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After its Dutch publication by The House of Books and Polish release by Literackie this June, Laura (Tammi 2013), the first entry in J.K Johansson’s Palokaski Trilogy, has attracted plenty of positive attention from critics and bloggers in both territories.
A hybrid of Twin Peaks, Gone Girl and Nordic crime, the Palokaski Trilogy centres on the disappearance of three girls in an ordinary Finnish suburb. The delightfully sinister and page-turning series dives deeply into the online-dominated lives of modern teenagers. Book 2 Noora appeared in Finland this March to a strong critical reception, while the final part, Venla, is due to be published in Spring 2015.
Critical highlights from the Netherlands and Poland for Laura:
“Even after the last page, my thoughts kept wandering back to this intriguing story…Laura is like a big surprise packed in a gift box. As each layer of paper and packaging is peeled off, one discovers new clues and events that result in sudden turns of events….J.K Johansson has only recently started the [Palokaski] adventure, but having read Laura, I can only say that I want more.”
–Patiopea literature blog, Poland
“The authors introduce a range of potential suspects, and a reader is likely to be wrong about who the culprit might be. The writing style is strong, making this a pleasant read.”
–Banger Sisters literature blog, the Netherlands
“The authors don’t guide the reader by the hand or suggest solutions. Don’t expect an old-school detective story. [The protagonist], Miia, has to gradually, and often unsuccessfully, get to the truth…Laura is an interesting novel that entangles the reader into a world in which nothing is as it seems.”
–Noir Café culture blog, Poland
“This book feels realistic and disturbingly rooted in everyday life…it is an allegory for the ambiguity and deception present in our virtual lives in the 21st century.”
–Krytycznym okiem (“A Critical Eye“) culture blog, Poland
ABOUT THE PALOKASKI TRILOGY:
LAURA (Tammi 2013): Former internet cop Miia Pohjavirta begins a new career as a special needs teacher at her former high school. On her first day at work, she hears that student Laura Anderson has disappeared from a party held on the Palokaski beach to celebrate the end of summer. When Laura’s parents create a Facebook page in order to locate their daughter, a Pandora’s Box is opened.
NOORA (Tammi 2014): Noora is a lonely girl with no friends. When Laura Andersson’s body is found near the Palokaski beach, Laura’s former classmate Noora is confused. She cannot help but feel annoyed about the fact that even in death Laura is getting so much attention. On the day following the discovery of Laura’s body, Noora visits Miia Pohjavirta’s office and says that she is fearing for her life.
VENLA (Tammi 2015, full English synopsis now available!): Venla‘s case is the undercurrent in all the parts of the series. The sudden disappearance of Miia and Nikke’s sister Venla in the 1980s left its mark on the whole family. As Miia finds herself being pulled back into Venla’s mystery, she begins to see connections between the stories of Laura, Noora and Venla.
RIGHTS SOLD: THE PALOKASKI TRILOGY
BELGIUM, The House of Books
GERMANY, Suhrkamp
GREECE, Kedros
NETHERLANDS, The House of Books
POLAND, Literackie
Film & TV Rights, Eyeworks/Warner Bros.
Reading materials:
English sample of Laura
English synopses of Laura, Noora, Venla
German sample of Laura
Italian sample of Laura
Polish edition of Laura
Dutch edition of Laura
Finnish editions of Laura and Noora
Contact: info@ahlbackagency.com
