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Maria Kallio #3
Copper Heart
Former police sergeant Maria Kallio gladly left her tiny Finnish hometown of Arpikylä without looking back. But even though Maria despises the small town and the acrid smell from its now-closed copper mine, when Arpikylä’s sheriff asks her to serve as deputy sheriff for the summer, she agrees. What should have been a quiet summer soon turns dramatic – and deadly. Meritta, an outspoken local artist, plunges to her death from the copper mine’s tower, and Maria immediately suspects someone helped her fall. Now Maria must face the harsh truth that one of the town’s residents killed Meritta, and friends Maria has known for decades all harbor their own murderous motives – even Johnny, her gorgeous former crush who almost makes her forget about her long-distance boyfriend, Antti, who is studying in Chicago. In this thrilling addition to the internationally successful Maria Kallio mystery series, the past and present of the beloved Finnish detective violently collide, leaving her future in grave danger.
274 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
263 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Leena Lehtolainen
94 books271 followersLeena Katriina Lehtolainen is a Finnish crime novelist, best known for her series of novels about the policewoman Maria Kallio.
Lehtolainen was born in Vesanto, Northern Savonia. Her first novel was released when she was only 12 years old. She studied literature in Helsinki until 1995 and wrote crime novels from 1993 on. Since about 2007 she has written other genres of books. Her works have been translated into various languages: Spanish, Dutch, Chinese, Lithuanian, Polish, French, Swedish, German, Estonian, Czech.
Lehtolainen was born in Vesanto, Northern Savonia. Her first novel was released when she was only 12 years old. She studied literature in Helsinki until 1995 and wrote crime novels from 1993 on. Since about 2007 she has written other genres of books. Her works have been translated into various languages: Spanish, Dutch, Chinese, Lithuanian, Polish, French, Swedish, German, Estonian, Czech.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
December 19, 2013
Why do I keep reading these? I guess it's because they're very inexpensive, but this was the dullest, least convincing of the lot. I want to give up on Maria Kallio. She's a poor cop and I am just not interested in whether she's going to marry her boyfriend or not. She spent far too much of this novel mooning over another guy. Dull, dull dull.
February 23, 2023
Maria Kallio has taken a position serving as deputy sheriff in her tiny hometown over the summer. The murder of a local artists has her investigating some of her oldest friends as potential suspects.
It's been years since I read the first two books in this series - and it didn't take me long to remember why. Lehtolainen sure has a knack for populating her novels with unlikable characters, including her protagonist, whom I like less and less in each book. Sure didn't care for her endless mooning over and flirtation with her high school crush while she was also going on and on about whether or not she should marry her (currently long distance) boyfriend. Her personal life and preconceptions keep getting in the way of her actually doing her job.
It's been years since I read the first two books in this series - and it didn't take me long to remember why. Lehtolainen sure has a knack for populating her novels with unlikable characters, including her protagonist, whom I like less and less in each book. Sure didn't care for her endless mooning over and flirtation with her high school crush while she was also going on and on about whether or not she should marry her (currently long distance) boyfriend. Her personal life and preconceptions keep getting in the way of her actually doing her job.
January 10, 2014
I got this book through Goodreads' First Reads program! Thank you Goodreads and Amazon!
'Copper Heart' is third in a series, but it works perfectly well as a self-contained, stand-alone story.
Cop Maria Kallio has taken a temporary job in her hometown as acting Sheriff, for the summer. She's a bit emotionally ambivalent about going back to the small mining town she was so happy to escape, and even more emotionally confused about running into Johnny, the object of her unrequited teenage crush.
But things get even worse when an old acquaintance, the free-spirited artist Meritta, is found dead - and Johnny may be the primary suspect.
It's not bad, but it's a pretty formulaic mystery which doesn't transcend genre. There's a murder, there's a cast of characters, all of whom may have some kind of motive for murder, and the investigator does her investigating. Good for light entertainment.
