Let the Evil Get Around

“Anna pahan kiertää (Let the Evil Get Around) is undeniably the best domestic police novel of the autumn."

Markus Ånäs, Suomen Kuvalehti

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“Again a bullseye from Ahonen.”

Tuula Okkonen, Finnish Whodunnit Society Ruumiin kulttuuri (Body Culture) journal

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"Markus Ahonen's detective stories have long been among the elite of domestic suspense literature with strong social impact.

Let the Evil Get Around represents a direction in Ahonen's production that leads more and more towards a novel with social impact, where the detective story becomes secondary. The text conveys passion for the subject, but of course still also a skillfully composed detective plot element."

Pertti Avola, Helsingin Sanomat

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“I love this latest work by author Markus Ahonen! It is a harsh description of the anger produced by exclusion, but also of the power of charity. Such a skillfully composed detective novel is more than a detective novel, it is simply expressed as Significant Literature. Ahonen successfully intertwines different styles, and does not allow realism to set boundaries, but bends the plot to support an idealistic message. The texts written by the author at a young age add depth to the whole, and even Isaksson’s lengthy enlightenment speeches are appropriate in this context.”

Taru Väyrynen, Author

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"Even Markus Ahonen's sixth Markku Isaksson detective novel does not fit into the formula of a traditional Nordic noir.
Ahonen insists a reader to focus on the details of the criminal investigation and weighing of the social policy, while admiring the brilliant description of the city. "

Heidi Lakkala, Kaleva/Lapin Kansa

“The detective story soon opens up an interesting world where, in addition to solving cruel violent crimes, the question of what causes violence is also at the center. It is brave and important to ask it in detective stories as well. Ahonen manages to reach many perspectives on intergenerational exclusion.”

Asta Tenhunen, Keskisuomalainen/Savon Sanomat

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“Strong recommendation.”

Jone Nikula, Radio Rock

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“Ahonen builds thoroughly the background to the leader of the trio Hapa’s rage towards everything. Whenever his cruelty feels overhelmed, the Koskela teenage murder from last year comes to mind. It didn’t get to affect Ahonen’s work, which makes the work even more chilling. Ahonen kind of predicted what is smoldering in the streets.”

Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset

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"The beginning of the work searches for its kind in Nordic Noir."

Pieni suuri piiri literary blog

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“The work really blows mind.

When reading Anna pahan kiertää (Let the Evil Get Around), it is difficult to swallow, all the human distress is pressing on your heart.

The beauty of Ahonen’s narrative, and gentle understanding, also help the reader face a reality that is rarely black and white.

A soaring good and important novel.

*****

Annika, Rakkaudesta trillereihin literary blog

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"Based on the violent news lately, Let the Evil Get Around is not detached from reality at all, just the contrary."

Jonna, Kirjakaapin kummitus Literary Blog

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"It was a pleasure to read the book. As a domestic crime book, it has a surprising amount of layering. Isaksson's gentleness towards offenders is in a class of its own."

Kaksi sivullista literary blog

"Interestingly, Ahonen offers its readers a weighty social issue and tough pondering. Sometimes even the slightest help, words of encouragement or kind deed can turn a young person's course in the right direction and keep him or her from doing wrong."

Luetut.net literary blog

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The Soulless

”The Soulless is a literary detective novel masterpiece.

At the latest with The Soulless, Ahonen steps into that Finnish detective novel top, from which both the Clew (of the Year) and Finlandia Prize winners are picked with the same book.”

Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset

(Former member of The Clew of the Year jury)

”Outstanding.”

Jone Nikula, Radio Rock

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“The Isaksson detective novels have already crossed the limits of the usual suspense story.

Ahonen weaves a multilayered psychological net on police Markku Isaksson's and the criminals' he is hunting personal history and mental landscapes.
In addition to describing the basic work of the police, I'm assured by the subplot of a family dad who has joined the robbery gang, only wanting a little better life for his loved ones.
And also the story's surprise turn works well. The avenger will also find his own avenger, if he goes on that road.”

Pertti Avola, Helsingin Sanomat

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”Markus Ahonen has written his best Isaksson detective story to date, where he once again shows that a detective story can also be a multidimensional depiction of people and the ethical dimensions of being human.”

Author Taru Väyrynen

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”The Soulless is not in a traditional way hardboiled, not maybe even a crime novel, if anyone even writes them anymore in this past-Henning Mankell era. In the work's name page this is about ”the novel about crimes and conscience”. That fits well too.

