the reading chair, the corner of the sofa, or a summer evening’s porch swing. Itkonen’s flowing prose gently and precisely draws the reader into the narrator’s world, a true reader’s novel. [–] Executed with elegance. It brings to mind American literary fiction — think Jonathan Franzen — or even Nick Hornby. Most of all, it feels like a cousin to Kjell Westö: character-driven, male-perspective, relationship-focused fiction tinged with quiet melancholy.”

Martta Kaukonen – Free

The thrilling conclusion to the internationally bestselling Follow the Butterfly trilogy has arrived, receiving glowing praise from critics and readers alike.

  • Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s leading daily:
    Free is one of the best crime novels of the spring, and the entire trilogy ranks among the finest ever written in Finland. [–] Kaukonen’s strengths have always been not only her morally complex characters but also her unpredictable and unprecedented plot turns. [–] Kaukonen’s Dies irae – her day of wrath – is more than escapist entertainment: it moves from secrets to trust, from the past to the future, from hate to hope.”
  • Kulttuuritoimitus:
    “Author Martta Kaukonen masterfully manipulates events in a way that keeps the reader constantly on alert. […] Her writing is carefully crafted yet effortlessly readable.”
  • Keskisuomalainen:
    Free also works as a standalone, thanks especially to its well-crafted characters. [–] But the real highlight is how the novel disorients the reader — can you always trust the narrator? All in all, the story forms a clever web that manages to surprise.”

Kaisu Tuokko – Lies

Our queen of crimance delivers her highly anticipated third novel in a series that has now sold over 50,000 copies. Lies is the perfect summer read, rich with tension and atmospheric storytelling.

  • Anna Magazine:
    “Finland crime fiction scene is rich, but Kaisu Tuokko’s Lies shines like a pearl among them.
  • Kirsin Book Club blog:
    Rich with atmosphere and simmering tension, Lies weaves a gripping tale of buried truths, fractured relationships, and the lingering weight of deception. Kaisu Tuokko paints Kristinestad not just as a postcard-perfect idyll, but as a place where even the deepest shadows can hide in plain sight.”

Elina Backman – Who Wanders in the Dark

The fifth installment of the internationally bestselling Saana Havas series, sold to 17 countries and nearing 150,000 copies in Finland, continues to captivate readers.

  • Kirsin Book Club blog:
    Backman expertly builds tension from everyday situations, making the atmosphere thick with quiet menace. [–] The victims’ stories are told with depth and empathy, making them more than just random characters. [–] A perfect read for anyone interested in human psychology, relationships, and atmospheric settings.”

Joona Keskitalo – How of the Arctic Fell

The third book in the Outback series is here, following two well-received installments with over 20,000 copies sold. Keskitalo once again proves his versatility with a dark, gripping tale set in the wilds of Lapland.

  • Kirjoja Hyllystäni blog:
    “The reader can only gasp in awe at Keskitalo’s ingenuity and storytelling skill. [–] Keskitalo’s works share similarities with Antti Tuomainen’s mischievous thrillers. [–] At its darkest, How of the Arctic Fell approaches horror, and even after that, Keskitalo delivers an infernal twist. For fans of wild crime stories, How of the Arctic Fell is perfect entertainment for a rainy early summer.”

Get in touch with us for reading materials – and have a happy Midsummer!

About author


Elina Backman

Elina Backman is an author and a media & marketing professional living in Helsinki. Elina loves books (all sorts), traveling, cycling and is a host of a Book & Wine Club. She is a creative soul with a commercial mind, and her goal is to find readers globally.

Her debut novel All the King's Men was published in 2020 and immediately gained an enormous amount of attention from the Finnish media, including a praising review by the biggest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. The Saana Havas series is now a best-selling series in Finland and an international TV series is in development. Elina's books have sold over 150 000 copies in Finland.

Together with Heidi Holmavuo, Elina has also narrated the true crime podcast Ratkaisematon (Unsolved), which turned into a full-length audio book as the two crime writers started investigating the murder of a young girl in 1955. They were able to uncover new evidence and their research led the police to reopen the investigation. This story is narrated in the book Unsolved - The Case of Elli Immo.

Photo credit: Jonne Räsänen

About author


Joona Keskitalo

Joona Keskitalo was born in Oulu, grew up in Hämeenlinna and now lives with his family in Espoo. His work experience includes everything from storage work to managing athletes and developing products for marketing companies. He now works as a full-time writer. As a writer, he is known for being a skilled plot developer, adding humor and well-drawn characters to his gripping stories.

Keskitalo's literary career began with The Disobedient crime trilogy, which follows the journey of former schoolmates to the top of the drug trade.

Keskitalo's The Outback series connects stories of crimes occurring in remote villages across Finland and their resolution by the local community's colorful characters. The Outback books can be read in any order. The series includes the works The Island Torn Apart and The Swamp That Sank, as well as Howl of the Arctic Fell. The fourth book, The Lake That Cracked, will be published in November 2025.

Photo credit: Uupi Tirronen

About author


Juha Itkonen

Juha Itkonen (b. 1975) is one of the most recognized voices in contemporary Finnish literature. He has published eight novels, a novella collection, a children’s book, several plays, and an epistolary novel co-written with Kjell Westö. His works often explore themes of family, generations, and parenthood, and are known for their emotional depth, energy, and a touch of melancholy.

He has received the Finnish State Prize for Literature, the Kalevi Jäntti Prize, and the Veijo Meri Prize, and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Finlandia Prize. In 2019, his novel Beyond Our Reach (Ihmettä kaikki, Otava in 2018).) was nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize.

Itkonen loves music, both as a listener and a player, which shows in his books. The passing of time is an eternal mystery at the core of his writing – his novels tend to have a melancholy undertone, yet they are also filled with life, humor, and energy. He lives in the Arabianranta district of Helsinki with his wife, Maija Itkonen, and their four children.

A film based on his novel The More Loving One (Anna minun rakastaa enemmän, Teos 2005) will be released in Fall 2025.

About author


Kaisu Tuokko

Kaisu Tuokko is a bestselling Finnish crime author and publishing professional whose fresh, emotionally intelligent voice is reshaping what Nordic Noir can be. With a strong background in the book industry, she understands not only how to craft a compelling novel, but how to build a lasting literary brand.

Her stories don’t just ask “whodunnit,” but “why do we stay silent?” Crimes are never just plot points; they’re rooted in empathy, social fault lines, and the moral complexity of everyday life.

Set against the eerie beauty of small-town Finland, her Kristinestad Murders series explores what lies beneath idyllic surfaces: buried secrets, fractured families, and relationships haunted by longing, silence, and shame. At its core is the idea that we may never truly know the people closest to us — and that some secrets are more dangerous than others.

Tuokko lives in Helsinki, loves rainy autumn evenings, small-town mysteries, and Swedish language, and named her unforgettable lead characters after her grandparents.

Photo credit: Maria Metsäranta

About author


Martta Kaukonen

Martta Kaukonen (1976) lives in Helsinki. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a film critic, whose reviews have been published in both Finland’s biggest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat and a popular women’s weekly magazine Me Naiset. Martta has a master’s degree in arts. She has interviewed the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Justin Bieber. Martta met her husband at his second hand bookshop and fell in love. Alongside writing, Martta loves psychological thrillers, film noir, flea markets, abandoned houses and travelling.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

Breaking Film & TV News: SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA heads to screen!

We’re thrilled to announce that SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA, the delightful novel by Michaela von Kügelgen, has been optioned for film and television by Good Hand Production! Producers Roosa Toivonen, Petri Kemppinen and Inka Hietala are joining forces with co-production partners in Sweden, Norway, and the UK to bring the story to life as both a feature film and a series. The deal was closed by Elina Ahlbäck at the Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

What a way to celebrate the publication week – SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA was published on Tuesday in both Swedish and Finnish by Schildts & Söderströms! Warmest congratulations, Michaela!

The producers fell in love with the story:

As soon as we read Villa Hilda we knew this kind of warm and positive, yet relatable and thoughtful content is desperately needed in today’s hectic and splintered existence, where worry about the environment and world crises is overwhelming and we all crave a bit of escapism and closure, but with meaningful relationships and epiphanies about life.

We are delighted and excited to embark on this journey of joy, redemption, forgiveness and love that the Villa Hilda books will offer to readers and audiences all around the world.

MAMMA MIA meets SEASIDE HOTEL in the lush summer nights of the archipelago between Sweden and Finland, where former celebrity chef Louise and world weary ex journalist Thomas arrive to revive a run-down, romantic wooden villa to its former glory as a fabulous restaurant and bed & breakfast retreat. With colourful characters including a charming handyman,  a beautiful divorcee and a charismatic older power lady with a secret, a summer of love, acceptance, mixed emotions and discoveries is about to begin.

 

Good Hand Film & TV is a boutique house that produces quality films and drama series with an international edge. Their globally connected team of professionals brings together high-profile experience in film and TV development and co-production. The Good Hands team believes that today’s audiovisual industry lives of collaboration, nurturing a combination of varied skills and cross-generational sharing.

Book rights are still available in the UK, the US, France, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Czechia, Japan, Greece…

Download materials for SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA here!

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Many people dream of a second chance in life, but how many dare to take it?

Far out in the Stockholm archipelago lies the island of Halsterö. Journalist Thomas and former celebrity chef Louise travel there to work at the Villa Hilda guesthouse. They are both broken after many setbacks and are hoping for a fresh start. But setting up a summer paradise is not as easy as one might think, not even on the idyllic Halsterö island.

One day Louise stumbles across a collection of old love letters. Who wrote them, and what stories does Villa Hilda hide in its dusty attic? And how will Thomas manage to take care of his dementia-stricken mother while setting up an archipelago guesthouse?

Summer at Villa Hilda is about how difficult it is to be human among other people, but also about how, with the help of others, one can find one’s way back to life.

This novel is the first part of the Villa Hilda series and was published on June 10th 2025. The following titles will concentrate on the people living on the picturesque Halsterö island and will tentatively be published in February 2026 and September 2026.

VILLA HILDA trilogy publication info:

SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA
Sommar på Villa Hilda
Schildts & Söderströms, June 2025, pp. 290

VILLA HILDA #2
Schildts & Söderströms, February 2026

VILLA HILDA #3
Schildts & Söderströms, September 2026

READING MATERIALS
English sample, English synopsis, Swedish edition, Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Schildts & Söderströms (orig. Finland-Swedish, Finnish)
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
DENMARK: Lindhardt og Ringhof Forlag (3 books)
GERMANY: Aufbau Verlage (3 books)
HUNGARY: Athenaeum
NETHERLANDS: Singel Uitgevers (3 books)
NORWAY: Aschehoug (3 books)
SWEDEN: Schildts & Söderströms
FILM&TV: Good Hand Film & TV

About author


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: Susanna Kekkonen

Bibliography


2026, Crime & Suspense

The Last Word

Michaela von Kügelgen


2025, Commercial/Upmarket, Romance

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Latvian rights sold for Finlandia Prize-winning YA novel DEEP IN THE WOODS by Päivi Lukkarila!

We are thrilled to let you know that the Latvian rights for Deep in the Woods, the Finlandia Prize-winning YA novel by Päivi Lukkarila, have been acquired by Latvijas Mediji! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Latvijas Mediji are one of the leading publishers in Latvia. They currently publish approximately 100 new titles a year, mainly focusing on commercial fiction, historical literature, children’s and YA books, both original and translated.

Here are Latvijas Mediji’s thoughts on Deep in the Woods:

The novel is simultaneously a story about nature, young people growing up, the ability to take responsibility, and also the ability to trust, all wrapped up in an intriguing and also frightening form.
– Brigita Babre, editor, Latvijas Mediji, Latvia

Päivi Lukkarila’s novel about four teenagers who embark on a smartphone-free weekend wilderness trek was an immediate success with the Finnish critics and readers, with many praising its use of language, its depictions of the challenges young adults face in their lives, and its ominous atmosphere. Deep in the Woods was awarded the 2024 Finlandia Prize for Children’s and YA Literature and it has sold close to 10,000 copies to date!

With this latest sale, rights for this gripping YA novel have been sold to 4 territories!

Rights are still available in the UK, the US, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, France…

Download materials for DEEP IN THE WOODS here!

Deep in the Woods

Päivi Lukkarila

Four very different teens sent on a smartphone-free wilderness expedition… Finlandia Prize-winning and bestselling mystery story for 12+!

Luka feels like he’s in high school only to satisfy his parents. Why bother with something you’re not interested in?

Sabina’s relationship with Nella has ended. Nella liked her when she was just “conveniently” queer, girly and long-haired. Now that Sabina has decided to be who she always wanted to be, Nella has left her. How do the other three participants in the hike feel about her?

Nasim, from Nokia, dreams of studying literature and becoming a writer, but is constantly confronted with prejudice.

Joel is convinced that one day he’ll be a world-famous stand-up comedian. Comedy’s tough, and it’s easy to overdo it when you’re trying to make people laugh. Joel tells a very different story about his background. What’s real, and what is he making up?

The expedition is only supposed to last three days, but a fateful event changes everything and the teens have to survive in the wild without their guide. They try to entertain each other with ghost stories, and as they tell them, their own frightening childhood experiences come back to haunt them. There seems to be something creepy about their surroundings. What was it in there that spooked all the tourists and will the four be left to wander the wilds until their final days?

DEEP IN THE WOODS
SKUTSI
Nokkahiiri, 2024, 200 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Nokkahiiri (orig.)
DENMARK: Bogoo
ESTONIA: Ühinenud Ajakirjad
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji

About author


Päivi Lukkarila

Päivi Lukkarila, born in 1967, is a Tampere-based author known for her sensitive yet realistic portrayal of young people's lives and emotions in her novels. In addition to the Finlandia Prize, she was awarded the Klara Prize in 2024, which is granted for an outstanding easy-to-read book for children or YA in Finnish or Swedish. She has also won the Tampere City Literature Prize twice. Furthermore, her books have been nominated for both the Arvid Lydecken and Anni Polva literary awards. In addition to her work as an author, Lukkarila teaches Finnish language and literature.

Bibliography


2024, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Deep in the Woods

Päivi Lukkarila

Agency celebrates 16th anniversary: Taiwanese deal for THE MARVELOUS SUITCASE!

Today, on our Agency’s 16th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce that the Taiwanese rights for THE MARVELOUS SUITCASE by Sanna Sofia Vuori and Silja-Maria Wihersaari have been acquired by Gotop. This is the first foreign deal for the title. The deal was closed by Elina Ahlbäck at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency in collaboration with Clare Chi at Grayhawk Agency.

Gotop was founded in 1990 and has long specialized in exam prep books, as well as books on computer software and programming languages. In 2023, the company expanded into children’s publishing, initially focusing on Japanese and Korean titles for readers aged 7 to 15.

Here’s what the Taiwanese publisher’s editorial team had to say about the book:

“To travel is to live.” — Hans Christian Andersen.

Just as the great fairy tale master once said, every journey is a part of life. When a child opens The Magical Suitcase, they step into a story and discover the world—one page at a time, they embark on a beautiful journey of imagination and reading.”

The rights for the Marvelous Suitcase are still available in Germany, Estonia, Denmark, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland…

REQUEST MATERIALS FOR THE MARVELOUS SUITCASE HERE

THE MARVELOUS SUITCASE

BY SANNA SOFIA VUORI AND SILJA-MARIA WIHERSAARI

A suitcase full of wonders.

A charming and enchanting children’s tale.

“Daria Duck staggered down the hill, kicking up sand and wobbling her bowler hat. She was on her way to see her best friend, Froberta Frog.”

Daria spots a battered suitcase in Froberta’s gateway. What on earth could be in it?

One by one, the neighbours turn up at Froberta’s house to wonder about the strange suitcase. Each visitor invents a story about what might be inside that reflects their own personality. For example, Brynn Brimstone-Butterfly’s imagination is full of fairies and dew beads.  Shelley the Snailon the other hand, thinks the contents will be a rockstar’s guitar. Finally, the suitcase is opened and the contents delight everyone!

THE MARVELOUS SUITCASE
Merkillinen Matkalaukku
Tammi, 2025, 40 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
English PDF
Finnish edition
Unedited Swedish MS

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.), Förlaget (Finnish-Swedish)
SWEDEN: Förlaget
TAIWAN: Gotop

About author


Sanna Sofia Vuori

Helsinki-based Sanna Sofia Vuori is a versatile player in the world of children's culture. She has produced a children's literature programme online, the Estridi book club, made children's theatre and brought exhibitions to kindergarten and pre-school children. A Finlandia Junior nominee, Vuori has written several children's books in both Finnish and Swedish.

About author


Silja-Maria Wihersaari

Silja-Maria Wihersaari is a renowned children's book illustrator and pattern designer known for her exquisite illustrations, who has also been awarded for her illustrations.

The German rights to DAD MAN AND THE HORRIBLE HYPNOSIS sold to Mixtvision

We are thrilled to announce that the bestselling DAD MAN series will continue in Germany! Mixtvision has acquired the rights to book 3 in the bestselling Dad Man series, Dad Man and the Horrible Hypnosis. The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlbäck Literary Agency.

This deal follows the successful launch of the first two books in February, Book 3 will hit shelves in Spring 2025.

Here’s what Lena Frenzel, publishing director from Mixtvision had to say:

Super-Dad took us and our readers by storm. We can’t wait for his third adventure to be published in German!

Meanwhile in Denmark, Bogoo will publish Book 2 (Dad Man and the Evil Little Brother) later this year.

Already a modern Finnish children’s classic with over 200,000 copies sold, the Dad Man series is fast-paced, visually bold, and hilarious – perfect for readers 7+. Book 3 was also nominated for the Runeberg Prize 2023!

“Imaginative humour… thrillingly expressive illustrations… instantly joyful.”

– Tähtivaeltaja magazine

The rights are still available in Norway, Poland, the Netherlands, US/UK and Spain.

Request materials for the DAD MAN series here!

The Dad Man series:
Arttu Unkari, illustrated by Kai Vaalio

#1 Dad Man and the Exploding Poop
#2 Dad Man and the Evil Little Brother
#3 Dad Man and the Horrible Hypnosis
#4 Dad Man and the Impossible Time Warp
#5 Dad Man and the Doppelgänger Disaster
#6 Dad Man and the Mysterious Puppet Master

The quirkiest cop in town! The Dad Man Series offers fast-paced adventures and humour for all ages – especially lower middle grade.

  over 200,000 copies sold in Finland!
  German and Danish rights sold!
  For fans of David Walliams and Captain Underpants
  A perfect “Gateway series to literature” for reluctant readers
  Books in the series have been nominated for the Storytel awards 2020, 2021, and 2022 (Best children’s audiobook), Best Newcomer of the Year 2020, and the Runeberg Prize 2023!
  Bold and fresh 4-colour comic-book style artwork that add visual jokes to the narration

Dad Man is a dad, and a policeman – but he also has a superpower! Too bad his superpower is one shared by almost all dads – an unwavering belief in himself and his own abilities. Dad Man truly believes he knows everything and can do anything, but as it goes with most dads, the reality is quite different. And it follows that Dad Man’s nine-year-old daughter Oona needs to solve all of the issues herself.

Publication info the DAD MAN series: 

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.), DENMARK: Bogoo (books 1-2), GERMANY: Mixtvision (books 1-3)

Reading Material:
German editions (Books #1 & #2)
Danish edition (Book #1)
English sample (Book #4)
English synopses
Series presentation
Finnish editions

About author


Arttu Unkari

Arttu Unkari is a teacher from Helsinki and a Master of Education (University of Helsinki, 2015) who majored in ethics and philosophy.  He combines his educational background and experience as a teacher in his books – his stories are anarchist and zany, but at the same time the humour often revolves around profound and intriguing concepts such as honesty, obedience, and morality in ways that speak to children in their own language. His books are enjoyed by adults as well because they contain layers that open up differently to readers of all ages. This is one of the reasons Dad Man is such a great series for the whole family.

As an author Unkari is a Runeberg prize nominee 2023 for the third instalment of the Dadman series: Dad Man and the Horrible Hypnosis (Isämies ja hyytävä hypnoosi, Otava 2022). The Runeberg Prize is a literary prize awarded by the newspaper Uusimaa, the City of Porvoo, the Finnish Writers' Union, the Finnish Critics' Association and the Finland’s-Swedish Writer’s Association. The prize was established in 1986 and it is awarded annually in Porvoo on 5th February, the day when Finland celebrates their national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg.  All of his previous books (Dad Man and the Exploding poop, Dad Man and the Evil Little Brother,  Dad Man and the Horrible Hypnosis and Dad Man and the Impossible Time Warp) have been nominated for best children’s audiobook in the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Finnish Storytel awards. He’s also participated in making a Finnish language schoolbook (Loikka 3, Otava 2022).

Unkari is a sought after inspirational speaker in his home country. He’s visited schools all over Finland advocating for the importance of reading.

About author


Kai Vaalio

Kai Vaalio (b. 1986) is an illustrator, comic artist, and a bit of a cosmopolitan as well. He’s written and illustrated underground comic books for adults about his travels in South-East Asia and Latin America — the latter won Mondo magazine’s Travel book of the year award back in 2014. Recently he’s ventured into the world of illustrating children’s books mainly with Arttu Unkari’s Dad Man Series. Together they’ve made several books about this goofy detective and his clever little posse. The Dad Man Series has received Storytel Awards and Runeberg Junior 2023 award nominations. Vaalio’s been on and off in the graphic industry since 2005 when he graduated as a graphic designer from Lahti College of Arts and Crafts. In 2018 he got his bachelor’s degree from Lahti University of Applied Science.

STOP CHASING HAPPINESS by Frank Martela is a non-fiction bestseller!

We are excited to let you know that Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life, the latest non-fiction title by Frank Martela, PhD, has sold close to 8,000 copies in Finland! The title has also stayed in the top 20 list in all formats since its publication.

In Stop Chasing Happiness, Frank Martela sets out to show that the true secret to happiness is to stop trying to find it. Instead of trying to learn new tricks, it’s better to unlearn the ways of thinking that are holding you back. Instead of chasing happiness, one should stop obsessing about what others think about them, stop caring too much about how they feel, and stop making sacrifices for personal success.

Relying on latest scientific research, ancient traditions, and the author’s personal encounters with people across the world, Frank Martela shows that living with purpose and contentment is much more beneficial than striving to be happy.

Already published in Finland and in the UK. Next up Germany, where Knesebeck will publish Das Happiness Paradox: Wie man Sinn und Zufriedenheit im Leben findet, ohne nach dem Glück zu suchen on June 19th.

The rights are still available in the Netherlands, France, Italy, Estonia and Asian territories.

Request materials for STOP CHASING HAPPINESS here!

STOP CHASING HAPPINESS publication info:
Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life
Allen & Unwin, 2025, 215 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
UK & US: Allen & Unwin (orig.)
FINLAND: Gummerus
GERMANY: Knesebeck

About author


Frank Martela

Professor Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Harvard Business Review, Salon, CNBC and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. His research has been published extensively in numerous academic journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal of Personality, Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy, and Academy of Management Review. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, including invited lectures in universities on five continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Vice News, Fox News,and Monocle Observer among others. He is Assistant Professor at Aalto University in Finland. Outside of work, Frank is a father to three lovely children, an amateur-level soccer player, with an occasional skiing trip in the winters. He is made in Green Bay, so Packers holds a special place in his heart.

Bibliography


2025, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life

Frank Martela


2023, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Meaning Manifesto: Why Work Needs to Have a Purpose

Frank Martela


2020, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Existence

Frank Martela

New praise for THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT from Germany and Estonia!

We are happy to share new international praise for Katja Kettu’s THE INVESTIGATIONS OF A CERTAIN CAT!

Recently published in both Germany and Estonia this novel combines historical storytelling, magical realism, and accurately and sharply recounts the pain of a miscarriage and the nearly futile attempts to carry on after such a tragedy. It received great praise right after publication in both countries from critics and readers alike:

“Katja Kettu’s raw, direct style remains moving, and the magical realism helps tell this personal story.”
 BÜCHERmagazin, Germany

“Kettu’s language is raw and physical, the pain spills from the pages together with a touch of magic.”
 Katia Schingshandl, Buchkultur, Germany

“An impressive book. Certainly not an easy read – but one that is absolutely worth it.”
@shizu_reads, Germany

“How bold to tell the story exactly like this—and Kettu’s tone, which is idiosyncratic without feeling mannered, and Tanja Küddelsmann’s translation—I found both absolutely fantastic. Their shared joy in language, the richness of imagination, and the seriousness of the text make it an experience. A rare one. One that stands entirely on its own. And honestly—this cover from @weissbooksverlag? Absolute knockout.”
@petrasbuecherapotheke, Germany

“Reading [it] left my soul tender, there was sadness and pain, but also something beautiful, bright. [—] I like books like this.”
 Pille raamatu ja kassiga book blog, Estonia

“It is Kettu’s rich language that carries the power of the story, gives force and colour to that which it describes, is occasionally pressed into one’s memory, whirls in one’s thoughts and squeezes one’s heart. The near-mythological hand and its repeating motives remain with the reader even after closing the book.”
 Ülle Kiivet, editor, in Postimees newspaper, Estonia

“Sublime language, an enchanting translation.”
 Kirjakoi book blog, Estonia

The Investigations of a Certain Cat has been sold to 10 territories!

