Five of our talented authors nominated for the Adlibris Prize

We are delighted to announce that five of our authors have been nominated for the prestigious Adlibris Prize 2024! These nominations celebrate outstanding achievements in suspense, fiction, and children’s literature.

Fiction Category

  • Finlandia nominee Kaj Korkea-aho for his autobiographical novel HOW WE MET YOUR MOTHER.
  • Finlandia nominee Tommi Kinnunen for his sixth novel PINE BARK.

 

Children’s Category

    • Riikka Jäntti, whose beloved LITTLE MOUSE series has been translated into 21 languages, for her latest book LITTLE MOUSE GOES ON A CRUISE.

Suspense Category

  • New York Times bestselling author Max Seeck for his MILO.
  • Spiegel bestseller Arttu Tuominen for his THE STAGER.

About the Adlibris Prize

The winner is chosen by readers across Finland. The Adlibris Prize was launched in Finland last year, and this year’s winners in each category will be revealed on February 5. Congratulations to all the nominees!

Congratulations to all the nominees!

About author


Arttu Tuominen

Arttu Tuominen lives in Pori and works as  an environmental inspector. During the evenings, he writes dark and tough crime novels. Tuominen is skilled at giving a strong voice to both sides of the law, a humane and a recognisable voice.

About author


Kaj Korkea-aho

Kaj Korkea-aho (b. 1983) is a writer, columnist and a comedian. Moreover, he has a career as an actor and a host in TV and radio. In his varied acting roles, he has often taken a stand for the rights of queer people, and his texts often discuss themes such as growing up, sexual minorities, religious revival communities and literature.

Korkea-aho has published four novels: Se till mig som liten är (God Who Holds The Little Dear) (2009), Gräset är mörkare på andra sidan (The Grass Is Darker on the Other Side) (2012), Onda boken (The Evil Book) (2015) which has been already translated into six languages and sold to Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, and now - Röda rummet (The Red Room) (2021). His books have attained wide readership in Finland and have scored several prizes, such as the The Swedish Literary Society’s prize in 2010 and 2013, the Thanks for the Book Award in 2016 and the Längmans Cultural Foundation’s prize in 2018. In 2017, Korkea-aho’s YA book Virala genier (Viral Geniuses) was nominated for the prestigious Finlandia Prize for children’s and young adult’s literature.

Since 2005, together with Ted Forsström, Korkea-aho has created comedy in Swedish for radio, TV and plays, whilst also writing the YA series Zoo! (the basis for the TV series Virala genier). Together, they also run the Ted & Kaj podcast, one of the biggest podcasts in Finland.

Kaj Korkea-aho was born and raised in the small town of Esse in Ostrobothnia, but now lives in Helsinki.

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.

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.

About author


Tommi Kinnunen

Tommi Kinnunen (1973) was born in Kuusamo in northeastern Finland and currently lives in Turku, where he works as a teacher of Finnish language and literature. His works include novels, opera librettos, short stories, and a non-fiction title on the changes taking place in the Finnish school system.

Kinnunen’s novels give a voice to those whose stories have been kept untold. He made a stellar debut with Where Four Roads Meet (orig. Neljäntienristeys) which was nominated for the Finlandia Prize and won the Young Aleksis Prize in 2015. The following novels The Light Behind the Eyes (orig. Lopotti), The Glass River (orig. Pintti), and Defiance (orig. Ei kertonut katuvansa) have been both critical and commercial successes. His books have been translated into 20 languages.

During his spare time, Kinnunen likes to refurbish old buildings.

Arttu Tuominen’s Shamed shines with German reviews

Arttu Tuominen’s Was Wir Ihnen Antun (River Delta series #4 Shamed) was published in Germany by our friends at Bastei Lübbe a couple of weeks ago, and the prestigious “Krimi-Couch” has written an amazing review:

The “River Delta series” is certainly one of the most interesting European crime series at the moment in many aspects. Arttu Tuominen proves once again that he is no longer an insider tip, but is currently one of the best Nordic suspense writers.”
– Krimi-Couch.de, Thomas Gisbertz

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 200,000 copies. Notably, the final installment, The Stager, published in August, has already surpassed 20,000 copies sold! And to cement his status, Arttu Tuominen was voted top crime author by The Finnish Whodunnit Society.

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 7 territories, and each book can be read as a standalone.

In addition to a great success in Germany, Arttu Tuominen’s three novels have gained excellent reviews and sales in France as well:

 “The new genius of melancholic Finland” – Le Point

“The talent of a great writer” – France Inter

“Remarkable” – Télérama

“He manages each time to renew himself and to give even more humanity to his characters” – Ju lit Les Mots -literary blog

Arttu Tuominen’s work has been compared to Henning Mankell 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.