The work can also surprise. Especially its ending downrightly startled at least me."

Kari Heino, Satakunnan Kansa

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”Ahonen writes as assertively about the then Tavastia region Koski's Hyväneula in 1969 as about year 1995's Srebrenica in Bosnia, where Serb troops killed over 7000 Bosnian men and boys.”

Markus Määttänen, Aamulehti

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”You could say that Ahonen writes some kind of a modern puzzle detective novel.

Ahonen's narrative is very atmospheric and based on feelings, snapshots and memories. He brings events forward through people's thoughts and movements of mind rather than action.

Ahonen has brought a little bit different, original voice to Finnish detective literature.”

Pekka Turunen, Finnish Whodunnit Society quarterly journal Ruumiin kulttuuri (Body Culture)

”Few crime writers open their characters as deeply as Ahonen. More often crime novels are story-driven and characters are left one-dimensional.”

Kaisu Hautamäki, Kaarina-lehti

”Fifth novel of Isaksson series The Soulless is the so far most whole and gripping novel of the series. Speedy and credible depiction of the robbery wave tormenting Helsinki welds well together with past flashbacks and thoughts of characters.”
Antti Honkanen, Vuosaari-lehti

”Author who lives in Ireland also knows the capital region and his study city Turku well, which is forwarded in the book's confident depiction of milieu.”

Elina Jantunen, Seutuneloset

”One flies over the cuckoo's nest.”

Erkki Kanerva, Turun Sanomat

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”A gripping jump into the world of murder mysteries. In addition to places, the book offers a nostalgic jump into atmosphere created by 1980's music. The depiction of good and evil in the crime novel surprises the reader chapter by chapter and makes you in a warm way see, what is in the end important in life.”

Erkki Meriluoto, Seura

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“It is always delightful when you bump into a yet unknown author's well and finely written book. Markus Ahonen's Sieluttomat (The Soulless) is exactly like that.

Everything happens while Ravel's Bolero is being played. Gradually the music starts playing also in reader's head.

Narrative is psychologically finetuned and very believable.

Markus Ahonen is a virtuoso writer. Everything is weaved together skillfully and with care.”

Leena-Maija, LM-mummin kirjastossa literary blog

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“I liked the fast tempo of the book. It really doesn't get jammed at all, so a thick crime novel pages are turning by themselves. Precise depiction of milieu attracted also, since while reading I got a strong feeling that the author writes about many places that are familiar and important to him.

The Soulless is headlined aptly as a novel about crimes and conscience. It very truly is like that.

Question is, what can you justify with difficult childhood experiences and past, with which you can not necessarily ever be fully comfortable with?

The book can be recommended especially to all the friends of quality suspense literature. And what's best, Isaksson's story has been promised to continue.”

Satu Järvinen, Kirjat kertovat literary blog

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”This is my all-time favourite. In all genres. And I read a lot, so...”

Author Tuire Malmstedt

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Heart-Crushing Party

“Heart-Crushing Party effectively addresses the psychological processes behind people's solutions, emotions and fates. One act can determine many people's lives for years to come, and the past doesn't leave alone, no matter what it includes.”

Pertti Avola, Helsingin Sanomat

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”If Ahonen's three previous novels are even nearly as good as this is, he is one of the most carefully guarded secrets in Finland...

Many others would use the basis to write that typical police novel, but Ahonen, who is revealed super skilled, has his means elsewhere...

Tormenting psychological suspense and changing of angles lift Heart-Crushing Party above all ordinary suspense entertainment...

The ending is heart bursting and completes this excellent work in the way suitable in its style."

Kai Hirvasnoro, Kansan Uutiset

(Also a member of The Clew of the Year 2017 Jury)

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"Geniouslike.

With this book, Markus Ahonen is the Finnish equivalent to Jo Nesbø. Especially the Harry Hole series plot twists and ingenious structures bring up surprises that make me amazed. So happened in this one. When the similar "whatta heck" feeling was revealed when something I had taken for granted was suddenly wrong."

Mira Aaltonen, Liftaan (I hitchhike) literary blog

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"This was a pleasant experience, getting to know Markus Ahonen as a crime novelist!
I remember the better book reading experiences like Ahonen's - the experiences in which I am fond of the writer based on the first read book. Actually, on the basis of the first few dozen pages, as Heart-Crushing Party really gripped me with it immediately.
Heart Crushing Party is a fine detective novel. Markus Ahonen's description of Helsinki is great and feels lively and the series main person Markku Isaksson is a character who makes the book (and certainly the whole series) a fine one in their own way. Isaksson is not only skilled in his work, but also in the way nice that I would like to get to know him in real life."