Rights are still available for France, Poland, Netherlands, Japan, Greece, Spain, US, UK, etc!

To support your decision, we have the German edition, an English sample and synopsis.

Request 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
German edition
Finnish manuscript

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
CZECHIA: ARGO
DENMARK: Lindhardt og Ringhof
ESTONIA: Koolibri
GERMANY: Weissbooks
HUNGARY: Gondolat
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

Photo credit: Niclas Mäkelä / Otava

Bibliography


2023, Literary Fiction

The Investigations of a Certain Cat

Katja Kettu

Over 50,000 copies sold for THE KRISTINESTAD MURDERS series!

We’re thrilled to celebrate Kaisu Tuokko’s bestselling crime fiction series, The Kristinestad Murders, which has now sold over 50,000 copies! Congratulations Kaisu!

This Nordic Noir not only builds suspense, but it also breaks your heart. With its emotional depth, complex relationships and slow-burn tension, these books have resonated deeply with readers. Set in the hauntingly atmospheric Finnish coastal town of Kristinestad (Twin Peaks of Finland), the novels combine gripping cases with a long-form emotional arc that keeps readers coming back for more.

At the heart of the series is a blend of crime and romance = crimance – where crime fiction meets emotional depth. Readers are drawn not only to the murder cases but to the complex lives (and a love story) of its main characters, journalist Eevi Manner and investigator Mats Bergholm, whose shared past and unresolved chemistry provide an unforgettable arch across the six-book series

Rights already sold to Germany and Sweden, the series proves wide international potential. The first three novels are now published, with draft English translations available.

Rights are still available in the UK/US, the Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark, Italy, Poland…

This is what Sarah Mainka, Editor at Aufbau Verlage, had to say on The Kristinestad Murders #1: Revenge

“Kaisu Tuokko perfectly balances the combination of a gorgeous, atmospheric setting and the aftermath of a terrible crime that exposes the eerie underbelly below the shiny surface of lovely Kristinestad. Mats and Eevi, a police investigator and a journalist, complement each other so well because one of them can always keep digging where the other one reaches their limits. And she proves that is no need for the character of the grumpy police officer. Her investigative team is capable and likeable – what more could you ask for?”

We invite you to the atmospheric Kristinestad! Click here to request reading materials for THE KRISTINESTAD MURDERS.

Publication Info:

Book #1: Revenge, pp. 298, June 2023
Book #2: Alone, pp. 300, June 2024
Book #3: Lies, pp. 302April 2025

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.), Förlaget (Finnish-Swedish)
GERMANY: Aufbau Verlage
SWEDEN: Förlaget

About author


Kaisu Tuokko

Kaisu Tuokko is a bestselling Finnish crime author and publishing professional whose fresh, emotionally intelligent voice is reshaping what Nordic Noir can be. With a strong background in the book industry, she understands not only how to craft a compelling novel, but how to build a lasting literary brand.

Her stories don’t just ask “whodunnit,” but “why do we stay silent?” Crimes are never just plot points; they’re rooted in empathy, social fault lines, and the moral complexity of everyday life.

Set against the eerie beauty of small-town Finland, her Kristinestad Murders series explores what lies beneath idyllic surfaces: buried secrets, fractured families, and relationships haunted by longing, silence, and shame. At its core is the idea that we may never truly know the people closest to us — and that some secrets are more dangerous than others.

Tuokko lives in Helsinki, loves rainy autumn evenings, small-town mysteries, and Swedish language, and named her unforgettable lead characters after her grandparents.

Photo credit: Maria Metsäranta

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

THE KRISTINESTAD MURDERS #3: Lies

Kaisu Tuokko


2024, Crime & Suspense

THE KRISTINESTAD MURDERS #2: Alone

Kaisu Tuokko


2023, Crime & Suspense

THE KRISTINESTAD MURDERS #1: Revenge

Kaisu Tuokko

Finlandia Winner DEEP IN THE WOODS By Päivi Lukkarila sold to Denmark, Latvian offer on the table

We’re thrilled to announce that the Danish rights for Päivi Lukkarila‘s bestselling, and Finlandia Prize-winning YA novel, DEEP IN THE WOODS, were acquired by Bogoo. The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Here’s what Julie Pedersen, editor, from Bogoo had to say:

We’re very pleased and excited to publish Skutsi by Päivi Lukkarila in Denmark. It’s quite a thrilling story that captures the horrific elements of a classic horror story in a modern time. I have no doubt that this book will be a page turner for the Danish readers.

Päivi Lukkarila’s novel about four teenagers who embark on a smartphone-free weekend wilderness trek was an immediate success with the Finnish critics and readers, with many praising its use of language, its depictions of the challenges young adults face in their lives, and its ominous atmosphere. Deep in the Woods was awarded the 2024 Finlandia Prize for Children’s an YA Literature and it has sold close to 10,000 copies to date!

The Danish deal marks its second rights sale, following last month’s acquisition by Ühinenud Ajakirjad in Estonia. And there’s more exciting news — an offer for the Latvian rights is currently on the table!

Rights are still available in Germany, Poland, Czechia, Italy, Spain, Japan…

Download materials for DEEP IN THE WOODS here!

Deep in the Woods

Päivi Lukkarila

Four very different teens sent on a smartphone-free wilderness expedition… Finlandia Prize Winning and bestselling mystery story for 12+!

Luka feels like he’s in high school only to satisfy his parents. Why bother with something you’re not interested in?

Sabina’s relationship with Nella has ended. Nella liked her when she was just “conveniently” queer, girly and long-haired. Now that Sabina has decided to be who she always wanted to be, Nella has left her. How do the other three participants in the hike feel about her?

Nasim, from Nokia, dreams of studying literature and becoming a writer, but is constantly confronted with prejudice.

Joel is convinced that one day he’ll be a world-famous stand-up comedian. Comedy’s tough, and it’s easy to overdo it when you’re trying to make people laugh. Joel tells a very different story about his background. What’s real, and what is he making up?

The expedition is only supposed to last three days, but a fateful event changes everything and the teens have to survive in the wild without their guide. They try to entertain each other with ghost stories, and as they tell them, their own frightening childhood experiences come back to haunt them. There seems to be something creepy about their surroundings. What was it in there that spooked all the tourists and will the four be left to wander the wilds until their final days?

DEEP IN THE WOODS
SKUTSI
Nokkahiiri, 2024, 200 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Nokkahiiri (orig.)
DENMARK: Bogoo
ESTONIA: Ühinenud Ajakirjad

About author


Päivi Lukkarila

Päivi Lukkarila, born in 1967, is a Tampere-based author known for her sensitive yet realistic portrayal of young people's lives and emotions in her novels. In addition to the Finlandia Prize, she was awarded the Klara Prize in 2024, which is granted for an outstanding easy-to-read book for children or YA in Finnish or Swedish. She has also won the Tampere City Literature Prize twice. Furthermore, her books have been nominated for both the Arvid Lydecken and Anni Polva literary awards. In addition to her work as an author, Lukkarila teaches Finnish language and literature.

Bibliography


2024, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Deep in the Woods

Päivi Lukkarila

Japanese reprint of THE LIFE AND ART OF TOVE JANSSON!

We are happy to announce that Japanese publisher Kawade Shobo Shinsha will publish and reprint Tuula Karjalainen’s acclaimed global bestseller  TOVE JANSSON: WORK AND LOVE later this year. The deal was closed by Elina Ahlbäck at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Tove Jansson: Work and Love is the definitive biography of one of the most unique and beloved children’s authors of the 20th century, the creator of the Moomins. Tove Jansson (1914-2001) led a long, colourful and productive life, impacting significantly the political, social and cultural history of 20th-century Finland.

Click here to download the English PDF of TOVE JANSSON: WORK AND LOVE.

Publication Info:
Tove Jansson tee työtä ja rakasta, Tammi 2013, 300 pp.

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
CHINA: CITIC
DENMARK: Turbine forlaget
ESTONIA: Varrak Publishers
GERMANY: Urachhaus GmbH
JAPAN: Kawade Shobo Shinsha Ltd, Publishers
RUSSIA: AST Publishers /Mainstream
SOUTH KOREA: Munhak Dogne Publishing Group
UKRAINE: Prometey
UNITED KINGDOM: Penguin Press

Reading Materials:
English edition

About author


Tuula Karjalainen

Dr. Tuula Karjalainen is a Finnish art historian and non-fiction writer who has previously worked as a director of the Helsinki Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma in Helsinki. As the author of Tove Jansson’s biography, Tuula Karjalainen has become an expert not only on Jansson’s works but also on her several decades of personal correspondence and journals.

Bibliography


2013, General Nonfiction, Memories & Biographies

Tove Jansson: Work and Love

Tuula Karjalainen

THE STORY OF AINO AND ALVAR AALTO will be published in China!

We are very excited to share, that the internationally bestselling THE STORY OF AINO AND ALVAR AALTO written by Aalto’s grandson, Heikki Aalto-Alanen, has been sold to China! The deal was closed by Elina Ahlbäck at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Lens Media will publish the Chinese edition in December 2025, with publisher Algae Xue Wang editing and translators Zhang Lei and Li Yi bringing the iconic design duo’s story to Chinese readers.

This beautiful title, based on unpublished correspondence of Aino and Alvar Aalto, has now been sold to 8 territories – with Solar Films developing a feature film, a love story about the union between Aino and Alvar, two passionate artists, but very different people.

Alvar and Aino Aalto are internationally celebrated for their architecture, furniture, glassware, and other interior design, but their personal lives have been relatively unknown – until now. This book, written by the Aaltos’ grandson, stands apart from countless other works on the Aalto’s lives and careers. It contains photos, sketches, and personal letters between Aino and Alvar, beautifully illustrating how inseparable this couple was both in work and love, and bringing a deeply human element to their story.

International Praise:

This characteristically elegant Phaidon publication, lush with images, is remarkably personal … A beautiful and important contribution to architecture and design history.
– Booklist, Starred Review

A love story, enriched not just by personal photographs and images of their modernist designs, but by the couple’s letters to each other.
– NPR.org

Unique … Such an intimate level of access is possible thanks to the fact that the author is a grandson and has done much to preserve the designers’ legacy.
– Interior Design

A poignant glimpse into [Aino and Alvar’s] deep bond.
– Metropolis

The rights are still available in e.g. Germany, Sweden, World Spanish, Denmark, etc.

Request the materials for THE STORY OF AINO AND ALVAR AALTO here!

THE STORY OF AINO AND ALVAR AALTO publication info:
Rakastan sinussa ihmistä
Otava, August 2021, pp. 460, Approx. 50-80 photographs & drawings

Rights sold: 
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
CHINA: Lens Media
ESTONIA: Postimees
HUNGARY: Európa Könyvkiadó
FRANCE: Phaidon Press
ITALY: Salani
JAPAN: Soshisha
WORLD ENGLISH: Phaidon Press
FILM & TV RIGHTS: Solar Films Inc.

Reading materials: English edition, Italian edition and French edition

About author


Heikki Aalto-Alanen

Heikki Aalto-Alanen is the grandson of architects Aino and Alvar Aalto, who has previously served as vice chairman of the Alvar Aalto Foundation, been a member of Artek’s Board of Directors, member of the Alvar Aalto Academy Board, and held other positions maintaining Aino and Alvar Aalto’s artistic work and heritage. Today he is serving as the chairman of the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation, established in 2020 to preserve Aino and Alvar Aalto's early masterpiece. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Alvar and Aino Aalto Estate Ltd. Heikki Aalto-Alanen is a lawyer by profession and has worked in the Nordic financial market.

His book tells the story of Aino and Alvar Aalto, depicted through their previously unpublished correspondence from 1921-1949, photographs and drawings.

Bibliography


2021, General Nonfiction, Memories & Biographies

The Story of Aino and Alvar Aalto

Heikki Aalto-Alanen

Bloomsbury acquires World English rights to PUTIN’S WORLD WAR!

We are thrilled to announce, that Bloomsbury USA has acquired World English rights to Jessikka Aro’s critically acclaimed and timely bestseller PUTIN’S WORLD WAR: Russia’s Covert Operations to Destroy the West, slated for publication in Spring 2026. The deal was closed by Elina Ahlbäck at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Michael KernsSenior Publisher for Politics & International Relations at Bloomsbury USA, shared his enthusiasm:

“I loved this project immediately as a compelling narrative that humanizes the real-world consequences of Russia’s global propaganda war against the West. Putin’s World War is a piece of fascinating storytelling by an award-winning journalist — Jessikka Aro unpacks the details behind Russia’s hybrid-war propaganda machine and sheds light on how Putin uses disinformation as a potent weapon against Western values, the international community, and democratic governance. Her relentless investigative journalism provides readers with an invaluable perspective on a war of words, a war of ideas that might otherwise be overlooked amidst countless security threats across the world. We are excited to bring Jessikka’s important work to English readers everywhere.”

PUTIN’S WORLD WAR is a highly topical book featuring horrifying true stories about the secret operations of Putin’s intelligence services. Jessikka Aro is the winner of the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage of Journalism Award and her previous book, Putin’s Trolls, was sold to 16 territories and will be turned into a TV series!

Putin’s World War

Jessikka Aro

Russia is threatening the West with World War III, even though it has been waging it for years. As its weapons, the Kremlin uses agents of chaos, a covert operation, fake priests spreading hate speech, hackers recruited from prison, and the gullibility of people.

Jessikka Aro’s new non-fiction book about the Kremlin’s world war presents the secret operations of Putin’s intelligence services in detail.

The book takes the reader on a breath-taking journey from the lobby of the Helsinki Courts of Appeal to the controversial Bronze Soldier statue in Tallinn, from the media center run by the Russian military intelligence from Berlin to the Russian troll factory that operated in Ghana in West Africa.

Publication Info:
Putinin maailmansota, Johnny Kniga 2024, 352 pp

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: WSOY/Johnny Kniga (orig.)
GERMANY: Goldmann Verlag
HUNGARY: Corvina Books
ITALY: Neri Pozza
LITHUANIA: Briedis
POLAND: Transatlantic Foundation
SWEDEN: Sensor Förlag
WORLD ENGLISH: Bloomsbury USA

Reading Material:
English sample & summary & table of contents, German pdf, Finnish edition

About author


Jessikka Aro

Jessikka Aro is an award-winning reporter with Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, specializing in Russia, extremism and information warfare. In 2014 and 2015, she published a series of articles on pro-Kremlin social media trolls and their influence outside of Russia’s borders. Due to her investigations, Jessikka became the target of a severe and still ongoing international propaganda and hate speech campaign, which she recounts in Putin’s Trolls.

In 2019, the US State Department awarded Jessikka the International Women of Courage Award, but the award was mysteriously rescinded by the Trump administration, allegedly due to her social media criticism of then President Trump. On December 1, 2020, Jessikka Aro received the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award, presented in partnership with the Washington Post and hosted by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Jessikka was recognized for her award-winning investigative reporting of Russian information warfare. Jessikka lives in Helsinki, Finland.

Bibliography


2025, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, History & Politics

Putin's USA

Jessikka Aro


2019, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, History & Politics

Putin's Trolls

Jessikka Aro

Sauna Fever in Eurovision and on the Bookshelves!

One of the Finnish secrets to happy life is of course sauna, or bastu, as the Swedes call it! With Sweden’s entry to the Eurovision songcontest KAJthe world is catching a serious sauna fever with “Bara Bada Bastu”. The interest in saunas has increased rapidly. We got a perfect combination for the sauna lifestyle. So throw some water on the stones, sit back and “1 – 2 – 3, SAUNA!

In THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD Carita Harju and Katja Pantzar take readers on a journey into the transformative and energizing powers of hot and cold by pairing the sauna, that quintessential hot Finnish steam bath, with a cold-water dip.

Along the way, it serves up the inspiration and practical tools for creating a wellness retreat using the Nordic contrast bathing philosophy, wherever you are in the world. Originally published by Yellow Kite / Hodder & Stoughton in the UK and US, this title will be published by Heyne, an imprint of Penguin Randmhouse, in Germany this fall.

If Power of Hot and Cold is the energizer, SAUNAFULNESS is your deep exhale. Here, Carita Harju introduces a uniquely Finnish approach to natural wellbeing. Blending ancient sauna traditions with modern mindfulness practices.

The exercises unite the mind, the body, one’s health and all the different senses. Saunafulness can be practiced in any sauna with easy-access materials accompanied by clear instructions.

“First build the sauna. Then the house.” In a world where sauna (bastu) fever raises, this practical and stunningly crafted book is the essential guide to the sauna life.

In FINNISH SAUNA: STEAM, WOOD, STONE & HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN sauna expert Lassi A. Liikkanen shares everything you need to know to design and build your own Finnish sauna. Mixing practical step-by-step instructions with traditions history and science, this is perfect whether you’re already planning to build your own, or just curious about the sauna boom. 

This book is the perfect introduction to löyly and the very Finnish art of living well. The book will be published in the same format and style as the Christmas bestseller Norwegian Wood, and expands on the growing global resurgence of interest in the health benefits of sauna.

Each book brings a new and fresh perspective to the timeless Finnish tradition wherever you are.

Request materials for THE POWER OF HOT AND COLD here.

Request materials for SAUNAFULNESS here

Request materials for FINNISH SAUNA here.

POWER OF HOT AND COLD publication info:

Power of Hot and Cold: From Sauna to Sea: The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life
Yellow Kite / Hodder & Stoughton, November, 2024

READING MATERIALS: English PDF

Rights sold: WORLD ENGLISH: Yellow Kite / Hodder & Stoughton (orig.), GERMANY: Heyne

Rights are available in, e.g., Iceland, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Japan…

 

Publication info SAUNAFULNESS:

Hyvää oloa saunomalla
Viisas elämä, 2021, 272 pp.

Reading materials: English sample, Finnish edition

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Viisas Elämä (orig.), ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat, HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado, JAPAN: TOYO KEIZAI, INC.

Rights are available in, e.g., Germany, US/UK, Sweden…

 

Publication info FINNISH SAUNA:

Finnish Sauna: Steam, Wood, Stone & How to Build Your Own
MacLehose Press / Quercus UK, September, 2025, 256 pp.

Reading materials: English PDF

Rights sold:
WORLD RIGHTS (excl. Finland): MacLehose Press / Quercus UK (orig.), CZECHIA: offer on the table

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

About author


Katja Pantzar

Katja Pantzar –  Katja Pantzar is a Helsinki-based writer and journalist who swims in the Baltic Sea year round. Raised in Canada, with stints in New Zealand and England, she is the author of The Finnish Way (Penguin Random House/2018), a bestselling non-fiction book about Nordic well-being, winter swimming and sisu (resilience) that has been translated into 24 languages. Her second book on sisu, Everyday Sisu: Tapping into Finnish Fortitude for a Happier, More Resilient Life (Penguin Random House/2022) explores through expert interviews and research-based information how we can better support our mental and physical health while taking care of each other and our planet. Everyday Sisu has also been published in Japanese, Thai, and Indonesian. Pantzar’s work has been widely covered around the world in media ranging from Le Figaro, Le Monde, and El Paísto Vogue the Washington Post and the New York Review of Books. . She is also the author of three mini-guides to the Finnish capital, including 100 things to do in Helsinki (Siltala/2024).

SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA continues to conquer the world: Hungarian rights sold!

We are excited to let you know that the Hungarian rights for Summer at Villa Hilda, the upcoming feel-good novel by Michaela von Kügelgen, have been acquired by Athenaeum! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Pitched as Mamma Mia vibes at Swedish archipelago, Summer at Villa Hilda follows Louise, a former celebrity chef and Thomas, a journalist, as they both move to the island of Halsterö in the Stockholm archipelago and start working in the Villa Hilda guesthouse. Both have had their fair share of misfortunes on the mainland, so a summer on an idyllic island feels like a chance to start over. Although the villa isn’t going to treat them as easily as they’d expect, the island and its inhabitants eventually help them to find their way back to life.

This latest sale to Hungary marks the 6th pre-publication deal for Summer at Villa Hilda! Previous sales include four-way auction for the Dutch rights, three-book deals by the Danish, German, and Norwegian publishers, and a deal to Estonia. Summer at Villa Hilda will be published simultaneously in Finland and Sweden on June 10th and will kickstart the Villa Hilda trilogy with book #2 slated to be published in February 2026 and book #3 in September 2026.

Athenaeum praised Summer at Villa Hilda for being a hope-instilling and optimistic title for all times:

This is a sort of ’sunshine’ novel, even though it involves difficult topics like dementia or #metoo. The story gives the reader hope that their life can turn for the better, just as the lives of the characters in the novel. A heartwarming and healing novel, that one can enjoy reading at any time.
– Viktória Dian, managing director, Athenaeum, Hungary

Rights are still available in the UK, the US, France, Italy, Poland, Italy, France, Czechia, Japan, Greece…

Download materials for SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA here!

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Many people dream of a second chance in life, but how many dare to take it?

Far out in the Stockholm archipelago lies the island of Halsterö. Journalist Thomas and former celebrity chef Louise travel there to work at the Villa Hilda guesthouse. They are both broken after many setbacks and are hoping for a fresh start. But setting up a summer paradise is not as easy as one might think, not even on the idyllic Halsterö island.

One day Louise stumbles across a collection of old love letters. Who wrote them, and what stories does Villa Hilda hide in its dusty attic? And how will Thomas manage to take care of his dementia-stricken mother while setting up an archipelago guesthouse?

Summer at Villa Hilda is about how difficult it is to be human among other people, but also about how, with the help of others, one can find one’s way back to life.

This novel is the first part of the Villa Hilda series and will be published in June 2025. The following titles will concentrate on the people living on the picturesque Halsterö island and will tentatively be published in February 2026 and September 2026.

SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA
SOMMAR PÅ VILLA HILDA
Schildts & Söderströms, 2025, 285 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample
English synopsis
Swedish edition
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Schildts & Söderströms (orig. Finland-Swedish, Finnish)
DENMARK: Lindhardt og Ringhof Forlag
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
GERMANY: Aufbau Verlage
HUNGARY: Athenaeum
NETHERLANDS: Singel Uitgevers
NORWAY: Aschehoug
SWEDEN: Schildts & Söderströms

About author


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: Susanna Kekkonen

Bibliography


2026, Crime & Suspense

The Last Word

Michaela von Kügelgen


2025, Commercial/Upmarket, Romance

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

DAUGHTER OF TWO BLOODS sold to Norway!

We are excited to announce that the Norwegian rights for Daughter of Two Bloods, an award-winning and bestselling romantasy novel written by S. K. Rostedt, were pr-empted by TNT, a new imprint of Bonnier Norsk Forlag! The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Considered as the first Finnish romantasy novel, Daughter of Two Bloods has sold closer to 10,000 copies to date, it won the 2024 Best Book of the Year Award by Suomalainen Kirjakauppa, the biggest bookstore chain in Finland, and it was chosen by the readers as one of the Top 100 Finnish books of the 21st century!

The Nordic setting, weaving Finnish mythology, including elements from Kalevala brings a fresh voice to the romantasy genre, and gives the series a wide international appeal. The second book is set to be published in October

Previously Daughter of Two Bloods has been sold to France, to Robert Laffont, at auction.

Rights are available in, e.g., Germany, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands…

Click here to request reading materials for DAUGHTER OF TWO BLOODS!

About DAUGHTER OF TWO BLOODS

A debut enemies-to-lovers romantasy novel oozing with fae, demons, and hot romance for fans of  Sarah J. Maas, Victoria Aveyard, and Jennifer L. Armentrout…

Remena is a land where humans and fae coexist, seemingly on equal terms. Moorna is a 21-year-old half-blood whose life as an escort to the capital’s aristocracy is harrowing. She wants to pay off her escort debt as quickly as possible and return home with her friend Malkra to live a life free from discrimination. When Moorna accidentally stumbles upon the annoyingly handsome fae, Caidas, she is torn from all that is familiar and safe, and quickly learns that nothing is as it seems.

DAUGHTER OF TWO BLOODS
KAHDEN VEREN TYTÄR
Otava, 2024, 509 pp.

