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Rabbit Factor #2
Paradoks łosia
Absurdalnie zabawny, chwytający czule za serce i bezlitośnie szargający nerwy – drugi tom trylogii kryminalnej fińskiego pisarza, Anttiego Tuomainena, której skazaną na sukces ekranizację, ze Steve’em Carrellem w roli głównej, przygotowuje Amazon Studios.
Starannie uporządkowane życie matematyka ubezpieczeniowego wywraca się do góry nogami, gdy niespodziewanie jest zmuszony zwolnić się z pracy i dziedziczy park przygody… z całą masą towarzyszących temu problemów i perypetii.
Matematyk ubezpieczeniowy Henri Koskinen w końcu przywrócił jako taki porządek zarówno w swoim życiu prywatnym, jak i zawodowym. Jako właściciel Fun-Landii czuje się już znacznie pewniej i właściwie jest o krok od tego, by uznać park przygody za obiecujący biznes, kiedy pojawiają się nowe kłopoty i znów wszystko staje na głowie.
Najpierw z przeszłości wyłania się postać mężczyzny, którego obecność nie wróży niczego dobrego, a tuż za nim, w miejsce dotychczasowego dostawcy sprzętu i urządzeń, pojawia się podejrzane trio, stawiające ni stąd ni zowąd nonsensowne i niejasne żądania. Firma Toy of Finland Ltd. najwyraźniej robi wszystko, by nie sprzedać Henriemu nowej zjeżdżalni, która miała stać się główną atrakcją parku. Jakby tego było mało, związek byłego aktuariusza z artystką Laurą osiąga punkt krytyczny.
Aby przetrwać w tym nieprawdopodobnym chaosie, Henri musi dokonać ponownych – bardzo ryzykownych – kalkulacji, zanim będzie za późno...
Tuomainen, najinteligentniejszy – i najzabawniejszy – pisarz Finlandii, od wielu lat okupuje szczyt tamtejszych listy bestsellerów. Autora nominowano do wielu prestiżowych europejskich nagród, m. in. Szklanego Klucza, CWA International Dagger, Prix du Polar Européen oraz Last Laugh Award. Jego Mała Syberia została uznana przez „The Times” za jedną z najlepszych książek ostatnich pięciu lat, otrzymała też Nagrodę Petrona jako najlepsza skandynawska powieść kryminalna 2020 roku.
Starannie uporządkowane życie matematyka ubezpieczeniowego wywraca się do góry nogami, gdy niespodziewanie jest zmuszony zwolnić się z pracy i dziedziczy park przygody… z całą masą towarzyszących temu problemów i perypetii.
Matematyk ubezpieczeniowy Henri Koskinen w końcu przywrócił jako taki porządek zarówno w swoim życiu prywatnym, jak i zawodowym. Jako właściciel Fun-Landii czuje się już znacznie pewniej i właściwie jest o krok od tego, by uznać park przygody za obiecujący biznes, kiedy pojawiają się nowe kłopoty i znów wszystko staje na głowie.
Najpierw z przeszłości wyłania się postać mężczyzny, którego obecność nie wróży niczego dobrego, a tuż za nim, w miejsce dotychczasowego dostawcy sprzętu i urządzeń, pojawia się podejrzane trio, stawiające ni stąd ni zowąd nonsensowne i niejasne żądania. Firma Toy of Finland Ltd. najwyraźniej robi wszystko, by nie sprzedać Henriemu nowej zjeżdżalni, która miała stać się główną atrakcją parku. Jakby tego było mało, związek byłego aktuariusza z artystką Laurą osiąga punkt krytyczny.
Aby przetrwać w tym nieprawdopodobnym chaosie, Henri musi dokonać ponownych – bardzo ryzykownych – kalkulacji, zanim będzie za późno...
Tuomainen, najinteligentniejszy – i najzabawniejszy – pisarz Finlandii, od wielu lat okupuje szczyt tamtejszych listy bestsellerów. Autora nominowano do wielu prestiżowych europejskich nagród, m. in. Szklanego Klucza, CWA International Dagger, Prix du Polar Européen oraz Last Laugh Award. Jego Mała Syberia została uznana przez „The Times” za jedną z najlepszych książek ostatnich pięciu lat, otrzymała też Nagrodę Petrona jako najlepsza skandynawska powieść kryminalna 2020 roku.
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 12, 2021
373 people are currently reading
1145 people want to read
About the author
Antti Tuomainen
27 books596 followersAntti Tuomainen (b. 1971) is one of Finland’s most acclaimed and award-winning crime fiction writers. To date, Tuomainen’s works have been translated into more than 25 languages. Crowned “The King of Helsinki Noir,” Tuomainen’s piercing and evocative style has never stopped evolving.
In The Man Who Died, Tuomainen displays a new side of his authorship and unveils his multifaceted ability in full. The novel, which combines Tuomainen’s trademark suspense with a darkly tinged humor, has won the hearts of readers and critics alike, and secured him the new title of King of Noir Comedy. The Man Who Died also became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards.
Palm Beach Finland was an immense success, with Marcel Berlins (The Times) calling Tuomainen 'the funniest writer in Europe'.
His latest thriller, Little Siberia, was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger, the Amazon Publishing/Capital Crime Awards and the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year.
In The Man Who Died, Tuomainen displays a new side of his authorship and unveils his multifaceted ability in full. The novel, which combines Tuomainen’s trademark suspense with a darkly tinged humor, has won the hearts of readers and critics alike, and secured him the new title of King of Noir Comedy. The Man Who Died also became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards.
