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Dark As My Heart
Aleksi lost his mother on a rainy October day when he was13 years old. 20 years later, he is certain that he knows who's responsible. Everything points to millionaire Henrik Saarinen. The police don't agree. Aleksi has only one option: to get close to Henrik Saarinen and find out the truth about his mother's fate on his own. But as Aleksi soon discovers, delving into Saarinen and his beautiful daughter’s family secrets is a confusing and dangerous enterprise.
Dark As My Heart tells the story of a mother and son and the search for justice. It's a story about the cost of obsessions, the price of vengeance and the power of love. Set against a vividly conjured bleak and beautiful Finnish landscape, Dark As My Heart is both a Hitchcockian mystery tale and a modern Greek tragedy.
Dark As My Heart tells the story of a mother and son and the search for justice. It's a story about the cost of obsessions, the price of vengeance and the power of love. Set against a vividly conjured bleak and beautiful Finnish landscape, Dark As My Heart is both a Hitchcockian mystery tale and a modern Greek tragedy.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
14 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Antti Tuomainen
27 books596 followersAntti Tuomainen (b. 1971) is one of Finland’s most acclaimed and award-winning crime fiction writers. To date, Tuomainen’s works have been translated into more than 25 languages. Crowned “The King of Helsinki Noir,” Tuomainen’s piercing and evocative style has never stopped evolving.
In The Man Who Died, Tuomainen displays a new side of his authorship and unveils his multifaceted ability in full. The novel, which combines Tuomainen’s trademark suspense with a darkly tinged humor, has won the hearts of readers and critics alike, and secured him the new title of King of Noir Comedy. The Man Who Died also became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards.
Palm Beach Finland was an immense success, with Marcel Berlins (The Times) calling Tuomainen 'the funniest writer in Europe'.
His latest thriller, Little Siberia, was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger, the Amazon Publishing/Capital Crime Awards and the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year.
In The Man Who Died, Tuomainen displays a new side of his authorship and unveils his multifaceted ability in full. The novel, which combines Tuomainen’s trademark suspense with a darkly tinged humor, has won the hearts of readers and critics alike, and secured him the new title of King of Noir Comedy. The Man Who Died also became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards.
Palm Beach Finland was an immense success, with Marcel Berlins (The Times) calling Tuomainen 'the funniest writer in Europe'.
His latest thriller, Little Siberia, was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger, the Amazon Publishing/Capital Crime Awards and the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
October 7, 2015
Antti Tuomainen has been nicknamed, “The King of Helsinki Noir” in his native Finland, where he is the award winning author of five novels. His third novel, “The Healer” was his first book translated and published in the UK, and this, his fourth, “Dark as my Heart” is both the second published in English and the first I have read. However, I must certainly rectify this as I really did love this book and can well see why it was voted the best crime novel of the decade by readers of a Finnish crime fiction magazine.
Aleksi Kivi is thirteen when his mother goes missing. When we meet him twenty years later, he is obsessed with his mother’s murder and believes the killer to be millionaire Henrik Saarinen. Aleksi’s mother worked for a company owned by Saarinen and, when he appears on a chat show, Aleksi is struck by a feeling of recognition. Before long he has a job as caretaker to Saarinen’s property, Kalmela Manor; on the seashore west of Helsinki. He begins to try to investigate - quizzing the former detective on the case and getting to know members of Saarinen’s household; including his daughter Amanda, the loyal cook and surly chauffeur, Markus Harmala.
This is a dark and disturbing novel. The author really makes us aware of the impact of the murder of Aleksi’s mother on his life and how he is unable to move on without knowing the truth about what happened. What is more, ten years after his mother was killed, another single mother was murdered. Is there a link and, with another ten years have passed, is another murder about to take place? This is a compelling read and I really couldn’t put this down. My thanks to the publishers, and NetGalley, for a review copy of this book.
Aleksi Kivi is thirteen when his mother goes missing. When we meet him twenty years later, he is obsessed with his mother’s murder and believes the killer to be millionaire Henrik Saarinen. Aleksi’s mother worked for a company owned by Saarinen and, when he appears on a chat show, Aleksi is struck by a feeling of recognition. Before long he has a job as caretaker to Saarinen’s property, Kalmela Manor; on the seashore west of Helsinki. He begins to try to investigate - quizzing the former detective on the case and getting to know members of Saarinen’s household; including his daughter Amanda, the loyal cook and surly chauffeur, Markus Harmala.
This is a dark and disturbing novel. The author really makes us aware of the impact of the murder of Aleksi’s mother on his life and how he is unable to move on without knowing the truth about what happened. What is more, ten years after his mother was killed, another single mother was murdered. Is there a link and, with another ten years have passed, is another murder about to take place? This is a compelling read and I really couldn’t put this down. My thanks to the publishers, and NetGalley, for a review copy of this book.
March 2, 2016
"Dark as My Heart" is a mystery/thriller that reads like a film; all the way through, I had the feeling I was watching one of those Scandinavian police/crime movies/series.
From the very beginning, I was taken with the beautifully descriptive language. Antti Tuomainen is a fantastic writer. Obviously, the translator did a great job, too.
The novel is narrated by our main character, Aleksi Kivi, now thirty-three years old. His mum's disappearance, presumed killed, has defined his past twenty years of life. He's become obsessed with finding what had happened to her. He's suspecting the millionaire, Henrik Saarinen, as the one who's taken his mum from him.