'Copper Heart' is third in a series, but it works perfectly well as a self-contained, stand-alone story.
Cop Maria Kallio has taken a temporary job in her hometown as acting Sheriff, for the summer. She's a bit emotionally ambivalent about going back to the small mining town she was so happy to escape, and even more emotionally confused about running into Johnny, the object of her unrequited teenage crush.
But things get even worse when an old acquaintance, the free-spirited artist Meritta, is found dead - and Johnny may be the primary suspect.
It's not bad, but it's a pretty formulaic mystery which doesn't transcend genre. There's a murder, there's a cast of characters, all of whom may have some kind of motive for murder, and the investigator does her investigating. Good for light entertainment.
April 21, 2017
Kuparisydämessä Maria Kallio on saanut pieneltä kotipaikkakunnaltaan nimismiehen viransijaisuuden. Paluu juurille on paikallaan elämänsä suuntaa etsivälle Kalliolle. Poikaystäväkin on sopivasti rapakon takana pidemmällä työkeikalla.
Työkeikka ei osoittaudu niin leppoisaksi kuin Kallio oli ajatellut. Arpikylän kaivostornin avaijaisten jälkeen tornin juurelta löytyy ruumis. Onko hän hypännyt tornista vai onko putoaminen tapahtunut avustetusti? Kallio joutuu kiusalliseen tehtävään eli kuulustelemaan ja epäilemään hänelle tuttuja ihmisiä.
Kuparisydän on niin perusdekkari kuin vain voi olla. Sujuvaa juonenkuljetusta, epäiltyjä vain kourallinen ja se ilmeisin tekijä ei välttämättä ole syyllinen. Pientä maustetta tarinaan tuo Kallion nuoruuden rakkauden kohtaaminen ja omien tunteidensa setviminen.
Kaipasin tarinan hahmoihin lisää särmäkkyyttä. Lehtolainen pyrkii rikkomaan perusarkkityyppejä mukavasti, mutta hahmot eivät silti lähde oikein lentoon. Keihäänheittäjä Kaisassa on hyvää yritystä ja potentiaalia, mutta siinäpä se sitten onkin.
Työkeikka ei osoittaudu niin leppoisaksi kuin Kallio oli ajatellut. Arpikylän kaivostornin avaijaisten jälkeen tornin juurelta löytyy ruumis. Onko hän hypännyt tornista vai onko putoaminen tapahtunut avustetusti? Kallio joutuu kiusalliseen tehtävään eli kuulustelemaan ja epäilemään hänelle tuttuja ihmisiä.
Kuparisydän on niin perusdekkari kuin vain voi olla. Sujuvaa juonenkuljetusta, epäiltyjä vain kourallinen ja se ilmeisin tekijä ei välttämättä ole syyllinen. Pientä maustetta tarinaan tuo Kallion nuoruuden rakkauden kohtaaminen ja omien tunteidensa setviminen.
Kaipasin tarinan hahmoihin lisää särmäkkyyttä. Lehtolainen pyrkii rikkomaan perusarkkityyppejä mukavasti, mutta hahmot eivät silti lähde oikein lentoon. Keihäänheittäjä Kaisassa on hyvää yritystä ja potentiaalia, mutta siinäpä se sitten onkin.
June 28, 2018
Uaagh. Jos en olisi autossa työmatkoilla kuunnellut, vaan käyttänyt aikaani lukemiseen, kaduttaisi. Nämä Maria Kalliot vaan pahenevat. Jatkuva alemmuudentunteessa rypeminen ja jatkuva tuttavien lahtaaminen näissä kirjoissa on jo aika koomista. Naiset ja miehet tietävät totisesti paikkansa, vaikka Maria käykin ihan salilla. Ja tämä juoni. Kun kirja päättyi, en tajunnut mitään. Motiivit olivat jostain takaperähikiältä ja ihan sairaasti käytettiin aikaa mihin tahansa muuhun kuin rikosten selvittämiseen. Kaivoksesta, bänditouhuista ja ties mistä stripparibaarista saatiin aivan älyttömästi faktoja. Ei luoja enää näitä.