Reading materials: English sample and synopsis, Finnish edition

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
FRANCE: Robert Laffont
NORWAY: TNT / Bonnier Norsk Forlag

About author


S. K. Rostedt

S. K. Rostedt aka Saara Rostedt (1993) is an author and marketing professional who grew up in Finland's book capital Sastamala. Now based in Helsinki, she is an avid romantasy reader who loves to spend time in nature and at her summer cabin. She has popular BookTok and Bookstagram social channels, where she talks about her writing and reading experiences. S. K. Rostedt, who gave up reading as a teenager, rediscovered the world of books in her twenties with the help of romantasy. Saara is known in social media as @skrostedt.

Photo credit: Jonne Räsänen/Otava

Bibliography


2024, Romance, Fantasy & Science Fiction

Daughter of Two Bloods

S. K. Rostedt

Longanesi acquires Italian rights to Martta Kaukonen’s MEET ME IN THE DARKNESS!

We’re starting the week with fantastic news about Martta Kaukonen’s internationally bestselling Follow the Butterfly trilogy.

Following the announcement that German publisher Heyne acquired the rights to the upcoming third book FREE, we are thrilled to share that Longanesi has now acquired the Italian rights to book two, Meet Me in the Darkness!

Longanesi published the first book in the trilogy, Follow the Butterfly, this January with a great success! The book has sold over 20,000 copies and stayed several weeks on the bestseller list.

Follow the Butterfly has been sold to 16 territories!

Rights are available in, e.g., France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, Spain, Romania…

Click here to request reading materials for FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY trilogy!

Book #1: Follow the Butterfly

Martta Kaukonen

Can she cure a killer? An addictive psychological thriller in the spirit of Gillian Flynn!

Ira, 20, a serial killer who was abducted as a child, starts therapy with celebrity therapist Clarissa. Only one of them knows that they share a mutual secret from the past. Will the other one realize it before she gets murdered?

Clarissa is a middle-aged psychotherapist, the best in her field. She is familiar to everyone from her TV appearances and from glossy magazines. For her, every patient is a princess. And someone only she can save. Or can she? Clarissa already has one suicide to answer for; a teenage boy’s death never seizes to haunt her.

When Ira becomes Clarissa’s patient, a cat-and-mouse game begins in which rules are followed by no one. The kind of game that never ends well.

Book #2: Meet me in the Darkness

Martta Kaukonen

Nothing is as it seems.

Four years have passed since the events of Follow the Butterfly. Ira and Arto have teamed up, and both work as crime journalists for the Helsinki Today. Everything’s going nicely, until Ira starts suspecting there’s a serial killer on the loose in Helsinki.

The murders are investigated by Senior Crime Inspector Kerttu Leppänen, who leads the murder unit and eagerly waits for retirement. Unsolved cases haunt Kerttu, who is unable to forgive herself.

The past catches up with all of them – if they were ever free from its clutches in the first place…

 

Book #3: Free

Martta Kaukonen

Is it worth digging up the truth?

It’s 1995. Detective Chief Inspector Kerttu Leppänen and her spouse, Inspector Esko Koivuvyö, are tasked with investigating the murder of a middle-aged woman. However, the crime scene presents a mystery that complicates the investigation: beside the body, there is a bloody knife on a pillow, even though it cannot be the murder weapon.

Thirty years later, Ira is determined to uncover the truth about her parents’ marriage. Why did her mother Marja fear her father Arto? And why does Arto refuse to answer Ira’s questions? Across different decades, Kerttu and Ira each come to the same realization: if you uncover the truth, you must be prepared to face its consequences.

Meet me in the Darkness
HENGISSÄ
WSOY, 2023, 272 pp.

Reading materials:
German edition, unedited English manuscript

Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
CROATIA: Znanje
CZECHIA: Albatros Media
DENMARK: Forlaget Falco
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
FILM & TV: Legendary Tobis TV
GERMANY: Heyne (3 books)
GREECE: Psichogios (2 books)
HUNGARY: Partvonal Kiadó (2 books)
ICELAND: Storytel (3 books)
ITALY: Longanesi (2 books)
LATVIA: Jumava
LITHUANIA: Obuolys
POLAND: Czarna Owca (2 books)
UNITED KINGDOM: Pushkin Press (2 books)
UNITED STATES: Pushkin Press (2 books)
WORLD ARABIC: Al Arabi Publishing
WORLD ENGLISH (Audio): Audible

About author


Martta Kaukonen

Martta Kaukonen (1976) lives in Helsinki. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a film critic, whose reviews have been published in both Finland’s biggest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat and a popular women’s weekly magazine Me Naiset. Martta has a master’s degree in arts. She has interviewed the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Justin Bieber. Martta met her husband at his second hand bookshop and fell in love. Alongside writing, Martta loves psychological thrillers, film noir, flea markets, abandoned houses and travelling.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Free

Martta Kaukonen


2023, Crime & Suspense

Meet Me in the Darkness

Martta Kaukonen


2022, Crime & Suspense

In Your Shadow

Martta Kaukonen


2021, Crime & Suspense

Follow the Butterfly

Martta Kaukonen

Norwegian rights to SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA pre-empted by Aschehoug!

We’re thrilled to share that Norwegian rights to Michaela von Kügelgen’s Villa Hilda trilogy have been pre-empted by Aschehoug! The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlbäck Literary Agency.

This acquisition marks the fifth pre-publication deal. It follows a four-way auction for Dutch rights, which concluded with Singel Publishers securing publication rights for both the Netherlands and Belgium. Rights previously sold at auction in Estonia to Hea Lugu, and three book pre-empts in both Denmark and Germany by Lindhardt & Ringhof and Aufbau Verlage.

Here’s what the acquiring team had to say:

“An utterly wonderful novel, just the kind of escapistic read you want to dive into on a warm sunny day – reading in the hammock without a care in the world. I loved spending time at Villa Hilda: the atmosphere, the surroundings – the people and the secrets the house is hiding. This book has everything you want in a feelgood: Great characters, a romantic plot, great scenery and just the right amount of mysteries and complications along the way. And of course: a satisfying ending. Both Louise and Thomas are described as characters one can relate to, and I can easily see both of them and their romantic story being played out in a movie or TV-series as well. “
– Anne Margrethe Hummelsgård Aandahl, Acquiring Editor, Aschehoug

Days after finishing the last page of this irresistible novel (which I wish had lasted me longer), I can still smell the cinnamon and flowers and feel the spray of seawater on my skin. And I feel more than a little sad that I cannot plan an actual visit to Villa Hilda this summer. Still, I would be immensely proud to take part in bringing this magical place to many, many Norwegian readers. As for myself, I am eagerly awaiting the next volume. Will Louise and Thomas work as a creative team, or is there trouble on the horizon? And is there love in store for handsome Martin? And a book within a book, I mean, what’s not to love?”
Annette Orre, Editor-in-Chief, Aschehoug

The first book, Summer at Villa Hilda, publishes in Sweden and Finland on June 10th. This heartwarming, feel-good trilogy set on the idyllic Swedish island of Halsterö – where second chances, fresh starts, and cinnamon buns await.

Rights are still available in the UK, the US, Poland, Italy, France, Latvia, Ukraine, Greece…

Request materials for VILLA HILDA trilogy here!

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Many people dream of a second chance in life, but how many dare to take it?

Far out in the Stockholm archipelago lies the island of Halsterö. Journalist Thomas and former celebrity chef Louise travel there to work at the Villa Hilda guesthouse. They are both broken after many setbacks and are hoping for a fresh start. But setting up a summer paradise is not as easy as one might think, not even on the idyllic Halsterö island.

One day Louise stumbles across a collection of old love letters. Who wrote them, and what stories does Villa Hilda hide in its dusty attic? And how will Thomas manage to take care of his dementia-stricken mother while setting up an archipelago guesthouse?

Summer at Villa Hilda is about how difficult it is to be human among other people, but also about how, with the help of others, one can find one’s way back to life.

SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA
SOMMAR PÅ VILLA HILDA
Schildts & Söderströms, June 2025,

VILLA HILDA #2
Schildts & Söderströms, February 2026

VILLA HILDA #3
Schildts & Söderströms, September 2026

READING MATERIALS
English sample
English synopsis
Swedish edition
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Schildts & Söderströms (orig. Finland-Swedish, Finnish)
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
DENMARK: Lindhardt og Ringhof Forlag
GERMANY: Aufbau Verlage
NETHERLANDS: Singel Uitgevers
NORWAY: Aschehoug
SWEDEN: Schildts & Söderströms

About author


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: Susanna Kekkonen

Bibliography


2026, Crime & Suspense

The Last Word

Michaela von Kügelgen


2025, Commercial/Upmarket, Romance

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Hollywood News: THE FAITHFUL READER series adaptation moving to production with Stampede Ventures!

We’re thrilled to announce that Max Seeck’s internationally bestselling thriller THE FAITHFUL READER (The Witch Hunter), a New York Times and Spiegel bestseller, is being adapted into a English-language TV series by Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures.

This gripping Nordic Noir series is set in Helsinki, Finland. It follows Jessica Niemi as she investigates a disturbing copycat killer, one that forces her to confront haunting memories and a chilling ancestral secret.

Max’s agent, Elina Ahlbäck, shares her excitement:

“Finally, we can share the amazing news that Greg Silverman, CEO of Stampede Ventures will produce Max Seeck’s New York Times and Spiegel Bestseller THE FAITHFUL READER (The Witch Hunter) alongside John-Paul Sarni, Max Seeck, and Gudrun Giddings as an English-language series. Brilliant team, Brilliant TV Show! We are so excited and grateful. Huge congratulations, Max Seeck!”

Max Seeck added:

“I’m very honoured to have the chance to work on the Jessica Niemi TV series with Stampede Ventures and Greg Silverman. I couldnt think of a better home for my novels. Thanks especially to JP Sarni, my agent Elina Ahlbäck and Gudrun Giddings.”

Originally published in Finland by Tammi (orig. Uskollinen lukija, 2019), New York Times and Spiegel bestselling author Max Seeck’s books have sold over 1 million copies, and published in 41 countries.

The Faithful Reader series is earmarked for a production start in Europe later this year. Stampede Ventures initially optioned the rights in 2019 and eventually purchased the book. “We couldn’t be more excited to have Chris and Maria adapting this phenomenal piece of IP,” said Silverman. “Their mastery of the genre will enthral audiences as we explore the gripping and suspenseful world Seeck has created.”

Stampede Ventures is an independent entertainment media company founded by Greg Silverman, the former President of Warner Bros. Pictures. Read more from Screendaily.

Further inquiries:
CEO & Agent Elina Ahlbäck, elina@ahlbackagency.com

“One of the best books I have read. Ever. Absolutely thrilling, well-written, and oh-so-hard to put down.”

—Emelie Schepp, author of Slowly We Die

The Witch Hunter

Max Seeck

A book-inspired serial killer is on the loose. Jessica Niemi – a detective with a mysterious past – steps up. A chase for the faithful reader has begun.

Detective Jessica Niemi is called to investigate a murder case that is out of ordinary. The wife of a famous writer, Roger Koponen, seems to have been killed in a bizarre ritual. As more ritual murders occur, it becomes obvious that Jessica is after a serial killer.
But the murders are not random – they follow a pattern taken from Roger’s bestselling trilogy. Has a fan gone mad, or is this case more personal? How can Jessica stop a criminal who knows every detail of the book even better than the author?

The Faithful Reader is the first book of the four part Jessica Niemi series.

Join the success story of FAITHFUL READER and click here to request the full English PDF.

THE WITCH HUNTER / THE FAITHFUL READER
Uskollinen lukija
Tammi, 2019, 400 pp.

Reading materials:
English edition and synopsis

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ALBANIA: Muza
AZERBAIJAN: Alatoran
BULGARIA: EMAS
CROATIA: Fokus
CZECH REPUBLIC: Grada
DENMARK: Gutkind
ESTONIA: Pegasus
FILM & TV RIGHTS: Stampede Ventures
FRANCE: Michel Lafon
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe GmbH & Co. KG
GREECE: Livanis
HUNGARY: Animus
ICELAND: Forlagid
ISRAEL: Tchelet Books/ Steimatzky
ITALY: Edizioni Piemme S.p.a
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA: Baltos lankos
NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM: A.W. Bruna
NORTHERN MACEDONIA: MATICA MAKEDONSKA dooel
NORWAY: Aschehoug
POLAND: Sonia Draga
PORTUGAL: Bertrand Editora Lda
ROMANIA: GRUP MEDIA LITERA
RUSSIA: AST Publishers
SERBIA: Vulkan
SLOVAKIA: Motyl
SLOVENIA: Didakta
SOUTH KOREA: Cheongmirae
SPAIN & LATIN AMERICA: Maeva Ediciones
SWEDEN: Albert Bonniers Förlag
TURKEY: Doğan Kitap
UK: Welbeck Publishing
UKRAINE: Family Leisure Club
USA & CANADA: Berkley / Penguin Random House
WORLD ARABIC: Arab Scientific Publishers, Inc.

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“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 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.

Photo credit: Mikko Rasila

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Milo #2: Betrayed

Max Seeck


2024, Crime & Suspense

Milo #1: Checkmate

Max Seeck


2022, Crime & Suspense

Ghost Island

Max Seeck


2021, Crime & Suspense

The Last Grudge

Max Seeck


2020, Crime & Suspense

The Ice Coven

Max Seeck


2019, Crime & Suspense

The Witch Hunter

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Mephisto Touch

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Call of Hades

Max Seeck


2016, Crime & Suspense

Angels of Hammurabi

Max Seeck

Chinese rights renewed for MONSTER NANNY TRILOGY by Tuutikki Tolonen and Pasi Pitkänen!

We’re happy to let you know that Beijing Children and Juvenile Publishing House has renewed the Chinese rights for the MONSTER NANNY trilogy, the award-winning and internationally bestselling middle-grade title written by Tuutikki Tolonen and illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen! The deal was closed by Elina Ahlbäck at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency in collaboration with Clare Chi at Grayhawk Agency.

In MONSTER NANNY, the three children of the Hellman family – Halley, Koby, and Mimi – are left at home to be taken care of by a nanny, but their nanny turns out to be, well, a monster named Grah who doesn’t talk and is mesmerized by the family’s TV. As other children in their neighborhood have been left in the care of similar monsters, the Hellman children try to find out more about the monsters and why they have appeared in human homes in the first place.

MONSTER NANNY trilogy has been an international success story: the rights to the trilogy have been sold to 37 countries and a feature film based on the series is in development by Scott Free Productions!

Download materials for MONSTER NANNY here!

Monster Nanny

Tuutikki Tolonen, illustrated by Pasi Pitkänen

Mary Poppins meets Where the Wild Things Are in this prize-winning series.

The Hellman children must make do with a nanny while their mother is away at a spa. The only problem? Their nanny is a monster.

Grah is hairy, dusty, and doesn’t talk. When the siblings discover that other neighborhood kids have been left with similar creatures, they start to wonder where the monsters came from. With the parents away, the kids work together (between bickering) to figure out the mystery of the monsters.

Tolonen seamlessly intertwines contemporary life with a world full of strange creatures. Monster Nanny is at once a refreshing change of pace and a return to timeless adventure.

MONSTER NANNY
MÖRKÖVAHTI
Tammi, 2015, 303 pp.

MONSTER ROUTE
MÖRKÖREITTI
Tammi, 2016, 300 pp.

MONSTER MESSAGE
MÖRKÖVIESTI
Tammi, 2020, 300 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English edition (Book #1)
English sample and synopsis (Books #2 and #3)
German editions (Books #2 and #3)
French editions (Books #2 and #3)
Finnish editions (all books)

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
AUSTRALIA: Allen & Unwin
ALBANIA: Westprint
BOSNIA: Šahinpašić
BRAZIL: DarkSide Books
BULGARIA: Robertino
CHINA: Beijing Children’s Publishing House
CROATIA: Znanje
CZECHIA: Portál
DENMARK: Turbine
ESTONIA: Tiritamm
FRANCE: Editions Robert Laffont
GERMANY: Carl Hanser Verlag
GREECE: Patakis
HUNGARY: Tessloff Babilon
ITALY: Salani/Mauri Spagnol
JAPAN: Sekaibunka
KOREA: Seosawon
LATVIA: Zvaigzne
LITHUANIA: Nieko Rimto
NETHERLANDS: (print) Luitingh-Sijthoff
NETHERLANDS: (audio) Saga Egmont
NEW ZEALAND: Allen & Unwin
NORWAY: Gyldendal Norsk
OCEANIA: Allen & Unwin
POLAND: Vesper
PORTUGAL: Asa Editiones/Leya
ROMANIA: Univers
RUSSIA: Rosman
SERBIA: Laguna
SLOVAKIA: Arkus
SLOVENIA: Mladinska knjiga
SPAIN (Spanish): La Galera
SPAIN (Catalan): La Galera
SWEDEN: Rabén & Sjögren
TURKEY: SEV Redhouse Kidz
UKRAINE: School Publishing House
VIETNAM: Nha Nam
WORLD ENGLISH: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
FILM RIGHTS: Scott Free Productions

About author


Pasi Pitkänen

Pasi Pitkänen has become known for his richly detailed illustrative work on several children’s books such as the extremely popular Monster Nanny trilogy by Tuutikki Tolonen. He has also worked at Rovio Entertainment as an illustrator, character designer, and graphic designer. Pitkänen is the illustrator of the popular Kepler62 series and the author of two Children's titles Monster Tournament and The Island of Lost Animals.

Among Pitkänen’s hobbies are quantum physics, people-watching, B-movies, insects and baking.

About author


Tuutikki Tolonen

Tuutikki Tolonen is the author of several acclaimed children’s books, plays and academic articles. She teaches creative writing and has worked as an editor and reporter at Vinski, a Finnish literary magazine for children. For Monster Nanny she received the Arvid Lydecken award.  Her inspiration for the Monster Nanny trilogy sparked during a family breakfast. “My son Leo, then six, said: ‘I heard on the radio yesterday that all moms have to go on vacation and monsters will take their places,” she says.

Her other bestselling series is the Agnes-series, of which the first book "Agnes and the Garden of Dreams" was in 2021 nominated for the Arvid Lydecken Award, received an honorable mention for the Runeberg Junior Award, and won the Luku Varkaus Award. Tolonen tells that the inspiration for Agnes comes for her interest for weird and inexpicable tales, ghost stories and mysteries: "I wanted to write a book my daughter Aili, then nine, would like to read - not too long, not too scary, but very curious."

Cerkabella acquires the Hungarian rights to Siri Kolu’s Twin World Series #1: Saving Atlantis!

We are very excited to tell you, that the Hungarian rights for Siri Kolu‘s middle-grade novel TWIN WORLD SERIES: SAVING ATLANTIS were acquired by Cerkabella in a deal closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Congratulations to Siri Kolu and Cerkabella!

The latest title by award-winning children’s and YA author Siri Kolu, Saving Atlantis introduces the readers to 12-year-old Elektra who starts to dream about a ringed city that is destroyed in a tsunami. As she and her friend Maxxam start looking into this mystery, they realize that Elektra is dreaming of Atlantis. At the same time, Elektra Elpida of Atlantis starts dreaming of a future filled with glass towers and flying planes. She also sees in the future hints of how to escape the impending destruction.

Published in Finland in April, Saving Atlantis is perfect reading for the fans of Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising Sequence and Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books.

This is the first foreign rights sale for Twin World Series: Saving Atlantis! Rights are available in all other territories!

Download materials for SAVING ATLANTIS here!

Twin World Series #1: Saving Atlantis

Siri Kolu

A myth-busting, suspense-filled series for a late middle grade and early YA audience.

Can Atlantis be saved before disaster strikes?

12-year-old El(ektra) starts sleepwalking and has recurring nightmares of masses of water under which there is no escape. After doing research with her friends Maxxam and Cal, El discovers that the underwater city in her nightmares is ancient Atlantis.

In the city of Atlantis, young Elektra has strange dreams at night about tall glass towers and flying planes. With inventor genius Dobro, Elektra begins to test whether the visions could be real. Based on the dreams, they build a submarine called a wave diver.

Can the Elektras help each other? Can they be rescued from under the waves…and what would it cost?

TWIN WORLD SERIES: SAVING ATLANTIS
ALLE AALLON
Tammi, 2025, 331 pp.

Reading materials:
English sample and synopsis, Finnish edition

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.), HUNGARY: Cerkabella

About author


Siri Kolu

Siri Kolu (born July 18, 1972) is a writer, performance dramaturg, director, and theater teacher. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Theatre Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree as Drama Instructor (BA). Prior to her theater studies, she pursued literature and theater studies at the University of Helsinki.

With her funny and original adventure Me and the Robberssons Kolu won the children’s novel and film script competition in the fall of 2009. The book was published in April 2010, and won the Finlandia Prize in Children’s & YA literature. The film adaptation hit theaters in the fall of 2014. Me and the Robberssons has been translated into over 20 languages.

Me and the Robbersons has also won the Silver Slate Pencil Award in the Netherlands and has been listed twice for the The English Pen Award. She has also been honored with the Laivakello Prize by the Finnish Institute for Children’s Literature, Topelius Prize and Kaarina Helakisa Literary Prize.

Photo credit: Sabina Bqain

Bibliography


2025, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Twin World Series: Saving Atlantis

Siri Kolu

Norwegian audiobook deal for PUTIN’S TROLLS by Jessikka Aro!

We are thrilled to announce that audiobook rights of the Norwegian edition of Jessikka Aro’s PUTIN’S TROLLS have been sold to publisher Cappelen Damm! The deal was closed by Martti Berner.

Cappelen Damm will publish the audiobook this summer!

Jessikka Aro is currently writing her third book titled PUTIN’S USA – How Russia divides and rules the United States to be published in October 2025. 

PUTIN’S TROLLS has been sold to a total of 16 territories and the Film & TV rights have also been sold! The rights are still available in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Egypt, Greece, etc.

Request reading materials for PUTIN’S TROLLS here

PUTIN’S TROLLS
by Jessikka Aro
Johnny Kniga, November 2019, 453 pp.

A journalistic nonfiction book that reads like a real-life spy thriller and reveals the methods of the Kremlin’s modern information warfare

Putin’s Trolls is a first-hand memoir/reportage account by award-winning Finnish journalist Jessikka Aro who was bullied out of her country by Putin’s internet trolls, revealing the true face of an invisible threat that is only growing in power. Russia wages war against civilians online. Every critical voice is an enemy.

Putin’s Trolls presents the criminal smearing campaign, launched and approved by the Kremlin against private individuals around Western countries. It is a chilling account of Russia’s modern tools of information warfare, shedding light on the individuals and organizations behind the Kremlin’s coordinated, military-style social media psy-ops.

 

PUTIN’S USA – How Russia divides and rules the United States
by Jessikka Aro
Johnny Kniga, October 2025, approx. 400 pp.

Putin’s USA is a page-turner you wish wasn’t true. 

A highly topical nonfiction book on Russia’s cyberwarfare against the United States and democracy, unfolding like a thriller.

Putin’s Russia is waging an increasingly aggressive cold war against the West. The weapons used in cyberspace and the information domains seem straight out of science fiction movies.

In journalist and author Jessikka Aro’s third book investigating Russia’s covert operations, the focus is on patriotic hackers, honey traps infiltrating the Republican Party, connections between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign team and Putin’s spies, and electronic weaponry.

The book provides a close-up look at how systematically the Kremlin has been preparing its society for a major war against the United States and the entire democratic West. In Russia, even universities have been turned into tools for shaping young people into agents of Putinism.

It is worse than the Cold War!

 

Putinin trollit
Tositarinoita Venäjän infosodan rintamilta
Johnny Kniga, November 2019, 453 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Johnny Kniga/WSOY (orig.)
ALBANIA: Muza
BULGARIA: Ciela Norma
CZECH REPUBLIC: Denik N
ESTONIA: Menu Meedia/Stratkom
GEORGIA: Media Development Foundation
GERMANY (Print and e-book): Goldmann Verlag
GERMANY (Audiobook): Sound Neverrest
HUNGARY: Corvina
LATVIA: Pētergailis
LITHUANIA: Briedis
NORWAY: Mangschou Forlag
POLAND: Sine Qua Non
ROMANIA: Lebada Neagra
SWEDEN: Sensor Förlag
WORLD ENGLISH: Ig Publishing
WORLD ENGLISH (Audio): Blackstone Audio
TV & FILM: Onerva Pictures

Reading materials: English edition

About author


Jessikka Aro

Jessikka Aro is an award-winning reporter with Yle, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, specializing in Russia, extremism and information warfare. In 2014 and 2015, she published a series of articles on pro-Kremlin social media trolls and their influence outside of Russia’s borders. Due to her investigations, Jessikka became the target of a severe and still ongoing international propaganda and hate speech campaign, which she recounts in Putin’s Trolls.

