The Very Pink Notebook is thrilled to be part of the blog tour for The Man Who Died by Antti Tuomainen. With thanks to Karen and Anne at Orenda Books for involving me and providing me with an early edition.
Published by : Orenda Books
10 October 2017
Copy : Ebook - Received from Publisher
The Blurb
A successful entrepreneur in the mushroom industry, Jaakko Kaunismaa is a man in his prime. At just 37 years of age, he is shocked when his doctor tells him that he’s dying. What is more, the cause is discovered to be prolonged exposure to toxins; in other words, someone has slowly but surely been poisoning him. Determined to find out who wants him dead, Jaakko embarks on a suspenseful rollercoaster journey full of unusual characters, bizarre situations and unexpected twists. With a nod to Fargo and the best elements of the Scandinavian noir tradition, The Man Who Died is a page-turning thriller brimming with the blackest comedy surrounding life and death, and love and betrayal, marking a stunning new departure for the King of Helsinki Noir.
The Very Pink Notebook Review
Although dark in topic, a man discovers he has days to live due to being slowly poisoned over the course of some time, Tuomainen has written this novel with a comedic punch and I thoroughly enjoyed that. Providing us with a likeable and amusing protagonist, Jaakko, we are taken on his journey as he races against time to find the culprit of his eventual murder and also and very importantly how he comes to terms emotionally with his own impending death.
Written and interpreted flawlessly, this pacey novel will keep you glued to it. I finished it in two sittings, after the first two chapters completely hooked me. So much happens in them that you are kind of left with mouth gaping. In only a few pages your mind is swimming with questions and suspicion. And naturally things just get worse. As well as trying to work out who wants him dead he has a nasty competitor for his business leap up on his doorstep who provide plenty of extra trouble.
With twists and turns a plenty Antti Tuomainen has penned a cracking noir novel. This isn't the first book by this author I have read, so I had high hopes, but I have to say it is my favourite. In this book he has found a unique balance for the reader in taking very dark matter and lightening it up without taking away the intrigue or integrity.
I could not recommend this book highly enough.
About the Author
Finnish Antti Tuomainen (b. 1971) 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. The Finnish press labelled The Healer – the story of a writer desperately searching for his missing wife in a post-apocalyptic Helsinki – ‘unputdownable’. Two years later in 2013 they crowned Tuomainen ‘The King of Helsinki Noir’ when Dark as My Heart was published. The Mine, published in 2016, was an international bestseller. All of his books have been optioned for TV/film. With his piercing and evocative style, Tuomainen is one of the first to challenge the Scandinavian crime genre formula, and The Man Who Died sees him at his literary best.
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