February 18, 2021
Interesting foray into Finnish culture— my first! Reasonably good mystery with lots of suspects to ponder. Very grateful for Cast of Characters listed at beginning of book as so many names use a few different letters! LOL!! This is the 3rd of a series with the main (woman) detective character, and other than a minor few references to earlier events—very easy to jump in and read. Some references to specific Finnish cultural norms do not have clear meaning in English translation.
September 15, 2020
Väga soomelik
September 18, 2025
rereading this series
November 17, 2014
Much better than previous installments of this series. Copper Heart is more fluid and, even if Maria Kallio is still obsessed over not fitting the norm, the investigation is the main focus. In a way, it reminds me of Camilla Lackberg, since Maria's personal life keeps getting in the way of her sleuthing. We still have a lot of chauvinist pigs, but the women are better defined here. There are some very compelling characters. I'm looking forward to the next book.
April 27, 2015
Perus-Kallio. Pikkukaupunkielämä ja -politikointi oli aitoa, tarina Maria tarkkaileva ja suvaitsevainen kolmekymppinen nainen murheineen. Harmiton, ei huono dekkari, jolla lienee tuhansia ystäviä.
September 15, 2016
A solid entry in the Scandinavian mystery. Best read after reading the first two books.
February 22, 2025
قلب نحاسي سلسلة المحققة ماريا كاليو رواية من فنلندا
ل لينا ليهتولاينين ترجمة نهى مصطفى
ماريا محققة بوليسية تتمنى هجر عملها لتصبح محامية، إلا أنها تضطر للعودة إلى بلدتها الريفية "أربيكولا" -صاحبة الرائحة الكريهة للنحاس وحمض الكبريتيك من برك مختلفات المنجم- تاركة حبيبها آنتي في شيكاجو حيث ينهي عام من الدراسة،
لقد طلب منها مأمور البلدة الالتحاق بوظيفة نائب قائم بالأعمال الخاصة حتى يستطيع الانتهاء من دراسته الجامعي في علوم الطب الشرعي..
يعود المنجم إلى العمل كمنتزه سياحي، والذي يديره رجل تثار حوله عدة علامات للاستفهام، وإلى جوار المنجم يقف برجًا شامخًا يثير الكثير من الأفكار والذكريات في نفس ماريا..
تلتقي ماريا التي ذهبت للعيش في بيت عمها بالعديد من الأصدقاء القدامى، إيلا صديقتها منذ أيام الدراسة، جوني الوسيم الذي أحبته في فترة المراهقة وغيرهما..
فهل ستؤثر عودتها على علاقتها بآنتي؟!
تعتبر ماريا شرطية حازمة يسخر منها فريق المركز ولكنها لا تتوانى عن توبيخهم إذا جلس أحدهم في سيارة الشرطة ومحركها يدور، أو تطلب لوالدها سيارة أجرة عندما يشرب كأسان رافضة أن تحرر له مخالفة قيادة سيارة في حالة سكر..
قرية صغيرة بعيدة عن الحياة الصاخبة، لا يوجد بها سوى ثلاث سيارات أجرة..
قرية تطلق عليها ماريا جملة:
"هذه مدينة الجروح بالفعل" لما بسكانها من نزعة ذكورية أرهقتها منذ الولادة وحتى عودتها إليها.. قرية هادئة ولكن حالها ينقلب رأسًا على عقب عند اكتشاف جثة الفنانة ميريتا، والتي وجدت ماريا لها عدة أشخاص يكرهونها منهم ابنتها..
هل ستتمكن ماريا من حل هذه القضية خاصة مع وصول محققين من المحافظة، من خارج بلدتها ومنهم زميلها كويفو؟
تهتم الكاتبة كثيرًا بأدق التفاصيل حتى أنها تخبرنا بأسماء دور الأزياء لبدلة هذا أو ثوب هذه، تتحدث عن الموسيقى والفرق الموسيقية، وغير ذلك من التفاصيل التي تثري معرفتنا بفنلندا.. وهي تلوم التلفزيون مثلًا على بثه لكارتون المومنز بالنسخة اليابانية بدل من الفنلندية الأصلية..