In 2019, the US State Department awarded Jessikka the International Women of Courage Award, but the award was mysteriously rescinded by the Trump administration, allegedly due to her social media criticism of then President Trump. On December 1, 2020, Jessikka Aro received the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award, presented in partnership with the Washington Post and hosted by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Jessikka was recognized for her award-winning investigative reporting of Russian information warfare. Jessikka lives in Helsinki, Finland.

Bibliography


2025, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, History & Politics

Putin's USA

Jessikka Aro


2019, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, History & Politics

Putin's Trolls

Jessikka Aro

TANGLED ROOTS by Maria Turtschaninoff won the Magnesia Litera Award in Czechia!

We are very excited to tell you, that Maria Turtschaninoff has won this year’s Magnesia Litera Award, the most important prize in the Czech literary scene, in the Best Translation category with her novel Tangled Roots (aka Inherited Land), translated by Marie Voslářová and published by Argo.

Turtschaninoff is known for crafting lyrical, historically inspired fantasy stories that feature strong female protagonists. In addition to other awards and prizes, she has won the Svenska Yle Literary Prize 2023 and the Eeva Joenpelto Literary Prize 2024 for her literary masterpiece Tangled Roots.

Marie Voslářová also has a long line of translations under her belt. Her translations have won both the Muriel Award and the Tomáš Hrách Prize.

Warm congratulations to the translator, author, and publisher, on this prestigious recognition!

Tangled Roots has been sold to 23 territories!
Rights are available in, e.g., Spain, Greece, Japan, Lithuania, Slovakia…

Download materials for TANGLED ROOTS here!

Tangled Roots (aka Inherited Land)

Maria Turtschaninoff

The roots of people and forest are intertwined in the depths of the earth.

An old soldier carves a croft out of the Finnish forest and calls it home, but try as he might to tame the land, its wild magic endures. For centuries his descendants will work the farm, through days of plenty and famine, love and war, their fates entangled with the rhythms of the ancient wilderness, where mysterious shapes flit between the trees and danger lurks in the treacherous fen…

Like dragonflies darting over the marsh, their lives glimmer briefly and then are gone: a young girl entranced by the forest folk, a faithless fiancé who meets his match beneath the age-old branches, a farmhand with a strange obsession…

What endures is the wild, and the certainty that wherever we put down roots, the land will grow roots in us too.

TANGLED ROOTS
Arvejord
Förlaget, 2022, 371 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English edition
Swedish manuscript
Finnish translation

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Förlaget (orig. Finland-Swedish), Tammi (Finnish)
AZERBAIJAN: Alatoran
BULGARIA: Izida
CHINA: Rentian Ulus
CROATIA: Hena Com
CZECHIA: ARGO
DENMARK: Alpha Forlag
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
FRANCE: Éditions Paulsen
GERMANY: Rowohlt
HUNGARY: L’Harmattan
ISRAEL: Hakibbutz Hameuchad – Sifriat Poalim Publishing House
ITALY: Bompiani
NETHERLANDS: Uitgeverij Atlas Contact
NORWAY: Bonnier Norsk Forlag
POLAND: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie
ROMANIA: Editura Univers
TURKEY: Timas
UKRAINE: Old Lion Publishing House
WORLD ENGLISH: Pushkin Press

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. In 2024, Maria Turtschaninoff won the Eeva Joenpelto Literary Prize (10,000 euro award) for her literary masterpiece Tangled Roots.

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

Photo credit: Veikko Somerpuro/Tammi

Bibliography


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Manticore

Maria Turtschaninoff


2022, Literary Fiction

Tangled Roots

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

Ukrainian rights sold for MILO by Max Seeck!

We’re excited to let you know that the Ukrainian rights for Milo, the latest novel by The New York Times and Spiegel bestselling author Max Seeck, have been acquired by Laboratoria! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Published in Finland last September, Max’s latest novel has sold more than 45,000 copies in Finland, rights for the novel have been sold to 9 territories, and a TV series based on the novel is in pre-production with Solar Films, with the script being finalized and shooting slated to start in 2025/2026 for a 6-episode TV series with focus on international sales & distribution.

The French edition of Milo, titled Échec et Mat, was published by Mera Editions in January, and the German edition, titled Blindspiel, will be published by Bastei Lübbe in June.

Max is currently working on the sequel to Milo, titled Petetty, which is slated to be published in Finland this September.

Download materials for MILO here!

Milo

Max Seeck

Bodies with chess pieces in their mouth – Milo needs to understand the game of chess in order to catch a killer.

The game has only just begun.

On a cold November evening, a body is discovered on the shore of Seurasaari. The victim’s skin is covered with a thick layer of white paint, and during the autopsy, a chess piece is found lodged in its throat.  The police are baffled. Why would the murderer go to such lengths to disguise the body? And why wasn’t there any attempt to hide it?  Milo Perho, an art gallery owner specializing in profiling killers, is called in to assist. What follows is a nerve-wracking game where every move costs a life, and no-one wants it to end in checkmate.

Milo is the gripping debut of the Milo series by internationally acclaimed author Max Seeck. Even before its release, the book’s translation rights were sold to numerous countries, and a TV series adaptation is already in the works.

Milo is a slightly different Seeck detective story and, as such, a quality piece of work. More than that, it’s an outright masterpiece in how to breathe new life into an oft-treated narrative and raise the tension with wit, not brutal violence.

MILO
MERKITTY
Tammi, 2024, 400 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
French edition
German manuscript
Finnish edition

English synopsis for book #2 (Petetty)

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ESTONIA: Pegasus (2 books)
FRANCE: Mera Editions
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe
ITALY: Piemme
JAPAN: Kodansha Ltd.
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
NORWAY: Aschehoug
UKRAINE: Laboratoria
FILM & TV RIGHTS: Solar Films

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“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 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.

Photo credit: Mikko Rasila

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Milo #2: Betrayed

Max Seeck


2024, Crime & Suspense

Milo #1: Checkmate

Max Seeck


2022, Crime & Suspense

Ghost Island

Max Seeck


2021, Crime & Suspense

The Last Grudge

Max Seeck


2020, Crime & Suspense

The Ice Coven

Max Seeck


2019, Crime & Suspense

The Witch Hunter

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Mephisto Touch

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Call of Hades

Max Seeck


2016, Crime & Suspense

Angels of Hammurabi

Max Seeck

Dutch four-way auction closes for Michaela von Kügelgen’s VILLA HILDA trilogy!

We are over the moon to let you know that the four-way auction for Dutch rights to Michaela von Kügelgen’s Villa Hilda trilogy has now ended!

After strong interest and wonderful enthusiasm from all participating publishers, we’re excited to announce that we’ve found the perfect home for the series in the Netherlands and Belgium — congratulations to Singel Uitgevers. The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Publisher Elik Lettinga shared her thoughts:

This trilogy immediately appealed to me and my colleagues. The pitch alone had a relaxing effect, which was confirmed by the lively warmth of the narration. The combination of a big old house, food and interesting characters, all thrown together on an island, is quite delightful.

This follows the previous deals in Estonia, Denmark and Germany. The Estonian rights of the first book were sold to Hea Lugu at auction, while both the Danish and German rights were pre-empted in three-book-deals by Lindhardt & Ringhof and Aufbau Verlage. All of the deals are closed pre-publication!

Villa Hilda trilogy is charming and heartwarming series set on the Swedish island of Halsterö, where second chances, new begginning and cinnamon buns await.

The first book will be published by Schildts & Söderströms this June, and followed by book #2 in February 2026 and book #3 in September 2026. In addition to this feel-good series, Michaela, together with author Anne Hietanen, is working on a crime novel series that is set to debut in 2026 with book #1, The Last Word.

Download materials for VILLA HILDA trilogy here!

Reading materials available:

  • Full Swedish manuscript (Book 1)

  • English sample & synopsis (Book 1)

  • English synopsis (Book 2)

And don’t forget: FILI (Finnish Literature Exchange) supports translations also from Finnish-Swedishcovering 50–70% of translation costs. The current grant round is open until May 1st!

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Many people dream of a second chance in life, but how many dare to take it?

Far out in the Stockholm archipelago lies the island of Halsterö. Journalist Thomas and former celebrity chef Louise travel there to work at the Villa Hilda guesthouse. They are both broken after many setbacks and are hoping for a fresh start. But setting up a summer paradise is not as easy as one might think, not even on the idyllic Halsterö island.

One day Louise stumbles across a collection of old love letters. Who wrote them, and what stories does Villa Hilda hide in its dusty attic? And how will Thomas manage to take care of his dementia-stricken mother while setting up an archipelago guesthouse?

Summer at Villa Hilda is about how difficult it is to be human among other people, but also about how, with the help of others, one can find one’s way back to life.

SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA
SOMMAR PÅ VILLA HILDA
Schildts & Söderströms, June 2025,

VILLA HILDA #2
Schildts & Söderströms, February 2026

VILLA HILDA #3
Schildts & Söderströms, September 2026

READING MATERIALS
English sample
English synopsis
Swedish edition
Finnish PDF

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Schildts & Söderströms (orig. Finland-Swedish, Finnish)
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
DENMARK: Lindhardt og Ringhof Forlag
GERMANY: Aufbau Verlage
NETHERLANDS: Singel Uitgevers
SWEDEN: Schildts & Söderströms

About author


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: Susanna Kekkonen

Bibliography


2026, Crime & Suspense

The Last Word

Michaela von Kügelgen


2025, Commercial/Upmarket, Romance

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

3rd book in FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY trilogy by Spiegel Bestselling author Martta Kaukonen sold to Germany!

We are very excited to announce that Spiegel bestselling author Martta Kaukonen’s 3rd Follow the Butterfly thriller, Free, has been acquired by her German publisher Heyne in a pre-publication dealThe deal was closed by Martti Berner.

Congratulations to Martta Kaukonen, and Heyne! The anticipated third book in FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY trilogy will be published in Finland in May 2025.

Published as Therapiert in Germany, the first book has sold close to 30,000 copies and it hit the Spiegel bestseller list. The sequel, Traumatisiert, was just published in March.

Film and TV rights have been acquired by Legendary Tobis. Martta Kaukonen’s work has received glowing starred reviews everywhere it has been published. Last year Follow the Butterfly was nominated for Germany’s Viktor Crime Award  and for the prestigious Danish Glass Key Award.

 

Praise from UK authors of FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY:

“The premise is highly original and flawlessly executed, with an unexpected, ingenious twist at the end. The play between the patient and serial killer, Ida and her celebrity therapist, Clarissa, is deftly crafted, luring the reader in and entangling them in their web of deception. It is an utterly compelling, gripping read with an explosive conclusion.
Danielle Ramsay, author novel the Perfect Husband

“Dark, clever and hugely suspenseful, Follow the Butterfly is a breathtakingly fast-paced, original debut with vivid, intriguing characters and a masterfully constructed, compelling plotline that sinks its teeth into you from the first and doesn’t let go. Kaukonen’s writing is flawless, poignant and addictive, while the ending blew me away.”
-A. A. Chaudhuri, bestselling author of Under Her Roof

“Surprising, fresh and almost indecently fun, with two brilliantly original female leads and a sinuous plot that keeps you guessing until the very last page.”
-Tammy Cohen, author of The Wedding Party

“Breathlessly plotted, deviously constructed, and brought to vivid, twisted life by an antiheroine for the ages, FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY is an utterly beguiling debut. This isn’t just a thriller you sink your teeth into—it’s a thriller that sinks its teeth right back into you.”
-Elizabeth Little, author of Pretty as a Picture

 

Want to be part of this phenomenon? Rights are still available in Sweden, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Japan, Ukraine and more!

Click here to request reading materials for FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY trilogy!

 


Book #1: FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY

by Martta Kaukonen

An addictive psychological thriller in the spirit of Gillian Flynn

Ira, 20, a serial killer who was abducted as a child, starts therapy with celebrity therapist Clarissa. Only one of them knows that they share a mutual secret from the past. Will the other one realize it before she gets murdered?

Clarissa is a middle-aged psychotherapist, the best in her field. She is familiar to everyone from her TV appearances and from glossy magazines. For her, every patient is a princess. And someone only she can save. Or can she? Clarissa already has one suicide to answer for; a teenage boy’s death never seizes to haunt her.

When Ira becomes Clarissa’s patient, a cat-and-mouse game begins in which rules are followed by no one. The kind of game that never ends well.

Book #2: MEET ME IN THE DARKNESS
by Martta Kaukonen

Nothing is as it seems.

Four years have passed since the events of Follow the Butterfly. Ira and Arto have teamed up, and both work as crime journalists for the Helsinki Today. Everything’s going nicely, until Ira starts suspecting there’s a serial killer on the loose in Helsinki.

The murders are investigated by Senior Crime Inspector Kerttu Leppänen, who leads the murder unit and eagerly waits for retirement. Unsolved cases haunt Kerttu, who is unable to forgive herself.

The past catches up with all of them – if they were ever free from its clutches in the first place…

Book #3: FREE
by Martta Kaukonen

Is it worth digging up the truth?

It’s 1995. Detective Chief Inspector Kerttu Leppänen and her spouse, Inspector Esko Koivuvyö, are tasked with investigating the murder of a middle-aged woman. However, the crime scene presents a mystery that complicates the investigation: beside the body, there is a bloody knife on a pillow, even though it cannot be the murder weapon.

Thirty years later, Ira is determined to uncover the truth about her parents’ marriage. Why did her mother Marja fear her father Arto? And why does Arto refuse to answer Ira’s questions? Across different decades, Kerttu and Ira each come to the same realization: if you uncover the truth, you must be prepared to face its consequences.

Book #1: Follow the Butterfly
TERAPIASSA
WSOY, 2021, 471 pp.

Reading materials: English edition, German Edition

Book #2: Meet me in the Darkness
HENGISSÄ
WSOY, 2023, 272 pp.

Reading materials: German edition, unedited English manuscript

Book #3: Free
POISSA
WSOY, 2025, 300 pp.

Reading materials: English synopsis, Finnish edition

Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
CROATIA: Znanje
CZECHIA: Albatros Media
DENMARK: Forlaget Falco
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
FILM & TV: Legendary Tobis TV
GERMANY: Heyne (3 books)
GREECE: Psichogios (2 books)
HUNGARY: Partvonal Kiadó (2 books)
ICELAND: Storytel (3 books)
ITALY: Longanesi (2 books)
LATVIA: Jumava
LITHUANIA: Obuolys
POLAND: Czarna Owca (2 books)
UNITED KINGDOM: Pushkin Press (2 books)
UNITED STATES: Pushkin Press (2 books)
WORLD ARABIC: Al Arabi Publishing
WORLD ENGLISH (Audio): Audible

 

About author


Martta Kaukonen

Martta Kaukonen (1976) lives in Helsinki. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a film critic, whose reviews have been published in both Finland’s biggest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat and a popular women’s weekly magazine Me Naiset. Martta has a master’s degree in arts. She has interviewed the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Justin Bieber. Martta met her husband at his second hand bookshop and fell in love. Alongside writing, Martta loves psychological thrillers, film noir, flea markets, abandoned houses and travelling.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Free

Martta Kaukonen


2023, Crime & Suspense

Meet Me in the Darkness

Martta Kaukonen


2022, Crime & Suspense

In Your Shadow

Martta Kaukonen


2021, Crime & Suspense

Follow the Butterfly

Martta Kaukonen

MOORNA sequel by S. K. Rostedt cover reveal

We are super excited to share the cover for SONG OF THE BLACK FIRE by S. K. Rostedt, the sequel to her book DAUGHTER OF TWO BLOODS in the Moorna romantasy series! The second book will be published in Fall 2025.

Daughter of Two Bloods is Rostedt’s debut enemies-to-lovers romantasy novel oozing with fae, demons, and hot romance! Daughter of Two Bloods was voted number #59 in the 100 Best Books From Finland list in Finland’s biggest daily newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat, by Finnish readers! Daughter of Two Bloods also won the Best Book of the Year Award 2024! The award is presented by Finland’s biggest bookstore chain Suomalainen Kirjakauppa.

Daughter of Two Bloods

Remena is a land where humans and fae coexist, seemingly on equal terms. The elves who control magic live in their own territory in Keto under the authority of an elven ruler, even though the royalty of Remena is human. Since the fierce demons were banished to Tuoni at the end of the demon wars fought a thousand years ago, Remena has lived in peace… but the stirrings of danger loom on the horizon.

Moorna is a 21-year-old half-blood whose life as an escort to the capital’s aristocracy is harrowing. She wants to pay off her escort debt as quickly as possible and return home with her friend Malkra to live a life free from discrimination. When Moorna accidentally stumbles upon the annoyingly handsome fae, Caidas, she is torn from all that is familiar and safe, and quickly learns that nothing is as it seems.

“We are so proud and so happy to welcome the talented S. K. Rostedt in our Young Adult imprint, Collection R. We love everything about her wonderful series, and how she appropriates beautifully the codes of fantasy and romantasy. We are so excited to introduce the French version to the readers next year and we already know that they will fall in love with it!”
– Dorothy Aubert, Robert Laffont, France

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

DAUGHTER OF TWO BLOODS
KAHDEN VEREN TYTÄR
Otava, 2024, 509 pp.

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
FRANCE: Robert Laffont

READING MATERIALS:
English sample & synopsis, Finnish edition

About author


S. K. Rostedt

S. K. Rostedt aka Saara Rostedt (1993) is an author and marketing professional who grew up in Finland's book capital Sastamala. Now based in Helsinki, she is an avid romantasy reader who loves to spend time in nature and at her summer cabin. She has popular BookTok and Bookstagram social channels, where she talks about her writing and reading experiences. S. K. Rostedt, who gave up reading as a teenager, rediscovered the world of books in her twenties with the help of romantasy. Saara is known in social media as @skrostedt.

Photo credit: Jonne Räsänen/Otava

Bibliography


2024, Romance, Fantasy & Science Fiction

Daughter of Two Bloods

S. K. Rostedt

700,000 copies sold for ITTY BITTY PRINCESS books by Hannele Lampela!

We are so happy to tell you all that the Itty Bitty Princess books by Hannele Lampela, illustrated by Ninka Reittu have sold nearly 700,000 copies in Finland! Lampela also has two new Itty Bitty Princess books coming out in 2025. The Itty Bitty Princess film was released in 2024 and second one is now in development!

Itty Bitty Princess is a mischievous, bold, and kind-hearted little girl with a mind of her own. Whether it’s finding out where babies come from or fixing “mistakes” and injustices in fairy tales, Itty Bitty never shies away from a challenge!

Itty Bitty Princess books available:

Itty Bitty Princess picture books (3+):
Itty Bitty Princess and the Truth About Babies (2022)
Itty Bitty Princess’s Teeny Bit Terrific Fairy Tales (2022)

Itty Bitty Princess chapter books (40 pp-80 pp, 5+):
Itty Bitty Princess (2016)
Itty Bitty Princess’s Winter (2017)
Itty Bitty Princess’s Slightly Better Bedtime Stories (2018)
Itty Bitty Princess and The Horrible Injustice (2019)
Itty Bitty Princess’s Summer (2020)
Itty Bitty Princess’s Slightly Better Singalongs (2020)
Itty Bitty Princess Takes Over the World (2021)
Itty Bitty Princess and The Amazing Amusement Park (2023)
How many more sleeps until Christmas, Itty Bitty Princess? (2024)

 

Itty Bitty Princess and the Truth About Babies

Where do annoying little siblings come from? Itty Bitty Princess figures out the truth about babies in her own bold manner.

Of course, Itty Bitty Princess knows that babies grow in mothers’ tummies. But how did they end up there? And how do they get out? And most importantly: why on earth would parents want a baby that poops a lot and wakes them up in the middle of the night?

This charming picture book by Hannele Lampela, illustrated by Ninka Reittu, provides answers to children’s puzzling questions about babies, but also touches on the emotions that big sisters and brothers go through when they hear a baby is on the way.

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

 

Itty Bitty Princess’s Teeny Bit Terrific Fairy Tales

Have you ever thought of how a witch feels when her magnificent gingerbread house is eaten? Or the fairy who doesn’t get invited to a birthday party? Indeed, probably not so good.

Itty Bitty Princess has noticed that the ones who are already kind are the ones who always win the battles. Like her little brother. That’s why she has decided to tell a few stories from the side of the scoundrels, like the dragon that gets constantly poked by swords. After all, Itty Bitty Princess knows what it’s like to be kind and naughty at the same time.

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

 

Itty Bitty Princess and The Amazing Amusement Park

Itty Bitty Princess has a sleepover at her friend’s place. How exciting! What should she pack? And what should the princesses play? The sleepover itself feels exciting, but it gets even more fun when imagination takes flight and they end up visiting an amusement park at nighttime! Are there ghosts lurking about? And if there are, could they be kind?

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

 

How many more sleeps until Christmas, Itty Bitty Princess?

Itty Bitty Princess is impatiently waiting for Christmas. And believe it or not, every single night a little elf peeks in the window and looks to see what Itty Bitty Princess has been up to!

The days counting down to Christmas can fit magic, cakes, and gingerbread – and many, many questions. Among other things, about elves, kindness and why some get much bigger gifts than others or why some get to be angels in the Christmas play and others have to be donkeys.

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

ITTY BITTY PRINCESS AND THE TRUTH ABOUT BABIES
PRINSESSA PIKKIRIIKKI JA (KAAMEA) TOTUUS VAUVOISTA
Otava, 2022, 32 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
Full English PDF

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
DENMARK: Turbine Forlaget
ESTONIA: Kirjastus Elust Enesest
ITALY: Fabbri Editori
WORLD SPANISH: Planeta Mexico

 

ITTY BITTY PRINCESS’ TEENY BIT TERRIFIC FAIRY TALES
PRINSESSA PIKKIRIIKIN HIUKKASEN HURJAT SADUT
Otava, 2022, 80 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
Full English text

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)

 

ITTY BITTY PRINCESS AND THE AMAZING AMUSEMENT PARK
PRINSESSA PIKKIRIIKKI JA HURMAAVA HUVIPUISTO
Otava, 2023, 40 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
English synopsis, Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
ESTONIA: Kirjastus Elust Enesest

 

HOW MANY MORE SLEEPS UNTIL CHRISTMAS, ITTY BITTY PRINCESS?
MONTAKO YÖTÄ VIELÄ, PRINSESSA PIKKIRIIKKI?
Otava 2024, 80 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
English synopsis, Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)

About author


Hannele Lampela

Hannele Lampela's lovable works have been praised above all for their rich humor and ability to truly show the world from a child's perspective. She has the ability to enchant her readers, and that is why both children and adults love her stories. Lampela's works have been dramatized for example by the Finnish National Theater, Kuopio City Theater and YLE's radio plays. She has been awarded the prestigious Kaarina Helakisa Prize for her work and she has been nominated for Runeberg Junior award in 2019 and for Storytel Award, and Arvid Lydecken Award four times, most recently in 2023.

In addition to her fictional works, Lampela has written and created  a world of stories for the next national ABC book of Finnish schools. First graders across the country will learn to read through Hannele’s texts. Lampela lives in a small wooden house in the middle of apple trees with her family, and spends her days not only writing, but also pampering herself and others on a regular basis.

About author


Ninka Reittu

Ninka Reittu is an illustrator and children's book writer.

Reittu lives in an old clergy house in Liperi, Finland, with her son and carpenter husband. Their family also includes two cats, several dogs, and a flock of sheep.

In addition to her own picture books Messi ja Mysteeri and Sinä olet superrakas, she has illustrated the titles of Hannele Lampela (The Itty-Bitty Princess) and Kreetta Onkelin.

13,000 copies sold for CRIMSON WEB by Aamos Honka!

We are excited to report that Aamos Honka‘s espionage thriller Crimson Web has sold more than 13,000 copies in Finland!