So when the opportunity presents, he takes a job as a caretaker on a big, secluded estate owned by Saarinen.
Aleksi becomes involved with Saarinen's daughter, Amanda, who's strikingly beautiful but seems out of sorts.
This novel is in many ways a classic mystery/thriller novel. I personally loved the descriptive language, it made for an atmospheric novel, which had a distinctly Scandinavian feel to it. While I haven't read Stieg Larsson's novels, I did see three of the movies. The Swedish ones. In many ways, this novel seemed similar, as far as the secrets and twists, but without the torture, rape etc.
At about 240 pages, this is a relatively short novel, but it felt just right.
Dark As My Heart is a classic mystery/thriller novel with a distinctive Scandinavian feel to it, perfectly suited for a movie adaptation.
Highly recommended.
4.5 stars
I've received this novel via Netgalley. Many thanks to the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
Cover: 4 stars
From the very beginning, I was taken with the beautifully descriptive language. Antti Tuomainen is a fantastic writer. Obviously, the translator did a great job, too.
The novel is narrated by our main character, Aleksi Kivi, now thirty-three years old. His mum's disappearance, presumed killed, has defined his past twenty years of life. He's become obsessed with finding what had happened to her. He's suspecting the millionaire, Henrik Saarinen, as the one who's taken his mum from him.
So when the opportunity presents, he takes a job as a caretaker on a big, secluded estate owned by Saarinen.
Aleksi becomes involved with Saarinen's daughter, Amanda, who's strikingly beautiful but seems out of sorts.
This novel is in many ways a classic mystery/thriller novel. I personally loved the descriptive language, it made for an atmospheric novel, which had a distinctly Scandinavian feel to it. While I haven't read Stieg Larsson's novels, I did see three of the movies. The Swedish ones. In many ways, this novel seemed similar, as far as the secrets and twists, but without the torture, rape etc.
At about 240 pages, this is a relatively short novel, but it felt just right.
Dark As My Heart is a classic mystery/thriller novel with a distinctive Scandinavian feel to it, perfectly suited for a movie adaptation.
Highly recommended.
4.5 stars
I've received this novel via Netgalley. Many thanks to the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
Cover: 4 stars
November 27, 2017
This is certainly a different crime novel with a strong hint of noir. It is told in the first person and the narrator was 13 years old when his mother disappeared 20 years earlier. After the failure of the police at the time to solve the diappearance, Aleksi, the narrator, has of course never forgottten what happened, has his suspicions and is following them up.
Tuomainen's (the Finnish 'King of Noir') writing is captivating and he keeps the pace of the novel quick. His characters are strong and the reader is engrossed. There is little on the dark side though, so to give it a 'noir' billing is not quite correct. It is a perfectly readable crime novel with a difference.
Tuomainen's (the Finnish 'King of Noir') writing is captivating and he keeps the pace of the novel quick. His characters are strong and the reader is engrossed. There is little on the dark side though, so to give it a 'noir' billing is not quite correct. It is a perfectly readable crime novel with a difference.
October 10, 2020
“Anything can happen to anyone at anytime” p3.
Aleksi Kivi was thirteen years old when his mother disappeared. Twenty years on and questions remain unanswered, the mystery of her disappearance is unresolved and Aleksi is unrelenting in his obsession to understand. His unshakeable feelings that Henrik Saarinen, millionaire business tycoon, is central to the resolution he is seeking, witness his assimilation into Saarinen’s life as caretaker of one of his properties. Enveloped in Saarinen’s world, he eventually finds the answers he is seeking, not exactly as he suspected but in some way allowing him to detach from the mire of unknowingness.
Finnish author Antti Tuomainen composes his words in a way that is mesmerising and poetic. Dialogue is simple, sparse, direct and feelings are descriptive and authentic. The entire book is written in an understated yet eloquent manner. The atmosphere is true Scandinavian Noir, not gruesome and gory but dark nevertheless. The darkness of the human condition is evident - Saarinen and his daughter, Amanda are witness to this. The characters have an understated depth to them - a darkness that lies underneath the facade of the exterior. “...the greatest honesty doesn’t always mean revealing your every darkest thought” p32. Darkest thoughts underpin darkness in the heart.
4.5 stars - round up to 5.
Aleksi Kivi was thirteen years old when his mother disappeared. Twenty years on and questions remain unanswered, the mystery of her disappearance is unresolved and Aleksi is unrelenting in his obsession to understand. His unshakeable feelings that Henrik Saarinen, millionaire business tycoon, is central to the resolution he is seeking, witness his assimilation into Saarinen’s life as caretaker of one of his properties. Enveloped in Saarinen’s world, he eventually finds the answers he is seeking, not exactly as he suspected but in some way allowing him to detach from the mire of unknowingness.
Finnish author Antti Tuomainen composes his words in a way that is mesmerising and poetic. Dialogue is simple, sparse, direct and feelings are descriptive and authentic. The entire book is written in an understated yet eloquent manner. The atmosphere is true Scandinavian Noir, not gruesome and gory but dark nevertheless. The darkness of the human condition is evident - Saarinen and his daughter, Amanda are witness to this. The characters have an understated depth to them - a darkness that lies underneath the facade of the exterior. “...the greatest honesty doesn’t always mean revealing your every darkest thought” p32. Darkest thoughts underpin darkness in the heart.
4.5 stars - round up to 5.