Palm Beach Finland was an immense success, with Marcel Berlins (The Times) calling Tuomainen 'the funniest writer in Europe'.
His latest thriller, Little Siberia, was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger, the Amazon Publishing/Capital Crime Awards and the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year.
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August 6, 2024
This is War...
Adventure Park War
THE MOOSE PARADOX
by Antti Tuomainen
No spoilers. 5 stars. In part two of Antti Tuomainen's THE RABBIT FACTOR series Henri Koskinen...
Is slogging along trying save his YouMeFun adventure park from financial ruin... he has even sacrificed his own salary...
But...
That is not enough. Henri must purchase the Moose Chute; an attraction coveted by every adventure park in Finland...
Trouble is...
Only one Moose Chute is available and its supplier, Toy of Finland, won't sell it to Henri...
And...
TOF is trying to extort Henri by selling him an inferior product for an inflated price or risk legal and/or police action...
Also...
Board members at TOF are trying to murder Henri...
Enter...
Henri's brother Juhani, back from the dead, wanting control of YouMeFun and turning its employees against Henri...
This is war!... adventure park war!...
Watch the body count rise as Henri uses his actuary skills to pull his park from certain destruction.
I have never been disappointed with a book by this author. He can tell a story about, of all things, an adventure park, and it is at once dark and humorous. This novel had everything you would want in a noir story: murder, espionage, humor, love and war. I can't wait for the third installment!
Adventure Park War
THE MOOSE PARADOX
by Antti Tuomainen
No spoilers. 5 stars. In part two of Antti Tuomainen's THE RABBIT FACTOR series Henri Koskinen...
Is slogging along trying save his YouMeFun adventure park from financial ruin... he has even sacrificed his own salary...
But...
That is not enough. Henri must purchase the Moose Chute; an attraction coveted by every adventure park in Finland...
Trouble is...
Only one Moose Chute is available and its supplier, Toy of Finland, won't sell it to Henri...
And...
TOF is trying to extort Henri by selling him an inferior product for an inflated price or risk legal and/or police action...
Also...
Board members at TOF are trying to murder Henri...
Enter...
Henri's brother Juhani, back from the dead, wanting control of YouMeFun and turning its employees against Henri...
This is war!... adventure park war!...
Watch the body count rise as Henri uses his actuary skills to pull his park from certain destruction.
I have never been disappointed with a book by this author. He can tell a story about, of all things, an adventure park, and it is at once dark and humorous. This novel had everything you would want in a noir story: murder, espionage, humor, love and war. I can't wait for the third installment!
Read
March 18, 2023The Moose Paradox is the second novel in the Rabbit Factor series by award-winning Finnish author, Antti Tuomainen. It is translated from Finnish by David Hackston, and narrated by David Thorpe. Having barely managed to save from a bunch of criminal money lenders, the Helsinki adventure park he inherited when his brother died, mathematician Henri Koskinen has a plan to keep the place afloat.
It involves austerity measures that are unpopular with his very unusual staff, who all have big ideas for their own sections that can’t presently be indulged. But if they cut costs and maintain customer traffic, they might eventually make a profit. Then, on a November Wednesday, he notices that each of them is behaving out of character: acting sullen and evading eye contact. He soon learns why.
Juhani, the younger brother he’d not long buried, has turned up expecting to get his adventure park back. He’s been hiding in a caravan in east Finland, waiting in vain for a life insurance payout. Juhani is an impulsive, charismatic schemer who easily influences the park staff, but Henri, knowing him well, is immune to his charm. Henri had rather been enjoying life being on a relatively even keel…
Hoping a hands-on approach will instil some responsibility in him, he appoints Juhani park manager. That turns out to create some unique problems, especially as Juhani fills the team’s heads with grandiose ideas and unrealistic goals, making untenable promises, completely undermining any respect Henri has gained with them. Still, Henri naively believes he can salvage the situation, convinced ”whatever Juhani had told them, the truth would prevail.”
Henri’s attention, the portion that’s not enthralled with the park’s former manager, Laura Helanto, is focussed on acquiring The Moose Chute. This ride, Henri is sure, will markedly increase their footfall, more than match their competitors, and thus be the answer to their financial woes.
The park’s supplier, Toy of Finland seems to be dragging its feet with delivery of The Moose Chute. A visit to ToF brings an encounter with three very dubious types, who instead try to pressure him into buying the Crocodile Canyon, an outdated, unpopular and unsafe ride. Meanwhile, Juhani’s inspirations include combining ice cream with giant slides and having Pensioner Days.
In the days that follow, an altercation with a hired assassin requires Henri disposes of a body; DI Pentti Osmala keeps turning up to ask questions; the new ToF owners resort to extortion; Juhani brings in a wealthy investor against whom Henri is warned more than once; and Henri is attacked with a chainsaw.
Henri learns, once again, that Juhani can’t be trusted. But on the plus side, his relationship with Laura and her daughter is heading in a very positive direction. At the same time, he discovers that he shouldn’t underestimate his definitely quirky, frequently crazy, staff.
There’s plenty of humour in this instalment, some of it quite black. Henri will remind some readers of Don Tillman: with his reliance on maths and logic, his imaginative problem solving and good intentions. There are spoilers for the first book, so this is a series best read in order. This one ends on an optimistic note, but it’s clear the story isn’t over yet, so English-speaking fans will be hoping that David Hackston finishes translating #3 (The Beaver Theory) soon. Very entertaining!
