Loukko by 
Exciting news for our Helsinki Noir trilogy, written by the brilliant Finnish-Swedish author duo Anne Hietanen and Michaela von Kügelgen!
The series, starting with THE LAST WORD and followed by DEEP WATER and DEADLY CONTRACT, has found a home with the esteemed Finnish-Swedish publisher Schildts & Söderströms. They will bring the books to Swedish-speaking readers in both Sweden and Finland. The deal was closed by Martti Berner.
The publication of the first book is tentatively planned for 2026. This news follows the three-book pre-empt deal for Danish rights, secured in October by Cicero (print) and Word Audio Publishing (digital).
Martin Welander, publisher at Schildts & Söderströms shares his thoughts on THE LAST WORD and its authors:
THE LAST WORD is a crime novel that grabs the reader from the very first page and never lets go. You can really feel that the authors had fun writing it! And Tilde and Philip are perfect as the main characters, a match made in heaven, just like the book’s authors.
Rights still available Finland, Germany, France, Italy…
Request reading materials for the HELSINKI NOIR TRILOGY here!
About THE LAST WORD:
During the Helsinki Book Fair, author David Berglund is found dead in the harbour – the same day he was set to receive a literary prize. His wife Aurora is almost due to have their first child, and the family idyll he always dreamed of would finally become a reality.
Philip Koski, a national hockey hero whose career was cut short by an injury, just joined the Helsinki Police Department and is assigned to the case. Philip struggles to cope with his new job, along with the fact people see him as nothing more than a has-been.
At the same time, cultural journalist Tilde Björkqvist digs into David’s story. She was the last person to interview him, encountering a man whose words of joy and gratitude did not match the desperation in his eyes. At work, Tilde struggles against antiquated hierarchies – why are they trying to stop her investigation of the young writer?
Meanwhile, Åsa Stråhle, head of the Bohre Foundation, is beside herself with grief. After years of trying to conceive, she is still childless. David and his twin brother Adam are the closest thing to a family she has, but she lost contact with Adam after he immersed himself in society’s dark underbelly. Åsa tries to keep up her façade while everything around her is falling apart.
Book 2: Deep Water:
Philip Koski feels pressure as a new police officer. When a young elite swimmer is found dead, and then another right after, Philip is thrown into the investigation, tearing open old wounds from his former life. Deep Water is about striving for success, whatever the cost.
Book 3: Deadly Contract:
During a crisp September morning, Helsinki politician and businessman Bjarne Holmström is found dead in his home. Holmström dangles from the ceiling, but the autopsy shows that he was already dead before he was hung from the rope. Deadly Contract is a novel about corruption and absolute power.
Sista Ordet
2026, Schildts & Söderströms, approx. 300 pp
Reading Material:
Swedish original manuscript (82,000 words) English sample & synopsis, Long synopsis of book 2 & synopsis book 3
Rights sold:
FINLAND (Finnish-Swedish): Schildts & Söderströms (orig.)
SWEDEN: Schildts & Söderströms (orig.)
DENMARK: Cicero/Gyldendal (print), Word Audio Publishing Denmark (e-book & audio)