They are fierce, these Finns, and this year, one of their best crime writers, Arttu Tuominen is awarded the Rosenkrantz Prize for Sendebuddet (Jeopardy) […] Tuominen’s writing is like moonshine when writing about brutally bitter souls.
– Palle Rosenkrantz Prize jury statement

About RIVER DELTA SERIES:

“The Stager is a top-notch showcase by an experienced, yet anything-but-predictable writer, demonstrating that when you have the skill, you can do anything.”
– Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan uutiset

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

Rights sold:
FINLAND:
WSOY (orig.)
DENMARK: Modtryk (6 books)
FRANCE: La Martinière (4 books)
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe (6 books)
ITALY: Piemme (2 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 lives in Pori and works as  an environmental inspector. During the evenings, he writes dark and tough crime novels. Tuominen is skilled at giving a strong voice to both sides of the law, a humane and a recognisable voice.

Bibliography


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

Arttu Tuominen voted top crime author by The Finnish Whodunnit Society!

For the 40th anniversary of the Finnish Whodunnit Society, the organization held a popular vote for favorite crime author, and out of 1,137 authors, #1 was Arttu Tuominen! The Finnish Whodunnit Society, founded in 1984, brings together crime fiction and detective stories enthusiasts. Their purpose is to promote crime literature. Their magazine publishes four times a year, and they often host talks and events with author guests like our very own Max Seeck and Martta Kaukonen!

Featured praise for Book 6 of the River Delta series: THE STAGER

The Stager is a top-notch showcase by an experienced, yet anything-but-predictable writer, demonstrating that when you have the skill, you can do anything. The book’s tension builds moment by moment toward the anticipated final bang…
–Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset

About THE STAGER:

A serial killer wants to be a director. You too can end up on stage. In Arttu Tuominen’s chilling detective story, the curtain is a guillotine.

A family – father, mother and primary school-age daughter – is watching TV together on a remote forest farm. The dog is lounging peacefully on the carpet at the family’s feet. What could be more idyllic? Except that they have all been killed and embalmed.

Soon another family is found, equally immortalized. Henrik Oksman, Jari Paloviita and Linda Toivonen of the Pori criminal police unit, under the leadership of Susanna Manner, quickly realize there’s a serial killer on the move who finds the presentation of the victims more important than the murders themselves.

The police will find out they too have roles written for them in this cruel play. Will everyone make it to the end of the show?

Can be read as a standalone!

Click here to download all materials for THE STAGER and the rest of the RIVER DELTA series.

Publication Info:
Lavastaja, WSOY 2024, 320 p.

Rights Sold (THE STAGER):
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), DENMARK: Modtryk, GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe, NETHERLANDS: De Fontein, STAGE: Pori Theatre

Reading Material:
English synopsis, Finnish edition, River Delta Series presentation

About author


Arttu Tuominen

Arttu Tuominen lives in Pori and works as  an environmental inspector. During the evenings, he writes dark and tough crime novels. Tuominen is skilled at giving a strong voice to both sides of the law, a humane and a recognisable voice.

Bibliography


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

Stage play rights for THE STAGER by Arttu Tuominen acquired by Pori Theatre!

An unusual but fun rights deal is for Arttu Tuominen’s book 6 of the RIVER DELTA series: THE STAGER. While we’re used to TV and film, this time stage play rights were acquired by Pori Theatre! This deal was closed by Elina Ahlbäck.

As it happens, Pori Theatre is where the climax of the book takes place–and Pori is also the author’s hometown, making this extra fun for RIVER DELTA fans.

Read more about THE STAGER below:

Henning Mankell meets Stephen King.

A serial killer wants to be a director. You too can end up on stage. In Arttu Tuominen’s chilling detective story, the curtain is a guillotine.

A family – father, mother and primary school-age daughter – is watching TV together on a remote forest farm. The dog is lounging peacefully on the carpet at the family’s feet. What could be more idyllic? Except that they have all been killed and embalmed.

Soon another family is found, equally immortalized. Henrik Oksman, Jari Paloviita and Linda Toivonen of the Pori criminal police unit, under the leadership of Susanna Manner, quickly realize there’s a serial killer on the move who finds the presentation of the victims more important than the murders themselves.

The police will find out they too have roles written for them in this cruel play. Will everyone make it to the end of the show?

The RIVER DELTA Series has sold over 200,000 copies, and the best thing about it is that each book in the series can be read as standalones or out-of-order!

Rights still available in: France, Italy, Sweden…

Click here to access all reading materials for the RIVER DELTA series!