September 29, 2015
Dark As My Heart – A Wonderfully Dark & Tragic Story
Dark As My Heart is the latest book from award winning Finnish writer Antti Toumainen in what has been billed as a mixture of Hitchcockian mystery tale and modern Greek tragedy. A very large claim for a writer that is building his career, but one that delivers on what the publishers have proclaimed. This is a dark atmospheric story that is deeply compelling, that draws you in, with surprising twists, sudden violence and an ending you do not see coming.
Twenty years after his mother disappeared, presumed dead, Aleksi Kivi gains employment with Henrik Saarinen, the man he suspects of killing his mother. He has hounded the police of the previous twenty years telling them what he suspected, but felt he was often ignored. So he decided he would get as close as possible to Saarinen so that he could gain the evidence he required.
He was the new caretaker of Kalmela Manor, isolated on the seashore, 94 Kilometres west of Helsinki, just two members of staff, Aleksi and the cook Enni. They both had apartments in a converted barn and worked around the house and estate uninterrupted unless Henrik or his daughter Amanda were at the house.
As Aleksi observes the Saarinen family he gets close to Amanda, which to him is a blessing and a curse as it puts him in a difficult position. At times they both need each other, but there are other times when she is nothing more than a poor little ‘rich girl’. They are also bad for each other as Aleksi discovers but finds her information useful and there are times she amuses him.
Henrik seems to have taken a shine to his new caretaker and enjoys talking to him and probing him, which Aleksi is guarded against. He even gets to act as a chauffeur to Henrik when some tools are required. There are also times when Saarinen seems to talk in riddles to Aleksi but it all soon becomes clear enough to Aleksi, but not before violence has occurred.
With some wonderful twist that are reminiscent of a Greek tragedy we discover the truth about Aleksi’s mother and we also gain some truths we are not expecting. The writing is atmospheric and dark, building up a pace similar to a Hitchcock movie where the reader is totally immersed in the story and then shocked at what happens.
This is an excellent crime story that continues the Nordic Noir takeover of the English reader who will completely enjoy this crime story. An excellent book for all crime fans.
Dark As My Heart is the latest book from award winning Finnish writer Antti Toumainen in what has been billed as a mixture of Hitchcockian mystery tale and modern Greek tragedy. A very large claim for a writer that is building his career, but one that delivers on what the publishers have proclaimed. This is a dark atmospheric story that is deeply compelling, that draws you in, with surprising twists, sudden violence and an ending you do not see coming.
Twenty years after his mother disappeared, presumed dead, Aleksi Kivi gains employment with Henrik Saarinen, the man he suspects of killing his mother. He has hounded the police of the previous twenty years telling them what he suspected, but felt he was often ignored. So he decided he would get as close as possible to Saarinen so that he could gain the evidence he required.
He was the new caretaker of Kalmela Manor, isolated on the seashore, 94 Kilometres west of Helsinki, just two members of staff, Aleksi and the cook Enni. They both had apartments in a converted barn and worked around the house and estate uninterrupted unless Henrik or his daughter Amanda were at the house.
As Aleksi observes the Saarinen family he gets close to Amanda, which to him is a blessing and a curse as it puts him in a difficult position. At times they both need each other, but there are other times when she is nothing more than a poor little ‘rich girl’. They are also bad for each other as Aleksi discovers but finds her information useful and there are times she amuses him.
Henrik seems to have taken a shine to his new caretaker and enjoys talking to him and probing him, which Aleksi is guarded against. He even gets to act as a chauffeur to Henrik when some tools are required. There are also times when Saarinen seems to talk in riddles to Aleksi but it all soon becomes clear enough to Aleksi, but not before violence has occurred.
With some wonderful twist that are reminiscent of a Greek tragedy we discover the truth about Aleksi’s mother and we also gain some truths we are not expecting. The writing is atmospheric and dark, building up a pace similar to a Hitchcock movie where the reader is totally immersed in the story and then shocked at what happens.
This is an excellent crime story that continues the Nordic Noir takeover of the English reader who will completely enjoy this crime story. An excellent book for all crime fans.
November 10, 2015
The exploration of consequences is beautifully executed in Antti Tuomainen’s mesmerising DARK AS MY HEART. That he is an award winning author comes as no surprise, but of the five novels to his name in his native Finland, the third “The Healer” and this, his fourth novel, are so far the only ones translated into English. Needless to say THE HEALER is now on the TBR pile.
Aleksi Kivi was thirteen years old when his mother vanished. Now, twenty years on, he’s still haunted by her murder, and his feelings of recognition and utter belief that the millionaire owner of the company his mother worked for is responsible for that death could seem like obsession. That possibility is tempered elegantly by his quiet determination, and his willingness to observe, check and insinuate himself into Saarinen’s life in order to discover the truth.
Working as a live-in caretaker on a remote seaside property belonging to Saarinen that insinuation is planned and precisely executed, getting to know members of Saarinen’s family and staff, in particular, dangerously close to his erratic and disturbed daughter Amanda.
Told in a deceptively simple, understated manner which matches the personality and determination of the central character perfectly, there’s a clarity to the storytelling here that truly is mesmerising. The dialogue is sparse and pitched perfectly, establishing emotion, intent, feelings and motivation without having to resort to long, overblown exposition. That perfect touch is applied to the sense of place as well, creating a remote yet luxurious, underpopulated, beautiful yet sinister environment in which Kivi must try to find the truth, and hence allow himself to move on, and to live.