Originally published in Finland in January, Crimson Web has been one of the bestselling fiction titles in Finland and has received outstanding reviews from the critics and the readers:

Did the best domestic thriller of 2025 arrive on the very first day of the year? Or at least the best debut novel? It’s possible, because Aamos Honka’s Crimson Web is quite a punch for fans of thrillers based on international politics. – A new star has just appeared in Finland’s thriller sky.”
– Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

One rarely encounters as great a debut thriller as [—] Aamos Honka’s literary debut Crimson Web, published in January. [—] In his novel, Honka has succeeded in creating a thrilling and even authentic atmosphere that keeps [the readers] in its grip until the end.”
– Jari Olavi Hiltunen, Satakunnan Kansa newspaper

The book delivers absolutely brilliant intensity. The thriller draws you in and keeps you tightly in its grip. At times, the pace is downright breathtakingly exciting. Aamos Honka seems to really know the ingredients of a good thriller. The reader doesn’t have to be an expert of the field to get a grasp of the novel’s world, and the narration is pleasantly easy to read. [—] in the reader’s mind there is a constant thought that all of this could probably happen in real life as well.
– Luetut.net book blog

”With his debut, Aamos Honka made my blood run cold. – When things get going, they do so with such speed and astonishment that even the most cynical reader is left breathless. – The series starts off quite powerfully, so expectations are high for what follows.
– Kirsin kirjanurkka blog

Additionally, Aamos Honka’s publisher Gummerus has revealed the cover for the sequel to Crimson Web – Article 5 (Viides artikla in original Finnish)!

Slated to be published in Finland in November, Article 5 sees the Finnish intelligence officer Janne Peura discover that Russia is executing a cold, calculated strategy to destabilize NATO’s unity. As geopolitical tensions escalate and the stakes of the operation rise, Peura must find a way to expose Russia’s true plan before it leads to open conflict – but every move could be a deception masking an even greater scheme.

Download materials for CRIMSON WEB here!

Crimson Web

Aamos Honka

A frighteningly topical debut thriller from an insider in the intelligence world, revealing the hidden heart of secrets ops and hybrid warfare.

Planes collide in London. Electricity and information networks are attacked in Finland. Janne Peura from military intelligence and Laura Vesterinen from the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service track down signs of foreign power operations. When Janne and Laura’s lines cross, they take on major roles in a high stakes international game.

Once you read the book, the news headlines will never look the same to you.

Article 5, book #2 in the Janne Peura series, is slated to be published in Finland in November 2025.

CRIMSON WEB
PUNAINEN VERKKO
Gummerus, 2025, 489 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample (chapters 1-6)
German sample (chapters 7-12)
English synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Gummerus (orig.)

About author


Aamos Honka

Aamos Honka has been a part of the Finnish intelligence community for over a decade and continues to work for the Finnish government. Drawing from his professional expertise, Aamos crafts gripping and realistic thrillers that delve deep into the high-stakes world of international espionage. He lives with his family in the picturesque Finnish archipelago, where he finds inspiration for his writing. In his free time, Aamos enjoys hunting and ice swimming.

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Crimson Web

Aamos Honka

THE LAST GRUDGE and GHOST ISLAND by NYT bestselling author Max Seeck sold to Turkey!

We are happy to let you know that the Turkish rights to The Last Grudge and Ghost Island, books #3 and #4 in the Jessica Niemi series by The New York Times and Spiegel bestselling author Max Seeck, have been acquired by Doğan Kitap! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlbäck Literary Agency.

Doğan Kitap is part of Doğan Yayınları, one of Turkey’s leading book and magazine publishers. Doğan Kitap’s authors include Ragnar Jónasson, Lars Kepler, Tess Gerritsen, Camilla Läckberg, Jo Nesbø, Jean-Christopher Grangé, etc.

Rights for Max Seeck’s novels, including the Jessica Niemi series, have been sold to 41 territories, Max Seeck’s novels have sold more than 1,000,000 copies internationally, and have earned Max the Glass Key Award of 2023 (for The Last Grudge)! Additionally, a TV series based on the Jessica Niemi novels is in development by Greg Silverman/Stampede Ventures, while Solar Films is adapting Max’s latest novel Milo as an international TV series!

Download materials for the JESSICA NIEMI series here!

The Last Grudge

Max Seeck

Winner of the Glass Key Award 2023! The third installment in the NYT-bestselling series!

A prominent business executive Eliel Zetterborg is found brutally murdered in his home in Helsinki. The company he led has just announced drastic cutbacks and Zetterborg gained hundreds of enemies and death threats in the process.

But the murder motive become less clear, when the police finds out that the murderer had other targets as well. The only clue the police has is a photo of Zetterborg with three other men, whose faces are all scratched off. Who are the faceless men, and why can’t the police identify them? Are they other victims? Or something more sinister?

While Jessica Niemi suffers from a mental breakdown after her encounter with the witch coven, Jusuf gets a chance to lead the investigations and prove his skills as a police officer, while helping Jessica battle her demons that seem to come closer and closer…

Ghost Island

Max Seeck

The fourth title in the NYT-bestselling Jessica Niemi series!

A month after solving the Zetterborg case, Jessica Niemi is ordered on paid leave after an altercation, and she decides to travel to a small island in the Åland archipelago to escape the attention and find some peace. Meanwhile, a group of old people arrive on the same island, and Jessica learns that they are the remaining members of the Doves, the people who had to flee from Finland to Sweden during World War II and ended up living in an orphanage on the very same island.

One evening, Jessica hears a local legend about a girl who also inhabited the orphanage once, but who was mentally ill. Every night at two o’clock, the girl put on her blue coat and went to stand on the pier, waiting for something that never showed up. One night she disappeared and was never found. That same night, one of the remaining Doves dies.

Jessica soon finds out that two other people have previously faced the same fate on the same island, and all three people seem to have something to do with the girl in the blue coat. A chain of events starts to escalate, and we don’t know whether we’re facing a killer or – just like the legend says – a ghost, the girl in the blue coat.

Jessica Niemi is once again facing a scary mystery where the stakes are considerable. Whilst battling her own demons, uncertain what is real and what is not, she needs to find out the truth.

THE WITCH HUNTER
USKOLLINEN LUKIJA
Tammi, 2019, 400 pp.

THE ICE COVEN
PAHAN VERKKO
Tammi, 2020, 370 pp.

THE LAST GRUDGE
KAUNA
Tammi, 2021, 390 pp.

GHOST ISLAND
LOUKKO
Tammi, 2022, 358 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English editions

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ALBANIA: Muza
ARABIC: Arab Scientific Publishers (World Arabic)
ARMENIA: Guitank
AZERBAIJAN: Alatoran
BELGIUM: A.W. Bruna
BULGARIA: EMAS
CANADA: Berkley/Penguin Random House
CROATIA: Fokus (Book 1)
CZECHIA: Grada
DENMARK: Gutkind
ESTONIA: Pegasus
FRANCE: Michel Lafon (Books 1-2)
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe
GREECE: Livanis (Book 1-2)
HUNGARY: Animus
ICELAND: Forlagid
ISRAEL: Tchelet Books (Book 1)
ITALY: Piemme (Books 1-2)
KOREA: Cheongmirae
LATIN AMERICA: Editorial Maeva/Maeva Noir
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
LITHUANIA: Baltos lankos (Book 1)
NETHERLANDS: A.W. Bruna
NORTH MACEDONIA: Matica
NORWAY: Aschehoug
POLAND: Sonia Draga (Books 1-2)
PORTUGAL: Bertrand Editora (Books 1-2)
ROMANIA: Litera (Books 1-2)
RUSSIA: AST
SERBIA: Vulkan
SLOVAKIA: Motýľ
SLOVENIA: Didakta
SPAIN: Editorial Maeva/Maeva Noir (Book 1)
SWEDEN: Albert Bonniers Förlag
TURKEY: Doğan Kitap
UKRAINE: Family Leisure Club’
UNITED KINGDOM & COMMONWEALTH: Welbeck Publishing UK
UNITED STATES: Berkley/Penguin Random House
FILM & TV RIGHTS: Stampede Ventures (Greg Silverman)

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“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 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.

Photo credit: Mikko Rasila

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Milo #2: Betrayed

Max Seeck


2024, Crime & Suspense

Milo #1: Checkmate

Max Seeck


2022, Crime & Suspense

Ghost Island

Max Seeck


2021, Crime & Suspense

The Last Grudge

Max Seeck


2020, Crime & Suspense

The Ice Coven

Max Seeck


2019, Crime & Suspense

The Witch Hunter

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Mephisto Touch

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Call of Hades

Max Seeck


2016, Crime & Suspense

Angels of Hammurabi

Max Seeck

Hungarian rights sold to THE SECRET STAIRCASE by Salla Simukka and JP Ahonen!

We’re thrilled to announce that the Hungarian rights for The Secret Staircase, an award-nominated middle-grade novel written by Salla Simukka and illustrated by JP Ahonen, were acquired by Ciceró Könyvstúdió! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe and Elina Ahlbäck at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

A grounded fantasy novel with a classic feel, The Secret Staircase is the first collaboration of award-winning and internationally bestselling novelist Salla Simukka, known for her Snow White trilogy, and illustrator JP Ahonen, known for his Belzebubs project. The Secret Staircase was nominated for the 2024 Finlandia Prize for Children’s and YA Literature and won the 2024 Kuopus Prize for best children’s novel!

With this latest sale, The Secret Staircase has now been sold to 4 territories!
Rights are available in, e.g., Germany, Denmark, Poland, Italy, France, Netherlands…

Download materials for THE SECRET STAIRCASE here!

The Secret Staircase

Salla Simukka, illustrated by JP Ahonen

What would you do if you found a secret room in your house? A story about friendship and two boys in two worlds.

An exciting and touching novel about two boys, who live in the same house but in different realities. Can their friendship cross the border separating two worlds?

10-year-old Alexis’ family moves to a house where he gets the attic room. Another 10-year-old-boy, Max, moves to a house, where a great basement room is waiting for him. Soon the boys notice something weird in their houses: Alexis hears voices under the floor, even though they don’t have a basement. Max’s ears pick up someone playing an instrument from the attic, even though no one is there.

When the two boys finally meet, they realize that they can visit each other’s worlds at night time. But will their friendship endanger everything when the worlds start to blur into each other?

THE SECRET STAIRCASE
POIKA ULLAKOLLA, POIKA KELLARISSA
Tammi, 2024, 200 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
CZECHIA: Portál
ESTONIA: Ühinenud Ajakirjad
HUNGARY: Ciceró Könyvstúdió

About author


JP Ahonen

JP Ahonen (1981) is a comic book artist, illustrator, and the author of several newspaper strips in his native Finland. He is best known for his graphic novel SING NO EVIL and the critically acclaimed strip series BELZEBUBS, which has evolved from a humble webcomic into a unique cross-media project, interweaving comics, music and animation.

About author


Salla Simukka

Salla Simukka is the author of the international success story The Snow White Trilogy: rights are sold in 53 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.

Hungarian rights sold for STIVEN by Ted Forsström and Åsa Lucander!

We are excited to let you know that the Hungarian rights for Ted Forsström and Åsa Lucander‘s picture book Stiven were acquired by Cerkabella! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe and Elina Ahlbäck at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Cerkabella is a member of the Móra Publishing Group and they aim to publish children’s and YA books with high quality content and illustrated at an artistic level and to get little-known works and authors into the public consciousness. They are also the publishers of Ted Forsström and Åsa Lucander’s previous picture book Stella, which has been sold to 9 territories.

After the huge success of Stella (books sold out at a surprising rate), there’s no question that we’d like to add Stiven to the shelf. In Hungary, there’s a pet in almost every household. The number of dogs and cats compete with each other, so where there is a dog book, there must be a cat book. Stiven‘s funny illustrations and the situation relatable for every cat owner make for a fun, laugh-out-loud book. We’re looking forward to it!
– Ági Bodrogi, foreign rights, Cerkabella, Hungary

Download materials for STIVEN here!

Stiven

Ted Forsström, illustrated by Åsa Lucander

Highly recommended for everyone, but especially families with young children, and particularly for those who share their lives with a cat – or perhaps, for those who are ruled by one.

The food is gone! Stiven roars. This is urgent! Come out!

Have you ever thought how frustrating life can be for a cat? When something as simple as getting fed turns into a daily battle? For Stiven, the logic is simple: an empty bowl must be filled immediately. How can an entire family have such a hard time understanding this?

The glutton Stiven is a stubborn drama queen, holding the whole family hostage with one mission: more food immediately! He’s a big personality, alternately majestic and pathetic, and neither mom, dad, the child, nor the baby escapes his constant demands for food and attention. This leads to comedic moments in the everyday life of a young family with a pet, brilliantly captured in Åsa Lucander’s lively illustrations.

Ted Forsström’s text is atmospheric and down-to-earth, with his characteristic playful rhymes occasionally shining through. It’s highly relatable for families with young children and especially for anyone who owns a cat—or is owned by one. The duo’s previous bedtime story, Stella, was nominated for the Finlandia Prize for Children’s and YA Literature.

STIVEN
STIVENS FAT ÄR UTAN MAT
Förlaget, 2025, 40 pp.

READING MATERIALS
Swedish PDF
English text

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Förlaget (orig. Finland-Swedish)
HUNGARY: Cerkabella
SWEDEN: Förlaget

About author


Åsa Lucander

Åsa Lucander is a director and designer, working in illustration and animation both in the UK as well as Scandinavia.

Originally from Finland, she moved to London in 2001 where she was introduced to animation while studying illustration. After graduating she joined the animation studio 12foot6 where she stayed until 2014.

In 2015 she joined Aardman Animations in Bristol, where she is now based.

With multi-faceted strengths in storytelling, design and animation she loves exploring various creative styles, be it in 2d, stop motion or CGI. Åsa has a passion for hand rendered drawings and explores many different textures and mediums in all areas of her work. She loves mixing humour with melancholy and thrills in bringing characters of every shape and form to life with compelling scripts and inventive visions. She nimbly blends music, authentic dialogue, film segments, hand drawn characters and dolls in innovative ways.

Åsa has directed multiple shorts, including her award-winning film Lost Property, as well as many heart-warming commercial films for clients including Blue Peter, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Project Every- one and Childline, and a VR documentary film for BBC. Most recently she directed the music video for Coldplay’s track Daddy that has won numerous awards.

The Finlandia-nominated Stella (2023) was the first picture book by Åsa Lucander, who, in addition to being a director and illustrator at Aardman Animations, has also animated music videos for artists such as Coldplay. She created the book together with Ted Forsström. In spring 2025 her and Ted's second collaboration, Stiven, was published.

About author


Ted Forsström

Ted Forsström is a Finnish-Swedish media personality, author, and comedian based in Ostrobothnia. He has worked as an actor, radio host, and screenwriter, and is widely known as one half of the popular duo Ted & Kaj. Together with Kaj Korkea-aho, he co-wrote the Finlandia Junior-nominated YA trilogy ZOO! and currently co-hosts Ted & Kaj, the most popular Swedish-language podcast in Finland.

Forsström also creates children’s content for Svenska Yle. In 2023, he published the Finlandia-nominated children’s book Stella together with illustrator Åsa Lucander. In spring 2025, the follow-up Stiven was published.

Estonian rights sold for Päivi Lukkarila’s Finlandia Prize-winning DEEP IN THE WOODS!

We’re happy to announce that the Estonian rights for Päivi Lukkarila‘s Finlandia Prize-winning and bestselling YA novel Deep in the Woods were acquired by Ühinenud Ajakirjad! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Päivi Lukkarila’s novel about four teenagers who embark on a smartphone-free weekend wilderness trek was an immediate success with the Finnish critics and readers, with many praising its use of language, its depictions of the challenges young adults face in their lives, and its ominous atmosphere. Deep in the Woods was awarded the 2024 Finlandia Prize for Children’s an YA Literature and it has sold close to 10,000 copies to date!

This is the first foreign rights sale for Deep in the Woods!
Rights are available in all other territories!

Download materials for DEEP IN THE WOODS here!

Deep in the Woods

Päivi Lukkarila

Four very different teens sent on a smartphone-free wilderness expedition… Finlandia Prize Winning and bestselling mystery story for 13+!

Luka feels like he’s in high school only to satisfy his parents. Why bother with something you’re not interested in?

Sabina’s relationship with Nella has ended. Nella liked her when she was just “conveniently” queer, girly and long-haired. Now that Sabina has decided to be who she always wanted to be, Nella has left her. How do the other three participants in the hike feel about her?

Nasim, from Nokia, dreams of studying literature and becoming a writer, but is constantly confronted with prejudice.

Joel is convinced that one day he’ll be a world-famous stand-up comedian. Comedy’s tough, and it’s easy to overdo it when you’re trying to make people laugh. Joel tells a very different story about his background. What’s real, and what is he making up?

The expedition is only supposed to last three days, but a fateful event changes everything and the teens have to survive in the wild without their guide. They try to entertain each other with ghost stories, and as they tell them, their own frightening childhood experiences come back to haunt them. There seems to be something creepy about their surroundings. What was it in there that spooked all the tourists and will the four be left to wander the wilds until their final days?

DEEP IN THE WOODS
SKUTSI
Nokkahiiri, 2024, 200 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Nokkahiiri (orig.)
ESTONIA: Ühinenud Ajakirjad

About author


Päivi Lukkarila

Päivi Lukkarila, born in 1967, is a Tampere-based author known for her sensitive yet realistic portrayal of young people's lives and emotions in her novels. In addition to the Finlandia Prize, she was awarded the Klara Prize in 2024, which is granted for an outstanding easy-to-read book for children or YA in Finnish or Swedish. She has also won the Tampere City Literature Prize twice. Furthermore, her books have been nominated for both the Arvid Lydecken and Anni Polva literary awards. In addition to her work as an author, Lukkarila teaches Finnish language and literature.

Bibliography


2024, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

Deep in the Woods

Päivi Lukkarila

TANGLED ROOTS by Maria Turtschaninoff published in English!

We are excited to let you know that the English edition of Maria Turtschaninoff‘s award-winning novel Tangled Roots (aka Inherited Land)translated by Annie Prime, has been published by Pushkin Press!

Maria Turtschaninoff’s epic intergenerational novel tells multiple enchanting stories about short human lives on a small farmstead in the north of Finland with its golden cloudberries and mythical forest creatures. The hub of the narrative is a marsh close to the farmstead, and nature is the constant while humans are like dragonflies: here one day, gone the next. Across four centuries, the people face wars, epidemics, and heartbreaks, but in the woods they find shelter and a place to be themselves.

Tangled Roots has received numerous accolades. It has won four literary prizes in Finland (the Svenska Yle Literature Prize of 2022, the Thank You for the Book Award of 2022, the Young Aleksis Award of 2023, and the Eeva Joenpelto Literary Prize of 2024), the Czech edition is currently nominated for the Magnesia Litera Award of 2025, and the Dutch edition was nominated for the Europese Literatuurprijs of 2024!

International praise for Tangled Roots:

Maria Turtschaninoff, an outstanding storyteller, creates a wonderful lyrical novel following several generations from the Middle Ages to the present day. [—] You just have to taste this touching fresh breath of air.
– Thierry Boillot, L’Alsace, France

You have to read this book. It’s early in the year, but Tangled Roots could be the best book I am reviewing this year. [—] I am not giving 6 [stars out of 6] often, a 6 should have something timeless in it, it should be worth reading for generations after us. It’s hard to find a book more timeless than Tangled Roots.”
– Steinar Brandsled, Stavanger Aftenblad newspaper, Norway (6/6 stars)

Maria Turtschaninoff demonstrates the skill of both a fantasy author and an expert in the field of human ecology. For her, the interconnectedness between the human and natural worlds is not an obligatory ride, a romantic lightening of difficult stories or satisfaction with the current trend, but a natural way to present human destinies in their complexity.”
– Lubomir Jaško, medziknihami.sk, Slovakia

The novel Tangled Roots is a successful attempt to bring people and land back into contact with each other. Without lapsing into nature nostalgia, the story creates a movingly honest and earthy image that will stay with you for a long time.
– Leendert Torn, Nederlands Dagblad newspaper, Netherlands

Tangled Roots has been sold to 23 territories!
Rights are available in, e.g., Japan, Slovakia, Latvia, Greece, Korea, Lithuania, Spain…

Download materials for TANGLED ROOTS here!

Tangled Roots (aka Inherited Land)

Maria Turtschaninoff

The roots of people and forest are intertwined in the depths of the earth.

An old soldier carves a croft out of the Finnish forest and calls it home, but try as he might to tame the land, its wild magic endures. For centuries his descendants will work the farm, through days of plenty and famine, love and war, their fates entangled with the rhythms of the ancient wilderness, where mysterious shapes flit between the trees and danger lurks in the treacherous fen…

Like dragonflies darting over the marsh, their lives glimmer briefly and then are gone: a young girl entranced by the forest folk, a faithless fiancé who meets his match beneath the age-old branches, a farmhand with a strange obsession…

What endures is the wild, and the certainty that wherever we put down roots, the land will grow roots in us too.

TANGLED ROOTS
ARVEJORD
Förlaget, 2022, 371 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English edition
Swedish manuscript
Finnish translation

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Förlaget (orig. Finland-Swedish), Tammi (Finnish)
AZERBAIJAN: Alatoran
BULGARIA: Izida
CHINA: Rentian Ulus
CROATIA: Hena Com
CZECHIA: ARGO
DENMARK: Alpha Forlag
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
FRANCE: Éditions Paulsen
GERMANY: Rowohlt
HUNGARY: L’Harmattan
ISRAEL: Hakibbutz Hameuchad – Sifriat Poalim Publishing House
ITALY: Bompiani
NETHERLANDS: Uitgeverij Atlas Contact
NORWAY: Bonnier Norsk Forlag
POLAND: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie
ROMANIA: Editura Univers
TURKEY: Timas
UKRAINE: Old Lion Publishing House
WORLD ENGLISH: Pushkin Press

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. In 2024, Maria Turtschaninoff won the Eeva Joenpelto Literary Prize (10,000 euro award) for her literary masterpiece Tangled Roots.

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

Photo credit: Veikko Somerpuro/Tammi

Bibliography


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Manticore

Maria Turtschaninoff


2022, Literary Fiction

Tangled Roots

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

FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY by Martta Kaukonen a bestseller in Italy!

We are excited to let you know that Butterfly, the Italian edition of Martta Kaukonen‘s international bestseller Follow the Butterfly, has sold more than 20,000 copies in Italy!

On top of this excellent sales success, Martta Kaukonen was interviewed by fellow crime and thriller author Nadine Matheson on her The Conversation with Nadine Matheson podcast! They discussed topics such as Martta’s original inspiration for the main character of her novel Follow the Butterfly and how we are often stopped from pursuing our dreams by obstacles that we have set ourselves.

You can listen to the podcast her: Martta Kaukonen: The Voice in –The Conversation with Nadine Matheson – Apple Podcasts

Follow the Butterfly has been sold to 16 territories!
Rights are available in, e.g., France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, Spain, Romania…

Download materials for FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY here!

Follow the Butterfly

Martta Kaukonen

Can she cure a killer? An addictive psychological thriller in the spirit of Gillian Flynn!

Ira, 20, a serial killer who was abducted as a child, starts therapy with celebrity therapist Clarissa. Only one of them knows that they share a mutual secret from the past. Will the other one realize it before she gets murdered?

Clarissa is a middle-aged psychotherapist, the best in her field. She is familiar to everyone from her TV appearances and from glossy magazines. For her, every patient is a princess. And someone only she can save. Or can she? Clarissa already has one suicide to answer for; a teenage boy’s death never seizes to haunt her.

When Ira becomes Clarissa’s patient, a cat-and-mouse game begins in which rules are followed by no one. The kind of game that never ends well.

FOLLOW THE BUTTERFLY
TERAPIASSA
WSOY, 2021, 471 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English edition
German edition
Italian edition
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
CROATIA: Znanje
CZECHIA: Kniha Zlin/Albatros
DENMARK: Falco
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
GERMANY: Heyne
GREECE: Psichogios
HUNGARY: Partvonal
ITALY: Longanesi
ICELAND: Storytel
LATVIA: Jumava
LITHUANIA: Obuolys
POLAND: Czarna Owca
UNITED KINGDOM: Pushkin Press
UNITED STATES: Pushkin Press
WORLD ARABIC: Al Arabi Publishing
WORLD ENGLISH (Audio): Audible

About author


Martta Kaukonen

Martta Kaukonen (1976) lives in Helsinki. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a film critic, whose reviews have been published in both Finland’s biggest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat and a popular women’s weekly magazine Me Naiset. Martta has a master’s degree in arts. She has interviewed the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Justin Bieber. Martta met her husband at his second hand bookshop and fell in love. Alongside writing, Martta loves psychological thrillers, film noir, flea markets, abandoned houses and travelling.

Photo credit: Otto Virtanen

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Free

Martta Kaukonen


2023, Crime & Suspense

Meet Me in the Darkness

Martta Kaukonen


2022, Crime & Suspense

In Your Shadow

Martta Kaukonen


2021, Crime & Suspense

Follow the Butterfly

Martta Kaukonen

Bestseller titles from the Ahlback Agency!

Titles represented by the Ahlback Agency have been on the official bestseller lists of Finland in March 2025!

What Finland Reads is a monthly statistic compiled by the Booksellers’ Association of Finland, which brings together the best-selling literature in Finland. The list includes literature in print form as well as audio and e-books.