Krista, Finland Reads literary blog

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"Heart-Crushing Party holds you well as a suspense novel should and it also really surprises you well with the resolution of the plot.
Isaksson's investigations include suspense and warmth, past and present times. Heart-Crushing Party has, also by its name, a dangerous and melancholic, but a romantic heart."

Katja, Lumiomena (Snow Apple) literary blog

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”Story also in this Ahonen's book is compelling and the story's crook is revealed only in the last meters.

For some reason, the most memorable mark left in my mind from this book are its characters.
The book is pretty pondering in the crime fiction department.”

MeTu, Lukuneuvos literary blog

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"Markku Isaksson is a pleasant character as a police officer. Ahonen brings a good addition to domestic detective novels. He's a skillful writer, who manages detective novel writing without obnoxious violence.”
Ulla, Ulla's Read Books literary blog

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"A big question in Sydämenmurskajaiset (Heart-Crushing Party) book is that can the power of love be greater than death. How many deaths can love beat? Pondering this kind of question makes the reader think deeply, which isn't from my perspective very usual when reading detective novels.
I think a crime novel is at its best when it's more than just crimes and solving them.
I can warmly recommend Heart-Crushing Party especially to the friends of domestic quality suspense."

Satu, Kirjat kertovat (Books Tell) literary blog

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"Markus Ahonen's, the author who I had a joy to get to know at recent Book Fair, hugely fine novel deals with age-old themes. Heart-Crushing Party is again a proof of power of a detective story: in the genre you can really find literally excellent writing works that no one should miss because of the “whodunnit stamp”".

Annika, For The Love of Books literature blog

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”In a way it is a good-feeling detective novel, in a way not. Not in the way that you'd laugh when reading it. No, the events are tragic and in many moments reader might feel sadness. There is a melancholic tone throughout the whole book. Yes, from the basis that the characters are interesting and easy to approach. Yes, because the pages of the book can be turned comfortably knowing you are promised over 400 pages of peaceful, thought-provoking events. Yes, because the story is memorable and after reading the book you will remember you have read it.”

Henna, Hemulen's Book Shelf literary blog

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”Heart-Crushing Party is an ambitious crime novel. More than just a detective novel. The large number of themes, complexity and characters could lead to a full mix-up. But Ahonen doesn't get mixed in his webs, but keeps his head finely above the surface. The author gives his readers something to think about, and the tone is occasionally pleasantly reflective.

Many-sidedness, skillfully built plot, characters and the element of surprise lift Markus Ahonen's Heart-Crushing Party high in this year's new detective novels' race.”

Mari, Luetut.net literary blog

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”Heart-Crushing Party is a good example of a skill to write quality suspense. The narrative moves smoothly in several time layers, and the changing points of views of central characters challenge the reader to preciseness.
The story side plots comment the hardening values of our society and wake up genuinely to live along in the Middle East conflict and what refugees have to suffer."
Tuula Okkonen, Ruumiin kulttuuri

(Body Culture journal)

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”Markku Isaksson is a pleasant figure. His everyday life with challenges and sources of joy and hope are comfortably  described through him, for example in relationship context. Pleasant is also the fact that even though there are violent deaths in the story, the violence is not used in an indulging way.
The story goes on like a train so that I gladly stayed in the ride until the end - and will gladly be hopping in again with the fifth detective story.”

Jonna, Kirjakaapin kummitus (Book Cupboard Ghost) literary blog

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”Markus Ahonen writes in an addictive way, and I especially like his psychological touch where there is a lot of perpetrator's character history and its shadows behind the crime motives.”

Paula, Kirjan pauloissa

(Enchanted by the Book) literary blog

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"While reading, I confess thinking something like this: Magnificent that a man can write in such a recognizable way deep thoughts about human life. The book wasn't quite the most suspenseful, but the story that starts from a young boy's confirmation camp experiences is enchanting and finely built.”

Author Elina Pulli

"Heartcrushing-Party is surprisingly humane and touching crime novel, which does not only tell the story but takes a stand.

Heartcrushing-Party woke me up to realize how much I've missed softer hero characters in the stories to counterweight those socially clumsy, rough and unspoken grumpies. I have always liked those grumps, who have a somehow functioning and emotionally able heart inside the hard cover, but Detective Sergeant Markku Isaksson opened my eyes: world needs more openly emphatic people who are emotionally balanced.”
Kirjaviidakko literary blog

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Tracks

”Events in the novel are depicted as if I could myself walk step by step in each novel character's footsteps – I couldn't stop reading the novel in the middle as I wanted to know what happens next and what things are revealed.

