The Moose Paradox

by Antti Tuomainen, David Hackston (Translator)

Overview

Insurance mathematician Henri Koskinen has finally restored order both to his life and to YouMeFun, the adventure park he now owns, when a man from the past appears - and turns everything upside down again. More problems arise when the park's equipment supplier is taken over by a shady trio, with confusing demands. Why won't Toy of Finland Ltd sell the new Moose Chute to Henri when he needs it as the park's main attraction? Meanwhile, Henri's relationship with artist Laura has reached breaking point, and, in order to survive this new chaotic world, he must push every calculation to its limits, before it's too late...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781914585357
Publisher:	Orenda Books
Publication date:	11/07/2023
Series:	The Rabbit Factor series , #2
Pages:	276
Sales rank:	418,268
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.75(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Finnish Antti Tuomainen was an award-winning copywriter when he made his literary debut in 2007 as a suspense author in 2013, the Finnish press crowned Tuomainen the ‘King of Helsinki Noir’ when Dark as My Heart was published. With a piercing and evocative style, Tuomainen was one of the first to challenge the Scandinavian crime genre formula, and his poignant, dark and hilarious The Man Who Died became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards.

David Hackston is a British Translator of Finnish and Swedish literature and drama. Notable publications include The Dedalus Book of Finnish Fantasy, Maria Peura’s coming-of-age novel At the Edge of Light, Johanna Sinisalo’s eco-thriller Birdbrain, two crime novels by Matti Joensuu and Kati Hiekkapelto’s Anna Fekete series (which currently includes The Hummingbird, The Defenceless and The Exiled, all published by Orenda Books). He also translates Antti Tuomainen’s stories. In 2007 he was awarded the Finnish State Prize for Translation.

Editorial Reviews

02/06/2023

Former actuary Henri Kosinken, the painfully literal, pathologically rational protagonist of Tuomainen’s hilarious sequel to 2022’s Rabbit Factor, struggles to solve the many problems at YouMeFun, the children’s adventure park he inherited from his deceased brother, Juhani, six months earlier in the previous book. Things are looking up until he’s attacked by masked assailants—and saved by another hooded figure—while making after-hours rounds. The next morning, he walks into his office and finds the charming, hopelessly optimistic, and thoroughly criminally minded Juhani alive and full of new plans to “bring back a bit of creative madness” at the faltering park. Henri is soon entangled in unsavory schemes, blackmail plots, and comically accidental violence, much of which traces back to his incorrigible brother. Henri confronts each challenge, as well as his budding romance with former park manager Laura Helanto, with endearing, exasperating logical deduction. This mix of slapstick and dry wit, ably translated by Hackston, is a refreshing change from the decidedly gloomier crime fiction for which Scandinavia is known. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Charming, funny and clever, this is a novel to cheer up anyone who is finding life a little tough." —Literary Review

"The Moose Paradox is a fun mystery novel about the surprising dangers of the Finnish adventure park business." —Foreword Reviews

"Unlike anything else out there." —The Times

PRAISE FOR RABBIT FACTOR:

"Full of refreshing wit and wisdom, this comic departure from the usual Scandi noir is a treat." — Publishers Weekly starred review

‘British readers might think they know what to expect from Nordic noir: a tortured detective, a bleak setting, a brutal crime that shakes a small community. Finnish crime novelist Tuomainen turns all of this on its head … The ear of a giant plastic rabbit becomes a key weapon. It only gets darker and funnier’ —Guardian

"Contains all the main elements of a dark crime/comedy mixed with a peculiar love story that is destined to move and engage the audience. Fans of the Finnish author's previous work should definitely read this one and the same goes to all those who love quirky crime novels with unique characterization. I will be eagerly waiting for the second installment in the series." —Tap the Line

 
'Laconic, thrilling and warmly human. In these uncertain times, what better hero than an actuary?' —Chris Brookmyre

 
'The funniest writer in Europe, and one of the very finest. There is a beautiful rhythm and poetry to the prose … original and brilliant story-telling' —Helen FitzGerald

"This mix of slapstick and dry wit... is a refreshing change from the decidedly gloomier crime fiction for which Scandinavia is known" — Publishers Weekly

"Delightfully funny" — The Guardian

From the Publisher