{"product_id":"helsinki-noir-9781617752414","title":"Helsinki Noir","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"Readers should be prepared to keep the lights on at night after finishing this unnerving collection.\" --\u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"A gripping collection . . . Whether you are already a fan of the gloomy Finns or are new to the uniquely sinister aspect of Scandinavian literature, this book will provide steady entertainment.\" --\u003cem\u003eReviewing the Evidence\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAkashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with \u003cem\u003eBrooklyn Noir.\u003c\/em\u003e Each story is set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city of the book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Brand-new stories by: Leena Lehtolainen, Johanna Holmstr?m, James Thompson, Antti Tuomainen, Jesse Itkonen, Joe L. Murr, Jukka Pet?j?, Tapani Bagge, Pekka Hiltunen, Teemu K?skinen, Tuomas Lius, Riikka Ala-Harja, Karo H?m?l?inen, and Jarkko Sipila.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e From the introduction by James Thompson: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Finland, the myths and truths. Internationally, it has a reputation as perhaps the best place in the world to live. A great economy. A low crime rate. Good and nearly cost-free health care. The needy are provided for by the state and live in reasonable comfort. Finns: peaceful and quiet people, living in the perfect example of a social democracy functioning as it should. A tourist, or even a person who has lived here for a length of time, might well view Finland as such. There is some truth to this, but like every country, Finland has many truths . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Finland is, like the theme so often explored in \u003cem\u003eStar Trek\u003c\/em\u003e, a parallel universe in which, on the surface, all seems normal, but under that shell lie vast differences . . . As this book demonstrates, Finland is a noir nation [and] this anthology is, I believe, the best representation of Finnish noir ever offered to the international community. Every word rings true. It holds Finland up in a way that not only exposes this wonderful and fascinating country to the world, but acts as a mirror that reflects its people and culture in a way every Finn will recognize, vocalizing those truths that are so seldom spoken here amongst ourselves.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJames Thompson\u003c\/b\u003e (1964-2014) lived in Finland for over fifteen years and was one of the most popular representatives of Nordic noir, with his work being published in a dozen countries. His novel \u003ci\u003eSnow Angels\u003c\/i\u003e, the first book in his acclaimed Kari Vaara series, was one of \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e's Best Crime Novel Debuts of the Year and was nominated for Edgar, Anthony, and \u003ci\u003eStrand\u003c\/i\u003e Critics awards. \u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e selected \u003ci\u003eLucifer's Tears\u003c\/i\u003e, the second book in the series, as one of the best books of 2011. G.P. Putnam's Sons will release \u003ci\u003eHelsinki Dead\u003c\/i\u003e, the fifth installment in the series, in 2014. Jim was a reviewer for the \u003ci\u003eNew York Journal of Books\u003c\/i\u003e and held a master's degree from the University of Helsinki. He was the editor of \u003ci\u003eHelsinki Noir\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Akashic Books, Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50360629526802,"sku":"9781617752414","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_7dddbabb-fcad-4d53-a291-36db9cde8225.jpg?v=1728364495","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/helsinki-noir-9781617752414","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}