As close to a single sitting read as can be achieved around here, it’s not until after finishing that I realised that what we have in DARK AS MY HEART is about as perfect a combination of character, place and plot as I’ve read in a long time. Classically understated, in that particularly Scandinavian manner that many readers have come to love, the exploration of the why, and the impact of the act are as important to the author as the identification of who.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Aleksi Kivi was thirteen years old when his mother vanished. Now, twenty years on, he’s still haunted by her murder, and his feelings of recognition and utter belief that the millionaire owner of the company his mother worked for is responsible for that death could seem like obsession. That possibility is tempered elegantly by his quiet determination, and his willingness to observe, check and insinuate himself into Saarinen’s life in order to discover the truth.
Working as a live-in caretaker on a remote seaside property belonging to Saarinen that insinuation is planned and precisely executed, getting to know members of Saarinen’s family and staff, in particular, dangerously close to his erratic and disturbed daughter Amanda.
Told in a deceptively simple, understated manner which matches the personality and determination of the central character perfectly, there’s a clarity to the storytelling here that truly is mesmerising. The dialogue is sparse and pitched perfectly, establishing emotion, intent, feelings and motivation without having to resort to long, overblown exposition. That perfect touch is applied to the sense of place as well, creating a remote yet luxurious, underpopulated, beautiful yet sinister environment in which Kivi must try to find the truth, and hence allow himself to move on, and to live.
As close to a single sitting read as can be achieved around here, it’s not until after finishing that I realised that what we have in DARK AS MY HEART is about as perfect a combination of character, place and plot as I’ve read in a long time. Classically understated, in that particularly Scandinavian manner that many readers have come to love, the exploration of the why, and the impact of the act are as important to the author as the identification of who.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
May 2, 2020
Pidin tästä kovasti. Kirja ylitti odotukseni, sillä parista aiemmin lukemastani Tuomaisen kirjasta en muista erityisesti innostuneeni. Selkeä ja kikkailematon kerronta viehätti minua ja juonikin oli sopivan yllätyksellinen. Täytyypä nostaa noita muitakin Tuomaisen kirjoja esille tbr-vuoren uumenista.
August 6, 2017
Romanul acesta mi-a adus aminte de ce imi plac atat de mult nordicii.
August 17, 2021
Beautiful and suspenseful
November 1, 2015
I must confess that aside from Matti Joensuu and Kati Hiekkapelto my knowledge of Finnish crime fiction is a little underdeveloped, so was intrigued to discover a new-to me-writer in this sub-genre of the Scandinavian stable. So how did Dark As My Heart fare? Will I be seeking out Tuomainen’s The Healer as well?
If the fact that I read this book in one night can be testament to how much I enjoyed this one is any gauge, I think we can all safely say that this book was a real hit with me. Dark As My Heart, drew me in from the start with the mournful clarity and simplicity of its prose, and the underlying power of the emotion that Tuomainen expresses in deceptively understated prose. Discovering afterwards that Tuomainen is an established poet reinforced my initial impressions of the lyrical and sensual quality of both the dialogue and imagery that Tuomainen employs throughout. From the inherent appreciation of the natural world, to the intensity of expression that the author affords the gradual unveiling of Aleksi’s turbulent and emotional upbringing in the wake of the loss of his mother, the prose style that Tuomainen adopts is mesmerising. I rarely revisit passages of a crime book after reading, but did on this occasion mainly to marvel at the fluid and lyrical style of Tuomainen’s writing style, from the brevity (though no less affecting) use of dialogue, to particular descriptions of the setting of Saarinen’s rural estate. It was just so satisfying to see such a seamless blend of beautiful language, and well-structured plot working in harmony, which is something that European crime writers seem to excel at. What was also clever was how at times the book also assumed the feel of a stage play with many double-handed scenes that again added to the claustrophobic and emotionally intense feel of the book. Hence, what the reader encounters is a well-balanced blend of poetry, prose and drama which was exceptionally engaging from start to finish.
Aleksi is viewed throughout the book with an overriding compunction to uncover the truth behind his mother’s disappearance, fuelled by a long period of gestation formulating a plan to confront the man he believes responsible. In the case of his character, still waters run deep, with the face he displays to the world masking a deep inner life driven by revenge, and it’s fascinating how Tuomainen so beautifully reveals the dark details of Aleksi’s formative years. Equally accomplished is how Tuomainen sustains such a pitch of intigue and secrecy using a comparatively small cast of characters, and Aleksi’s interaction with them. He is a completely empathetic character, and I’m sure like many readers to come I was completely rooting for him throughout the book, in the face of the deception and manipulation at the hands of the Saarinens. In much the same way as Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo or Steffen Jacobsen’s Trophy, Tuomainen uses the character of millionaire businessman Henrik Saarinen, as a foil for his detached authorial view of the impunity with which the rich and powerful ride roughshod over the normal laws of decent behaviour, and Saarinen is the epitomy of this, eemingly untouchable by established means. His daughter assumes the role of the femme fatale of the piece, using her feminine wiles and sensuality to influence and blindside Aleksi, with a particularly unsavoury reveal about her character along the way. The world that Aleksi has infiltrated is morally bankrupt and Tuomainen provides an intriguing study of the base motivations and jealousies that drive human behaviour.
I found Dark As My Heart one of the most compelling, emotionally satisfying and beautifully realised crime thrillers that I have encountered this year. The clarity and deceptively simple style of Tuomainen’s prose is utterly compelling, underlined by his assured use of more than one literary form, and yet with this clever manipulation and lyricism of the language and form of the book, Tuomainen never loses sight of keeping the reader engaged by the central mystery that drives the plot. Wonderful.
