Fiction
New
Anna-Kaari Hakkarainen: The Saprophile
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, Marraseliö, Tammi 2024
Guest Read ”The Saprophile weaves together three or four intriguing themes, interlaced with each other. The first layer is a fictional essay in which the narrator travels to Gotland, to (Ingmar) Bergman’s island of Fårö, attempting to process their obsessive relationship with what is perhaps Bergman’s most ambiguous film. The narrator deliberately uses the term “bergmania”. The second layer delves into an analysis of the role of women in Bergman’s films, a topic the narrator has promised to write an essay about for a magazine. The third layer concerns the narrator’s search for an idea for their novel. The fourth narrative thread explores the unravelling relationship between the narrator and their partner. The novel has an intelligent yet unpretentious structure, with layers that the reader navigates with ease. The narrator’s numerous references to the writers who inspired their own artistic practice vividly illuminate their reflections throughout the book. Hakkarainen, who has previously written five compelling novels, has created a remarkably ambitious and artistically sophisticated work that reaches a level of narrative craft fit for an international audience.” Hannu Harju, Suomen Kuvalehti magazine –
New
Aamos Honka: Crimson Web
Janne Peura series #1
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, Punainen verkko, Gummerus 2025
New
Joona Keskitalo: The Swamp That Sank
The Outback Series #2
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, Suo, joka upposi, Takamailla 2, Bazar 2024
FILI Reads The author has summed up the book’s premise brilliantly in one sentence: "This is a story about two gas stations and six bodies along the highway cutting through Northern Ostrobothnia." One swamp and two feuding families: the Lehtonen family runs a gas station, while the Kaski family owns an auto repair shop just a few hundred meters away—with ambitions to open a competing gas station. At the heart of the story is 17-year-old Maria, who was committed for her father’s murder—a crime she remembers nothing about. Maria is released from prison and returns home, where her uncle Jussi now runs the family business. He promises to pay her a share of her inheritance, but money is tight, and soon, another murder occurs. The Swamp That Sank is a crime novel filled with eccentric characters and black humour.
New
Matti Laine: Her Father’s Daughter
Armadillo series #1
Bonnier Rights Finland, Isänsä tytär, Bazar 2025
FILI Reads Her Father’s Daughter tells the story of a father and daughter separated by a past tragedy. The daughter, Kata Kovanen, lives in Berlin and works for an organization with a secret mission: to protect those whom the authorities cannot keep safe. Her father, Rene Kovanen, is a former police officer who lives in Lapland, alone and in isolation. This modern spy novel, set in Berlin, Helsinki, and Lapland, is packed with action, ruthless criminals, and thrilling plot twists from start to finish. But at its core, it is also a story about human relationships and family dynamics. Kata Kovanen is the kind of bold, action-driven hero whose storyline is one that’s usually reserved for men in thrillers—she rides a motorcycle, knows martial arts, and plays in a punk rock band.
New
Mooses Mentula: Air of Hope
Bonnier Rights Finland, Toiviokoski, WSOY 2023
FILI Reads Mooses Mentula’s Air of Hope is a historical novel set in post-war Finland. The story takes place in the late 1940s and follows a young man named Vilho, who is striving to start his life anew alongside his wife Elsa. The war left Vilho traumatized and severely injured, and he returns to civilian life addicted to the heroin tablets used to medicate his injuries. He struggles with the heavy work at his paper mill job, but eventually, with the help of his friend Esko, he becomes the editor of the mill’s newspaper. This allows him to climb the social rankings and gives him the chance for a better life, but it also creates tensions with both colleagues and old friends. The book deals with personal struggles—war trauma, friendship, and love. At the same time, it paints a picture of post-war society and its tensions. Mooses Mentula’s fantastic storytelling and thorough historical research allow him to create a compelling and credible fictional setting. Despite everything, there’s still hope for the future.