It involves austerity measures that are unpopular with his very unusual staff, who all have big ideas for their own sections that can’t presently be indulged. But if they cut costs and maintain customer traffic, they might eventually make a profit. Then, on a November Wednesday, he notices that each of them is behaving out of character: acting sullen and evading eye contact. He soon learns why.
Juhani, the younger brother he’d not long buried, has turned up expecting to get his adventure park back. He’s been hiding in a caravan in east Finland, waiting in vain for a life insurance payout. Juhani is an impulsive, charismatic schemer who easily influences the park staff, but Henri, knowing him well, is immune to his charm. Henri had rather been enjoying life being on a relatively even keel…
Hoping a hands-on approach will instil some responsibility in him, he appoints Juhani park manager. That turns out to create some unique problems, especially as Juhani fills the team’s heads with grandiose ideas and unrealistic goals, making untenable promises, completely undermining any respect Henri has gained with them. Still, Henri naively believes he can salvage the situation, convinced ”whatever Juhani had told them, the truth would prevail.”
Henri’s attention, the portion that’s not enthralled with the park’s former manager, Laura Helanto, is focussed on acquiring The Moose Chute. This ride, Henri is sure, will markedly increase their footfall, more than match their competitors, and thus be the answer to their financial woes.
The park’s supplier, Toy of Finland seems to be dragging its feet with delivery of The Moose Chute. A visit to ToF brings an encounter with three very dubious types, who instead try to pressure him into buying the Crocodile Canyon, an outdated, unpopular and unsafe ride. Meanwhile, Juhani’s inspirations include combining ice cream with giant slides and having Pensioner Days.
In the days that follow, an altercation with a hired assassin requires Henri disposes of a body; DI Pentti Osmala keeps turning up to ask questions; the new ToF owners resort to extortion; Juhani brings in a wealthy investor against whom Henri is warned more than once; and Henri is attacked with a chainsaw.
Henri learns, once again, that Juhani can’t be trusted. But on the plus side, his relationship with Laura and her daughter is heading in a very positive direction. At the same time, he discovers that he shouldn’t underestimate his definitely quirky, frequently crazy, staff.
There’s plenty of humour in this instalment, some of it quite black. Henri will remind some readers of Don Tillman: with his reliance on maths and logic, his imaginative problem solving and good intentions. There are spoilers for the first book, so this is a series best read in order. This one ends on an optimistic note, but it’s clear the story isn’t over yet, so English-speaking fans will be hoping that David Hackston finishes translating #3 (The Beaver Theory) soon. Very entertaining!
January 12, 2025
“Henri, you are - “
“Different. For your information, when I completed my mathematics degree in record time, I heard people say I was different. And when, as an actuary, I was able to calculate things two and a half times quicker and more accurately than anyone in the company’s history, they told me I was different. Maybe I’m different in a different way from how you think.” p33
Finnish Noir is incredibly witty in the hands of author, Antti Toumainen. The Moose Paradox, second book in the Rabbit Factor trilogy, adds a degree of quirkiness to that wit. One might be forgiven for thinking this is a nature series about animals. It is anything but…
Following in the same vein as the first book, The Rabbit Factor, Toumainen takes us on a hair raising ride through the Finnish underbelly that seems to have its tentacles wrapped around the adventure (no not amusement) park industry. How can a company called Toy of Finland seem to have such sinister and criminal intentions?
Henri Koskinen is the unlikely hero of this series and his quirkiness, rigid and rule oriented, methodical approach to running the YouMeFun adventure park underpins this somewhat humourous Noir series. As highlighted in the excerpt above.. Henri is certainly different and it’s this difference that makes this a special read.
The Moose Paradox opens with a left field surprise and like its predecessor, witnesses Henri doing everything in his power to keep YouMeFun afloat and viable. Believe me when I say that a Moose is a factor that is alleged to contribute to this.
This is a fun book , easy to read and Toumainen doesn’t hesitate to highlight the way a variety of personalities working together makes the world turn. 4 stars of light noir.
“Different. For your information, when I completed my mathematics degree in record time, I heard people say I was different. And when, as an actuary, I was able to calculate things two and a half times quicker and more accurately than anyone in the company’s history, they told me I was different. Maybe I’m different in a different way from how you think.” p33
Finnish Noir is incredibly witty in the hands of author, Antti Toumainen. The Moose Paradox, second book in the Rabbit Factor trilogy, adds a degree of quirkiness to that wit. One might be forgiven for thinking this is a nature series about animals. It is anything but…
Following in the same vein as the first book, The Rabbit Factor, Toumainen takes us on a hair raising ride through the Finnish underbelly that seems to have its tentacles wrapped around the adventure (no not amusement) park industry. How can a company called Toy of Finland seem to have such sinister and criminal intentions?
Henri Koskinen is the unlikely hero of this series and his quirkiness, rigid and rule oriented, methodical approach to running the YouMeFun adventure park underpins this somewhat humourous Noir series. As highlighted in the excerpt above.. Henri is certainly different and it’s this difference that makes this a special read.
The Moose Paradox opens with a left field surprise and like its predecessor, witnesses Henri doing everything in his power to keep YouMeFun afloat and viable. Believe me when I say that a Moose is a factor that is alleged to contribute to this.
