Antti Tuomainen

After finishing THE MAN WHO DIED in almost record time, PALM BEACH FINLAND was recommended in the highest possible terms, so the audio version of it was obtained and listened to with haste. Another one that should have come with a warning about driving and listening, because I don't know how I've managed to survive these books whilst dodging kangaroos and dust storms on the roads recently. Needless to say PALM BEACH FINLAND is funny and a bit mad (in a good way), but it's a different sort of show more funny/mad to THE MAN WHO DIED.

The entire scenario here is dry as the aforementioned dust funny. Set in a beach location in Finland, that a local "entrepreneur" Jorma Leivo, is determined to turn into a Palm Beach styled resort, the location scenario provides plenty of opportunity for some really funny observations - not the least of which is Leivo's determination that it will be the vacation of choice for the rich and famous, the yacht set, presumably (but not articulated) those prepared to brave Finland's version of a Palm Beach climate. The only stumbling block (apart from the mould and characterless accommodation chalets, and maybe the plastic palm trees), is the need to expand just a little to create the perfect marina environment.

The book starts out with the bizarre death of a man in a nearby house, moving through that investigation, to beach activities, a lot of cycling, some hiding in the bushes peeping at elderly ladies indulging their attraction for each other, a lot of bizarre goings on by two of the most unqualified killers you'd ever met, and some of the most bumbling attempts at cover up you're ever going to encounter. Police are baffled by the murder, the victim's identity, his reason for being in a house where he was completely unknown, through the very odd way he was killed, right up to why and .... well everything about everything to do with the whole crime. Olivia (the owner of the house) is equally baffled, and police hierarchy become concerned that the investigation of such an odd killing is going nowhere. Meanwhile interest has been raised in bigger criminal circles, and a couple of local ... idiots is really the only word that can be applied here ... are confused. Mind you Olivia, who inherited the run down property on the death of her father is, frankly, more worried about her immediate problems with plumbing than why a total stranger got himself bumped off in her kitchen, and slightly bemused at the amount of effort Leivo seems to be putting into frightening her into believing that she's in great danger. Meanwhile an undercover detective (Jan Nyman) is despatched to solve the case, although the genius that decided somebody with zero mathematical ability should masquerade as a maths teacher on vacation, hasn't thought it through at all, and Olivia might be worried about money and unhappy with her job opportunities, but she's not an idiot and she can smell a rat when one lobs on her doorstep wanting wind surfing lessons.

Needless to say, we're in different territory again. Different territory seems to be Antti Tuomainen's comfort zone though and a dark, dry, laid back sense of humour is the thing you're going to notice in these books, although utterly unbelievable plots delivered in a totally believable manner might also occur to you. It's an elegant balancing act as the crime itself is not downplayed, although everybody here seems to be pre-programmed to approach things from just left of a bit daft, no matter their motivations. The motivations are very real - from revenge to attraction, and that all too human combination of greed and stupidity. Add a bit of grandiose ambition and you've got a full hand.

Regardless of the way that Antti Tuomainen designs and deals the cards in any of his books, you can expect something quirky, different, readable, and clever. Next up THE MINE.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/palm-beach-finland-antti-tuomainen show less

This is an oddly entertaining and satisfying murder mystery—the victim performing his own investigation to find his murderer while trying to save his organic mushroom business against a fierce competitor in this quiet Finnish hamlet. Jaakko has been poisoned over a long period of time such that he became used to it while it damaged all of his internal organs. He’s on borrowed time. And does he ever make use of it. There are only two suspects but the ending is still a big surprise. And he show more has only one real goal other than seeing his murderer come to justice—saving his little business, a full time job given the snazzy new mushroom business down the road with its spanking new equipment and outbidding all his employees to come work there. While not rollicking funny it’s truly entertaining. I found myself rooting for Jaakko even when he wasn’t making the best decisions. Will he survive? Sadly no. He really is the victim of a murder. But before he goes, he’s going to take care of business. I’d really like to read more by this author if his books have been translated and made available in the US. show less

"I am an actuary.
As a rule, I don't own adventure parks, and I certainly don't batter people to death with giant, plastic rabbit ears.
But...my life hasn't been following the probability calculus for some time now.'

Henri Koskinen is forced to quit his job as an actuary when he refuses to become part of the team of 'functionally innumerate psychobabblers' ie. sensitivity training. But just as it seems that all companies have the same addiction to psychobabble, thereby lowering his probability show more to find another job, karma steps in. His brother dies of a heart attack and leaves Henri his adventure park - don't call it an amusement park.

"I resigned because I couldn't stand watching my workplace turn into a playground. Then I inherited one'"

Suddenly, he is having to deal with a bunch of quirky employees, a huge mechanical rabbit, and an idea of 'fun' for which there seems no mathematical calculus Henri can conceive of. And, if all that isn't bad enough. it seems like his brother had got himself into debt with some very dangerous people who want their money back. Sometimes karma can be a bitch.

If you're looking for the usual Scandi noir, The Rabbit Factor by Finnish author Antti Tuomainen definitely ain't it. What it is is a rollicking good crime? thriller? story - well, whatever you call it , it's a whole lot of fun from beginning to end and I recommend it highly to anyone who likes their crime mixed with a lot of humour, some very quirky characters, plenty of action, and even a little romance.

Thanks to Edelweiss+ and Orenda Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review show less

Jaakko Kaunismaa runs a successful mushroom-harvesting business with his wife, Taina. He’s in his late 30s, heading toward 40, and life seems pretty good. But he hasn’t been feeling well lately, so he goes to the doctor. Turns out that he’s being poisoned, and he’s dying from the cumulative exposure. Even if he stops being exposed to the toxins, whatever they are, there’s too much damage for him to recover. But who could want to poison him? Jaakko decides to solve his own future show more murder…

I enjoyed this book a great deal. The back-cover blurb mentions that it has elements of Fargo, and I’d agree with that assessment for certain scenes (there was one that nearly made me exclaim expletives in public). The first-person present narration makes the story feel much more immediate; we’re right there with Jaakko as he feels himself starting to shut down, and it becomes harder to do what he needs to do.

I can’t help but smile every time I think of the title, because this book came to my attention via a panel Tuomainen was on at the 2017 Bouchercon, and he explained that in Finnish, the title (Mies joka kuoli, of which “The Man Who Died” appears to be a literal translation) is hilarious. “People hear the title and go ‘hehehehehehehe!’” he said. “But in English, I say, ‘My new book is called The Man Who Died’, and you’re just like ‘Oh yes, hm, that’s interesting.’” It *is* interesting, and well worth a try if you like Nordic noir and haven’t visited Finland in books yet. show less