If the fact that I read this book in one night can be testament to how much I enjoyed this one is any gauge, I think we can all safely say that this book was a real hit with me. Dark As My Heart, drew me in from the start with the mournful clarity and simplicity of its prose, and the underlying power of the emotion that Tuomainen expresses in deceptively understated prose. Discovering afterwards that Tuomainen is an established poet reinforced my initial impressions of the lyrical and sensual quality of both the dialogue and imagery that Tuomainen employs throughout. From the inherent appreciation of the natural world, to the intensity of expression that the author affords the gradual unveiling of Aleksi’s turbulent and emotional upbringing in the wake of the loss of his mother, the prose style that Tuomainen adopts is mesmerising. I rarely revisit passages of a crime book after reading, but did on this occasion mainly to marvel at the fluid and lyrical style of Tuomainen’s writing style, from the brevity (though no less affecting) use of dialogue, to particular descriptions of the setting of Saarinen’s rural estate. It was just so satisfying to see such a seamless blend of beautiful language, and well-structured plot working in harmony, which is something that European crime writers seem to excel at. What was also clever was how at times the book also assumed the feel of a stage play with many double-handed scenes that again added to the claustrophobic and emotionally intense feel of the book. Hence, what the reader encounters is a well-balanced blend of poetry, prose and drama which was exceptionally engaging from start to finish.
Aleksi is viewed throughout the book with an overriding compunction to uncover the truth behind his mother’s disappearance, fuelled by a long period of gestation formulating a plan to confront the man he believes responsible. In the case of his character, still waters run deep, with the face he displays to the world masking a deep inner life driven by revenge, and it’s fascinating how Tuomainen so beautifully reveals the dark details of Aleksi’s formative years. Equally accomplished is how Tuomainen sustains such a pitch of intigue and secrecy using a comparatively small cast of characters, and Aleksi’s interaction with them. He is a completely empathetic character, and I’m sure like many readers to come I was completely rooting for him throughout the book, in the face of the deception and manipulation at the hands of the Saarinens. In much the same way as Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo or Steffen Jacobsen’s Trophy, Tuomainen uses the character of millionaire businessman Henrik Saarinen, as a foil for his detached authorial view of the impunity with which the rich and powerful ride roughshod over the normal laws of decent behaviour, and Saarinen is the epitomy of this, eemingly untouchable by established means. His daughter assumes the role of the femme fatale of the piece, using her feminine wiles and sensuality to influence and blindside Aleksi, with a particularly unsavoury reveal about her character along the way. The world that Aleksi has infiltrated is morally bankrupt and Tuomainen provides an intriguing study of the base motivations and jealousies that drive human behaviour.
I found Dark As My Heart one of the most compelling, emotionally satisfying and beautifully realised crime thrillers that I have encountered this year. The clarity and deceptively simple style of Tuomainen’s prose is utterly compelling, underlined by his assured use of more than one literary form, and yet with this clever manipulation and lyricism of the language and form of the book, Tuomainen never loses sight of keeping the reader engaged by the central mystery that drives the plot. Wonderful.
January 30, 2016
Dark as My Heart is a book about seeking vengeance and/or closure. Aleksi Kivi gets a job as a handyman for the mysterious Henrik Saarinen, who he believes behind the mysterious disappearance of his mother. Aleksi has waited all these years and after becoming orphaned and being placed into the care system, he wants justice and vengeance.
This is a short book. It has big print and almost finger-sized gaps between lines and is more of a novella than a novel. Tuomainen writes in clean, crisp prose with short chapters from Aleksi's point of view. Because of the minimalist prose I have to admit that some of the characters felt a little undeveloped to me, especially the women. What was Aleksi's mother really like? What was her life like? How did it shape the relationship with her son? We are told that Aleksi's mother worked for Saarinen, she had a love interest in her life and she liked literature because she named her son after author Aleksis Kivi (yes, his name bugged me while reading the book). Amanda Saarinen, daughter and heir to Henrik's fortune, is also not very well fleshed out, apart from being a flirtatious woman.
I was gripped due to the book's length and because of Tuomainen's well-placed dark turns in the story. It's easy to read from the text that all the years of not knowing what happened to his mother has really ground Aleksi down, turning him into a broken human being and you start to root for him, hoping his hunch will take him somewhere. There was one twist that I found a bit too outrageous to comprehend, and it felt as if it was added gratuitously .
The cover sings Tuomainen's praises, calling him Finland's Top Crime Writer. After reading The Healer and his newest English offering Dark as My Heart, I'm not entirely convinced. An easy, dark read that could've been developed a little more in places. I hope Tuomainen's next book is a bit longer and more fleshed out. I think Kati Hiekkapelto is Finland's best crime writer, just sayin'.
This is a short book. It has big print and almost finger-sized gaps between lines and is more of a novella than a novel. Tuomainen writes in clean, crisp prose with short chapters from Aleksi's point of view. Because of the minimalist prose I have to admit that some of the characters felt a little undeveloped to me, especially the women. What was Aleksi's mother really like? What was her life like? How did it shape the relationship with her son? We are told that Aleksi's mother worked for Saarinen, she had a love interest in her life and she liked literature because she named her son after author Aleksis Kivi (yes, his name bugged me while reading the book). Amanda Saarinen, daughter and heir to Henrik's fortune, is also not very well fleshed out, apart from being a flirtatious woman.