I liked Ahonen's crime novel style, so will at some point read also Medusa and Burning Heart novels.”

All About a Book literary blog

"I really like madly Markus Ahonen's way to write and paint a picture of Helsinki, as if you were  yourself walking out there at the moment...

The characters are finely built and I especially like Isaksson plus the other main characters in this series...

Ahonen has nicely done his trivia research, so that a random person doesn't even think about it. "

Mira Aaltonen, Liftaan (I hitchhike) literary blog

"The current painful matters in our society get their fair share of perceptive description. Goodness and evilness have a strong presence in the book...

The novel kept me firmly in its grip, and I liked the characters and Ahonen's realistic way of writing to such an extent that I'd like to read more of Isaksson's and his companions' doings - even in the wrong order."

Satu, Kirjat kertovat (Books Tell) literary blog

“Tracks entertains and hooks. Short chapters, striking narration, exciting plot twists...
I have to confess that I have no idea where in Helsinki, for example Vuosaari is, but Ahonen's detective story sank in well also for this kind of uninformed person. I have recently taken up as a habit to read e-books only during the travels, but Tracks hooked me with it in such an effective way, that I guzzled the rest of the melancholy detective story at home. I liked.”

Mari Södergård, Luetut.net literary blog

"This book's strength was definitely its strong narrative text being descriptive and engaging. The environment was described precisely and somehow very vividly. I lived in Helsinki in my times and now felt as if I was again walking along its streets. I was impressed also by the pondering of the deepest feelings of a human mind, which by no means was left any way superficial. This is uncommon in many detective stories. Although the details were paid much attention, the narrative did not get jammed. In a typical way for detective stories, the story progressed fast...
As often in detective stories, the book contained humour, which lightened up the atmosphere in a nice way."
MeTu, Lukuneuvos (Chapter Councillor) literary blog

"The ending surprised me completely...
The emotional world in the book was more varied than in many other police novels...
Tracks hooked to read. It didn't gourmandise with savagery, but rather searched for the causes of acts from childhood experiences and perceived injustices.
The plot was quite attractive and Markku Isaksson a very sympathetic hero for the series.

Tracks sucked me with it right from the start."

Paula, Kirjan pauloissa (Enchanted by a Book) literary blog

"One of the most successful lines in the novel is, how the uneasened burden of childhood crimes is described from the angle of both relatives and the one involved...
Isaksson and his common-law wife emerge as persons on whose behalf you hope and fear - and it is a sign of a successful main character outlining. A wintry Helsinki is recorded precisely, following the depiction of the city is like vitalized map reading.

With squinted eyes I now walk by the local station: I wonder if that's the Posti family's kitchen window or which one, I wonder how they are doing..."
Tuija, Kulttuuripohdintoja (Cultural Deliberations) literary blog

“In general, Helsinki detective stories take place in Southern Helsinki and are often very bookish. Ahonen's Helsinki is more real, more everyday-style and more credible...
Tracks is an interesting detective story about today's reality in Finnish society...
Tracks is a well-written crime novel and I could also read Markus Ahonen's previously published books."

Ulla, Ulla's Read Books literary blog

"People are sympathetic and somehow more emotional than in many detective stories. They have their own problems, but Ahonen has been able to describe particularly well their feelings, in addition to their thoughts and reasoning."
Minna Vuo-Cho, Ja kaikkea muuta (And Everything Else) literary blog

"The book starts in a tempting way and keeps its grip the whole time...
I like these kind of stories, where the murderer is not "pure" psychopath, but has a reason for his actions, other than just being insane."

Henna, Hemulin kirjahylly (Hemulens' bookshelf) literary blog

”There were few little details written into the book, which got me suspecting that the author knows me. Started feeling nearly creepy...

Snowy Helsinki felt as distressing as Helsinki to me in general. After this I want to go there even less...

A nice holiday book.”

Anu, Jos vaikka lukisi (What if I read) literary blog

"The author clearly enjoys trickering with language and the construction of a beautiful language. The pleasure was conveyed all the way to the reader...
I also liked a lot the author's way to describe Helsinki. Helsinki seemed cosy, commonplace, real and pulsing. Description of the atmosphere was credible. At this sitting, I'm tempted to book airline tickets to Helsinki to wander in the Tracks detective story footsteps!
Greetings to the author: It is no wonder why you have become an author. Continue the same way!"

