Second pre-publication deal for Tuomas Niskakangas’ new series!

We are thrilled to announce right after the London Book Fair, the second pre-publication deal for THE SEALED CASE by Tuomas Niskakangas and the new Department K series. The German rights for the first two books in the series have been acquired by Bastei Lübbe! The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Ahlbäck Agency.

The first book, The Sealed Case, will be published in Finland in May 2026 by WSOY, and the second one, The Forgotten Name, in Fall 2026.

The Sealed Case launches a new top-tier Finnish thriller series. Department K is an addictive story about unchecked power—and the people who can no longer look away.

The rights are still available in: the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, Poland…

DOWNLOAD MATERIALS FOR THE SEALED CASE HERE

“Tuomas Niskakangas has crafted a masterfully chilling universe where high-stakes corporate corruption meets the darkest levels of political power. The Department K series is a sophisticated, gripping thriller that expertly weaves investigative journalism with a haunting search for a lost identity.” – Viktoria Thymiou, International Rights Manager, Memento, Greece

The start of a gripping new thriller series! The Department K series blends a web of power games and criminal investigations with finely crafted psychological portraits.

When journalist Joel Saarni’s affair with his editor-in-chief makes the tabloid front page, he’s forced to leave his job. But the unfinished story won’t let him go. Someone has sent him a folder containing highly incriminating material: a Finnish network equipment company appears to have made illegal deals in Russia. But why?

Corporate lawyer Petra Thorry has her own reasons for getting involved. She’s obsessed with solving the mystery of a child who vanished in the 1990s.

As the investigation deepens, Petra and Joel are drawn into a tightening web of lies and espionage—where the deadly strings are pulled by Department K.

THE SEALED CASE
Suljettu kansio
WSOY 2026, 397 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe
GREECE: Memento

Reading materials:
Finnish Edition
English sample + full English draft translation
English series synopsis

 

About author


Tuomas Niskakangas

Tuomas Niskakangas (b. 1980) is a Finnish journalist and thriller writer whose fiction draws directly from the worlds of power, secrecy, and global politics. He works on and off for Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s leading newspaper, but in recent years has focused primarily on writing novels.

He turned to fiction after returning to Finland from Washington, D.C., where he spent four years as a foreign correspondent. Having reported at the heart of international politics, he was looking to channel that experience into high-stakes thrillers – another long-time passion of his.

Influenced by writers such as Dan Brown, Stieg Larsson, and Jo Nesbø, Niskakangas writes fast-paced, plot-driven stories rooted in real-world power structures. His first series, Leo Koski, explores political ambition and sinister plans to change the society.

His newest series Department K moves into the shadowy territory of espionage and investigative journalism, uncovering dangerous secrets buried in the past. His novels combine propulsive storytelling, layered mysteries, and characters forced to choose how far they are willing to go for the truth.

Photo credit: Marek Sabogal

Bibliography


2026, Crime & Suspense

The Sealed Case

Tuomas Niskakangas


2024, Crime & Suspense

The Eagle

Tuomas Niskakangas


2022, Crime & Suspense

The Act of Gladius

Tuomas Niskakangas


2021, Crime & Suspense

Their Turn to Burn

Tuomas Niskakangas

Three book deal to Estonia for Hannu Laakso!

We are incredibly happy to announce that three books from the Animal Family series by Hannu Laakso have been sold to Estonia, as Rahva Raamat acquires Meet the Fox Family & Meet the Bear Family & Meet the Wolf Family! The deal was closed by Satu Sallantaus at Ahlbäck Agency. This marks the second territory for the series, as previously Editrice Il Castoro, Italy, has acquired the rights for the series.

The newest book in the series was published just this month: a reader request title Meet the Squirrel Family. 

The Animal Family series has become a treasured choice for shared reading between grandparents, parents, and young children. Each book functions as both a gentle narrative and an accessible “first nature book,” encouraging children to develop curiosity, empathy, and an early love of reading. Hannu Laakso’s nature photography, internationally recognized with more than 130 awards, brings readers astonishingly close to the animals’ world with warmth, vibrancy, and authenticity.

REQUEST MATERIALS FOR THE ANIMAL FAMILY SERIES

Books available:
Meet the Fox Family
Meet the Bear Family
Meet the Wolf Family
Meet the Bird Family
Meet the Reindeer Family
Meet the Hedgehog Family
Meet the Squirrel Family

The books can be read and published in any order!

MEET THE FOX FAMILY
Me kettuset, Into 2020

MEET THE BEAR FAMILY
Me karhuset, Into 2021

MEET THE WOLF FAMILY
Me hukkaset, Into 2022

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Into (orig.)
ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat AS (3 books)
ITALY: Editrice Il Castoro (2 books)

Reading materials:
Full English edition: Squirrel, Reindeer, Fox. Finnish PDFs! 40-50 pp.

About author


Hannu Laakso

Hannu Laakso is a Finnish photographer and writer, who is fascinated by the purity of Nordic nature. He has won a Finnish state award for this children's Fun & Facts book series, which introduces us to urban and rural wildlife. He bought his first SLR camera in 1982. In 2014 he finally decided to start participating in international photography competitions. He has received 130 international photography awards, and well over 500 unique photos have been accepted to international photo exhibitions in more than 80 countries.