I was gripped due to the book's length and because of Tuomainen's well-placed dark turns in the story. It's easy to read from the text that all the years of not knowing what happened to his mother has really ground Aleksi down, turning him into a broken human being and you start to root for him, hoping his hunch will take him somewhere. There was one twist that I found a bit too outrageous to comprehend, and it felt as if it was added gratuitously .
The cover sings Tuomainen's praises, calling him Finland's Top Crime Writer. After reading The Healer and his newest English offering Dark as My Heart, I'm not entirely convinced. An easy, dark read that could've been developed a little more in places. I hope Tuomainen's next book is a bit longer and more fleshed out. I think Kati Hiekkapelto is Finland's best crime writer, just sayin'.
March 5, 2021
Palasin taas suosikkiini Antti Tuomaiseen. Tämä palkintojakin saanut teos noin kymmenen vuoden takaa nousee itselläni Tuomaisen Top-3:seen. Kirjassa seurataan tapahtumia kolmena eri ajankohtana eli vuosina 1993, 2003 ja 2013. Syksy on taas jokaisessa ajankohdassa. En lopun käännettä osannut ennakoida. Tunnelma oli nautittava ja tutuilla paikoillakin käytiin, mm. Herttoniemessä ja Roihupellossa.
Arvioni 4/5, onneksi en vielä ole kaikkia Tuomaisen kirjoja lukenut, joten hyvää on vielä tiedossa tämän jälkeenkin!
Arvioni 4/5, onneksi en vielä ole kaikkia Tuomaisen kirjoja lukenut, joten hyvää on vielä tiedossa tämän jälkeenkin!
July 14, 2023
I liked this story a lot, but in my opinion it was a little weaker at the start and definitely took me more time to get into it. The ending was brilliant, though. Still in love with Tuomainen’s writing. Will read more, he continues to rank on my auto-buy authors!
June 8, 2018
Bu kitap da fena bayıktı. Ucuz diye alıp pişman olduğum bir başka kitap işte.
August 21, 2017
This is a Finnish crime novel with a difference. Aleksi, the narrator, is not a reporter or a detective. He's just a guy in his thirties wondering why his mother went missing 20 years ago, and determined to find the solution. Of course, policemen must appear, since there were and are crimes involved in the narrative. There must be red herrings, since his mother's disappearance is a mystery, and it would be boring to go right to the solution directly. In other words, it has the potential to be really good. However, this book is missing a few things essential to a brilliant crime thriller. Tuomainen mentions Helsinki locations a lot, but as somebody very familiar with Helsinki, I still didn't get a good sense of place - just a few suburb and street names and an occasional mention of the weather. Aleksi is a dull narrator, so it was hard to relate to him and care about his quest, and suspense was so lacking that I was not really interested in knowing what had happened to his mother. Lastly, the solution was too easy to guess. I am usually terrible at anticipating the end of any crime novel, but I figured this one out about half-way through, and that certainly dulled the dramatic tension. Then there was the writing style. Admittedly, I read an English translation of the original Finnish, but it was still peppered with half-finished sentences that are the literate equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard. And the title should be As Dark as My Heart; poorly-rendered titles do not encourage readers. Three positives: the book used a clever idea; despite its flaws, I still read to the end; and it was set in a place I know well. But overall, it doesn't rate more than C+. It's like a first novel that shows promise but you would expect much more from his next effort. Perhaps I will try another Tuomainen novel and see if he gets any better.
June 26, 2016
In some ways this plot reminded me of THE TRAP which I read recently, and also one of the themes of Pauline Rowson's Portsmouth series which also deals with a mother who disappears when her son is in his teens.
In the long run, I thought the author was struggling to bring the story of DARK AS MY HEART to a resolution. The central theme is the search for understanding what happened to Aleksi's mother twenty years earlier. Aleksi and the original police investigator are both convinced that the murderer struck again ten years later and so he will strike again on the 20th anniversary of his mother's disappearance.
Aleksi thinks he recognises the voice of millionaire Henrik Saarinen as that of a friend of his mother and becomes convinced that he is the murder. He takes a job as a caretaker on Saarinen's estate so he can keep a close eye on him.
The introduction of other characters: a daughter, a housekeeper, a chauffeur, as well as the detective now semi-retired and dying of cancer, pad the plot out, provide red herrings, and muddy the waters.
The setting has a definite Finnish flavour reinforced by use of a number of Finnish place names. The plot is very noir and for me there were one or two strands that really served no purpose.
In the long run, I thought the author was struggling to bring the story of DARK AS MY HEART to a resolution. The central theme is the search for understanding what happened to Aleksi's mother twenty years earlier. Aleksi and the original police investigator are both convinced that the murderer struck again ten years later and so he will strike again on the 20th anniversary of his mother's disappearance.
Aleksi thinks he recognises the voice of millionaire Henrik Saarinen as that of a friend of his mother and becomes convinced that he is the murder. He takes a job as a caretaker on Saarinen's estate so he can keep a close eye on him.
The introduction of other characters: a daughter, a housekeeper, a chauffeur, as well as the detective now semi-retired and dying of cancer, pad the plot out, provide red herrings, and muddy the waters.
The setting has a definite Finnish flavour reinforced by use of a number of Finnish place names. The plot is very noir and for me there were one or two strands that really served no purpose.