New
Ulla Rask: Blanka, Daughter of the Baltic
Blanka, Itämeren tytär, Kylmä meri -sarja 1, WSOY 2025
FILI Reads “A woman cannot afford to pity herself for longer than a single prayer.” Blanka, Daughter of the Baltic is a captivating historical novel that transports the reader to the early 1600s, into the bustling Hanseatic cities of the Baltic states and the lives of women over 400 years ago. The story follows Blanka Berger von Wijk, the daughter of an upper-class merchant family, and her maid Margo, whose journey to Lübeck takes an unexpected turn when they are kidnapped for ransom. Their perilous and eventful sea voyage leads them from Reval, through Visby, to Lübeck. There Blanka, who has entered a marriage of convenience, finally finds stability in her life—but only for a moment. This novel marks the beginning of the Cold Sea series.
Children's & Young Adult Books
New
Ilona Ahti & Daniela Hakulinen: Girls Girls Girls
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, Tytöt tytöt tytöt, Tammi 2025
New
Linda Bondestam: Chop Chop – The Story of a Busy Robot
Rights & Brands, Chop chop – En tapper jordbos berättelse, Förlaget 2024
New
Ted Forsström & Åsa Lucander: Stiven
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, Stivens fat är utan mat, Förlaget 2025
New
Helena Immonen: The Test of Strength
Animagi of the Mist #2
Bonnier Rights Finland, Purppurausvan animaagit 2, Kokelaiden koitos, Tammi 2024
FILI Reads The Animagi of The Mist is a thrilling series ideal for middle-grade readers who love animal fantasy and are looking for a fast-paced yet accessible adventure. In The Test of Strength, Tommo, Aasa, and Hedda set out to rescue young animagi apprentices who have been captured by Ismar and his wild dog pack. During the mission, they encounter Jarek, a young husky from the enemy camp, whom Aasa insists on saving. Jarek knows the secrets of the enemy stronghold—but can he be trusted?
New
Malin Klingenberg: Sisters of the Desert
Helsinki Literary Agency, Slättens systrar, Schildts & Söderströms 2024
FILI Reads Winner of the Runeberg Junior Prize, The Sisters of the Desert marks Malin Klingenberg’s fantasy debut and is the first book in the Chronicles of Gibat series. The story follows two sisters living a quiet life with their desert tribe—until children start disappearing. Soon, they uncover shocking family secrets: their father is breaking tribal laws for personal gain, and they possess hidden magical powers. Faced with a choice—stay silent or take control of their own destiny—they choose to fight back. As secrets unravel, they discover their strength in a world where few adults can be trusted. Klingenberg’s storytelling is immersive—you feel the desert heat, share the sisters’ fears, and celebrate their triumphs.
New
Laura Lähteenmäki: Count Silently To Ten
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, Laske salaa kymmeneen, WSOY 2023
FILI Reads Laura Lähteenmäki’s Count Silently to Ten is a delicate and timely novel about navigating the line between childhood and adolescence, the significance of friendship, the pressures of belonging to a group, and a child’s right to be a child. Ten-year-old Myy is part of a close-knit group of five girls, but feels like she is "too much," as if she’s an outsider within the group. Then Myy meets Lassi, with whom she doesn’t need to pretend, talk about boys, hair or clothes, or play social games. Their shared moments in the forest and the imaginative games they play create a sanctuary where Myy can be entirely herself. Because for Myy, it is important to play and to be a child.
New
Satu Rämö & Satu Kontinen: The Secret of the Golden Hay
The Island Adventures #2
Bonnier Rights Finland, Satujen saaret 2. Kotikumpu, Tammi 2025
Non-Fiction
New
Anna-Riikka Carlson : Dearest Eeva Kilpi. This Celebration Will Continue
Bonnier Rights Finland, Rakas Eeva Kilpi. Nämä juhlat jatkuvat vielä, WSOY 2024
New
Frank Martela: Stop Chasing Happiness: A Pessimist’s Guide to a Good Life
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, Älä etsi onnea: Epätyypillisiä elämänohjeita nykyihmiselle, UK: Allen & Unwin 2025
New
Henrik Meinander: Helsinki. The Story of a City
Helsinki Literary Agency, Helsingfors. Historien om en stad, Schildts & Söderströms 2025
New
Sanna Nyqvist: By the Seashore: How Writers Discovered the Sea
Elina Ahlback Literary Agency, Rannalla: Miten kirjailijat löysivät meren, Tammi 2024