 

Dad Man and the Mysterious Puppet Master by Arttu Unkari and Kai Vaalio is included in both All Genres and Children’s and Young Adult lists.

In Finnish literature list you can find Crimson Web by Aamos Honka, which has been one of the most purchased books in Finland since it’s release in January!

Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life by Frank Martela can be found on the most purchased Non-Fiction books list.

Traces by Anna Harju is one of the most purchased print books. Traces has been on the best selling lists since it’s release in January!

Princess Rascal and the Dark Fairy by Elina Hirvonen and Mervi Lindman is one of the most purchased Children’s and Young Adult books in e-book form.

 

Dad Man and the Mysterious Puppet Master

BY ARTTU UNKARI AND KAI VAALIO

The quirkiest cop in town! The Dad Man Series offers fast-paced adventures and humour for all ages – especially lower middle grade.

✓ Bestselling series: over 200,000 copies sold in Finland!

✓ Rights sold to Germany (2 books) and Denmark (2 books)!

✓ Perfect for reluctant readers and for fans of David Walliams and Captain Underpants

✓ All books in the series have been nominated for the Storytel awards Best children’s audiobook prize!

✓ Books in the series have also been recognized with Best Newcomer of the Year 2020, and the Runeberg Prize 2023!

✓ Bold and fresh 4-colour comic-book style artwork that add visual jokes to the narration

✓ Work as standalones and can be read in any order!

The wackiest cop in town is messing up again! A fast-paced adventure full of humor for elementary school readers.

A supervillain calling himself the Mysterious Puppet Master robs the Museum of Ancient Diseases and threatens to unleash deadly germs if the city’s smartest detective doesn’t complete the tasks he’s assigned.

Who else but Dadman rises heroically to the challenge, dragging Oona and the gang back into action. They must solve the Puppet Master’s riddles before it’s too late — and before Dadman ruins everything. Because those tasks? They’re not quite as heroic as Dadman thought..

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

 

Crimson Web

BY AAMOS HONKA

A frighteningly topical debut thriller from an insider in the intelligence world, revealing the hidden heart of secrets ops and hybrid warfare.

Planes collide in London. Electricity and information networks are attacked in Finland. Janne Peura from military intelligence and Laura Vesterinen from the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service track down signs of foreign power operations. When Janne and Laura’s lines cross, they take on major roles in a high stakes international game.

Once you read the book, the news headlines will never look the same to you.

The sequel to Crimson Web, book #2 in the Janne Peura series, is slated to be published in Finland in November 2025.

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

 

Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life

BY FRANK MARTELA

A guide to finding happiness by Finland’s leading happiness expert UK publication on March 20, 2025!

✓  World English rights sold to Allen & Unwin, German rights to Knesebeck, and Finnish rights at auction to Gummerus!

✓ Full English manuscript available!

✓  Frank Martela, PhD, is Finland’s #1 internationally bestselling non-fiction author – his previous title, A Wonderful Life, has been sold to 30 countries!

✓  A unique blend of personal stories and quirky anecdotes combined with deep understanding of the latest psychological research on well-being

✓  Finland has been ranked the happiest country 7 times in a row and Frank Martela has explained the secret to Finnish happiness for Fox NewsNew York TimesScientific American and New Scientist.

What if the secret to happiness isn’t finding it—but letting it go?

In a world obsessed with success and self-improvement, the chase for happiness often leaves us feeling lost. The real path to contentment lies in unlearning the habits holding you back: stop obsessing over what others think, stop being so sensitive about your feelings, stop measuring your value by what you have.

In Stop Chasing Happiness, academic and philosopher Frank Martela – hailing from Finland, the world’s happiest country – reveals why our fixation on happiness and achievement is making us miserable. With wisdom rooted in science, philosophy, and personal experience, Martela shows you the path to a life of energized contentment.

Through this transformative book, you’ll discover:

* the courage to free yourself from the pressures of what you should do

* the serenity to accept whatever life throws at you

* the sparkle to energetically pursue whatever you identify as your real values.

Stop the anxious chase. You have already arrived. Start living your own life through accepting the past, enjoying the present, and working towards a better future – it all starts here.

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

Traces

BY ANNA HARJU

“Perfect suspense!” – Max Seeck, New York Times bestselling author

The opening of a gripping crime series set in trendy Tampere. Taro Auramo Series #1

There are secrets whose revelation will have fatal consequences. There is no escaping them, no matter how hard you try. Must one always pay for their mistakes?

A well-liked pharmacist is found murdered at his workplace. Suspicion falls on pharmacist Joanna Vihervuori, the last person to see her boss alive. Joanna insists she is innocent, but the case begins to twist around her in a strange way.

For Tampere Police Detective Inspector Taro Auramo, this murder investigation is the place to prove himself. The white dust on the dead pharmacist’s cheek raises doubts about whether his business is completely clean, and soon nothing will be as it seems.

Psychologically astute and utterly addictive, Traces is the first in the Taro Auramo crime series set in Tampere. Book #2 is slated to be published in 2026 and book #3 in 2027.

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

Princess Rascal and the Dark Fairy

BY ELINA HIRVONEN AND MERVI LINDMAN

A picture book about being scared of the dark

✓ Shows day-to-day challenges of families with children with a lot of warmth and humor

✓ Rights in series sold into 5 languages

Would a crown of courage or a string of pearls with happy things help in the dark?

Beloved Princess Rascal is a little girl with big feelings and magical powers. The popular picture book series continues!

Princess Rascal stays awake all night, because there’s a monster under her bed. No one believes that, but Princess Rascal knows it’s true. She feels that no one else has such big worries and that no one else is even afraid of anything! Somehow this problem has to be solved: could there be something in Princess Rascal’s toy box that could help?

The Princess Rämäpää series by Elina Hirvonen and Mervi Lindman takes the reader on magical adventures that can be found right in the middle of everyday life, as long as you have enough imagination.

DOWNLOAD READING MATERIALS HERE

DAD MAN AND THE MYSTERIOUS PUPPET MASTER
ISÄMIES JA SALAPERÄINEN NUKKEMESTARI
Otava, 2025, 176 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
Finnish pdfs books 1-6
German edition books 1-2
Danish edition book 1
English sample book 4

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
DENMARK: Bogoo (2 books)
GERMANY: Mixtvision (2 books)

 

CRIMSON WEB
PUNAINEN VERKKO
Gummerus, 2025, 489 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
English sample
English synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Gummerus (orig.)

 

STOP CHASING HAPPINESS: A PESSIMIST’S GUIDE TO A GOOD LIFE
ÄLÄ ETSI ONNEA: EPÄTYYPILLISIÄ ELÄMÄNOHJEITA NYKYIHMISELLE
Allen & Unwin, 2025, 200 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
Full English edition
English chapters

RIGHTS SOLD:
UK: Allen & Unwin (orig.)
FINLAND: Gummerus
GERMANY: Knesebeck
WORLD ENGLISH: Allen & Unwin

 

TRACES
JÄLJET
Tammi, 2025, 382 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
English sample & synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)

 

PRINCESS RASCAL AND THE DARK FAIRY
PRINSESSA RÄMÄPÄÄ JA MÖRKÖTAIKA
Tammi, 2024, 44 pp.

READING MATERIALS:
English sample & synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)

About author


Aamos Honka

Aamos Honka has been a part of the Finnish intelligence community for over a decade and continues to work for the Finnish government. Drawing from his professional expertise, Aamos crafts gripping and realistic thrillers that delve deep into the high-stakes world of international espionage. He lives with his family in the picturesque Finnish archipelago, where he finds inspiration for his writing. In his free time, Aamos enjoys hunting and ice swimming.

About author


Anna Harju

Anna Harju (b. 1983) enjoys atmospheric detective stories with a compelling, complex plot. By profession, she is a translator and communication multitasker. She enjoys the solitude of early mornings, sprinting in silent forests and questioning the ordinary. Unlike her character, Taro Auramo, she is terrified of heights but shares his impulsive nature and feeling of not always fitting in.

Traces is her debut novel and takes place in Tampere, the sauna capital of the world and the largest inland city of the Nordics, where Harju is from.

Photo credit: Jan Lönnberg

About author


Arttu Unkari

Arttu Unkari is a teacher from Helsinki and a Master of Education (University of Helsinki, 2015) who majored in ethics and philosophy.  He combines his educational background and experience as a teacher in his books – his stories are anarchist and zany, but at the same time the humour often revolves around profound and intriguing concepts such as honesty, obedience, and morality in ways that speak to children in their own language. His books are enjoyed by adults as well because they contain layers that open up differently to readers of all ages. This is one of the reasons Dad Man is such a great series for the whole family.

As an author Unkari is a Runeberg prize nominee 2023 for the third instalment of the Dadman series: Dad Man and the Horrible Hypnosis (Isämies ja hyytävä hypnoosi, Otava 2022). The Runeberg Prize is a literary prize awarded by the newspaper Uusimaa, the City of Porvoo, the Finnish Writers' Union, the Finnish Critics' Association and the Finland’s-Swedish Writer’s Association. The prize was established in 1986 and it is awarded annually in Porvoo on 5th February, the day when Finland celebrates their national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg.  All of his previous books (Dad Man and the Exploding poop, Dad Man and the Evil Little Brother,  Dad Man and the Horrible Hypnosis and Dad Man and the Impossible Time Warp) have been nominated for best children’s audiobook in the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Finnish Storytel awards. He’s also participated in making a Finnish language schoolbook (Loikka 3, Otava 2022).

Unkari is a sought after inspirational speaker in his home country. He’s visited schools all over Finland advocating for the importance of reading.

About author


Elina Hirvonen

Elina Hirvonen is an award-winning author of adults' and children's prose and documentary filmmaker whose works have been translated into many languages. Hirvonen’s debut novel, When I Forgot, made the front page of The New York Times Book Review, and received rave reviews from the Independent, Guardian, Financial Times and Globe and Mail.

Hirvonen has won the Kalevi Jäntti Prize, the Young Aleksis Prize, has been nominated for the prestigious Finlandia Prize. She has received the prestigious 2023 Werner Söderström Osakeyhtiö Literary Foundation Award, recognizing the artistic independence and high standard of her writing.

Her new novel, The Logbook of Love, was published in Finland in August 2023. The Logbook of Love is the first part of a trilogy of novels that create their world through conversations.

About author


Frank Martela

Professor Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Harvard Business Review, Salon, CNBC and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. His research has been published extensively in numerous academic journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal of Personality, Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy, and Academy of Management Review. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, including invited lectures in universities on five continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Vice News, Fox News,and Monocle Observer among others. He is Assistant Professor at Aalto University in Finland. Outside of work, Frank is a father to three lovely children, an amateur-level soccer player, with an occasional skiing trip in the winters. He is made in Green Bay, so Packers holds a special place in his heart.

About author


Kai Vaalio

Kai Vaalio (b. 1986) is an illustrator, comic artist, and a bit of a cosmopolitan as well. He’s written and illustrated underground comic books for adults about his travels in South-East Asia and Latin America — the latter won Mondo magazine’s Travel book of the year award back in 2014. Recently he’s ventured into the world of illustrating children’s books mainly with Arttu Unkari’s Dad Man Series. Together they’ve made several books about this goofy detective and his clever little posse. The Dad Man Series has received Storytel Awards and Runeberg Junior 2023 award nominations. Vaalio’s been on and off in the graphic industry since 2005 when he graduated as a graphic designer from Lahti College of Arts and Crafts. In 2018 he got his bachelor’s degree from Lahti University of Applied Science.

Jennifer De Paola interview on BBC

We were thrilled to see that our author Jennifer De Paola was interviewed about the World Happiness Report on BBC World News. Watch the interview here.

In her forthcoming book, The Happiness Puzzle, she explores the paradox of Finland – how can a nation of quiet, introverted people who keep their emotions in check be the happiest in the world?

We are currently selling the world rights. An English book proposal and English sample chapters are available.

Download the English materials for THE HAPPINESS PUZZLE here!

The Happiness Puzzle

Jennifer De Paola

The starting point in The Happiness Puzzle is the paradox of Finland: how can a nation of quiet and somewhat introverted people who tend to keep their emotions in check be the happiest nation on Earth? Perhaps it’s not just a question of being contented, satisfied with your life? This is what clinical psychologist and researcher Jennifer De Paola, PhD, sets out to do.

The Happiness Puzzle bridges the gap between academic research and everyday life, making complex psychological insights accessible to a broad audience and relying on years of empirical research. Dr De Paola’s research includes 70 in-depth conversations with ordinary Finns, offering an unparalleled glimpse into how happiness is actually lived and experienced in the so-called happiest country in the world. This is not just a book about theories – it is a book about real people, real struggles, and real happiness.

THE HAPPINESS PUZZLE publication info:

Reading materials: English book proposal and sample chapters for the book.

Rights sold: World rights available

About author


Jennifer De Paola

Jennifer De Paola, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and researcher with a fascination for how ordinary people understand life’s biggest questions. Her research on happiness—particularly its cultural aspect in Finland—has been published in top social sciences journals like Public Understanding of Science, Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, and Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science. Along the way, her research has sparked conversations on international platforms, including interviews on BBC TV and Business Insider.

Jennifer divides her time between research at the University of Eastern Finland and clinical practice in the private sector. But what truly drives her is listening to people’s stories—whether in the therapy room, in an interview, or over a cup of coffee. Currently, her work focuses on immigrants in Finland and how they imagine their futures, a topic that resonates deeply with her as an immigrant herself. In Helsinki, she also provides psychological support to the English-speaking community drawing from evidence-based and scientifically supported therapeutic approaches such as Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Despite having lived in Finland for 15 years, a part of her is still the child from rural southern Italy. Her happiest moments? Passing on little pieces of that heritage to her two-year-old Finnish-Italian son—through museums, library visits, and long hikes where she teaches him Italian words and he sneaks in Finnish and English ones.

Bibliography


2025, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Happiness Puzzle

Jennifer De Paola

A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE by Tiina Raevaara sold to De Bezige Bij in the Netherlands!

We are thrilled to announce that the Dutch rights to Tiina Raevaara’s A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE have been sold to De Bezige Bij. The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

De Bezige Bij is renowned for their list of both upmarket – momentous, interesting and literary – non-fiction and high standard fiction, consisting of promising debutants and a large number of the most well-known and praised Dutch, Flemish and international authors. Their non-fiction list can be described as engaging, refreshing, influential and meaningful.

“This is a fascinating and witty combination of history, science, and philosophy, that invites us to think deeper about mortality.” – Mariska Kortie, Editor Non-Fiction, De Bezige Bij

A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE is a narrative non-fiction title by the award-winning popular science author for fans of Yuval Noah Harari and Rutger Bregman. The book was awarded the 2024 Nonfiction Jury Award by the Association of Finnish Nonfiction Writers.

Would you like to find out more about this title? We have an English sample for you to read!

Rights are available in the UK, US, Nordics, Poland, Czechia, France, Italy, Asian territories…

Click here to download all materials for A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE!

About A SHORT HISTORY OF ETERNAL LIFE:

Science is developing at an even faster pace, and people are living longer and longer. With what methods has humanity over time fought against aging and death, and what methods will be used in the future?

Tiina Raevaara’s book weaves together the beginnings of scientific history, vampire stories, as well as the discoveries of stem cell treatment and gene editing. It dives into the cryotank and asks whether the vision of a lengthy life is still worth pursuing. If humanity accepted that they are part of all things organic – both living and dead – could we finally get rid of all the exhaustion, anxiety and need to rush?

 

Publication Info:
Ikuisen elämän lyhyt historia, Otava/Like 2024, 318 p.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava/Like (orig.)
NETHERLANDS: Uitgeverij De Bezige Bij

Reading Material:
English sample & synopsis, Finnish edition

About author


Tiina Raevaara

Tiina Raevaara (b. 1979) is a writer, science journalist, and biologist who received a PhD for her work in genetics. She received the State Award for Public Information and the Pro Scientia Prize from the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. She has published ten novels, five non-fiction books, and a novella collection which was awarded the Runeberg Prize. Her suspense novel Double Helix (2020), the opening chapter of a new thriller series, received the Laurin Kirja audio book award, and the second installment in the series, Polar Vortex (2021), has been widely praised.

Raevaara’s books combine grand perspectives of natural science with compelling literary expression. She draws inspiration from Nordic nature, the major questions of science, and the complexities of humanity.

Raevaara lives in Kerava, a small town in Southern Finland, and goes on daily walks in the forest with her two black dogs.

Bibliography


2024, Narrative Nonfiction

A Short History of Eternal Life

Tiina Raevaara


2022, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction

Me, My Dog, and Humanity: A History of Coexistence Between Species

Tiina Raevaara

AUFBAU pre-empts German rights and LINDHARDT OG RINGHOF Danish rights in 3-book-deals to VILLA HILDA series!

Exciting news!

We’ve sold the Danish and German rights for Michaela von Kügelgen’s Summer at Villa Hilda, the upcoming feel-good novel, and its two sequels, in pre-emptive three-book deals. . The Danish rights were acquired by Lindhardt og Ringhof, while in Germany the three books will be published by Aufbau Verlage .The deals were closed by Martti Berner at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

These deals follow last weeks auction for the Estonian rights, which were acquired by Hea Lugu.

“I could literally feel the sun, smell the delicious food, and now I’m longing to try the perfect cinnamon buns that Louise bakes for her guests. The writing is so warm and beautiful that it feels as if you’ve been there yourself – a book like a perfect summer vacation.”
– Heide Kloth, Publisher, Aufbau Verlage, Germany

Pitched as Mamma Mia and Badehotellet vibes at the Swedish archipelagoSummer at Villa Hilda follows Louise, a former celebrity chef and Thomas, a journalist, as they both move to the island of Halsterö in the Stockholm archipelago and start working in the Villa Hilda guesthouse. Both have had their fair share of misfortunes on the mainland, so a summer on an idyllic island feels like a chance to start over. Although the villa isn’t going to treat them as easily as they’d expect, the island and its inhabitants eventually help them to find their way back to life.

“Summer at Villa Hilda is exactly the type of feel-good novel, we’ve been looking for. A great summer read with a cozy atmosphere and with a great gallery of characters, who come together at the island Halsterö for the summer. An uplifting story about second chances and finding the courage to make big changes in your life. An absolutely enjoyable read! But be careful: You might end up wanting to leave everything behind, open a guesthouse on a Swedish archipelago island, learn to bake ‘kanelbullar’, and quite possibly, fall in love.”

– Astrid Ellehammer Kristensen, editor, Lindhardt og Ringhof, Denmark

Summer at Villa Hilda is the first title in Michaela von Kügelgen’s series of feel-good novels set on the fictional Swedish island of Halsterö. Scheduled to be published by Schildts & Söderströms in June, and followed by book #2 in February 2026 and book #3 in September 2026. In addition to this feel-good series, Michaela, together with author Anne Hietanen, is working on a crime novel series that is set to debut in 2026 with book #1, The Last Word.

Download materials for SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA here!

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Many people dream of a second chance in life, but how many dare to take it?

Far out in the Stockholm archipelago lies the island of Halsterö. Journalist Thomas and former celebrity chef Louise travel there to work at the Villa Hilda guesthouse. They are both broken after many setbacks and are hoping for a fresh start. But setting up a summer paradise is not as easy as one might think, not even on the idyllic Halsterö island.

One day Louise stumbles across a collection of old love letters. Who wrote them, and what stories does Villa Hilda hide in its dusty attic? And how will Thomas manage to take care of his dementia-stricken mother while setting up an archipelago guesthouse?

Summer at Villa Hilda is about how difficult it is to be human among other people, but also about how, with the help of others, one can find one’s way back to life.

This novel is the first part of the Villa Hilda series and will be published in June 2025. The following titles will concentrate on the people living on the picturesque Halsterö island and will tentatively be published in February 2026 and September 2026.

chaela, together with author Anne Hietanen, is working on a crime novel series that is set to debut in 2026 with book #1, The Last Word.

SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA
SOMMAR PÅ VILLA HILDA
Schildts & Söderströms, June 2025

READING MATERIALS
English sample
English synopsis
Swedish manuscript

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Schildts & Söderströms (orig. Finland-Swedish, Finnish)
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
DENMARK: Lindhardt og Ringhof Forlag
GERMANY: Aufbau Verlage
SWEDEN: Schildts & Söderströms

About author


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: Susanna Kekkonen

Bibliography


2026, Crime & Suspense

The Last Word

Michaela von Kügelgen


2025, Commercial/Upmarket, Romance

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

TANGLED ROOTS by Maria Turtschaninoff nominated for the Magnesia Litera Award in Czechia!

We are excited to let you know that Maria Turtschaninoff has been nominated for this year’s Magnesia Litera Award, the most important prize in the Czech literary scene, in the Best Translation category with her novel Tangled Roots (aka Inherited Land), translated by Marie Voslářová and published by Argo via Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Warm congratulations to the author, translator, and publisher – and fingers crossed!

Turtschaninoff is known for crafting lyrical, historically inspired fantasy stories that feature strong female protagonists. In addition to other awards and prizes, she has won the Svenska Yle Literary Prize 2023 and the Eeva Joenpelto Literary Prize 2024 for her literary masterpiece Tangled Roots.

Marie Voslářová has a long line of translations under her belt. Her translations have won both the Muriel Award and the Tomáš Hrách Prize.

Tangled Roots has been sold to 23 territories!
Rights are available in, e.g., Spain, Greece, Japan, Lithuania, Slovakia…

Download materials for TANGLED ROOTS here!

Tangled Roots (aka Inherited Land)

Maria Turtschaninoff

The roots of people and forest are intertwined in the depths of the earth.

An old soldier carves a croft out of the Finnish forest and calls it home, but try as he might to tame the land, its wild magic endures. For centuries his descendants will work the farm, through days of plenty and famine, love and war, their fates entangled with the rhythms of the ancient wilderness, where mysterious shapes flit between the trees and danger lurks in the treacherous fen…

Like dragonflies darting over the marsh, their lives glimmer briefly and then are gone: a young girl entranced by the forest folk, a faithless fiancé who meets his match beneath the age-old branches, a farmhand with a strange obsession…

What endures is the wild, and the certainty that wherever we put down roots, the land will grow roots in us too.

TANGLED ROOTS
Arvejord
Förlaget, 2022, 371 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English edition
Swedish manuscript
Finnish translation

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Förlaget (orig. Finland-Swedish), Tammi (Finnish)
AZERBAIJAN: Alatoran
BULGARIA: Izida
CHINA: Rentian Ulus
CROATIA: Hena Com
CZECHIA: ARGO
DENMARK: Alpha Forlag
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
FRANCE: Éditions Paulsen
GERMANY: Rowohlt
HUNGARY: L’Harmattan
ISRAEL: Hakibbutz Hameuchad – Sifriat Poalim Publishing House
ITALY: Bompiani
NETHERLANDS: Uitgeverij Atlas Contact
NORWAY: Bonnier Norsk Forlag
POLAND: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie
ROMANIA: Editura Univers
TURKEY: Timas
UKRAINE: Old Lion Publishing House
WORLD ENGLISH: Pushkin Press

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. In 2024, Maria Turtschaninoff won the Eeva Joenpelto Literary Prize (10,000 euro award) for her literary masterpiece Tangled Roots.

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

Photo credit: Veikko Somerpuro/Tammi

Bibliography


2024, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

The Manticore

Maria Turtschaninoff


2022, Literary Fiction

Tangled Roots

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

SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA by Michaela von Kügelgen sold to Estonia!

We are thrilled to let you know that the Estonian rights for Summer at Villa Hilda, the upcoming feel-good novel by Michaela von Kügelgen, have been acquired by Hea Lugu! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Pitched as Mamma Mia vibes at Swedish archipelago, Summer at Villa Hilda follows Louise, a former celebrity chef and Thomas, a journalist, as they both move to the island of Halsterö in the Stockholm archipelago and start working in the Villa Hilda guesthouse. Both have had their fair share of misfortunes on the mainland, so a summer on an idyllic island feels like a chance to start over. Although the villa isn’t going to treat them as easily as they’d expect, the island and its inhabitants eventually help them to find their way back to life.

Readers need good entertainment that incorporates lively interpersonal relationships, emotions, enjoyable atmosphere. This type of genre has been dubbed feel good literature. Hea Lugu publishing house has a series named “Suvitusromaan[‘Summer Vacation Novel’] just for this type of great commercial literature. We believe that Michaela von Kügelgen’s novel Summer at Villa Hilda is an excellent fit to the series.
– Meeli Müüripeal, editor/publisher, Hea Lugu, Estonia

Summer at Villa Hilda is the first title in Michaela von Kügelgen’s series of feel-good novels set on the fictional Swedish island of Halsterö. Scheduled to be published in June by Schildts & Söderströms, this is the first foreign sale for Summer at Villa Hilda! In addition to this feel-good series, Michaela, together with author Anne Hietanen, is working on a crime novel series that is set to debut in 2026 with book #1, The Last Word.

