Väärän jäljillä

Maria Kallio #10

by Leena Lehtolainen

Unissa mieleeni palaa kaikki se, mitä olen elämäni aikana kokenut. Hirvikiväärin piippu työntyy kohti rintaani, ja kun se väistyy, näen räjähtävän postilaatikon, jonka mukana sinkoutuu ilmaan tyttäreni Iida.

Maria Kallio on jättänyt Espoon poliisin taakseen. Suunnitelmat vähäosaisia auttavasta lakiasiaintoimistosta kuitenkin kariutuvat, kun kumppaniksi aiottu opiskelutoveri Leena vammautuu pysyvästi auto-onnettomuudessa. Maria aloittaa työt sisäasianministeriön alaisessa perheväkivallan tutkimusprojektissa, turvallisesti työpöydän takana.

Leenan kautta Maria tutustuu toimittaja Jutta Särkikoskeen, joka on paljastanut kahden kiekonheittäjän dopinginkäytön. Särkikoski on loukkaantunut hämärissä olosuhteissa: hänen autonsa on suistettu tieltä, kun hän on ollut haastattelemassa yllätysläpimurron 800 metrin juoksussa tehnyttä Toni Väärää. Myös kyydissä ollut Väärä vammautuu niin pahasti, että seuraava kausi jää väliin. Särkikoski on saanut tappouhkauksia jo ennen kolaria, eikä niille näy loppua.

Irtiotto menneestä ei ole Marialle helppoa, mistä kertovat häntä toistuvasti piinaavat painajaiset. Kun Juttaan kohdistuneet uhkaukset pannaan täytäntöön, Maria joutuu yllättäen kohtaamaan vanhan työpaikkansa ja sen tutun yhteisön. Muistot lähes katastrofiin päättyneestä edellisestä henkirikostutkimuksesta eivät päästä rauhaan, mutta kilpajuoksussa murhaajan kanssa ei auta jäädä lepäämään takasuoralle.

Ennen kuin maalinauha katkeaa, on urheilumaailman skandaalissa poliiseja ehtinyt johtaa väärän jäljille aivan liian moni.

Väärän jäljillä on kymmenes Maria Kallio -rikosromaani, jolla Leena Lehtolainen jälleen valloittaa paalupaikan kotimaisessa jännityskirjallisuudessa.

Genres: Crime, Finnish Literature, Mystery, Fiction, Nordic Noir, Mystery Thriller, Thriller

378 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Leena Katriina Lehtolainen is a Finnish crime novelist, best known for her series of novels about the policewoman Maria Kallio.

Lehtolainen was born in Vesanto, Northern Savonia. Her first novel was released when she was only 12 years old. She studied literature in Helsinki until 1995 and wrote crime novels from 1993 on. Since about 2007 she has written other genres of books. Her works have been translated into various languages: Spanish, Dutch, Chinese, Lithuanian, Polish, French, Swedish, German, Estonian, Czech.

Reviews

[Cookie M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment of the Maria Kallio Finnish police procedural series was not as good a read as the others. It was confusing keeping track of all the different characters, some of whom had little to do with the plot.
When the story opens Kallio isn't with the police anymore, but gets conscripted against her will to solve a high profile murder case involving a friend of hers.
She's burned out. Her family is tired of her not being there for them, but she is forced into the responsibility by the terms of her contract.
As I said, I was confused by all the different people running in and out of this book, and I can't even remember who got killed.
Maria Kallio has quit the police several times, but she can't make it stick. Maybe it is time for Ms. Lehtolainen to take her in a different direction.

