"Readers should be prepared to keep the lights on at night after finishing this unnerving collection." --Publishers Weekly
"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." --Reviewing the Evidence
Akashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each story is set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city of the book.
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.
From the introduction by James Thompson:
"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 . . .
"Finland is, like the theme so often explored in Star Trek, 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."
