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.
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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!