المترجمة تحتاج إلى مراجعة الرواية ثانية فكلمة you في الإنجليزية تعني كما نعلم أنتَ وأنتِ، جاء في كثير من المواضع كلمات تفيد المذكر وهي للمؤنث، والعكس.. أو مثلًا تكتب ما زال الدراجة، والمفترض زالت..
وهذا يعيدنا لأمر هام؛ هو الترجمة من خلال برنامج ترجمة، فإن تم هذا وهو مفيد أحيانًا للمترجم فعليه أن يعيد مراجعة عمله مرات بعد ذلك..
كما جاء خلطًا في الأسماء مثل وضع اسم ياسكا بدلًا من تومبي. وللحق إن الأسماء تحير القاريء وتجعله في حاجة إلى التركيز لمعرفة كل اسم وكل شخصية، وبالتالي على المترجم مراجعة الأسماء دومًا..
حتى المياه كتبت المترجمة عنها "غرغرت" والصحيح هي كلمة خرخرت..
والمرأة كتبتها "المرآة" وهنا أصبحت "مرايا وليس نساء"..
رواية جميلة، في انتظار المزيد من الروايات المترجمة لهذه الكاتبة..
#نو_ها
ل لينا ليهتولاينين ترجمة نهى مصطفى
ماريا محققة بوليسية تتمنى هجر عملها لتصبح محامية، إلا أنها تضطر للعودة إلى بلدتها الريفية "أربيكولا" -صاحبة الرائحة الكريهة للنحاس وحمض الكبريتيك من برك مختلفات المنجم- تاركة حبيبها آنتي في شيكاجو حيث ينهي عام من الدراسة،
لقد طلب منها مأمور البلدة الالتحاق بوظيفة نائب قائم بالأعمال الخاصة حتى يستطيع الانتهاء من دراسته الجامعي في علوم الطب الشرعي..
يعود المنجم إلى العمل كمنتزه سياحي، والذي يديره رجل تثار حوله عدة علامات للاستفهام، وإلى جوار المنجم يقف برجًا شامخًا يثير الكثير من الأفكار والذكريات في نفس ماريا..
تلتقي ماريا التي ذهبت للعيش في بيت عمها بالعديد من الأصدقاء القدامى، إيلا صديقتها منذ أيام الدراسة، جوني الوسيم الذي أحبته في فترة المراهقة وغيرهما..
فهل ستؤثر عودتها على علاقتها بآنتي؟!
تعتبر ماريا شرطية حازمة يسخر منها فريق المركز ولكنها لا تتوانى عن توبيخهم إذا جلس أحدهم في سيارة الشرطة ومحركها يدور، أو تطلب لوالدها سيارة أجرة عندما يشرب كأسان رافضة أن تحرر له مخالفة قيادة سيارة في حالة سكر..
قرية صغيرة بعيدة عن الحياة الصاخبة، لا يوجد بها سوى ثلاث سيارات أجرة..
قرية تطلق عليها ماريا جملة:
"هذه مدينة الجروح بالفعل" لما بسكانها من نزعة ذكورية أرهقتها منذ الولادة وحتى عودتها إليها.. قرية هادئة ولكن حالها ينقلب رأسًا على عقب عند اكتشاف جثة الفنانة ميريتا، والتي وجدت ماريا لها عدة أشخاص يكرهونها منهم ابنتها..