This is a fun book , easy to read and Toumainen doesn’t hesitate to highlight the way a variety of personalities working together makes the world turn. 4 stars of light noir.
September 18, 2021
Pidin Jäniskertoimesta kovastikin, mutta jostain syystä en meinannut millään jaksaa kuunnella tätä äänikirjaa loppuun. Tämä toisti liikaa sitä edellistä osaa, eikä seikkailupuiston vauhdikkaista käänteistä tai henkilöhahmoista irronnut oikeastaan mitään uutta.
October 27, 2022
It’s cold and damp here and rising prices threaten my sense of goodwill, but fear not, The Moose Paradox is here to lift my spirits and make me laugh again. Henri Koskinen, former actuary, is a man who lives his life enjoying order and neatness, now he owns and runs an adventure park which he inherited from his brother.
Strangely he has enjoyed the process of bringing the park back into the black, despite some of the very dubious people he has come into contact with. It’s been a very bumpy ride and the adventure park is not yet out of the woods, but Henri has studied the market carefully and he knows what they need to bring the money in to the YouMeFun park.
He’s even found a way to bring the park’s oddball staff into productivity. So although he isn’t yet drawing a salary, he is a man with a plan and that makes him, for the moment, satisfied. But life isn’t as ordered as Henri would wish it, and just when he thinks he can see a path through the dark woods, a whole thorny forest descends on him.
First of all his team are behaving oddly and then there’s the return of someone he thought he would never see again into his life and suddenly all his order is thrown into chaos.
Antti Tuomainen beautifully creates a situation that is rich in comic humour and that breathes a dry and beautifully wrought wit. Then he merges that with some seriously wrong dudes and throws out actuary into a series of situations that are not of his making but which nevertheless he needs to not only resolve but to do so in a manner that will not bring him under suspicion.
All the while, Henri is also trying to deal with the one bit of chaos that he actually wants in his life – his interest in artist Laura Helanto has grown exponentially since he first met her and her desire to build a sculptural element into her murals in the adventure park has his heart beating all the faster.
Antti Tuomainen has a knack for being able to combine some real darkness with the farcical; and that makes sense, for what is more farcical than intentionally setting out to deprive someone of their life and livelihood through heavily armed force all in pursuit of money – the one thing we know will not buy us happiness? It’s even more so when the focus for all this violence is a piece of adventure park equipment in the shape of a moose? That he brings all this together with a warm and engaging tone is immensely creditable.
Verdict: I loved The Moose Paradox and I have grown to love Henri even more. I laughed and I was chilled by his dangerous and thrilling exploits and feared for Henri as he resorted to ever more risky ways to achieve his goal. This is such a fabulous series and The Moose Paradox really is something very special. A must read.
Strangely he has enjoyed the process of bringing the park back into the black, despite some of the very dubious people he has come into contact with. It’s been a very bumpy ride and the adventure park is not yet out of the woods, but Henri has studied the market carefully and he knows what they need to bring the money in to the YouMeFun park.
He’s even found a way to bring the park’s oddball staff into productivity. So although he isn’t yet drawing a salary, he is a man with a plan and that makes him, for the moment, satisfied. But life isn’t as ordered as Henri would wish it, and just when he thinks he can see a path through the dark woods, a whole thorny forest descends on him.
First of all his team are behaving oddly and then there’s the return of someone he thought he would never see again into his life and suddenly all his order is thrown into chaos.
Antti Tuomainen beautifully creates a situation that is rich in comic humour and that breathes a dry and beautifully wrought wit. Then he merges that with some seriously wrong dudes and throws out actuary into a series of situations that are not of his making but which nevertheless he needs to not only resolve but to do so in a manner that will not bring him under suspicion.
All the while, Henri is also trying to deal with the one bit of chaos that he actually wants in his life – his interest in artist Laura Helanto has grown exponentially since he first met her and her desire to build a sculptural element into her murals in the adventure park has his heart beating all the faster.
Antti Tuomainen has a knack for being able to combine some real darkness with the farcical; and that makes sense, for what is more farcical than intentionally setting out to deprive someone of their life and livelihood through heavily armed force all in pursuit of money – the one thing we know will not buy us happiness? It’s even more so when the focus for all this violence is a piece of adventure park equipment in the shape of a moose? That he brings all this together with a warm and engaging tone is immensely creditable.
Verdict: I loved The Moose Paradox and I have grown to love Henri even more. I laughed and I was chilled by his dangerous and thrilling exploits and feared for Henri as he resorted to ever more risky ways to achieve his goal. This is such a fabulous series and The Moose Paradox really is something very special. A must read.
October 26, 2022
I read book one and loved it but this was even better. The Moose Paradox is the second part of The Rabbit Factor Trilogy and continues to follow the madcap adventures of Henri Koskinen and his YouMeFun adventure park in Helsinki. Henri is just a brilliant character, an actuary who is completely obsessed with mathematics and a trusting man who, having restored some order to the park following the death of his brother Juhani, now needs to increase the revenue.
Briefly, he decides that the answer to his problem is the Moose Chute. But matters become complicated and hilarious when firstly he discovers the equipment suppliers have new owners who insist he buys a rubbish item called The Crocodile Canyon; secondly he is shocked by the appearance of someone he never expected to see again and then finally his on off relationship with artist Lauren appears to be back on.
