We're back on the Orenda Blog Tour, this time for Palm Beach Finland by the King of Helsinki Noir, Antti Tuomainen. I also have a great International Giveaway- details on how to enter are at the foot of this post.
Sex, lies and ill-fitting swimwear … Sun Protection Factor
100
Jan Nyman, the ace detective of the covert operations unit
of the National Central Police, is sent to a sleepy seaside town to investigate
a mysterious death. Nyman arrives in the town dominated by a bizarre holiday
village – the ‘hottest beach in Finland’. The suspect: Olivia Koski, who has
only recently returned to her old hometown. The mission: find out what
happened, by any means necessary.
With a nod to Fargo, and the darkest noir,
Palm Beach, Finland is both a page-turning thriller and a wicked black comedy
about lust for money, fleeing dreams and people struggling at turning points in
their lives … from the 'King of Helsinki Noir’.
My Thoughts
The most striking thing about Palm Beach Finland has to be its tone. There is a seam of black humour which runs throughout, in stark contrast to the murder and mayhem which is happening. There are some genuinely funny moments and comedic characters who give the whole story colour and quirkiness. The story has an individuality which makes it a pleasure to read.
All of the characters are at a stage of their lives where they are wanting more. They all have flaws and make mistakes but there is a hopeful air to the story as they are on the lookout for better things. It is clever to have an undercover policeman embedded into the community as he observes others trying to sort out the truth just as he is. You feel that you are there too, inside some of the characters' heads, especially Jan and Olivia. The incongruity of the Palm Beach Finland itself is not lost on the reader, a Finnish sleepy village with pretensions of being like the acid coloured resort of the real Palm Beach.
In short: Black humour meets black noir crime.
About the Author
Finnish Antti Tuomainen was an award-winning copywriter when
he made his literary debut in 2007 as a suspense author. The critically
acclaimed My Brother’s Keeper was published two years later. In 2011,
Tuomainen’s third novel, The Healer, was awarded the Clue Award for ‘Best
Finnish Crime Novel of 2011’ and was shortlisted for the Glass Key Award. Two
years later, in 2013, the Finnish press crowned Tuomainen the ‘King of Helsinki
Noir’ when Dark as My Heart was published. With a piercing and evocative style,
Tuomainen was one of the first to challenge the Scandinavian crime genre
formula, and his poignant, dark and hilarious The Man Who Died became an
international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards.
Thanks to Antti Tuomainen, Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater of Orenda Books for a copy of the book and a place on the Blog Tour.
Check out these great bloggers!
Giveaway (International)
To win a paperback copy of Palm Beach Finland, just follow and retweet the pinned Tweet at @bookslifethings.
Closing date is 28th October 2018 and there is one winner.
Thanks, as always, for your amazing Blog Tour support Pam x
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