[Ken Fredette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment of a Maria Kallio book lead us to what Maria was looking for in working with her friend Leena, then an accident complicated this and she ended up working for the Ministry of the Interior as a scientific researcher. As a researcher she was studying clients through the police and social services who were victimized by others. While this was happening she was asked by her former employers to take the lead in an investigation at the violent crime unit because her replacement there was going to have triplets. She couldn't refuse because her contract with the Ministry of the Interior stipulated that they could do this. She was introduced to Jutta by her friend Leena, who was in a wheelchair, and became involved in Jutta's accident she had with Toni Väärä, a runner, several months earlier. Through this accident Maria met several people who complicated things with the death of Pentti Vainikainen, who was the Head of Social Affairs for the Finnish Athletics Federation. Finding his killer was her main responsibility working for the violent crimes unit. We won't tell the story but let's say there was another person murdered in finding out who the killer was. Everybody knows everybody in the sports world. Leena Lehtolainen establishes a very intense and thrilling book that brings Maria 360 degrees in her telling of the story. I gave it 4 ut of 5 stars and recommend that you read it.

[Todd Lindstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Crime Series

Absolutely love this crime series in Finland. I actually look up towns and scenes online and they are spot on. Characters keep growing and evolving. Bummer to wait for the next book in this series!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series and I've had this book on my TBR pile for a while. I was not disappointed. In this case, Maria is investigating an apparent poisoning -- but was the right person killed? As she gets into the history of the characters things seem at once clearer and more murky. Add to that the fact that she isn't really on the police force any more ... but her contract with a separate governmental organization allows them to pull her back. It's never entirely clear why it HAD to be her and, while she's happy to be working with folks she knows well and with an unlimited budget, she'd be more happy to be able to spend time with her family and not have them worrying about her safety.

I do recommend starting at the beginning, but each book pretty much stands on its own. The translation reads very well; the trickiest thing is all the Finnish names. I would love to see a pronunciation guide. :)

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, and have been making my way through them at a pretty good clip with time out for a few other books. In this one Maria seems to have escaped the police department for a research job (still related to crime of course) with another government agency, but then she gets drafted (thanks to some fine print in her contract) back to the police department for one specific murder investigation. Although she is clearly unhappy with the posting, she works just as hard as ever, on a pretty convoluted case where it's even hard to tell who the intended victim was. Life in Finland looks pretty tough in this one, but that adds interest to the story. And now I have to wait for the next book in the series to be translated...

[Roxanne Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Maria Kallio book that I've read, and I was favorably impressed. While this is the most recent in a 10-book series, it was relatively easy to pick up the background and not feel lost (though I think I'll appreciate Maria's reluctance more after I read the previous books, not having that knowledge didn't detract from this story). Maria is a refreshing addition to the police procedural--a mother, a cop, and a wife who has to play different roles as her day progresses. I highly recommend this book and I plan to check out the earlier novels.

I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[John Stotesbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe closer to a three-star -- I was less than fascinated by the context of the Finnish sports world of a decade or so ago. Maybe, after having read ten of the Maria Kallio series (in English translation but having lived in Finland for 50 years!) in the past 2-3 months, my view is becoming a tad jaded. But there was also a sense of an overwrought, under-developed plot, too. However, for the sake of their "discussion" of recent Finnish identity, I will soldier on with the final five in the series, some of which exist only in German translation... :-)

[Bud Mallar · Rating 5 out of 5]

so happily away from being a copy, guess who gets sucked into going back to be a cop.

Kinda a procedural, but I think more character driven, and there's a lot of good characters.

As with most Nordic Noir there is some social commentary, if only in passing, and a lot of conversation in this one about the issues of being a cop and being a mother at the same time and being a woman in a man's world.

Good story, I almost guessed the whodunit and in this case I suggest starting with book 1 as a lot will make more sense.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads Kindle Copy Win

Detective Maria Kallio finds herself working on a desk job after being assaulted on her last case. Things do not remain quiet for her long when a Finnish athlete is murdered by poison. One thing leads to another as it more than it seems as she further investigate.

