Table of Contents
Introduction
Part I: (Men and) Women
“Women in Copenhagen” by Naja Marie Aidt (Ørstedsparken)
“One of the Rough Ones” by Jonas T. Bengtsson (Northwest)
“Australia” by Christian Dorph and Simon Pasternak (Vesterbro)
“All I Want Is My Baby Woah Woah, Woah Woah Woah Woah” by Susane Staun (City Center)
“A Fine Boy” by Helle Helle (Vanløse)
Part II: Mammon
“When the Time Came” by Lene Kaaberbøl and Agente Friis (Ørestad)
“Sleipner’s Assignment” by Georg Ursin (Frederiksberg)
“Debt of Honor” by Klaus Rifbjerg (Amager)
“When It’s Tough Out There” by Gretelise Holm (Istedgade)
Part III: Corpses
“Savage City, Cruel City” by Kristian Lundberg (Malmø)
“The Elephant’s Tusks” by Kristina Stoltz (Nørrebro)
“The Booster Station” by Seyit Öztürk (Valby)
“The Great Actor” by Benn Q. Holm (Frederiksberg Allé)
“Last Train from Central Station” by Gunnar Staalesen (Central Station)
BO TAO MICHAËLIS is a book critic and editor living in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Copenhagen Noir is available in paperback from our website and in bookstores everywhere. The e-book edition is available wherever e-books are sold.
Helsinki Noir,
edited by James Thompson
Helsinki Noir joins Copenhagen Noir in representing the Akashic Noir Series in the far north of Europe, exposing its frigid and sometimes frightening confines.
“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
“This is a good collection of all kinds of stories.” —Journey of a Bookseller
“Mystery and true crime readers will appreciate the styles from all over the world, and embrace the darkness that every culture shares—no matter how hard they try to hide it.” —Mom Read It
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 Holmström, James Thompson, Antti Tuomainen, Jesse Itkonen, Joe L. Murr, Jukka Petäjä, Tapani Bagge, Pekka Hiltunen, Teemu Käskinen, Tuomas Lius, Riikka Ala-Harja, Karo Hämäläinen, 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.”
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part I: Deep Cuts
“Jenkem” by Pekka Hiltunen (Töölö)
“Kiss of Santa” by Leena Lehtolainen (Stockmann Department Store)
“The Hand of Ai” by James Thompson (Kallio)
“St. Peter’s Street” by Riikka Ala-Harja (Eira)
“Hard Rain” by Tapani Bagge (Esplanadi)
Part II: Broken Blades
“The Silent Woman” by Joe L. Murr (Munkkiniemi)
“Little Black” by Teemu Kaskinen (Aurinkolahti)
“Silent Night” by Jarkko Sipila (East Pasila)
“Snowy Sarcophagus” by Jukka Petäjä (Meilahti)
“Dead Cinch” by Tuomas Lius (Central Train Station)
Part III: Winds of Violence
“Good Intentions” by Jesse Itkonen (Itäkeskus)
“The Broker” by Karo Hämäläinen (Fabianinkatu)
“The Script” by Antti Tuomainen (Lintulahti)
“Stolen Lives” by Johanna Holmström (Vuosaari)
JAMES THOMPSON (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 Snow Angels, the first book in his acclaimed Kari Vaara series, was one of Booklist‘s Best Crime Novel Debuts of the Year and was nominated for Edgar, Anthony, and Strand Critics awards. Kirkus selected Lucifer’s Tears, the second book in the series, as one of the best books of 2011. G.P. Putnam’s Sons will release Helsinki Dead, the fifth installment in the series, in 2014. Jim was a reviewer for the New York Journal of Books and held a master’s degree from the University of Helsinki.
Helsinki Noir is available in paperback from our website and in bookstores everywhere. The e-book edition is available wherever e-books are sold.
ABOUT THE AKASHIC NOIR SERIES
The Akashic Books Noir series was launched in 2004 with the award-winning anthology, Brooklyn Noir. Each book is comprised of all new stories, each taking place within a distinct location within the city of the book. Stories in the series have won multiple Edgar, Shamus, and Hammett awards and the volumes have been translated into 10 languages. Every book is available on our website, as eBooks from your favorite vendor, and in print at online and brick & mortar bookstores everywhere. For more information on the series, including an up-to-date list of available titles, please visit www.akashicbooks.com/noirseries.htm.