This really was just a joy to read, the writing is at times laugh out loud funny and there must be some congratulations in order to the translator. It can’t be easy translating humour. Between the dead bodies, criminal gangs and the demands in Henri’s mind to keep everything in its right order I absolutely loved this. I also learned the difference between an adventure park and an amusement park as explained by Henri, just before an assailant shot himself in the head! Brilliant read. As an aside I’ve been trying to foresee the title of the next book, I’m going with The Kangaroo Catastrophe - Mr Tuomainen you are welcome!
Briefly, he decides that the answer to his problem is the Moose Chute. But matters become complicated and hilarious when firstly he discovers the equipment suppliers have new owners who insist he buys a rubbish item called The Crocodile Canyon; secondly he is shocked by the appearance of someone he never expected to see again and then finally his on off relationship with artist Lauren appears to be back on.
This really was just a joy to read, the writing is at times laugh out loud funny and there must be some congratulations in order to the translator. It can’t be easy translating humour. Between the dead bodies, criminal gangs and the demands in Henri’s mind to keep everything in its right order I absolutely loved this. I also learned the difference between an adventure park and an amusement park as explained by Henri, just before an assailant shot himself in the head! Brilliant read. As an aside I’ve been trying to foresee the title of the next book, I’m going with The Kangaroo Catastrophe - Mr Tuomainen you are welcome!
August 13, 2023
This was silly. The first in the series was also silly, but I suppose it had a novelty factor which had somewhat worn off for me by this second book. It was perfectly readable but I wasn't that invested and was mostly motivated to finish it so I could read something else.
The resolution in the last few chapters made for more gripping reading than most of the rest of the book, although it was also rather ridiculous and rendered totally unbelievable by the notion that the new criminal owners of Toy of Finland wouldn't have changed any of their locks and security codes.
I'm rounding 2.5 stars up to 3 because 2 would have put it on a par with some books I really hated.
The resolution in the last few chapters made for more gripping reading than most of the rest of the book, although it was also rather ridiculous and rendered totally unbelievable by the notion that the new criminal owners of Toy of Finland wouldn't have changed any of their locks and security codes.
I'm rounding 2.5 stars up to 3 because 2 would have put it on a par with some books I really hated.
October 4, 2023
This was a fun read with Henri and his adventure park escapades.
It's good every once in a while to read a story where not everything is serious and complex and where the plot is simple and enjoyable without too much thinking and deducing needed.
This was one such book. I didn't think there was scope for a sequel but this was well done.
It's good every once in a while to read a story where not everything is serious and complex and where the plot is simple and enjoyable without too much thinking and deducing needed.
This was one such book. I didn't think there was scope for a sequel but this was well done.
February 11, 2024
2.5 updated to 3***
I loved the title, I loved the premise. Somehow Antti could not pull it off for me.
While I love dry humor - this was not it. Was the author trying for a comic line? I did not laugh. The robot - like behavior of the main character Henri and the many shenanigans of his brother Juhani, left me wanting. The relationship with Lauren H was the redeeming part and I don't even like romance that much (in terms of book genre, that is).
In my opinion it is also not e noir.
Had I started with the first in the series, I might feel differently, alas, I did not.
I loved the title, I loved the premise. Somehow Antti could not pull it off for me.
While I love dry humor - this was not it. Was the author trying for a comic line? I did not laugh. The robot - like behavior of the main character Henri and the many shenanigans of his brother Juhani, left me wanting. The relationship with Lauren H was the redeeming part and I don't even like romance that much (in terms of book genre, that is).
In my opinion it is also not e noir.
Had I started with the first in the series, I might feel differently, alas, I did not.
April 1, 2025
Who knew an actuary could be funny. Series is progressing well, and so is Henri. I like revisiting Finland, even if it is only in a story. Onwards to the third in the series!
Solid read and worth the time. I actually laughed out loud a couple times. The absurdity is nicely done.
Solid read and worth the time. I actually laughed out loud a couple times. The absurdity is nicely done.
September 6, 2023
I’m getting tired of main characters on the spectrum as the only character development
October 6, 2022
I had no idea where Antti could go with a sequel after Henri managed to bring order from chaos at the end of The Rabbit Factor. Surely, everything was just going swimmingly at adventure park YouMeFun as Henri applied his formidable mathematical talents to pulling it back from the brink of bankruptcy and on to an even footing whilst keeping the eccentric staff happy and furthering his relationship with the lovely Laura? Surely?
Apparently not, as the book opens with Henri up to his forehead (eyebrows not being quite high enough in this case) in trouble again with more people determined to attack him for some as-yet-undetermined reason. After all, you can’t have a sequel unless there are some further trials and tribulations to overcome, can you? Who knew the world of children’s play zones was quite so fraught with danger and criminal enterprise? And why won’t Toy of Finland sell Henri the vital Moose Chute?
Yes, I am well aware that the last sentence in that paragraph sounds insane. The fact that it makes complete and beautiful sense to anyone who ventures between the pages of this book and that’s its acquisition will become a matter of life and death to the reader as much as it is to Henri will hopefully indicate the peculiar mixture of madness, mayhem, menace and merriment that makes up the component parts of this wonderful novel.
The more I read about Henri, the more I fall in love with him and, during the reading of this book, I was struck with the blinding realisation as to why. A small part of me IS Henri! The reappearance of a person from his past, the infuriating way they behave and the frustrations they caused to Henri’s careful, orderly and completely logical plans resonated with me so profoundly that I knew then I didn’t just love Henri, I was actually identifying with him quite acutely. I have found myself similarly baffled and confounded by a person in my life with whom I have a similar relationship (I can’t be more specific without revealing spoilers) so I felt his pain and frustration on an almost cellular level. What this says about me and how I appear to the outside world I have yet to explore, but it certainly explains why I love this character so much.