هل ستتمكن ماريا من حل هذه القضية خاصة مع وصول محققين من المحافظة، من خارج بلدتها ومنهم زميلها كويفو؟
تهتم الكاتبة كثيرًا بأدق التفاصيل حتى أنها تخبرنا بأسماء دور الأزياء لبدلة هذا أو ثوب هذه، تتحدث عن الموسيقى والفرق الموسيقية، وغير ذلك من التفاصيل التي تثري معرفتنا بفنلندا.. وهي تلوم التلفزيون مثلًا على بثه لكارتون المومنز بالنسخة اليابانية بدل من الفنلندية الأصلية..
المترجمة تحتاج إلى مراجعة الرواية ثانية فكلمة you في الإنجليزية تعني كما نعلم أنتَ وأنتِ، جاء في كثير من المواضع كلمات تفيد المذكر وهي للمؤنث، والعكس.. أو مثلًا تكتب ما زال الدراجة، والمفترض زالت..
وهذا يعيدنا لأمر هام؛ هو الترجمة من خلال برنامج ترجمة، فإن تم هذا وهو مفيد أحيانًا للمترجم فعليه أن يعيد مراجعة عمله مرات بعد ذلك..
كما جاء خلطًا في الأسماء مثل وضع اسم ياسكا بدلًا من تومبي. وللحق إن الأسماء تحير القاريء وتجعله في حاجة إلى التركيز لمعرفة كل اسم وكل شخصية، وبالتالي على المترجم مراجعة الأسماء دومًا..
حتى المياه كتبت المترجمة عنها "غرغرت" والصحيح هي كلمة خرخرت..
والمرأة كتبتها "المرآة" وهنا أصبحت "مرايا وليس نساء"..
رواية جميلة، في انتظار المزيد من الروايات المترجمة لهذه الكاتبة..
#نو_ها
November 21, 2019
I wish I could give an enthusiastic recommendation, but… arms flail, as the reviewer seeks the right words fruitlessly
These are good books. But… something about them seems awkward. Part of it is Maria Kallio herself. She seems so reluctant to do the work she trained for. And then she keeps finding herself absurdly connected to the people in each case.
I wonder whether there are two factors at play: one, these aren't new books. They were first published about a quarter-century ago. And… that's in that awkward in-between where it isn't always clear how old it is when you're reading it. (Especially given the delay before the series began to be published in English translation.) Speaking of translation, it is the other factor I wonder about. Not that I know whether it's a good or bad translation, but I wonder whether, despite the efforts of the translator, something of the original is lost as it is translated from Finnish to English. Or it could be cultural: that I don't have the background, as somebody who's lived all my life in North America, that the author had in mind, presumably writing for a domestic audience.
I think I liked this better than I remember feeling about the second book. But it's definitely in that zone where I really end up thinking before deciding to add the next book to my TBR list, not an automatic decision.
These are good books. But… something about them seems awkward. Part of it is Maria Kallio herself. She seems so reluctant to do the work she trained for. And then she keeps finding herself absurdly connected to the people in each case.
I wonder whether there are two factors at play: one, these aren't new books. They were first published about a quarter-century ago. And… that's in that awkward in-between where it isn't always clear how old it is when you're reading it. (Especially given the delay before the series began to be published in English translation.) Speaking of translation, it is the other factor I wonder about. Not that I know whether it's a good or bad translation, but I wonder whether, despite the efforts of the translator, something of the original is lost as it is translated from Finnish to English. Or it could be cultural: that I don't have the background, as somebody who's lived all my life in North America, that the author had in mind, presumably writing for a domestic audience.
I think I liked this better than I remember feeling about the second book. But it's definitely in that zone where I really end up thinking before deciding to add the next book to my TBR list, not an automatic decision.
June 13, 2023
Happily, I think I own a large collection of this series - thanks to Amazon almost giving them away or that gift card they gave me for getting their credit card.
I read a lot of the reviews after I finished this and was kinda surprised at the low marks and comments. Like our hero doing unprofessional police things and planning to marry her sweetiie but interested in a guy in the story, and the cat, and her dumb decisions.
This is only partly a police procedural, and quite often our hero isn't even in charge. But she, along with her buddies, are involved in a very interesting whodunit. And no, not Nordic Noir, just takes place in that part of the world.
