From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
"There’s a great myth believed by nearly everyone that Finland is corruption-free. Police and politicians are scripture pure, dedicated to the good of the nation beyond all things. Foreigners even write about it in travel guides for tourists." That’s Kari Vaara, telling us about his country in the first pages of James Thompson’s new novel, Helsinki White. Shortly thereafter, he goes on to say, "I run a heist gang. I’m a police inspector, shakedown artist, strong-arm specialist and enforcer…Three
...more
Thompson introduces a more American-flavored noir sensibility into his Finnish milieu, and it works for me - it's interesting to see the decidedly Scandinavian themes play out in a dark, but rather less hopeless, sort of way. Vaara definitely goes into very different directions here, but the way things come together in the end help repair some of what has shattered in his life.
...more
Somehow I missed the second book in this series after having enjoyed the first. Obviously some things happened in #2 but Helsinki White could easily be a stand alone. There are not many mystery books set in Finland, and Thompson has a unique perspective as an American married to a Finn. He also speaks and understands the language and gives good insight into the mindset of the Finnish people as well as crafting a uniquw mystery novel.
This seemed to be a transitionary book for both Thompson and Inspector Kari Vaara. It was good, but not as tightly woven as the first two. It will be interesting to see where Thompson goes with this series next. Not saying anything more... not giving anything away.