The rest of the cast from Book 1 are here in all their ridiculous glory, the situations they find themselves in a just as insane and hilarious as the first book and the author’s powers of description and turn of phrase, his eye for the sublimely ludicrous are all just as joyous as before. There was not a moment of this book that didn’t fill me with delight and warmth and reminded me, once again, why this independent publisher is so beloved by anyone who has discovered their output. They have an eye for spotting off the wall talent that makes the heart of the reader who enjoys quirky-but-genius reads soar.
I just want to mention the flawless translation of David Hackston again here because I wouldn’t be able to enjoy this novel if it had been produced only in the original tongue of the author, my Finnish not being what it should be, and what a crying shame that would be. Translators are worth their weight in gold and this should be acknowledged.
I loved The Moose Paradox every bit as much as The Rabbit Factor and I’m so happy that there is one more yet to come in this series. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to Laura, Johanna, Kristian, Esa, Minttu K and particularly Henri just yet. Roll on Book 3.
Apparently not, as the book opens with Henri up to his forehead (eyebrows not being quite high enough in this case) in trouble again with more people determined to attack him for some as-yet-undetermined reason. After all, you can’t have a sequel unless there are some further trials and tribulations to overcome, can you? Who knew the world of children’s play zones was quite so fraught with danger and criminal enterprise? And why won’t Toy of Finland sell Henri the vital Moose Chute?
Yes, I am well aware that the last sentence in that paragraph sounds insane. The fact that it makes complete and beautiful sense to anyone who ventures between the pages of this book and that’s its acquisition will become a matter of life and death to the reader as much as it is to Henri will hopefully indicate the peculiar mixture of madness, mayhem, menace and merriment that makes up the component parts of this wonderful novel.
The more I read about Henri, the more I fall in love with him and, during the reading of this book, I was struck with the blinding realisation as to why. A small part of me IS Henri! The reappearance of a person from his past, the infuriating way they behave and the frustrations they caused to Henri’s careful, orderly and completely logical plans resonated with me so profoundly that I knew then I didn’t just love Henri, I was actually identifying with him quite acutely. I have found myself similarly baffled and confounded by a person in my life with whom I have a similar relationship (I can’t be more specific without revealing spoilers) so I felt his pain and frustration on an almost cellular level. What this says about me and how I appear to the outside world I have yet to explore, but it certainly explains why I love this character so much.
The rest of the cast from Book 1 are here in all their ridiculous glory, the situations they find themselves in a just as insane and hilarious as the first book and the author’s powers of description and turn of phrase, his eye for the sublimely ludicrous are all just as joyous as before. There was not a moment of this book that didn’t fill me with delight and warmth and reminded me, once again, why this independent publisher is so beloved by anyone who has discovered their output. They have an eye for spotting off the wall talent that makes the heart of the reader who enjoys quirky-but-genius reads soar.
I just want to mention the flawless translation of David Hackston again here because I wouldn’t be able to enjoy this novel if it had been produced only in the original tongue of the author, my Finnish not being what it should be, and what a crying shame that would be. Translators are worth their weight in gold and this should be acknowledged.
I loved The Moose Paradox every bit as much as The Rabbit Factor and I’m so happy that there is one more yet to come in this series. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to Laura, Johanna, Kristian, Esa, Minttu K and particularly Henri just yet. Roll on Book 3.
May 30, 2024
"Paradoks łosia" to druga część dziwnej i zabawnej trylogii kryminalnej o perypetiach aktuariusza Henriego Koskinena.
Matematyk w końcu przywrócił porządek zarówno w swoim życiu prywatnym, jak i zawodowym. Jako właściciel Fun-Landii czuje się znacznie pewniej i jest o krok od tego by uznać park przygody za obiecujący biznes, kiedy pojawiają się nowe kłopoty i znów wszystko staje na głowie.
Fiński autor porywa nas w przygodową rozrywkę i gwarantuje atrakcje, o których szybko nie zapomnimy. Powieść pełna ciepłego humoru, dziwacznych postaci i absurdalnych sytuacji. Napisana bardzo przyjemnym i zrozumiałym językiem. Główny bohater rozczula i chwyta za serce. Akcja jest dynamiczna, a problemy, które spadają na Henriego nadają książce dreszczyk emocji. Narracja w wykonaniu Tuomainena powoduje, że ciężko oderwać się od książki.
"Paradoks łosia" to kolejna odsłona kryminalnej komedii, w której specyficzny matematyk musi wyjść ze swojej strefy komfortu. Zdecydowanie ta część jest lepsza od swojej poprzedniczki. Polecam wszystkim lubiącym niejednoznaczne, świeże i absurdalne podejście do literatury.
Matematyk w końcu przywrócił porządek zarówno w swoim życiu prywatnym, jak i zawodowym. Jako właściciel Fun-Landii czuje się znacznie pewniej i jest o krok od tego by uznać park przygody za obiecujący biznes, kiedy pojawiają się nowe kłopoty i znów wszystko staje na głowie.