NOW AVAILABLE IN THE AKASHIC NOIR SERIES
BALTIMORE NOIR, edited by LAURA LIPPMAN
BARCELONA NOIR (SPAIN), edited by ADRIANA V. LÓPEZ & CARMEN OSPINA
BEIRUT NOIR (LEBANON), edited by IMAN HUMAYDAN
BELFAST NOIR (NORTHERN IRELAND), edited by ADRIAN MCKINTY & STUART NEVILLE
BOSTON NOIR, edited by DENNIS LEHANE
BOSTON NOIR 2: THE CLASSICS, edited by DENNIS LEHANE, JAIME CLARKE & MARY COTTON
BRONX NOIR, edited by S.J. ROZAN
BROOKLYN NOIR, edited by TIM MCLOUGHLIN
BROOKLYN NOIR 2: THE CLASSICS, edited by TIM MCLOUGHLIN
BROOKLYN NOIR 3: NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, edited by TIM MCLOUGHLIN & THOMAS ADCOCK
BUFFALO NOIR, edited by BRIGID HUGHES & ED PARK
CAPE COD NOIR, edited by DAVID L. ULIN
CHICAGO NOIR, edited by NEAL POLLACK
CHICAGO NOIR: THE CLASSICS edited by JOE MENO
COPENHAGEN NOIR (DENMARK), edited by BO TAO MICHAËLIS
DALLAS NOIR, edited by DAVID HALE SMITH
D.C. NOIR, edited by GEORGE PELECANOS
D.C. NOIR 2: THE CLASSICS, edited by GEORGE PELECANOS
DELHI NOIR (INDIA), edited by HIRSH SAWHNEY
DETROIT NOIR, edited by E.J. OLSEN & JOHN C. HOCKING
DUBLIN NOIR (IRELAND), edited by KEN BRUEN
HAITI NOIR, edited by EDWIDGE DANTICAT
HAITI NOIR 2: THE CLASSICS, edited by EDWIDGE DANTICAT
HAVANA NOIR (CUBA), edited by ACHY OBEJAS
HELSINKI NOIR, (FINLAND) edited by JAMES THOMPSON
INDIAN COUNTRY NOIR, edited by SARAH CORTEZ & LIZ MARTÍNEZ
ISTANBUL NO
IR (TURKEY), edited by MUSTAFA ZIYALAN & AMY SPANGLER
KANSAS CITY NOIR, edited by STEVE PAUL
KINGSTON NOIR (JAMAICA), edited by COLIN CHANNER
LAS VEGAS NOIR, edited by JARRET KEENE & TODD JAMES PIERCE
LONDON NOIR (ENGLAND), edited by CATHI UNSWORTH
LONE STAR NOIR, edited by BOBY BYRD & JOHNNY BYRD
LONG ISLAND NOIR, edited by KAYLIE JONES
LOS ANGELES NOIR, edited by DENISE HAMILTON
LOS ANGELES NOIR 2: THE CLASSICS, edited by DENISE HAMILTON
MANHATTAN NOIR, edited by LAWRENCE BLOCK
MANHATTAN NOIR 2: THE CLASSICS, edited by LAWRENCE BLOCK
MANILA NOIR, edited by JESSICA HAGEDORN
MARSEILLE NOIR, (FRANCE) edited by CEDRIC FABRE
MEMPHIS NOIR, edited by LAUREEN P. CANTWELL & LEONARD GILL
MEXICO CITY NOIR (MEXICO), edited by PACO I. TAIBO II
MIAMI NOIR, edited by LES STANDIFORD
MOSCOW NOIR (RUSSIA), edited by NATALIA SMIRNOVA & JULIA GOUMEN
MUMBAI NOIR (INDIA), edited by ALTAF TYREWALA
NEW JERSEY NOIR, edited by JOYCE CAROL OATES
NEW ORLEANS NOIR, edited by JULIE SMITH
ORANGE COUNTY NOIR, edited by GARY PHILLIPS
PARIS NOIR (FRANCE), edited by AURéLIEN MASSON