It is up to her to find the killer before another victim is found which includes her. An interesting storyline of a strong female detective set in Finla.nd

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different taste than what I have been reading with this turning out to be a good mystery. Centered around Maria whom has a badge that first catches my interest. It seems to the drama she stumbles on is rich and filled with many things. A good mystery this was it had lots of pieces you watch get put into place. This one keeps you engaged with you hanging on at times to want the answers quickly. First time in reading this author but glad to have done it.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tense

Maria left her police job to go in with Lee a as a law researcher as per book 9. This addition opens with Lee a in an auto accident----now, there will not be a job. As Maria makes a niche for herself in the research world, beginning to feel much better, catastrophe strikes. The police are grabbing her for a new case and she has no choice but to accept. A fast-paced case ensues. I liked this one for its characters and subject matter.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mystery wrapped in a conspiracy wrapped in a scandal make this book a page-turner. The story draws you into Maria Kallio's private and work life and then accelerates into a nicely-paced detective novel. It was a most enjoyable read. I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program.

[Pat Ojanen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It always impresses me that they are so sensible and frugal in their spending and transportation in this series. She doesn’t regularly carry a gun, she takes the bus or train rather than drive everywhere.
So many characters in this story that I had to keep referencing a handy cast of characters in the front of the book.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Love the series. This one had so many characters I found it hard to keep track of them all. But I love Maria. You can really empathise with her emotions. She is forced to leave her desk job to head the investigation into a high profile murder and after events in the previous book she doesn't want to. Shame the next in the series hasn't been translated yet.

[Norma Butler-Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

My problem with Derailed is not the fault of the author, or the book. I do not have a good ear, or apparently eye, for other languages. I couldn't follow the book well enough to give a fair rating.

I had trouble following the names of the cast. The foreign names confused me. No fault of book or translater

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was one crazy killer!!!!

Whew, how does Lehtolainen think up these characters and plots? At first I wasn't too interested in the subject matter...Finnish sports...and the book seemed to have too many new names and people, but of course I got hooked. The ending is quite nail biting. Maria and her team once again solve a complicated one. Love this author!

[Archana Aggarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley. A delightful chapter in Mario Kallio's adventures. Ms. Lehtolainen writes well with empathy and insight into the lives of police personnel. I like the possibilities for Maria and look forward to seeing where she goes and what she does in her life.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read any of the other books in this series but there was enough background information in this one for me to understand what was going on. I love mysteries and I enjoyed this one. It was a pretty quick read for me.

I received a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads program.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Clearly a foreign author and location but an interesting mystery. Some crazy characters and personalities too. I didn't like Maria's husband. He didn't come across as a supportive man. I did enjoy the mystery.

[Outi Mäkinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Maria Kallio -series. Leena Lehtolainen gives a very credible picture of Finnish police work, description of Finnish society and a life of a working woman with a family. She is also very good at foreseeing topics to come, fiction but so much true also.

[Kaija Karlsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirja on kymmenes Maria Kallio dekkari, jossa urheilipomo Pentti Vainikainen on kuollut. Teemoina on homous urheilupiireissä, kun juoksija Toni Väärä tulee kaapista ulos toivuttuaan auto-onnettomuudesta. Lisäksi puhutaan dopingista. Toimittaja Jutta Särkikosken osuus puhuttaa.

[Nightswimming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced thriller, a bit predictable in the end but it is ok, it is the 10th in the series. Liked it but didn’t loved it as the ones before.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept my interest throughout

[Kent Dallmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

[Toni Wittus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

[Tarmo Syvapuro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hieman sekava eikä temmannut mukaansa niin kuin aikaisemmin luetut Maria Kallio -dekkarit. Vasta lopussa jännitys tiivistyi ja lukukokemus parani.

[Sha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ihan mukava kirja tuttujen hahmojen seurassa. Valitettavasti osasin ennakoida osan juonenkäänteistä turhan varhain ja osa tuntui hieman epäuskottavalta. Luettava, mutta en palaa teokseen uudelleen.

[Sherry Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series always pulls me in and doesn’t let go

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continual pout about her new work situation and whining about sexual discrimination everywhere!-everywhere!-everywhere! got a bit old after a while. I still very much enjoy these books, though!

[tilda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tämä oli oikein jees. Tykkäsin siitä että tarina levisi moneen eri suuntaan eikä loppuratkaisu ollut mitenkään ilmeinen.