Fiński autor porywa nas w przygodową rozrywkę i gwarantuje atrakcje, o których szybko nie zapomnimy. Powieść pełna ciepłego humoru, dziwacznych postaci i absurdalnych sytuacji. Napisana bardzo przyjemnym i zrozumiałym językiem. Główny bohater rozczula i chwyta za serce. Akcja jest dynamiczna, a problemy, które spadają na Henriego nadają książce dreszczyk emocji. Narracja w wykonaniu Tuomainena powoduje, że ciężko oderwać się od książki.
"Paradoks łosia" to kolejna odsłona kryminalnej komedii, w której specyficzny matematyk musi wyjść ze swojej strefy komfortu. Zdecydowanie ta część jest lepsza od swojej poprzedniczki. Polecam wszystkim lubiącym niejednoznaczne, świeże i absurdalne podejście do literatury.
October 17, 2022
I read and reviewed the first in this series; The Rabbit Factor, back in November of last year. I was absolutely transfixed by lead character Henri and his mathematics obsession, his naivety and his humour struck such a chord with me and I've been so looking forward to this one, the next in the series.
I'm really not sure how he does it, but The Moose Paradox is even better than book one. I had never imagined that I could get so involved with a character who owns and manages a children's fun park, but I have and I love Henri and his team of quirky staff members so much.
It really felt like Henri was in the best place as The Rabbit Factor ended, but he's obviously not as this begins with him in another risky situation. Poor Henri seems to attract every shyster and conman in Finland and the re-appearance of an unseen, but major character from the first book just throws his life into total and utter chaos.
Yes, it's crime fiction, there are some real rogues in this story and Henri fears for his life more than once. However, this is also laugh-out-loud funny as Tuomainen develops the plot and Henri gets himself into more and more crazy situations.
Henri wants that Moose Chute, he wants it desperately, he's convinced that it's the perfect attraction for his visitors and he really needs to fend off the competition. However, the suppliers have other ideas and the unwanted meddling from someone who should have his back, but doesn't makes the acquisition of this seemingly harmless piece of play equipment something of a dangerous, nearly on deadly, nightmare!
I absolutely adore this series. The writing is sublime, perfect in pace and sense of danger. The dry wit, the complexities of Henri and his relationships with others are just beautifully created.
Welcome back Henri, I'm so looking forward to seeing what happens next.
I'm really not sure how he does it, but The Moose Paradox is even better than book one. I had never imagined that I could get so involved with a character who owns and manages a children's fun park, but I have and I love Henri and his team of quirky staff members so much.
It really felt like Henri was in the best place as The Rabbit Factor ended, but he's obviously not as this begins with him in another risky situation. Poor Henri seems to attract every shyster and conman in Finland and the re-appearance of an unseen, but major character from the first book just throws his life into total and utter chaos.
Yes, it's crime fiction, there are some real rogues in this story and Henri fears for his life more than once. However, this is also laugh-out-loud funny as Tuomainen develops the plot and Henri gets himself into more and more crazy situations.
Henri wants that Moose Chute, he wants it desperately, he's convinced that it's the perfect attraction for his visitors and he really needs to fend off the competition. However, the suppliers have other ideas and the unwanted meddling from someone who should have his back, but doesn't makes the acquisition of this seemingly harmless piece of play equipment something of a dangerous, nearly on deadly, nightmare!
I absolutely adore this series. The writing is sublime, perfect in pace and sense of danger. The dry wit, the complexities of Henri and his relationships with others are just beautifully created.
Welcome back Henri, I'm so looking forward to seeing what happens next.
September 3, 2021
3,5 ⭐ Hirvikaava jatkaa Jäniskertoimessa esiteltyjen hahmojen ja hulvattoman ympäristön (seikkailupuisto) kuvausta. Vakuutusmatemaatikko Henri Koskinen on hykerryttävän hauska ja sympaattinen hahmo. Tuomaisen huumori uppoaa edelleen, mutta tässä se ei ollut ehkä yhtä terävää kuin aiemmin. Tai sitten jo tuttu toimintaympäristö ja tyypit vaikuttivat. Täysin omanlaisiaan nämä Tuomainen kirjat kyllä ovat ja suositeltavia!
April 1, 2023
“Jänesefaktori” järg kordus, mis ei lisa sellele mitte midagi juurde. Ilmselgelt pole Tuomainen erinevalt oma peategelasest kindlustusmatemaatik, muidu ta oleks välja arvutanud, kui tõenäoline üleüldse on, et järg hoiab eelnevat taset. Ja siis âkki kirjutamata jätnud.
February 6, 2024
Unfortunately, I felt overly trapped in the psyche of a vapid, boring narrator.
February 4, 2023
Crime Mystery set in HELSINKI
The Moose Paradox is the hilarious and gripping sequel to Tuomainen’s crime novel The Rabbit Factor. Tuomainen’s choice of narrator is highly original: Henri Koskinen is not your average hero. He’s an actuary and is trained to look at mathematical solutions. Unlike other mathematicians, though, Henri applies these skills to every problem that life throws at him. While this was a perfectly reasonable attitude to adopt in his work, it’s a somewhat bizarre – and often very funny – approach to fighting against criminals. It’s definitely not the obvious way to save your own life when it is threatened.