Download materials for SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA here!

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Many people dream of a second chance in life, but how many dare to take it?

Far out in the Stockholm archipelago lies the island of Halsterö. Journalist Thomas and former celebrity chef Louise travel there to work at the Villa Hilda guesthouse. They are both broken after many setbacks and are hoping for a fresh start. But setting up a summer paradise is not as easy as one might think, not even on the idyllic Halsterö island.

One day Louise stumbles across a collection of old love letters. Who wrote them, and what stories does Villa Hilda hide in its dusty attic? And how will Thomas manage to take care of his dementia-stricken mother while setting up an archipelago guesthouse?

Summer at Villa Hilda is about how difficult it is to be human among other people, but also about how, with the help of others, one can find one’s way back to life.

This novel is the first part of the Villa Hilda series and will be published in June 2025. The following titles will concentrate on the people living on the picturesque Halsterö island and will tentatively be published in February 2026 and September 2026.

SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA
SOMMAR PÅ VILLA HILDA
Schildts & Söderströms, 2025

READING MATERIALS
English sample
English synopsis
Swedish manuscript

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Schildts & Söderströms (orig. Finland-Swedish, Finnish)
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
SWEDEN: Schildts & Söderströms

About author


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: Susanna Kekkonen

Bibliography


2026, Crime & Suspense

The Last Word

Michaela von Kügelgen


2025, Commercial/Upmarket, Romance

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

The Investigations of a Certain Cat by Katja Kettu wins the Lapland Literature Award

We are delighted to announce that Katja Kettu’s novel, The Investigations of a Certain Cat has been awarded the Lapland Literature Award, granted by Lapland’s libraries. The prize is worth 3,000 euros and it is awarded every two years to high-quality literature from the region. The nominated books were published in 2023-2024, with over 150 entries in total.

Katja Kettu expressed her gratitude for the honor:

This novel is deeply personal to me, and I am especially thrilled that it has been recognized in Lapland—a place so close to my heart. I have been spending extended periods there with my family while working on my next novel, and this award reaffirms my feeling that I am exactly where I am meant to be. It is also a great privilege to contribute to Lapland’s rich cultural heritage.

Sculptor Kirsi Kaulanen, who selected the winning book, explained her choice:

I chose a book that moved me. One that I truly enjoyed reading. It guided me deep, opened something within me. It led me through time and even into eternity. There was pain, but also lightness. Perhaps that was due to the furry witness. A spirit guide of sorts. The novel weaves together the stories of a great-great-grandmother who lived through the Finnish Civil War and a successful writer struggling with infertility, all carried by rich language and the resonant tones of the northern dialect.”

Katja has previously won awards such as the Tiiliskivi Prize, the Runeberg Prize, the Kalevi Jäntti Prize, and Thank You for the Book Medal. She has also received several international recognitions. Her previous novel, Rose on poissa (Rose is Gone), was shortlisted for the Finlandia Prize and became a favorite among readers.

The Investigations of a Certain Cat has been sold to 11 territories! Rights are still available for France, Netherlands, Japan, Greece, Spain, US, UK, etc!

Most recently, the book was published in Denmark and Germany, with upcoming releases in Czechia and Estonia next month.

Download 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
Finnish manuscript
German edition
English sample and synopsis

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
CZECHIA: ARGO
DENMARK: Lindhardt og Ringhof
ESTONIA: Koolibri
GERMANY: Weissbooks
HUNGARY: Gondolat
ITALY: Mondadori
NORWAY: Pax Forlag
POLAND: Swit Ksiazki
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

Photo credit: Niclas Mäkelä / Otava

Bibliography


2023, Literary Fiction

The Investigations of a Certain Cat

Katja Kettu

8th year in the row – Finland is the happiest country in the world!

We are thrilled to hear that Finland is the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, according to the World Happiness Report of 2025!

You can read CNN’s coverage of the latest results here: These are the world’s happiest countries in 2025 | CNN

The report itself can be accessed here: World Happiness Report 2025

We are not shy to share the secrets of our happiness and well-being with others! What a perfect time to acquire rights for books that teach and give insights about our happiness!

The starting point in  The Happiness Puzzle is the paradox of Finland: how can a nation of quiet and somewhat introverted people who tend to keep their emotions in check be the happiest nation on Earth? Perhaps it’s not just a question of being contented, satisfied with your life? This is what clinical psychologist and researcher Jennifer De Paola, PhD, sets out to do.

The Happiness Puzzle bridges the gap between academic research and everyday life, making complex psychological insights accessible to a broad audience and relying on years of empirical research. Dr De Paola’s research includes 70 in-depth conversations with ordinary Finns, offering an unparalleled glimpse into how happiness is actually lived and experienced in the so-called happiest country in the world. This is not just a book about theories – it is a book about real people, real struggles, and real happiness.

All rights are currently available. We are looking for an English language original publisher and selling world rights.  As reading materials, we have an English book proposal and sample chapters for the book.

Despite having lived in Finland for 15 years, a part of her is still the child from rural southern Italy. Her happiest moments? Passing on little pieces of that heritage to her two-year-old Finnish-Italian son—through museums, library visits, and long hikes where she teaches him Italian words and he sneaks in Finnish and English ones.

Jennifer De Paola

Request the materials for The Happiness Puzzle here.

Professor Frank Martela, one of the leading researchers of happiness and meaning in life, has been sharing his insights about the secret to Finnish happiness for media ranging from  CNBC, Fox News and New York Times to Scientific American and New Scientist.  His latest book Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life, is published in the UK today by Allen & Unwin. 

In Stop Chasing Happiness, Frank Martela sets out to show that the true secret to happiness is to stop trying to find it. Instead of trying to learn new tricks, it’s better to unlearn the ways of thinking that are holding you back. Instead of chasing happiness, one should stop obsessing about what others think about them, stop caring too much about how they feel, and stop making sacrifices for personal success.

Relying on latest scientific research, ancient traditions, and the author’s personal encounters with people across the world, Frank Martela shows that living with purpose and contentment is much more beneficial than striving to be happy.

Rights have been sold in Finland and UK & US, and also in Germany, where Knesebeck will publish the book later this year. We have the full English Edition for you to read. Rights are still available for France, Sweden, Italy, Korea, Hungary, etc! 

As a Finn living in the UK, one of the questions I’m most often asked is “why are Finnish people so happy?” – and now I have an answer to give in the form of Frank’s wonderful book! I’m beyond excited to be bringing Frank’s wit and insight on happiness and life satisfaction to an English-speaking audience, and for Frank to have found the perfect home at Allen & Unwin.

Erika Koljonen, Editor, Allen & Unwin

Request the materials for Stop Chasing Happiness here!

One of the most important ways for the Finns to boost their physical and mental well-being is the hot and cold contrast therapy – pairing a good steam in a sauna with an icy dip in a lake or the sea.

You can learn more about the Finnish hot and cold method from Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju‘s non-fiction title The Power of Hot and Cold: From Sauna to Sea: The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life. The book was published in the United Kingdom in November 2024  by Hodder & Stoughton and is  slated to be published in Germany in the Fall of 2025 by Heyne. We have full English edition for your reading.  Rights are still available for Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Japan, Poland, etc! 

What a wonderful, powerful book! The Power of Hot and Cold by Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju summarises in a very fresh, informative and cheerful way the positive holistic effects that sauna and a bath in cold water have on body, mind and soul. A promising trend that is also becoming increasingly popular in Germany.

– Berit Hoffman, Editor, Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe GmbH

Request the materials for The Power of Hot and Cold here!

 

The Happiness Puzzle

Jennifer De Paola

The starting point in The Happiness Puzzle is the paradox of Finland: how can a nation of quiet and somewhat introverted people who tend to keep their emotions in check be the happiest nation on Earth? Perhaps it’s not just a question of being contented, satisfied with your life? This is what clinical psychologist and researcher Jennifer De Paola, PhD, sets out to do.

The Happiness Puzzle bridges the gap between academic research and everyday life, making complex psychological insights accessible to a broad audience and relying on years of empirical research. Dr De Paola’s research includes 70 in-depth conversations with ordinary Finns, offering an unparalleled glimpse into how happiness is actually lived and experienced in the so-called happiest country in the world. This is not just a book about theories – it is a book about real people, real struggles, and real happiness.

Stop Chasing Happiness

Frank Martela

What if the secret to happiness isn’t finding it—but letting it go?

In a world obsessed with success and self-improvement, the chase for happiness often leaves us feeling lost. The real path to contentment lies in unlearning the habits holding you back: stop obsessing over what others think, stop being so sensitive about your feelings, stop measuring your value by what you have.

In Stop Chasing Happiness, academic and philosopher Frank Martela – hailing from Finland, the world’s happiest country – reveals why our fixation on happiness and achievement is making us miserable. With wisdom rooted in science, philosophy, and personal experience, Martela shows you the path to a life of energized contentment.

Through this transformative book, you’ll discover:

* the courage to free yourself from the pressures of what you should do

* the serenity to accept whatever life throws at you

* the sparkle to energetically pursue whatever you identify as your real values.

Stop the anxious chase. You have already arrived. Start living your own life through accepting the past, enjoying the present, and working towards a better future – it all starts here.

The Power of Hot and Cold

Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju

Step into the world of hot and cold, where contrast therapy – pairing a good steam in a sauna with an icy dip in a lake or the sea – is an essential part of life in Finland. More than a trending pastime, the traditional Finnish practice of alternating hot and cold has a range of health benefits that boost mental and physical wellbeing, which greatly contribute to happiness. It’s also a large part of the reason Finland has been named the World’s Happiest Country for the seventh year in a row.

This definitive guide by two experts takes readers on a journey into the transformative powers of hot and cold by pairing the sauna, that quintessential hot Finnish steam bath, with a cold-water dip. Along the way, it serves up the inspiration and practical tools for creating a wellness retreat using the Nordic contrast bathing philosophy, wherever you are in the world.

The Finnish hot and cold method boosts happiness by increasing wellbeing and encouraging connection with nature. It’s the secret to how the world’s happiest nation keeps calm and carries on – no matter what life throws at them. Now you too can learn their secrets.

THE HAPPINESS PUZZLE

Reading materials: English book proposal and sample chapters for the book.

Rights sold: World rights available


STOP CHASING HAPPINESS: A PESSIMIST’S GUIDE TO A GOOD LIFE

Allen & Unwin, 2025, 215 pp.
Reading materials: English edition

Rights sold:

FINLAND: Gummerus, GERMANY: Knesebeck, UK & US: Allen & Unwin


POWER FROM HOT AND COLD: FROM SAUNA TO SEA: HE FINNISH WAY TO A HAPPY HEALTHY LIFE 

Yellow Kite / Hodder & Stoughton, 2024, 192 pp.

Reading materials: English edition

Rights sold:WORLD ENGLISH: Yellow Kite / Hodder & Stoughton (orig.), GERMANY: Heyne Verlag/Pengun Random House Verlagsgruppe

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

About author


Frank Martela

Professor Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Harvard Business Review, Salon, CNBC and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. His research has been published extensively in numerous academic journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal of Personality, Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy, and Academy of Management Review. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, including invited lectures in universities on five continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Vice News, Fox News,and Monocle Observer among others. He is Assistant Professor at Aalto University in Finland. Outside of work, Frank is a father to three lovely children, an amateur-level soccer player, with an occasional skiing trip in the winters. He is made in Green Bay, so Packers holds a special place in his heart.

About author


Jennifer De Paola

Jennifer De Paola, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and researcher with a fascination for how ordinary people understand life’s biggest questions. Her research on happiness—particularly its cultural aspect in Finland—has been published in top social sciences journals like Public Understanding of Science, Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, and Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science. Along the way, her research has sparked conversations on international platforms, including interviews on BBC TV and Business Insider.

Jennifer divides her time between research at the University of Eastern Finland and clinical practice in the private sector. But what truly drives her is listening to people’s stories—whether in the therapy room, in an interview, or over a cup of coffee. Currently, her work focuses on immigrants in Finland and how they imagine their futures, a topic that resonates deeply with her as an immigrant herself. In Helsinki, she also provides psychological support to the English-speaking community drawing from evidence-based and scientifically supported therapeutic approaches such as Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Despite having lived in Finland for 15 years, a part of her is still the child from rural southern Italy. Her happiest moments? Passing on little pieces of that heritage to her two-year-old Finnish-Italian son—through museums, library visits, and long hikes where she teaches him Italian words and he sneaks in Finnish and English ones.

About author


Katja Pantzar

Katja Pantzar –  Katja Pantzar is a Helsinki-based writer and journalist who swims in the Baltic Sea year round. Raised in Canada, with stints in New Zealand and England, she is the author of The Finnish Way (Penguin Random House/2018), a bestselling non-fiction book about Nordic well-being, winter swimming and sisu (resilience) that has been translated into 24 languages. Her second book on sisu, Everyday Sisu: Tapping into Finnish Fortitude for a Happier, More Resilient Life (Penguin Random House/2022) explores through expert interviews and research-based information how we can better support our mental and physical health while taking care of each other and our planet. Everyday Sisu has also been published in Japanese, Thai, and Indonesian. Pantzar’s work has been widely covered around the world in media ranging from Le Figaro, Le Monde, and El Paísto Vogue the Washington Post and the New York Review of Books. . She is also the author of three mini-guides to the Finnish capital, including 100 things to do in Helsinki (Siltala/2024).

Publication of Stop Chasing Happiness by Frank Martela in the UK and Finland!

We are excited to let you know that Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life, the latest non-fiction title by Frank Martela, PhD, has been published in Finland and will be published tomorrow in the United Kingdom!

The Finnish edition of Stop Chasing Happiness was published by Gummerus on March 8th and was accompanied with a wide range of events: Frank Martela was interviewed in the Kulttuuricocktail culture program of Finnish national broadcaster YLE, he discussed the book in the Akateeminen Kirjakauppa bookstore, and the publication event itself took place at the Musiikkitalo concert hall and featured a lecture by Frank Martela.

The English edition of Stop Chasing Happiness will be published tomorrow in the United Kingdom by Allen & Unwin.

In Stop Chasing Happiness, Frank Martela sets out to show that the true secret to happiness is to stop trying to find it. Instead of trying to learn new tricks, it’s better to unlearn the ways of thinking that are holding you back. Instead of chasing happiness, one should stop obsessing about what others think about them, stop caring too much about how they feel, and stop making sacrifices for personal success.

Relying on latest scientific research, ancient traditions, and the author’s personal encounters with people across the world, Frank Martela shows that living with purpose and contentment is much more beneficial than striving to be happy.

“As a Finn living in the UK, one of the questions I’m most often asked is “why are Finnish people so happy?” – and now I have an answer to give in the form of Frank’s wonderful book! I’m beyond excited to be bringing Frank’s wit and insight on happiness and life satisfaction to an English-speaking audience, and for Frank to have found the perfect home at Allen & Unwin.”
 – Erika Koljonen, Non-Fiction Editor, Allen & Unwin, UK

Download materials for STOP CHASING HAPPINESS here!

Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life

Frank Martela

What if the secret to happiness isn’t finding it—but letting it go?

In a world obsessed with success and self-improvement, the chase for happiness often leaves us feeling lost. The real path to contentment lies in unlearning the habits holding you back: stop obsessing over what others think, stop being so sensitive about your feelings, stop measuring your value by what you have.

In Stop Chasing Happiness, academic and philosopher Frank Martela – hailing from Finland, the world’s happiest country – reveals why our fixation on happiness and achievement is making us miserable. With wisdom rooted in science, philosophy, and personal experience, Martela shows you the path to a life of energized contentment.

In this transformative book, you’ll discover:

* the courage to free yourself from the pressures of what you should do

* the serenity to accept whatever life throws at you

* the sparkle to energetically pursue whatever you identify as your real values.

Stop the anxious chase. You have already arrived. Start living your own life through accepting the past, enjoying the present, and working towards a better future – it all starts here.

STOP CHASING HAPPINESS: A PESSIMIST’S GUIDE TO A GOOD LIFE
Allen & Unwin, 2025, 215 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Gummerus
GERMANY: Knesebeck
UK & US: Allen & Unwin

About author


Frank Martela

Professor Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Harvard Business Review, Salon, CNBC and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. His research has been published extensively in numerous academic journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal of Personality, Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy, and Academy of Management Review. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, including invited lectures in universities on five continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Vice News, Fox News,and Monocle Observer among others. He is Assistant Professor at Aalto University in Finland. Outside of work, Frank is a father to three lovely children, an amateur-level soccer player, with an occasional skiing trip in the winters. He is made in Green Bay, so Packers holds a special place in his heart.

Bibliography


2025, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life

Frank Martela


2023, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Meaning Manifesto: Why Work Needs to Have a Purpose

Frank Martela


2020, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Existence

Frank Martela

By the Seashore by Sanna Nyqvist sold to Ukraine!

We are happy to let you know that the Ukrainian rights for Sanna Nyqvist‘s Finlandia Prize-nominated non-fiction title By the Seashore: How Writers Discovered the Sea have been acquired by Laboratoria! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency. Rights were recently sold to mareverlag in Germany and Rahva Raamat in Estonia.

By the Seashore is a captivating and immersive account of how five literary authors – Jane Austen, August Strindberg, Marcel Proust, Virginia Woolf, and Tove Jansson – found the sea and the seashore and how these experiences affected them and their writing. In addition to detailing the authors’ own relationship to the sea and the seashore, Sanna Nyqvist also shows how these landscapes have changed since and how they form a shared cultural heritage that we should cherish and preserve.

By the Seashore was one of the most acclaimed Finnish non-fiction titles of 2024. It was nominated for the prestigious Finlandia Prize in Non-Fiction, it received the Lauri Jäntti Prize Honorary Award of 2024, and it was selected as one of the 10 best non-fiction titles of 2024 by Suomen Kuvalehti magazine.

With this latest sale, the rights for By the Seashore have now been sold to 4 territories!
Rights are available in many territories, e.g., United States, France, United Kingdom, Poland, Sweden, Netherlands…

Download materials for BY THE SEASHORE here!

By the Seashore: How Writers Discovered the Sea

Sanna Nyqvist

Follow Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Tove Jansson and other classic writers to the beach and experience the landscape through the eyes of a writer.

By the Seashore is a fascinating journey through salt-scented cultural history and to the authors’ favourite beaches. Jane Austen adventured along the south coast of England, Marcel Proust returned year after year to the shimmering light of Normandy, and Tove Jansson created her own paradise on an island in the Gulf of Finland. The magic of the beaches is part of our shared experience and our relationship with nature. But how long will we be able to experience our beloved beaches as they are now? This was already being pondered by August Strindberg in the late 19th century, when industry and tourism were shaping the Stockholm archipelago.

By the Seashore is a gripping and surprising account of why beaches have become landscapes of emotion, safe havens as well as islands of adventure.

BY THE SEASHORE: HOW WRITERS DISCOVERED THE SEA
RANNALLA. MITEN KIRJAILIJAT LÖYSIVÄT MEREN
Tammi, 2024, 283 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample
English summary
Author’s vision
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
GERMANY: mareverlag
UKRAINE: Laboratoria

About author


Sanna Nyqvist

Sanna Nyqvist is a literary scholar, author and columnist. She holds a Ph.D in Comparative Literature from the University of Helsinki and has published academic articles and books on imitation and authorship as well as on the lure of the sea. Passionate about the power of literature to transform our lives, she teaches literary analysis to engineering students at the Aalto University and writes columns in the literary magazine Parnasso that open new, often surprising perspectives to classical and contemporary literature.

She has written three nonfiction books on literature for a wider audience, all of which have elicited praise from reviewers and readers. Her latest book, By the Seashore, was nominated for the Finlandia Prize in the nonfiction category and received 2024 Lauri Jäntti Prize Honorary Award.

Sanna Nyqvist lives in Helsinki and, as soon as the sea ice releases its hold in the spring, heads for her beloved island in the archipelago of the Gulf of Finland.

Bibliography


2024, Narrative Nonfiction, Memories & Biographies

By the Seashore: How Writers Discovered the Sea

Sanna Nyqvist

MILO 2 by Max Seeck cover reveal

We are excited to share the amazing cover for Max Seeck’s bestselling MILO series, book #2: PETETTY.

New York Times & Spiegel Bestselling Author Max Seeck and his books have sold over 1 million copies worldwide and published in 41 countries!

Finland’s no. 1 Bestseller MILO, a psychological suspense novel with surprising twists and interesting facts about the game of chess, has sold over 45,000 copies, and starts a new series with a sequel publishing in September 2025.

Request reading materials for MILO series here!

about MILO:

MILO is a criminal profiler and art gallery owner struggling with sexual frustration who needs to understand the game of chess better in order to catch a killer.

The game has only just begun.

On a cold November evening, a body is discovered on the shore of Seurasaari. The victim’s skin is covered with a thick layer of white paint, and during the autopsy, a chess piece is found lodged in its throat.  The police are baffled. Why would the murderer go to such lengths to disguise the body? And why wasn’t there any attempt to hide it? Milo Perho, an art gallery owner specializing in profiling killers, is called in to assist. What follows is a nerve-wracking game where every move costs a life, and no one wants it to end in checkmate.

 

About MILO 2:

They know your every step.

When a strikingly beautiful woman sits across from art gallerist Milo Perho at a restaurant terrace in Helsinki, he has no idea where the meeting will lead. Soon, the Helsinki police are dealing with multiple murders, and someone is after Milo, someone who knows his past all too well. A deadly chase begins, where the predator could be anyone, and there’s nowhere to hide.

MILO 2 is a razor-sharp thriller set in the world of espionage. It continues the Milo series, following the story begun in book #1.

MILO
MERKITTY
Tammi, 2024, 400 pp.

Rights sold for MILO series:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ESTONIA: Pegasus (2 books)
FRANCE: Mera Editions
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe
ITALY: Piemme / Mondadori Group
JAPAN: Kodansha
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
NORWAY: Aschehoug
FILM & TV: Solar Films

READING MATERIALS:
50 p. English sample + synopsis, Finnish edition, German edition, French Edition, Synopsis of Book #2

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“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 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.

Photo credit: Mikko Rasila

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Milo #2: Betrayed

Max Seeck


2024, Crime & Suspense

Milo #1: Checkmate

Max Seeck


2022, Crime & Suspense

Ghost Island

Max Seeck


2021, Crime & Suspense

The Last Grudge

Max Seeck


2020, Crime & Suspense

The Ice Coven

Max Seeck


2019, Crime & Suspense

The Witch Hunter

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Mephisto Touch

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Call of Hades

Max Seeck


2016, Crime & Suspense

Angels of Hammurabi

Max Seeck

Bestselling MAX SEECK 1 Million Copies Sold Globally!

We are over the moon to share the news that our International and New York Times & Spiegel Bestselling Author MAX SEECK and his novels are published in 41 countries, selling 1 million copies around the world!

Max Seeck ‘s books have been included in Vogue’s list of the best Nordic noir books of all time! Max Seeck is the Winner of the prestigious Glass Key Award. Recently, we announced that Kodansha in Japan will start publishing Max Seeck.

Hollywood calling – international TV news!

An international TV adaptation of THE WITCH HUNTER (a New York Times bestseller!) is in development with Stampede Ventures! Big news coming soon!

For the new series by Max Seeck, MILO, Solar Films is adapting Milo as an international TV series for global distribution, with production slated to commence in 2026!

Finland’s no. 1 Bestseller MILO, a psychological suspense novel with surprising twists and interesting facts about the game of chess, has sold over 45,000 copies, and starts a new series with a sequel publishing in September 2025.

In France, Méra Editions has just published “Echec et Mat” and in Germany, Bastei Lübbe will publish “Blindspiel” in June 2025, with Piemme/Mondadori in Italy, Aschehoug in Norway, Kodansha in Japan, Latvijas Medijii in Latvia, and Pegasus in Estonia to follow in 2026.

Request reading materials for JESSICA NIEMI series here!

Request reading materials for MILO series here!

About MILO:

MILO is a criminal profiler and art gallery owner struggling with sexual frustration who needs to understand the game of chess better in order to catch a killer.

The game has only just begun.

On a cold November evening, a body is discovered on the shore of Seurasaari. The victim’s skin is covered with a thick layer of white paint, and during the autopsy, a chess piece is found lodged in its throat.  The police are baffled. Why would the murderer go to such lengths to disguise the body? And why wasn’t there any attempt to hide it?  Milo Perho, an art gallery owner specializing in profiling killers, is called in to assist. What follows is a nerve-wracking game where every move costs a life, and no one wants it to end in checkmate.