PHILADELPHIA NOIR, edited by CARLIN ROMANO
PHOENIX NOIR, edited by PATRICK MILLIKIN
PITTSBURGH NOIR, edited by KATHLEEN GEORGE
PORTLAND NOIR, edited by KEVIN SAMPSELL
PRISON NOIR, edited by JOYCE CAROL OATES
PROVIDENCE NOIR, edited by ANN HOOD
QUEENS NOIR, edited by ROBERT KNIGHTLY
RICHMOND NOIR, edited by ANDREW BLOSSOM, BRIAN CASTLEBERRY & TOM DE HAVEN
ROME NOIR (ITALY), edited by CHIARA STANGALINO & MAXIM JAKUBOWSKI
SAN DIEGO NOIR, edited by MARYELIZABETH HART
SAN FRANCISCO NOIR, edited by PETER MARAVELIS
SAN FRANCISCO NOIR 2: THE CLASSICS, edited by PETER MARAVELIS
SEATTLE NOIR, edited by CURT COLBERT
SINGAPORE NOIR, edited by CHERYL LU-LIEN TAN
STATEN ISLAND NOIR, edited by PATRICIA SMITH
STOCKHOLM NOIR (SWEDEN), edited by NATHAN LARSON & CARL-MICHAEL EDENBORG
ST. PETERSBURG NOIR, edited by NATALIA SMIRNOVA & JULIA GOUMEN
TEHRAN NOIR (IRAN), edited by SALAR ABDOH
TEL AVIV NOIR (ISRAEL), edited by ETGAR KERET & ASSAF GAVRON
TORONTO NOIR (CANADA), edited by JANINE ARMIN & NATHANIEL G. MORE
TRINIDAD NOIR (TRINIDAD & TOBAGO), edited by LISA ALEN-AGOSTINI & JEANNE MASON
TWIN CITIES NOIR, edited by JULIE SCHAPER & STEVEN HORWITZ
USA NOIR: BEST OF THE AKASHIC NOIR SERIES, edited by JOHNNY TEMPLE
VENICE NOIR (ITALY), edited by MAXIM JAKUBOWSKI
WALL STREET NOIR, edited by PETER SPIEGELMAN
ZAGREB NOIR (CROATIA), edited by IVAN SRSEN
FORTHCOMING
ACCRA NOIR (GHANA), edited by MERI NANA-AMA DANQUAH
ADDIS ABABA NOIR (ETHIOPIA), edited by MAAZA MENGISTE
ATLANTA NOIR, edited by TAYARI JONES
BAGHDAD NOIR (IRAQ), edited by SAMUEL SHIMON
BOGOTÁ NOIR (COLOMBIA), edited by ANDREA MONTEJO
BRUSSELS NOIR (BELGIUM), edited by MICHEL DUFRANNE
BUENOS AIRES NOIR (ARGENTINA), edited by ERNESTO MALLO
JERUSALEM NOIR, edited by DROR MISHANI
LAGOS NOIR (NIGERIA), edited by CHRIS ABANI
MARRAKECH NOIR (MOROCCO), edited by YASSIN ADNAN
MISSISSIPPI NOIR, edited by TOM FRANKLIN
MONTREAL NOIR (CANADA), edited by JOHN MCFETRIDGE & JACQUES FILIPPI
NEW ORLEANS NOIR: THE CLASSICS edited by JULIE SMITH
OAKLAND NOIR edited by JERRY THOMPSON AND EDDIE MULLER
RIO NOIR, (BRAZIL) edited by TONY BELLOTTO
SAN JUAN NOIR, (PUERTO RICO) edited by MAYRA SANTOS-FEBRES
ST. LOUIS NOIR, edited by SCOTT PHILLIPS
TRINIDAD NOIR: THE CLASSICS edited by EARL LOVELACE & ROBERT ANTONI
NOIR SERIES AWARDS, PRIZES & HONORS
Following is a list-in-progress of the various awards, prizes, and honors that Akashic Noir Series stories have either won or been short-listed for.
