Book Read Free

Stockholm Noir

Page 23

by Nathan Larson


  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

  Susan Straight, “The Golden Gopher”

  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

  ___________________

  Thank you for purchasing this Akashic Books e-book.

 

‹ Prev