Bibliography


2026, Non-Fiction

Meet the Squirrel Family

Hannu Laakso


2025, Non-Fiction

Meet the Hedgehog Family

Hannu Laakso


2024, Non-Fiction

Meet the Reindeer Family

Hannu Laakso


2023, Non-Fiction

Meet the Bird Family

Hannu Laakso


2022, Non-Fiction

Meet the Wolf Family

Hannu Laakso


2021, Non-Fiction

Meet the Bear Family

Hannu Laakso


2020, Non-Fiction

Meet the Fox Family

Hannu Laakso

Three deals for Annukka Salama’s THE MELTING POINT in one day!

We are extremely happy to share, that the Dutch rights to THE MELTING POINT by Annukka Salama have been sold in a two-book pre-empt-deal to Kluitman. The deal was closed by Martti Berner at Ahlbäck Agency.

This is what editor Elles van Roosmalen from Kluitman had to say about this title:

‘Once I started reading The Melting Point by Annukka Salama, I simply could not stop. You just cannot help falling in love with Oliver and Niklas and rooting for their incredible love story. The wonderful illustrations by Satu Ovaskainen also really help bringing their story to life. We cannot wait to share this book with all the Dutch readers and are very proud to add this title to our list.’

The French rights for Annukka Salama’s two books have been sold to Rageot Editeur! The deal was closed by Noora Al-Ani at Ahlbäck Agency.

This is what Hélène Daveau the Editor at Ragot Editeur says about the title:

‘We are delighted about the acquisition of THE MELTING POINT, first instalment of Annukka Salama’s new series. It’s a charming novel, written with a light touch and a warm, engaging style. We especially enjoyed the relationships between the characters and the Cinderella vibe running through this beautiful love story on ice.’

The third deal for Annukka Salama comes from Bokförlaget Opal from Sweden! The deal was closed by Noora Al-Ani at Ahlbäck Agency.

Anja Eriksson, Senior Editor at Bokförlaget Opal commented this when acquiring the rights:

‘We are very excited to publish this heart-warming and melting hot title. Just like Oliver caught Niklas’s heart we’re sure that The Melting Point will caught the heart of the Swedish readers.’

The Melting Point is a high-stakes YA sports romance set in the icy heart of Finland, where competition meets slow-burn enemies-to-lovers attraction. It’s a perfect combination of enemies-to-lovers romance, hockey action, and feel-good YA storytelling for the fans of Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, Icebreaker by Hannah Grace, and Rachel Reid’s Game Changers and, last but definitely not least, Heated Rivalry!

REQUEST MATERIALS FOR THE MELTING POINT HERE

So hot it melts the ice!

The queen of addictive romances, Annukka Salama, now takes your breath away on the hockey rink! Oliver and Niklas are hockey’s brightest prospects—and sworn enemies on junior national teams from Finland and Sweden. When the boys are forced onto the same team, a Finland–Sweden showdown begins like nothing the hockey world has ever seen.

Oliver Järvinen rockets from complete obscurity to a trial with the national team. All his wildest dreams are coming true, until Niklas Gauffin skates into his life: a Finnish-Swedish hockey star and a total pain in the neck. Tipped to be the NHL’s number-one draft pick, Niklas has ditched his Swedish Tre Kronor jersey and moved to Finland, and, to top it all off, he’s Oliver’s new roommate in the high school dorm.

When fate throws them onto the same ice, the game, and the tension, heat up to unbearable levels. With the media scrutinizing their every move ahead of the NHL draft, the boys face huge choices as they fight for their future

THE MELTING POINT
Sulamispiste
WSOY, 2025, 360 pp.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
FRANCE: Rageot Editeur (2 books)
NETHERLANDS: Kluitman (2 books)
SWEDEN: Bokförlaget Opal

Reading materials:
English sample and draft translation
English synopsis
Finnish edition

About author


Annukka Salama

Annukka Salama (b. 1980) is a Finnish YA author from Tampere. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees. In addition, she has studied fashion design and architecture.

Salama’s young adult novels are known for their fast-paced plots and addictive romances. Her stories also give space to LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent perspectives. Salama’s books enjoy wide popularity among readers and have consistently performed well in annual Blogistania awards voted by book bloggers. In 2024 and 2025 she won the Queer Book of the Year Award.

Photo credit: Tiia Mahkonen

Bibliography


2025, Young Adult (13 or 14+)

The Melting Point

Annukka Salama

Danish Translator Siri Nordborg Møller Receives Finnish State Award for Foreign Translators

Danish translator Siri Nordborg Møller has been awarded the 2026 Finnish State Award for Foreign Translators, recognizing her outstanding contribution to bringing Finnish literature to international readers. The annual EUR 15,000 award, granted by the Ministry of Education and Culture on the proposal of FILI – Finnish Literature Exchange, honors translators who have significantly broadened the reach of Finnish writing abroad.

Nordborg Møller has translated more than 130 Finnish books during her career, showcasing her versatility and dedication to presenting Danish readers with a wide range of Finnish literature. Among her translations are the acclaimed works by Arttu Tuominen, Max Seeck, Hannele Lampela, Johanna Sinisalo, Elina Pitkäkangas, and Mia Kankimäki—all represented by Ahlbäck Agency.

Minister of Science and Culture Mari‑Leena Talvitie praised her contributions:

“Siri Nordborg Møller has an exceptionally wide-ranging body of work. Through her active contribution, she has introduced the richness and diversity of Finnish literature to readers in Denmark and increased the international presence of Finnish writing. Translators play a vital role in bringing Finnish literature to new audiences abroad.”