November 20, 2017
Apparently this author has won a lot of awards for writing, but obviously something is missing in the translation. The main character is very likeable, but the plot just doesn't go anywhere. This is a story of a young man whose mother disappeared one night, and he believes a wealthy man is responsible for the murder. So he goes to work for this guy, seduces his daughter, and then finds out it was the man after all that killed his mother. It seems like a predictable storyline, and all his relationships seem to go nowhere fast.
May 8, 2016
This was incredible. I read The Healer over two years ago and loved it. This book was definitely just as good. Without giving anything away, I definitely didn't see the ending coming and the way Toumainen married two narratives together was exceptional. Another pleasing aspect was the imagery created by Tuomainen's writing in all aspects throughout, but in particular the ocean. So vivid and evocative was the prose Tuomainen used to describe it.
June 18, 2013
Huono. Tylsä. Löysä.
October 3, 2021
This is a book which certainly leaves an impression on the reader. With a melancholic tone from the outset there is a dark, brooding quality to the story which completely drew me in and held me captivated right until the final page. The book shows the versatility of the author, the eloquence of his writing, and what a master narrator he really is. For as much as I love Antti Tuomainen's quirky, occasionally unintentionally slapstick style of humour, I love the journey he takes us on in this book, every bit as devoid of light as the title may suggest.
This is the story of Aleksi, a man whose life was turned upside down when, as a young boy his mother simply disappeared never to be found again. Aleksi makes it his mission to uncover the truth about his mother's disappearance, a quest which sees him give up everything to take a job in the home of the very person he suspects may be behind it all. His obsession is understandable, his theories seemingly wild and yet completely plausible. And going on that strange journey with Aleksi sees readers taken into a very murky world, with twisted relationships, a myriad of secrets and a varied cast of characters who it is truly hard to feel comfortable around, for the reader much as for Aleksi.
This is a difficult book to settle into, partly due to its constant sense of foreboding and undulating tension, and yet I found it completely compelling. There is something about Aleksi, about the skilful way in which the author has framed his character, the conflict and sadness within him contrasting with that undeniable need for justice and anger that drives him, that drew me into the story. I wanted the answers for him, just as I wanted a resolution to the mystery. As readers we know far more about what the ultimate resolution will be, something that Aleksi knows in his heart, but it is less the what than the who that is the real mystery, one which Antti Tuomainen maintains until the end. Is it as simple as it appears? Maybe, maybe not. That question can only be answered by reading the book.
This really is a beautiful study of the very nature of family, love and obsession. There are so many layers to this story that stripping them back, one by one, makes the truth all the more startling and effective. There is a really raw quality to Aleksi's emotions which enhances the impact of the story, painted as it is in the author's very impactful style. It is a real contrast to the very calculated behaviour of Saarinen, and his daughter, Amanda, who are masters in manipulation and control, and whose every interaction has purpose. They really are a piece of work, the pair of them, cut from the same cloth and so much alike that they almost repel each other. It is hard to trust anyone in this book, Aleksi included, but it is almost those antagonistic qualities that fascinated me the most.
This is a very dark and twisted tale, one full of surprising revelations used to perfect effect. The language, the tone, creates such vivid imagery that it puts you really in the heart of the story, amplifying its impact tenfold. A story of the unbreakable bond between mother and child, a quest for truth and the very nature of the kind love and obsession which ultimately leads to vengeance. It's dark and uncompromising and I really kind of loved it.
This is the story of Aleksi, a man whose life was turned upside down when, as a young boy his mother simply disappeared never to be found again. Aleksi makes it his mission to uncover the truth about his mother's disappearance, a quest which sees him give up everything to take a job in the home of the very person he suspects may be behind it all. His obsession is understandable, his theories seemingly wild and yet completely plausible. And going on that strange journey with Aleksi sees readers taken into a very murky world, with twisted relationships, a myriad of secrets and a varied cast of characters who it is truly hard to feel comfortable around, for the reader much as for Aleksi.
This is a difficult book to settle into, partly due to its constant sense of foreboding and undulating tension, and yet I found it completely compelling. There is something about Aleksi, about the skilful way in which the author has framed his character, the conflict and sadness within him contrasting with that undeniable need for justice and anger that drives him, that drew me into the story. I wanted the answers for him, just as I wanted a resolution to the mystery. As readers we know far more about what the ultimate resolution will be, something that Aleksi knows in his heart, but it is less the what than the who that is the real mystery, one which Antti Tuomainen maintains until the end. Is it as simple as it appears? Maybe, maybe not. That question can only be answered by reading the book.
This really is a beautiful study of the very nature of family, love and obsession. There are so many layers to this story that stripping them back, one by one, makes the truth all the more startling and effective. There is a really raw quality to Aleksi's emotions which enhances the impact of the story, painted as it is in the author's very impactful style. It is a real contrast to the very calculated behaviour of Saarinen, and his daughter, Amanda, who are masters in manipulation and control, and whose every interaction has purpose. They really are a piece of work, the pair of them, cut from the same cloth and so much alike that they almost repel each other. It is hard to trust anyone in this book, Aleksi included, but it is almost those antagonistic qualities that fascinated me the most.
This is a very dark and twisted tale, one full of surprising revelations used to perfect effect. The language, the tone, creates such vivid imagery that it puts you really in the heart of the story, amplifying its impact tenfold. A story of the unbreakable bond between mother and child, a quest for truth and the very nature of the kind love and obsession which ultimately leads to vengeance. It's dark and uncompromising and I really kind of loved it.