Ilona, Yöpöydällä (On the Bedside Table) literary blog

“Markus Ahonen knows how to create excitement, and for those ones who liked the previous parts, this story can be recommended, too. Again, we are in Helsinki, and the streets of the city in detective story pages appear nicely in mystical, even frightening light.”

Jonna, Book Cupboard Ghost literary blog

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”The occasionally very short chapters written from different people's angles have been written in a sharp style. Depicting the workings of the mind is natural, even when depictions of love and sex often in anyone's text don't seem to depict anything real.
Ahonen's Isaksson series has got a newcomer. After reading this first one, I aim to catch the others as well!”

Oili Sivula, Kamina – from Espoo city library shelves literary blog

Medusa

"With a full-time writer's professionality Ahonen has drawn a compact story, which focuses on the essential, and hooks the reader in style. Payoff is a big surprise."

Tuula Okkonen, Finnish Whodunnit Society Body Culture journal

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"Captivating and fast-paced story ate a couple of hours at least from this mom's night's sleep, when I didn't have the patience to let the device out of my hands before the end of the book, even though the intention was to skim only the first chapter."

Tiina, Hush, Mom is reading now! literary blog

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"I was entertained by Medusa very well. Very rarely with my reading pace I hog any book in only two sittings."
Anni, Thoughts from the Book Land literary blog

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"The dialog in the book was crisp and credible. Events progressed in fast pace, so reading Medusa could not actually be stopped in the middle...​

As a friend of detective novels and crime films, I actually would like to see Medusa as a movie. It would work. "
Teresita, Engineer's Bookshelf literary blog

"And indeed Ahonen has assembled a catchy detective story! Amount of pages doesn't make your head spin, the chapters are short, and the package remains tight ...
... At the end the reader is revealed a surprisingly profound message. "
Mari Södergård, Luetut.net literary blog

"That was a really fun reading experience. Already from the first meters - or should I say pages - I was positively surprised. Book was entertaining. There were fun details, sayings, characters. And in the end I was surprised once more. Big time. The book surprised me really pleasantly."

Mira Aaltonen, Liftaan (I hitchhike) literary blog

"Payoff surprises and does not provide answers to all the questions, but makes you ponder many things, which I think works well.
Medusa serves well. The tension is maintained finely and the story grabs you with it so that this detective novel was almost hogged in one sitting.
I warmly recommend the book to the reader, who wishes for a lively story and a catchy plot."
Jonna, Book Cupboard Ghost literary blog

Burning Heart

"Markus Ahonen's detective novel Burning Heart shows suspense narrator's skills and joy of writing."
Jari O. Hiltunen, Satakunnan Kansa newspaper

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"Burning Heart paints a picture of what a desperate person who has lost his faith in the system can reach. Novel has gloomy topicality...
In the surface level Burning Heart is a conventional detective story, but the strong taking a stand brings depth to it."
Jani Mesikämmen / Aamuset city newspaper

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"Ahonen has built a clever and complex plot with a few really superb tricks for readers."
Heikki Kaskimies / Finnish Whodunnit Society Body Culture journal

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"Ahonen's novel has its moments. Its central message is the state of sick and the elderly in the Finnish contemporary society."
Kimmo Rantanen / Turun Sanomat newspaper

"I liked this very much. It had exactly that entertainment value for a detective story that I seek and have thirst for... The plot was flowing and narrative more than smooth. I enjoyed reading this greatly and I look forward to the third ... Good as a whole. Absolutely. "

Mira Aaltonen, Liftaan (I hitchhike) literary blog

"Towards the end the pace accelerated already in a way that I was forced to turn the last pages in the expense of night's sleep...

The image of modern society challenges, that cannot be talked too much about, is created through Ilpo and his father. When the book's characters are not unambiguously good or bad, gets the reader to consider their own values, while being thrilled through what kind of turns the finishing line is finally reached.”

Jonna, Book Cupboard Ghost literary blog

My Hometown Named Love

"As my favorite rose the story of an old man who sat in the football match ignoring the rain, and everyone knew that it would be useless to wheedle him under the roof. "

Jori, Everything can be read! literary blog

"This topic is by no means new, but clearly the man's point of view, however, brings it a certain kind of freshness ... I particularly liked the story finishing the collection, perhaps because instead of first person's perspective, it depicted events around. How just small things can push life forward."

Maria Carole, Stazzy blog