No, everything wasn't perfect, and my mind went wandering off trying to figure out the whodunit on too many false leads, and no I didn't figure it out.
But the characters, I thought, were real, like one would expect in a small town. And of course, our hero had issues, don't they all nowadays, but they became part of the story.
And of course I could be wrong, but I think the 'faults' people complained about were written as part of the story, part of the charm of the characters.
So I liked it. You should start with #1 - a few things will make more sense.....
I read a lot of the reviews after I finished this and was kinda surprised at the low marks and comments. Like our hero doing unprofessional police things and planning to marry her sweetiie but interested in a guy in the story, and the cat, and her dumb decisions.
This is only partly a police procedural, and quite often our hero isn't even in charge. But she, along with her buddies, are involved in a very interesting whodunit. And no, not Nordic Noir, just takes place in that part of the world.
No, everything wasn't perfect, and my mind went wandering off trying to figure out the whodunit on too many false leads, and no I didn't figure it out.
But the characters, I thought, were real, like one would expect in a small town. And of course, our hero had issues, don't they all nowadays, but they became part of the story.
And of course I could be wrong, but I think the 'faults' people complained about were written as part of the story, part of the charm of the characters.
So I liked it. You should start with #1 - a few things will make more sense.....
April 19, 2019
Enjoyable but would have preferred more detective work
There is a lot to like in the third Maria Kallio novel; a range of interesting characters, a case well worth investigating, a good ending and, as usual, some sociopolitical comment, all be it at a superficial level - about which I will say no more to avoid spoiling the plot for you.
However, even for a cosy style detective story, there is far too much emphasis on the love triangle (or is it a square?!), with constant references to Maria's indecision as to the direction of her love life. Unsurprisingly, her mooning over a former heartthrob in a way more suited to an adolescent than a woman on her late twenties, leaves little time for the pursuit of the case itself - which, for me at least, is the purpose of reading the series.
In spite of the books' failings, I am finding the series strangely compelling. I recommend reading them in order for a better understanding of Maria's personal life and character. 3.5 stars
There is a lot to like in the third Maria Kallio novel; a range of interesting characters, a case well worth investigating, a good ending and, as usual, some sociopolitical comment, all be it at a superficial level - about which I will say no more to avoid spoiling the plot for you.
However, even for a cosy style detective story, there is far too much emphasis on the love triangle (or is it a square?!), with constant references to Maria's indecision as to the direction of her love life. Unsurprisingly, her mooning over a former heartthrob in a way more suited to an adolescent than a woman on her late twenties, leaves little time for the pursuit of the case itself - which, for me at least, is the purpose of reading the series.
In spite of the books' failings, I am finding the series strangely compelling. I recommend reading them in order for a better understanding of Maria's personal life and character. 3.5 stars
June 10, 2018
For once I am reading through a series in order, and it's probably a good thing, because keeping track of all the Finnish names and locations is a bit of a stretch for me. But, it's also one of the things which has kept me going with the series, and I'm finally starting to feel like I'm getting comfortable with Maria and her peripatetic lifestyle. In each of the books she is working somewhere different, and she goes back and forth between working in law enforcement and as a lawyer. In this one she is back in her hometown in a summer position filling in for the local "sheriff" (I'm not sure if that's a real position in Finland), doing everything from signing off on driver's licenses and various legal permits to solving murders. As you can imagine, the good old boys in the office aren't completely happy to have a temporary female boss. I'm enjoying a glimpse of Finnish culture, including the political aspects of local law enforcement, which sounds pretty familiar.