Publication Info:
Lavastaja, WSOY 2024, 320 p.

Rights Sold (THE STAGER):
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.), DENMARK: Modtryk, GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe, NETHERLANDS: De Fontein, STAGE: Pori Theatre

Reading Material:
English synopsis, Finnish edition, River Delta Series presentation

About author


Arttu Tuominen

Arttu Tuominen lives in Pori and works as  an environmental inspector. During the evenings, he writes dark and tough crime novels. Tuominen is skilled at giving a strong voice to both sides of the law, a humane and a recognisable voice.

Bibliography


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

German rights for THE STAGER, of River Delta series, acquired by Bastei Lübbe

We are thrilled to announce that German rights for, THE STAGER, the sixth and final book in Arttu Tuominen’s bestselling and acclaimed River Delta series have been acquired by BASTEI LÜBBE. The deal was negotiated by Martti Berner. Congratulations, Arttu, and Bastei Lübbe!

Previously THE STAGER was acquired by Modtryk in Denmark and De Fontein in the Netherlands.

A serial killer wants to be a director. You too can end up on stage. In Arttu Tuominen’s chilling detective story, the curtain is a guillotine.

A family – father, mother and primary school-age daughter – is watching TV together on a remote forest farm. The dog is lounging peacefully on the carpet at the family’s feet. What could be more idyllic? Except that they have all been killed and embalmed. Soon another family is found, equally immortalized. The Pori criminal police unit quickly realize there’s a serial killer who finds the presentation of the victims more important than the murders themselves. 

Bastei Lübbe will publish the fourth book of the series, SHAMED, in late October.

THE STAGER was the bestselling domestic book in August. The book has also once again received high praise for the author, Arttu Tuominen:

The 300-page suspense novel progresses rapidly to its resolution played out at Pori Theatre. The memorable final scene is worth waiting for.
– Jari Olavi Hiltunen, Satakunnan Kansa

The Stager is a top-notch showcase by an experienced, yet anything-but-predictable writer, demonstrating that when you have the skill, you can do anything. The book’s tension builds moment by moment toward the anticipated final bang…
–Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset

We invite you to click here to download reading materials for THE STAGER, and the ‘River Delta’ series!

Rights still available in: France, Italy, Sweden…

Publication Info
Lavastaja, 320 p, August 2024.

Rights sold:
FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
DENMARK: Modtryk
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe
NETHERLANDS: De Fontein

About author


Arttu Tuominen

Arttu Tuominen lives in Pori and works as  an environmental inspector. During the evenings, he writes dark and tough crime novels. Tuominen is skilled at giving a strong voice to both sides of the law, a humane and a recognisable voice.

Bibliography


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

3-book deal for the RIVER DELTA series by Arttu Tuominen!

We are thrilled to announce a new three-book deal for Arttu Tuominen’s RIVER DELTA series!
His Dutch publisher De Fontein has acquired books 4-6 (The Shamed, The Liberator, The Staged), thus completing the series! The deal was concluded by Anna Kappauf at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

The RIVER DELTA series by Arttu Tuominen has seen commercial success and garnered praise from readers and critics alike, both at home and abroad. 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 7 territories, and each book can be read as a standalone.

The series has risen to Spiegel Bestselling list in Germany and book #2, JEOPARDY, won the Palle Rosenkrantz Award 2022!

“They are fierce, these Finns, and this year, one of their best crime writers, Arttu Tuominen is awarded the Rosenkrantz Prize for Sendebuddet (Jeopardy) […] Tuominen’s writing is like moonshine when writing about brutally bitter souls.”
– Palle Rosenkrantz Prize jury statement

The rights to the RIVER DELTA series are still available in e.g. the US, the UK, Turkey, Norway…

Download the English materials for the RIVER DELTA series here!

RIVER DELTA SERIES

WSOY 2019-2024

Reading material:
English samples and synopses
Series presentation
French editions books 1-2
Finnish editions (6 books)

Rights sold to River Delta Series:

FINLAND: WSOY (orig.)
DENMARK: Modtryk (6 books)
FRANCE: La Martinière (4 books)
GERMANY: Bastei Lübbe (5 books)
ITALY: Piemme (2 books)
NETHERLANDS: De Fontein (6 books)
SLOVENIA: Litera (3 books)
SWEDEN: Lind & Co (3 books)

FILM & TV: Lucy Loves Drama

About author


Arttu Tuominen

Arttu Tuominen lives in Pori and works as  an environmental inspector. During the evenings, he writes dark and tough crime novels. Tuominen is skilled at giving a strong voice to both sides of the law, a humane and a recognisable voice.

Bibliography


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