About MILO 2:

They know your every step.

When a strikingly beautiful woman sits across from art gallerist Milo Perho at a restaurant terrace in Helsinki, he has no idea where the meeting will lead. Soon, the Helsinki police are dealing with multiple murders, and someone is after Milo, someone who knows his past all too well. A deadly chase begins, where the predator could be anyone, and there’s nowhere to hide.

MILO 2 is a razor-sharp thriller set in the world of espionage. It continues the Milo series, following the story begun in book #1.

Rights sold for MILO series:

FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ESTONIA: Pegasus (2 books)
FRANCE: Mera Editions
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe
ITALY: Piemme / Mondadori Group
JAPAN: Kodansha
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
NORWAY: Aschehoug
FILM & TV: Solar Films

Reading Materials:

50 p. English sample + synopsis, Finnish edition, German edition, French Edition, Synopsis of Book #2

Rights sold for Jessica Niemi series:

FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ALBANIA: Muza (3 books)
ARABIC: Arab Scientific Publishers (World Arabic) (3 books)
ARMENIA: Guitank
AZERBAIJAN: Alatoran
BELGIUM: A.W. Bruna (4 books)
BULGARIA: EMAS (4 books)
CANADA: Berkley/Penguin Random House (2-book-deal)
CROATIA: Fokus
CZECH REPUBLIC: Grada (2 books)
DENMARK: Gutkind (4 books)
ESTONIA: Pegasus (4 books)
ICELAND: Forlagid
ISRAEL: Tchelet Books
ITALY: Piemme/Mondadori (2 books)
FRANCE: Michel Lafon (2 book)
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe (4 books)
GREECE: Livani (2 books)
HUNGARY: Animus (4 books)
KOREA: Cheongmirae
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji (4 books)
LATIN AMERICA (World Spanish): Editorial Maeva/Maeva Noir
LITHUANIA: Baltos lankos
MACEDONIA: Matica (2 booksl)
NETHERLANDS: A.W. Bruna (4 books)
NORWAY: Aschehoug (4 books)
POLAND: Sonia Draga (2-book-deal)
PORTUGAL: Bertrand Editora (2 books)
ROMANIA: Litera (2 books)
RUSSIA: AST
SERBIA: Vulkan (2 books)
SLOVENIA: Didakta (2 books)
SLOVAKIA: Motýľ (2 books)
SPAIN: Editorial Maeva/Maeva Noir
SWEDEN: Albert Bonniers Förlag (4 books)
TURKEY: Doğan Kitap (2 books)
UKRAINE: Family Leisure Club
UNITED KINGDOM: Welbeck Publishing UK (4 books)
UNITED STATES: Berkley/Penguin Random House (4 books)
TV RIGHTS: Stampede Ventures

Reading Materials:
English editions, German editions, Finnish editions

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.

Big Hollywood film & TV news coming soon!

“An exceptional combination of hardboiled Scandi-noir and eerie ghost story. [--] Seeck marries breathtaking suspense with an expertly drawn heroine. This is guaranteed to send shivers up even the most unshakable readers’ spines." – Publisher's Weekly, starred review (Ghost island)

"Each new step has been an artistic success. Max Seeck, last year's winner of the Glass Key Award for best Nordic detective story, has a golden touch for Finnish suspense fiction." - Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset newspaper

“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 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.

Photo credit: Mikko Rasila

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Milo #2: Betrayed

Max Seeck


2024, Crime & Suspense

Milo #1: Checkmate

Max Seeck


2022, Crime & Suspense

Ghost Island

Max Seeck


2021, Crime & Suspense

The Last Grudge

Max Seeck


2020, Crime & Suspense

The Ice Coven

Max Seeck


2019, Crime & Suspense

The Witch Hunter

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Mephisto Touch

Max Seeck


2018, Crime & Suspense

The Call of Hades

Max Seeck


2016, Crime & Suspense

Angels of Hammurabi

Max Seeck

Arttu Tuominen nominated for two awards in France!

Arttu Tuominen’s success in France continues as two of his books receive prestigious award nominations!

Silenced (Tous les silences) has been shortlisted as one of the eight novels for the Prix Le Point du Polar Européen, an annual award recognizing the best crime or thriller novel by a European author.

Jeopardy (La Revanche) has been listed as one of the ten finalists for the Prix du Meilleur Polar Points, further solidifying Tuominen’s reputation as a force in Nordic crime fiction.

Huge congratulations to Arttu! Winners will be announced early April at the Quais Polar festival!

“Arttu Tuominen, one of the rising stars of Nordic crime fiction. […] A captivating noir novel.”
– Le Figaro

The RIVER DELTA series by Arttu Tuominen has seen commercial success and garnered praise from readers and critics alike, both at home and abroad. In Finland alone, the series has sold over 230,000 copies. And to cement his status, Arttu Tuominen was voted top crime author by The Finnish Whodunnit Society in 2024.

Arttu Tuominen’s work has been compared to Henning Mankell, Jø. Nesbo and Stephen King. The series has risen to Spiegel Bestselling list in Germany and he was the first Finnish writer to be awarded with the Danish Palle Rosenkrantz Award, for book #2, JEOPARDY. He was also shortlisted for the Glass Key Award in 2021.

Set in the city of Pori by the Gulf of Bothnia, a Finnish police unit has to solve crimes that force them to consider their own acts and values. The series has sold to 6 territories, and each book can be read as a standalone.

Click here to request all materials for the RIVER DELTA series.

Arttu Tuominen’s thrillers are characterized by their solid style and skillful twists. Add to that the fact that Tuominen chooses current, socially engaged themes in his books. His work is among the best from Scandinavia.’
– Claudia van der Werf, Editor, De Fontein

River Delta #1: The Oath (2019): A Touching crime novel about secrets and guilt. Commissioner Jari Paloviita works on a murder case where the prime suspect is on old friend he feels indebted to.

River Delta #2: Jeopardy (2020): The grenade attack on the restaurant claims casualties – and at the same time threatens to expose Chief Commissioner Herik Oksman’s life-long secret.

River Delta #3: Silenced (2021): Pori police detectives Jari Paloviita, Linda Toivonen and Henrik Oksman are faced with an exceptionally cruel series of international crimes against elderly citizens.

River Delta #4: Shamed (2022): An investigation into a girl’s murder takes the police into the world of predators on the Internet and becomes personal for Linda Toivonen, whose daughter knew the victim.

River Delta #5: The Liberator (2023): The charred body of a man is discovered on a sports field in Pori. The victim had been doused with petrol and set on fire. Suspicions are directed at a group of young adults known to have harassed rough sleepers in the past.

River Delta #6: The Stager (2024):  On a remote forest farm a cruel killing is revealed. A family – mother, father, and their daughter – have all been murdered and embalmed, staged to watch television with their dog dead quiet by their feet. The killer is nicknamed Stager.

Publication Info:
WSOY
#1: The Oath (Verivelka, 2019)
#2: Jeopardy (Hyvitys, 2020)
#3: Silenced (Vaiettu, 2021)
#4: Shamed (Häväistyt, 2022)
#5: The Liberator (Vapahtaja, 2023)
#6: The Stager (Lavastaja, 2024)

Reading Material:
English samples and synopses
Series presentation
Finnish editions (6 books)
French editions books 1-2
Dutch edition books 1-3
German editions books 1-4
Danish editions books 1-3

Rights sold:
FINLAND:
 WSOY (orig.)
DENMARK: Modtryk (6 books)
FRANCE: La Martinière (4 books)
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe (6 books)
NETHERLANDS: De Fontein (6 books)
SLOVENIA: Litera (3 books)
SWEDEN: Lind & Co (3 books)
FILM & TV: Lucy Loves Drama

Rights still available in the US, the UK, Poland, Norway, Estonia, Turkey…

About author


Arttu Tuominen

Arttu Tuominen (b. 1981) is a Spiegel bestselling author and environmental inspector based in Pori, Finland. During the evenings, he writes dark and tough crime novels. He is best known for his psychologically nuanced and gripping crime novels. Tuominen's novels are acclaimed for their intense atmosphere, compelling plots, and richly drawn characters.

His River Delta series has sold over 230,000 copies in Finland alone and has been published in six different languages. Tuominen has received numerous accolades, including the Vuoden Johtolanka (Clue of the Year) award for The Oath and the Palle Rosenkrantz Prize from the Danish Crime Academy for Jeopardy. In addition he has been nominated for the prestigious Glass Key Award. His novels have earned praise from both critics and readers, firmly establishing him as a leading voice in Finnish crime fiction.

Bibliography


2025, Crime & Suspense

Alec

Arttu Tuominen


2024, Crime & Suspense

The Stager

Arttu Tuominen


2023, Crime & Suspense

The Liberator

Arttu Tuominen


2022, Crime & Suspense

Shamed

Arttu Tuominen


2021, Crime & Suspense

Silenced

Arttu Tuominen


2020, Crime & Suspense

Jeopardy

Arttu Tuominen


2019, Crime & Suspense

The Oath

Arttu Tuominen

By the Seashore by Sanna Nyqvist sold to Estonia!

We are thrilled to let you know that the Estonian rights for Sanna Nyqvist‘s non-fiction book By the Seashore: How Writers Discovered the Sea, have been acquired by Rahva Raamat! The deal was closed by Sten-Erik Tammemäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Originally published in Finland in April 2024, By the Seashore quickly became one of the most outstanding Finnish non-fiction titles of 2024. It was nominated for the prestigious Finlandia Prize in Non-Fiction, it received the Lauri Jäntti Prize Honorary Award of 2024, and it was selected as one of the 10 best non-fiction titles of 2024 by Suomen Kuvalehti magazine.

Download materials for BY THE SEASHORE here!

By the Seashore: How Writers Discovered the Sea

Sanna Nyqvist

Follow Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Tove Jansson and other classic writers to the beach and experience the landscape through the eyes of a writer.

By the Seashore is a fascinating journey through salt-scented cultural history and to the authors’ favourite beaches. Jane Austen adventured along the south coast of England, Marcel Proust returned year after year to the shimmering light of Normandy, and Tove Jansson created her own paradise on an island in the Gulf of Finland. The magic of the beaches is part of our shared experience and our relationship with nature. But how long will we be able to experience our beloved beaches as they are now? This was already being pondered by August Strindberg in the late 19th century, when industry and tourism were shaping the Stockholm archipelago.

By the Seashore is a gripping and surprising account of why beaches have become landscapes of emotion, safe havens as well as islands of adventure.

BY THE SEASHORE: HOW WRITERS DISCOVERED THE SEA
RANNALLA. MITEN KIRJAILIJAT LÖYSIVÄT MEREN
Tammi, 2024, 283 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample
English summary
Author’s vision
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
GERMANY: mareverlag

About author


Sanna Nyqvist

Sanna Nyqvist is a literary scholar, author and columnist. She holds a Ph.D in Comparative Literature from the University of Helsinki and has published academic articles and books on imitation and authorship as well as on the lure of the sea. Passionate about the power of literature to transform our lives, she teaches literary analysis to engineering students at the Aalto University and writes columns in the literary magazine Parnasso that open new, often surprising perspectives to classical and contemporary literature.

She has written three nonfiction books on literature for a wider audience, all of which have elicited praise from reviewers and readers. Her latest book, By the Seashore, was nominated for the Finlandia Prize in the nonfiction category and received 2024 Lauri Jäntti Prize Honorary Award.

Sanna Nyqvist lives in Helsinki and, as soon as the sea ice releases its hold in the spring, heads for her beloved island in the archipelago of the Gulf of Finland.

Bibliography


2024, Narrative Nonfiction, Memories & Biographies

By the Seashore: How Writers Discovered the Sea

Sanna Nyqvist

Six deals in one month for Laura Lähteenmäki’s COUNT SILENTLY TO TEN!

We are extremely thrilled to announce another deal for Laura Lähteenmäki’s stunning middle-grade novel Count Silently to Ten.  The Czech rights for the title were acquired by Portál in a deal closed by Martti Berner – marking the sixth rights sale in just a month.

With this latest deal, the novel has now been sold in seven countries: Czechia, Sweden (pre-empt), Denmark (auction), Italy, Germany (pre-empt), Estonia (auction), and Poland. 

A huge congratulations to Laura Lähteenmäki on this incredible international success!  Rights still available in the UK, Spain, Norway, France, Hungary, Turkey…

This beautifully written novel by Laura Lähteenmäki was nominated for the prestigious 2024 Nordic Council Children and YA Literary Prize. It offers a poignant and timeless portrayal of childhood and the delicate transition to adolescence, exploring the magic of play and the emotional complexities of friendship.

Below, read what the acquiring editors have to say about this beautiful novel:

“Spending this summer with Myy is like revisiting your childhood with its mixture of carefree simplicity and insidious complexity, when the first adolescent issues appear. A truly relatable and touching reading experience.”

– Lisette Agerbo Holm, Editor, Straarup & co, Denmark

“A wonderful story about friendship and belonging, and about play as both a source of power and a refuge when you’re not quite ready to grow up yet.”
– Olivia Demant, Editor, Lilla Piratförlaget, Sweden

“Anyone who is (or once was) ten years old will identify 100% with this girl caught between childhood and growing up struggling to find her place. A beautifully told, finely observed children’s book about the power of friendship.”
– Wiebke Andersen, Editor, Carlsen Verlage, Germany

Click here to request reading materials for COUNT SILENTLY TO TEN!

About COUNT SILENTLY TO TEN:

Myy, Viivi, Heta, Aada, and Camilla are a close-knit group of five girls who call themselves Pätkikset. But as the fourth grade draws to a close, Myy finds that something has changed. She feels that she’s no longer part of the gang. She notices that lively conversations fall silent when she approaches her friends. When the girls hug each other in a tight circle, there’s no room for Myy.

COUNT SILENTLY TO TEN is a story about friendship between girls and the changes that come about as you grow up, but which are difficult to accept. Myy is left out and feels that there may be something wrong with her, since she still wants to play and isn’t interested in make-up and growing up. As things become difficult with the girls, a new boy appears in the area provides a wonderful opportunity for Myy to throw herself into the world of play. Myy and Lassi run to a nearby forest and immerse themselves in a joint game where time and space disappear.

Publication Info:
Laske salaa kymmeneen, WSOY 2024, 206 pp

Rights Sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.),
CZECHIA: Portál
ESTONIA: Hea Lugu
GERMANY: Carlsen
ITALY: Terre di Mezzo Editore
POLAND: Muchomor
SWEDEN: Lilla Piratförlaget

Reading Material:
English sample & synopsis
Full Swedish translation
Finnish edition

About author


Laura Lähteenmäki

Laura Lähteenmäki is a Finnish writer of children’s and youth literature. Since her debut youth novel in 1998, she has written around twenty works. Lähteenmäki writes about young people’s lives and their search for a place of their own. She was awarded the Arvid Lydecken prize for a first-class children’s novel for her book Marenkikeiju in 2007 and her work has also been nominated for the Topelius and Finlandia Junior prizes. Her latest novel Count Silently to Ten was nominated for the 2024 Nordic Council Literature Prize! Laura Lähteenmäki lives in Jyväskylä and, in addition to her work as a writer, she is executive editor in a publishing house.

Bibliography


2023, Middle Grade (8-12 Years)

Count Silently To Ten

Laura Lähteenmäki

Introducing Ahlback Agency SPRING 2025 FICTION Catalogue!

We are thrilled to present our Fiction Catalogue for Spring 2025!

In literary fiction, we are thrilled to welcome Anna-Kaari Hakkarainen and her masterful, Finlandia Prize-nominated novel The Saprophile which explores themes such as power, desire, and the world of Ingmar Bergman.

In the romance and feel-good section of our Fiction Catalogue, we are excited to have on our list Michaela von Kügelgen‘s upcoming novel Summer at Villa Hilda, that takes the readers to the idyllic Stockholm archipelago. Additionally, we are glad to welcome Ulla Onerva and her debut novel Cotton Candy Dilemma, which intertwines romance and literature.

We are also happy to welcome two new crime and thriller authors to our Agency! Aamos Honka and his debut thriller Crimson Web take the readers to a frighteningly realistic and timely world of intelligence and hybrid warfare. Meanwhile, Anna Harju‘s psychologically perceptive crime novel Traces takes the readers to the trendy city of Tampere.

Lastly, we are glad to let you know that the English edition of Maria Turtschaninoff’s Tangled Roots (aka Inherited Land) will be published on April 10th, 2025 by Pushkin Press.

From our new catalogue, we’ve picked some of the hottest titles for you – take a look at them below!

View the Spring 2025 Fiction Catalogue here!

The Saprophile

Anna-Kaari Hakkarainen

A brilliant novel that dives deep into the human psyche, explores themes such as power, passion, and the world of Ingmar Bergman, and is a reflection on being human through art

  • Nominated for the 2024 Finlandia Prize in Fiction!
  • For readers of Donna Tartt, Ali Smith, Maggie Nelson, and Rachel Kushner!

An island.

An author. Two women.

Ingmar Bergman.

The main characters of a film who are planning to escape.

The Saprophile is a hypnotic treatise on power and writing. It is the autopsy of a novel, a hybrid that seeks to go where genres end. It is a novel about Ingmar Bergman’s films, about a desire that refuses to obey, about an island, about how easy it is to lose yourself in another person, and how difficult it is to find your way back.

Like a saprophile, an organism that lives and thrives on dead or decaying organic matter, The Saprophile is like a literary organism that eats away at age-old concepts and structures.

Summer at Villa Hilda

Michaela von Kügelgen

Many people dream of a second chance in life, but how many dare to take it?

  • For fans of experiencing romance and hardships through people of different ages, a story set in the beautiful Swedish archipelago, told with warmth and humor
  • Mamma Mia vibes on a remote Swedish island

Far out in the Stockholm archipelago lies the island of Halsterö. Journalist Thomas and former celebrity chef Louise travel there to work at the Villa Hilda guesthouse. They are both broken after many setbacks and are hoping for a fresh start. But setting up a summer paradise is not as easy as one might think, not even on the idyllic Halsterö island.

One day Louise stumbles across a collection of old love letters. Who wrote them, and what stories does Villa Hilda hide in its dusty attic? And how will Thomas manage to take care of his dementia-stricken mother while setting up an archipelago guesthouse?

Summer at Villa Hilda is about how difficult it is to be human among other people, but also about how, with the help of others, one can find one’s way back to life.

This novel is the first part of the Villa Hilda series and will be published in June 2025. The following titles will concentrate on the people living on the picturesque Halsterö island and will tentatively be published in February 2026 and September 2026.

Cotton Candy Dilemma

Ulla Onerva

Let the romantic rebellion begin!

  • A new, fresh feel-good series about romance and literature
  • For the fans of Emily Henry, Holly Bourne, and Ali Hazelwood

Emma’s first love has left her at the school dance and her feelings for her ex-boyfriend have not completely faded by the start of senior year. Instead of pining, Emma immerses herself in romance books, even though the rest of the world seems to despise her favourite genre.

When a morose writer publishes a seething critique of romance and feel-good literature in a magazine and the school curriculum does not include romantic titles, Emma revolts. She sets up the Club of Quirky Romantics, a group dedicated to improving the appreciation of romance literature and dispelling the stigma associated with reading romance. It’s no easy task, as the circle is fueled by hate and love alike, and Emma finds herself in a worse mess than the heroines of her favourite romance novels.

Ulla Onerva’s debut novel Cotton Candy Dilemma is the first title in the Quirky Romantics series, a humorous commercial trilogy that cleverly weaves the romantic classics of Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë into the modern day. The trilogy is perfect for anyone who refuses to hide their love of romance books!

The Quirky Romantics Series will continue with book #2 in February 2026 and book #3 in February 2027 (on Valentine’s Day).

Crimson Web

Aamos Honka

A frighteningly topical debut thriller from an insider in the intelligence world, revealing the hidden heart of secrets ops and hybrid warfare.

  • Aamos Honka’s work with Finnish intelligence agencies gives him insider access to the world of national security and foreign intelligence
  • Already a critical success and an instant bestseller – 7000 copies sold in one month!

Crimson Web is an international espionage thriller that gets to the heart of hybrid influence, cyber threats and the geopolitical game. The story interweaves personal tragedies, global tensions and technological threats. Events intertwine in Helsinki, Wuhan, and London as different actors approach the crisis from their own perspectives.

The focus is on Janne Peura, a hybrid threat expert at the Finnish Defence Intelligence Agency, and Laura, a cyber specialist at Supo. They join forces to expose a large-scale international operation involving Chinese and Russian hybrid influence projects, as well as China’s AI-based influence efforts.

Once you read the book, the news headlines will never look the same to you.

The sequel to Crimson Web, book #2 in the Janne Peura series, is slated to be published in Finland in November 2025.

Traces

Anna Harju

Perfect suspense!” – Max Seeck, New York Times bestselling author
The opening of a gripping crime series set in trendy Tampere.

  • A fresh, psychologically perceptive crime novel
  • A gripping story that takes the readers from industrial Tampere to the German island of Fehmarn and finally to the fells of Northern Finland

There are secrets whose revelation will have fatal consequences. There is no escaping them, no matter how hard you try. Must one always pay for their mistakes?

A well-liked pharmacist is found murdered at his workplace. Suspicion falls on pharmacist Joanna Vihervuori, the last person to see her boss alive. Joanna insists she is innocent, but the case begins to twist around her in a strange way.

For Tampere Police Detective Inspector Taro Auramo, this murder investigation is the place to prove himself. The white dust on the dead pharmacist’s cheek raises doubts about whether his business is completely clean, and soon nothing will be as it seems.

Psychologically astute and utterly addictive, Traces is the first in the Taro Auramo crime series set in Tampere. Book #2 is slated to be published in 2026 and book #3 in 2027.

Milo

Max Seeck

Bodies with chess pieces in their mouth – Milo needs to understand the game of chess in order to catch a killer.

  • Solar Films adapts Milo to an international TV series for global distribution, with production slated to commence in 2026!
  • Rights sold to 8 territories! Over 45,000 copies sold in Finland!

The game has only just begun.

On a cold November evening, a body is discovered on the shore of Seurasaari. The victim’s skin is covered with a thick layer of white paint, and during the autopsy, a chess piece is found lodged in its throat.

The police are baffled. Why would the murderer go to such lengths to disguise the body? And why wasn’t there any attempt to hide it?

Milo Perho, an art gallery owner specializing in profiling killers, is called in to assist. What follows is a nerve-wracking game where every move costs a life, and no one wants it to end in checkmate.

Milo is the gripping debut of the Milo series by internationally acclaimed author Max Seeck. Even before its release, the book’s translation rights were sold to numerous countries, and a TV series adaptation is already in the works.

Book #2: the sequel to Milo (publication in September 2025, Tammi Publishers, Finland)

It’s early September in Helsinki, Finland. Ten months have passed since the events of the first book, and a lot has happened. Milo Perho, an art gallerist and a criminal profiler, has divorced and moved on with his life. While his marriage has fallen apart, he actually has gained some more confidence and is happier single. Milo has given up his dreams of becoming a father, and he tries to enjoy life as it is.

Meanwhile the Helsinki homicide unit detective (and Milo’s old friend) Minka Laine gets a phone call. A blonde woman has been stabbed to death in the middle of the city. While Minka investigates the surveillance camera tapes of the restaurant, she is shocked to see Milo on the record. She now knows that her old friend is somehow involved in the death of an unknown woman.

THE SAPROPHILE
MARRASELIÖ
Tammi, 2024, 672 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish edition
Author’s vision

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)

 

SUMMER AT VILLA HILDA
SOMMAR PÅ VILLA HILDA
Schildts & Söderströms, 2025

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Swedish manuscript

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Schildts & Söderströms (orig. Finland-Swedish, Finnish)
SWEDEN: Schildts & Söderströms

 

COTTON CANDY DILEMMA
HATTARADILEMMA
Tammi, 2025, 336 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)

 

CRIMSON WEB
PUNAINEN VERKKO
Gummerus, 2025, 489 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Gummerus (orig.)

 

TRACES
JÄLJET
Tammi, 2025, 382 pp.

READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)

 

MILO
MERKITTY
Tammi, 2024, 400 pp.

READING MATERIALS
Longer English sample and synopsis
French edition
German manuscript
Finnish edition

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Tammi (orig.)
ESTONIA: Pegasus
FRANCE: Mera Editions
GERMANY: Bastei Luebbe
ITALY: Piemme
JAPAN: Kodansha Ltd.
LATVIA: Latvijas Mediji
NORWAY: Aschehoug
RIGHTS FILM & TV: Solar Films