April 22, 2018
imagine like a Stephanie Plum, but remove all humor, put them in the “boondocks” of Finland, make the protagonist a “sheriff” (there are no sheriffs in Finland, so a poor translation of terms as a frosting on the dale), add a cast of rather flat characters and stir it up i guess. on the plus side, you can easily fall asleep during the book.
many of the characters were undeveloped and flat. the pronunciation of the names was inconstant and often incorrect (at least in audiobook); “Jaaska”, “Anilina” etc. The protagonist, “sheriff” Maria, tells the story in first person, often focusing too much in details like what she is eating and drooling on men other than her boyfriend instead of actually investigating the case. So not a detective, not a procedural, not a thriller. Maybe there was some humor in the original then that just didn’t translate?
many of the characters were undeveloped and flat. the pronunciation of the names was inconstant and often incorrect (at least in audiobook); “Jaaska”, “Anilina” etc. The protagonist, “sheriff” Maria, tells the story in first person, often focusing too much in details like what she is eating and drooling on men other than her boyfriend instead of actually investigating the case. So not a detective, not a procedural, not a thriller. Maybe there was some humor in the original then that just didn’t translate?
September 12, 2020
It was amusing to read yet another story set in the Finland of about 1994, in a North Karelian mining town fictionally renamed "Arpikylä", although based on the real mining town of Outokumpu. In compensation for its somewhat predictable plotting and the continuation of its protagonist Maria Kallio's emotional ups and downs as she solves yet another dastardly crime or two in her childhood home setting, the novel makes good use of its historical references to Joensuu and the very real problem of the conflict between the racist skinheads and the recently-arrived Somali refugee community. The translation into American English is reasonably competent. As a crime novel, maybe a low three-star ***?
April 14, 2018
Going home stories are great for getting under the skin of a protagonist, and Lehtolainen makes the most of Maria Kallio's return to the half-dead mining town where she grew up. Kallio is her usual irascible self, but digging through her past also forces her to think about her future and what she wants out of life.
Lehtolainen draws a fine portrait of both her detective and her detective's origins. The mystery is stronger too, though it goes a little over the top at the end, and even Kallio thinks the villain is twirling the metaphorical mustache a little. You've got to love a series where the hero is willing to call the plot out.
Lehtolainen draws a fine portrait of both her detective and her detective's origins. The mystery is stronger too, though it goes a little over the top at the end, and even Kallio thinks the villain is twirling the metaphorical mustache a little. You've got to love a series where the hero is willing to call the plot out.
June 6, 2021
I liked this one!
I am finally getting into the swing of her writing and appreciated this book. Wasn't so sure about the first two although now in retrospect they are each adding to the next. The plot was exciting, everyone was a suspect, Maria's relationship with her ex-crush was interesting, Koivu's experience with his fiance is a roller coaster and everyone is quite human. Maria comes to peace with much of her past, with family, fears of intimacy, children and her choices. Loved Mikko, an outstanding addition! Nice sense of place and sensitive description of the environment, weather and surroundings.
I am finally getting into the swing of her writing and appreciated this book. Wasn't so sure about the first two although now in retrospect they are each adding to the next. The plot was exciting, everyone was a suspect, Maria's relationship with her ex-crush was interesting, Koivu's experience with his fiance is a roller coaster and everyone is quite human. Maria comes to peace with much of her past, with family, fears of intimacy, children and her choices. Loved Mikko, an outstanding addition! Nice sense of place and sensitive description of the environment, weather and surroundings.
July 22, 2019
Maria returns to her home town in order to temp as sheriff and house-sit for a sick uncle. Soon she is thrust into a double homicide case, and forced to resolve feelings she has for an old flame. This is a good mystery in keeping with the rest of the series, started slow but ended strong. Also enjoyed the glimpse into Finnish culture and social commentary around the state of the LGBT community in Finland. I definitely want to continue this series.
October 7, 2019
Slow Start.
This third instalment of The Maria Kallio series is a bit dissapointing. It started slowly. Taking 60 pages before someone was murdered. Also, again, the victim is known to Kallio. Even the Author acknowledges this. There were some positives to come out of this story. The plot does improve after the slow start and the mystery evolves. There is even some good tension toward the end.