April 9, 2019
Plottet i denne boken var nytt for meg og romanen føles ny og frisk, med nye og friske ideer. Likevel føler jeg ikke at jeg kommer skikkelig inn på Aleksi. Han forblir en nokså diffus skikkelse. Men det kan være fordi vi møter en del folk og en del teorier i noe som er en ganske tynn bok. Aleksi har kontakt med den politimannen som etterforsket morens forsvinning, og som etterhvert har noe med at det er en annen dame som forsvinner på lignende måte. Denne kontakten mellom disse to er varm og fin. Politimannen vil ikke at Aleksi skal etterforske på egenhånd, men det viser seg at han har gått langt ut over det han har lov til for å hjelpe til med å etterforske forsvinningen.
Jeg likte å følge Aleksis tanker og følelser og syntes mange av ideene hans for hvordan han skulle få tak i opplysninger å være smarte og oppfinnsomme. Det reddet boken for meg, for den fikk aldri rumpa i gir. Det ble litt hit og dit og så enda en sving utenom. Men noe spenning fant jeg absolutt, og jeg hadde ikke problemer med å få lest den ferdig.
Hele min omtale finner du på bloggen min Betraktninger
Jeg likte å følge Aleksis tanker og følelser og syntes mange av ideene hans for hvordan han skulle få tak i opplysninger å være smarte og oppfinnsomme. Det reddet boken for meg, for den fikk aldri rumpa i gir. Det ble litt hit og dit og så enda en sving utenom. Men noe spenning fant jeg absolutt, og jeg hadde ikke problemer med å få lest den ferdig.
Hele min omtale finner du på bloggen min Betraktninger
May 12, 2019
picked this book up at the Helsinki airport for the flight back..great plot with a surprise ending. the bookseller said it was one of his best titles. also liked it because it was small enough to fit into my purse as my carry on was rather heavy. enjoyed the character of Aleksi and his twenty year devotion to finding his mother's killer. quite a lot for a thirteen year boy to carry foreward since he had no other living relatives. must have been hard to lose all personal belongings of your mother and be left with only her memory and her disappearance. liked the finish setting . can also see that lake at the country home. think this Aleksi character deserves to be written in another novel.
February 16, 2021
Ich habe dieses Buch unter falschen Voraussetzungen begonnen: Irgendwie dachte ich, dass finnische Krimis wie die von Paasilinna sein müssten (zugegeben blöd von mir) und hatte mich auf humorvoll-unterhaltsam-surreal-exotistische Action gefreut. Todesschlaf ist ein Thriller, der zufällig in Finnland spielt, weil der Autor Finne ist. Eigentlich hat er alles, was ein Thriller braucht, aber weil ich - wie gesagt - mit falschen Voraussetzungen daran gegangen war, hat er mich noch mehr enttäuscht, als ein gut gestrickter, aber saftloser Thriller das sonst getan hätte.
September 3, 2024
This was my first take at Finnish crime and it was honestly a bit of a dissapointment. Sure, it was alright, perfectly fine, but there were no moments that would make my heart beat faster, no sentences that would make me gasp for air. It was simply alright. The ending was a little weird. While it wasn't what I'd expected at all, it was slightly confusing and I just generally didn't like it, it felt kind of wrong.
February 1, 2025
A crime fiction with potential in the plot but an average book. The protagonist is a sad person throughout, dealing with the grief of his mother’s death (murder); his father is not given any space except couple of lines, perhaps he’s the one who appears on the last page of the book. The supporting characters are weakly written, a backstory for each character would have given the reader an idea why they behave/act the way they do. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone.
October 28, 2025
Kaikki hyvän "noir" dekkarin ainekset löytyvät. Pakkomielteinen päähenkilö, jonka kautta tarina kerrotaan. Pakkomielteen kohteena oleva pohatta, joka kietoo päähenkilön pauloihinsa. Kohtalokas femme fatale, jonka kanssa syntyy epätoivoinen "epä-romanssi". Lopussa myös pari twistiä.
Tunnelma kirjassa on hyvä ja hyvällä tapaa (tähän sopivasti) ahdistava. Loppu ehkä hieman jäi vaisuksi, mutta silti 4 tähteä.
Tunnelma kirjassa on hyvä ja hyvällä tapaa (tähän sopivasti) ahdistava. Loppu ehkä hieman jäi vaisuksi, mutta silti 4 tähteä.
July 30, 2023
Not as engaging or page turning as other books by this author. The pace slumped in the middle and the suspect was prone to long philosophical ramblings that didn’t add to the murky character. Some effective landscapes but Helsinki consisted largely of street names. Characters needed more definition. I'll try another book by Tuomainen but can't recommend this one.
September 23, 2022
When stark tragedy rips a mother away from her son, a twenty year chase to find a killer ensues. A typically sparse and laconic novel from Tuomainen which builds to a well paced and complex resolution with more than one twist on the way. All is not as it seems...
December 24, 2023
Yhdessä vaiheessa jo pelkäsin tietäväni miten kirja loppuu ja jos se olisi loppunut siten, olisin antanut yhden tähden ja tuominnut kirjan surkeaksi. Onneksi olin väärässä ja tarina kiertyi loppuun yllätyksellisenä.
February 9, 2017
On se jede pomstít chlapovi, u kterého jeho matka pracovala, a pak s ním měla románek, ale nezmění si ani jméno. :-O A ten konec...No radši jsem zticha :D
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