Norwegian woman teams up with American to solve crime and they fall in love

[Teresa]

I read this book in college so it was around 1996-2001. The main character was a Norwegian (or Finnish or Swedish?) woman. I am not sure if she is a professional crime solver, but an American woman comes to her to either find someone or to solve a murder. When they first meet they do a type of martial arts called, I think, sticky hands. They end up going to Norway (or other Scandenavian country) and during their investigation they end up falling in love. I believe the killer is found but not before he kills the American woman. Thank you for your help!

[Robert]

I believe that's The Blue Place

[Teresa]

Robert wrote: "I believe that's The Blue Place"

That's not the book, but thank you for pointing me to an interesting new book to read!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Standalone?
Crime/mystery fiction, or more literary fiction?
Author's gender?
Cover?

Did you read for a class, if so which class?

[Teresa]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Standalone?
Crime/mystery fiction, or more literary fiction?
Author's gender?
Cover?

Did you read for a class, if so which class?"

Ah that's testing my memory. I would say crime/mystery fiction with strong romance throughout. The author would have been a woman since I read it for a women's lit. class. Can't remember the cover. Sorry and thanks!