This third instalment of The Maria Kallio series is a bit dissapointing. It started slowly. Taking 60 pages before someone was murdered. Also, again, the victim is known to Kallio. Even the Author acknowledges this. There were some positives to come out of this story. The plot does improve after the slow start and the mystery evolves. There is even some good tension toward the end.
August 17, 2017
Exactly what I expected of the third in this series except I felt better able to keep track of all the characters in this one. Maria returns to her home town and the disused copper mine. There are political, social, class, historical and sexuality issues in this novel including the more recent problems created by immigration and refugees. Looking forward to the next stage in Maria's career.
February 5, 2019
Kolmas Maria Kallio-dekkari vie Marian tämän lapsuudenkotiin arpikylään nimismiehen sijaiseksi. Ikävä kyllä rauhallinen pikkukyläkään ei säästy murhmysteeriltä Marian ollessa kuvioissa.
Kevyt ja mukavan nopealukuinen dekkari. Maria Kallioon alkaa hiljalleen kiintyä yhä enemmän, etenkin kun hänen nuoruudestaan kerrotaan lisää.
Kevyt ja mukavan nopealukuinen dekkari. Maria Kallioon alkaa hiljalleen kiintyä yhä enemmän, etenkin kun hänen nuoruudestaan kerrotaan lisää.
September 1, 2020
Tämä oli aika yllätyksetön tarina, mutta silti ihan mukiinmenevä dekkari. Tykkään kovasti Maria Kalliosta hahmona, ja peukutan Marian feminististä asennetta täysillä. Tämä oli mielenkiintoinen kirja myös siksi, että itse Joensuulaisena olen tutustunut myös "Arpikylän" elämään jonkin verran. Täytyy toivoa, että pikkukylissä asuvilla on nykyään paremmat oltavat kuin silloin joskus ennen.
January 19, 2023
Book three in the Maria Kallio book series
Maria Kallio returns to her hometown as temporary sheriff and investigates the death of a local artist who has fallen from a copper mine's tower. Was it an accident, suicide or murder that is the question with many suspects. An interesting Finnish murder mystery. Recommended.
Maria Kallio returns to her hometown as temporary sheriff and investigates the death of a local artist who has fallen from a copper mine's tower. Was it an accident, suicide or murder that is the question with many suspects. An interesting Finnish murder mystery. Recommended.
June 25, 2023
Can you go home again?
Kallio makes an attempt. Struggling between reality and memories, she is faced with all her hometown friends as suspects as the town is poised on rejuvenation. Less procedural, more borderline unfulfilled romance, as she works a temp summer job as interim sheriff.
Kallio makes an attempt. Struggling between reality and memories, she is faced with all her hometown friends as suspects as the town is poised on rejuvenation. Less procedural, more borderline unfulfilled romance, as she works a temp summer job as interim sheriff.
February 21, 2024
Maria on kesäsijaisena nimismiehenä lapsuudenmaisemissa Arpikylässä. Paikkakunnalla on ollut aiemmin kaivos, joka on nyt kulttuurikäytössä. Outokumpu on esikuvana. Maria tapaa vanhan rakkauden Johnnyn. Tapahtuu onnettomuus, kun kuvataiteilija Meritta Fjölt tippuu kaivostornista. Maria alkaa selvittämään tapausta.
May 2, 2025
Another good addition to the series
Maria is back in her hometown while waiting for her boyfriend to finish his education in the USA. She is dithering over whether or not to marry and have children. Those worries soon fall to the wayside when a murder occurs and she finds herself on the hunt again, for the killer.
Maria is back in her hometown while waiting for her boyfriend to finish his education in the USA. She is dithering over whether or not to marry and have children. Those worries soon fall to the wayside when a murder occurs and she finds herself on the hunt again, for the killer.
December 28, 2025
Maria Kallio is back in the small town where she grew up, standing in for the local sheriff for the summer. An old copper mine is being re-opened as a museum, but on opening night a body is found and Maria must solve the crime with little of the support available to city law enforcement. I thoroughly enjoy this series.
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