Boston Noir
Edgar Award Finalists 2010
Dennis Lehane, “Animal Rescue”
Dana Cameron, “Femme Sole”
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2010
John Dufresne, “The Cross-Eyed Bear”
Dennis Lehane, “Animal Rescue”
Shamus Award Finalist 2010
Brendan DuBois, “The Dark Island”
Anthony Award Finalists 2010
Dennis Lehane, “Animal Rescue”
Dana Cameron, “Femme Sole”
Macavity Award Finalist 2010
Dana Cameron, “Femme Sole”
Agatha Award Finalist 2009
Dana Cameron, “Femme Sole”
Bronx Noir
Winner, New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association
Book of the Year Award, Special Category 2008
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2008
S.J. Rozan, “Hothouse”
Brooklyn Noir
Edgar Award Finalist 2005
Pete Hamill, “The Book Signing”
Robert L. Fish Memorial Award Winner 2005
Thomas Morrissey, “Can’t Catch Me”
Shamus Award Winner 2005
Pearl Abraham, “Hasidic Noir”
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2005
Tim McLoughlin, “When All This Was Bay Ridge”
Lou Manfredo, “Case Closed”
Anthony Award Finalist 2005
Arthur Nersesian, “Hunter/Trapper”
Pushcart Prize Finalist 2005
Ellen Miller, “Practicing”
DC Noir
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2007
Robert Andrews, “Solomon’s Alley”
Detroit Noir
Shamus Award Finalist 2008
Loren D. Estleman, “Kill the Cat”
Kansas City Noir
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2013
Nancy Pickard, “Lightbulb”
Las Vegas Noir
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2009
David Corbett, “Pretty Little Parasite”
Vu Tran, “This or Any Desert”
Lone Star Noir
Shamus Award Finalist 2011
Lisa Sandlin, “Phelan’s First Case”
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2011
David Corbett & Luis Alberto Urrea, “Who Stole My Monkey?”
Long Island Noir
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2013
Nick Mamatas, “The Shiny Car in the Night”
Los Angeles Noir
Southern California Independent Booksellers Association Winner 2007
Edgar Award Winner 2008
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2008
Michael Connelly, “Mulholland Dive”
Robert Ferrigno, “The Hour When the Ship Comes In”
Manhattan Noir
Edgar Award Finalists 2007
S.J. Rozan, “Building”
Thomas H. Cook, “Rain”
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2007
Robert Knightly, “Take the Man’s Pay”
Miami Noir
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2007
John Bond, “T-bird”
New Jersey Noir
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2012
Lou Manfredo, “Soul Anatomy”
New Orleans Noir
Shamus Award Finalist 2008
James Nolan, “Open Mike”
Paris Noir
E
dgar Award Finalist 2009
Dominique Mainard, “La Vie en Rose”
Philadelphia Noir
Macavity Award Finalist 2011
Keith Gilman, “Devil’s Pocket”
Phoenix Noir
Edgar Award Winner 2010
Luis Alberto Urrea, “Amapola”
Anthony Award Finalist 2010
Luis Alberto Urrea, “Amapola”
Macavity Award Finalist 2010
Luis Alberto Urrea, “Amapola”
Shamus Award Finalist 2010
Gary Phillips, “Blazin’ on Broadway”
Queens Noir
Robert L. Fish Memorial Award Winner 2009
Joe Guglielmelli, “Buckner’s Error”
San Diego Noir
Southern California Independent Booksellers Association
Award Finalist 2011
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2012
T. Jefferson Parker, “Vic Primeval”
San Francisco Noir
Macavity Award Finalist 2006
David Corbett, “It Can Happen”
Staten Island Noir
Robert L. Fish Memorial Award Winner 2013
Patricia Smith, “When They Are Done with Us”
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2013
Patricia Smith, “When They Are Done with Us”
Toronto Noir
Arthur Ellis Award Winner 2009
Pasha Malla, “Filmsong”
Arthur Ellis Award Finalist 2009
Peter Robinson, “Walking the Dog”
Twin Cities Noir
Shamus Award Finalist 2007
Bruce Rubenstein, “Smoke Got in My Eyes”
Venice Noir
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2013
Emily St. John Mandel, “Drifter”
Wall Street Noir
Derringer Award Finalist 2008
Twist Phelan, “A Trader’s Lot”
Included in The Best American Mystery Stories 2008
Stephen Rhodes, “At the Top of His Game”
About Akashic Books
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