In the first book in the series, The Rabbit Factor, Koskinen inherited the adventure park YouMeFun on the outskirts of Helsinki from his brother, together with its considerable debts and a variety of quirky employees. In The Moose Paradox, having overcome previous threats to the park, he has settled into his new way of life. Henri now methodically sets out to improve its financial situation. Logic suggests that by acquiring the latest and best children’s ride – the Moose Chute – YouMeFun will attract more visitors than their rival parks. He calculates that financial stability is within their grasp, but he hasn’t reckoned with his supplier refusing to sell the equipment to him. Soon it’s apparent that it’s not just the park that’s threatened and that Henri himself must fight back to ensure his own survival, as he becomes entangled in a dangerous web of extortion and blackmail.
The Moose Paradox is a delightfully ridiculous approach to crime writing: original, gripping and funny. Henri Koskinen’s outlook on life is perfectly reasoned and somehow he overcomes the heavily armed criminals using nothing more than his calculations and the weapons they bring with them. His uncertainty about who he can trust – whether those closest to him are in league with his enemies – creates further tension. The terrier-like police inspector Osmala suspects Koskinen of being connected with the death of a dangerous criminal when a body turns up. Henri is unable to lie but knows that he must deflect attention and cover his tracks. His honesty makes him vulnerable and it’s endearing when he answers all questions literally.
Meanwhile in the sub-plot, Henri’s poor social skills mean that he is unable to approach the love of his life, the artist and former park employee, Laura Helanto. Tuomainen cleverly continues the theme of mathematics versus art/ logic versus emotion that’s personified by Henri and Laura. Luckily, she seems keen to rekindle their romance and their developing relationship provides another element of tension to sustain the reader’s interest. We also gain insight into Henri’s character through his relationship with his cat, named Schopenhauer after the philosopher, which reproaches him whenever he is late home or deviates from their routine in any way.
As far as location is concerned, Tuomainen describes the settings where the action takes place vividly. We can easily imagine the tormented Henri Koskinen fleeing from his attackers among the rides in his own theme park. The book is not heavy on descriptions of Helsinki itself, and it’s probably best not to assume that typical Finns (if there is such a thing!) are anything like the characters portrayed.
Is it worth buying a season ticket for Tuomainen’s adventure park series? I vote yes! You could read The Moose Paradox without having read The Rabbit Factor, but I’d recommend reading the books in sequence. It’s true that the initial shock of the actuary-as-hero isn’t as great in the sequel, but the novelty remains, and the complexity of Henri Koskinen’s character makes him an engaging character. The plot is well sustained with as many twists and turns as the adventure park’s rides and reader satisfaction is pretty well guaranteed. Why not come along for the ride?
The Moose Paradox is the hilarious and gripping sequel to Tuomainen’s crime novel The Rabbit Factor. Tuomainen’s choice of narrator is highly original: Henri Koskinen is not your average hero. He’s an actuary and is trained to look at mathematical solutions. Unlike other mathematicians, though, Henri applies these skills to every problem that life throws at him. While this was a perfectly reasonable attitude to adopt in his work, it’s a somewhat bizarre – and often very funny – approach to fighting against criminals. It’s definitely not the obvious way to save your own life when it is threatened.
In the first book in the series, The Rabbit Factor, Koskinen inherited the adventure park YouMeFun on the outskirts of Helsinki from his brother, together with its considerable debts and a variety of quirky employees. In The Moose Paradox, having overcome previous threats to the park, he has settled into his new way of life. Henri now methodically sets out to improve its financial situation. Logic suggests that by acquiring the latest and best children’s ride – the Moose Chute – YouMeFun will attract more visitors than their rival parks. He calculates that financial stability is within their grasp, but he hasn’t reckoned with his supplier refusing to sell the equipment to him. Soon it’s apparent that it’s not just the park that’s threatened and that Henri himself must fight back to ensure his own survival, as he becomes entangled in a dangerous web of extortion and blackmail.
The Moose Paradox is a delightfully ridiculous approach to crime writing: original, gripping and funny. Henri Koskinen’s outlook on life is perfectly reasoned and somehow he overcomes the heavily armed criminals using nothing more than his calculations and the weapons they bring with them. His uncertainty about who he can trust – whether those closest to him are in league with his enemies – creates further tension. The terrier-like police inspector Osmala suspects Koskinen of being connected with the death of a dangerous criminal when a body turns up. Henri is unable to lie but knows that he must deflect attention and cover his tracks. His honesty makes him vulnerable and it’s endearing when he answers all questions literally.
Meanwhile in the sub-plot, Henri’s poor social skills mean that he is unable to approach the love of his life, the artist and former park employee, Laura Helanto. Tuomainen cleverly continues the theme of mathematics versus art/ logic versus emotion that’s personified by Henri and Laura. Luckily, she seems keen to rekindle their romance and their developing relationship provides another element of tension to sustain the reader’s interest. We also gain insight into Henri’s character through his relationship with his cat, named Schopenhauer after the philosopher, which reproaches him whenever he is late home or deviates from their routine in any way.
As far as location is concerned, Tuomainen describes the settings where the action takes place vividly. We can easily imagine the tormented Henri Koskinen fleeing from his attackers among the rides in his own theme park. The book is not heavy on descriptions of Helsinki itself, and it’s probably best not to assume that typical Finns (if there is such a thing!) are anything like the characters portrayed.
Is it worth buying a season ticket for Tuomainen’s adventure park series? I vote yes! You could read The Moose Paradox without having read The Rabbit Factor, but I’d recommend reading the books in sequence. It’s true that the initial shock of the actuary-as-hero isn’t as great in the sequel, but the novelty remains, and the complexity of Henri Koskinen’s character makes him an engaging character. The plot is well sustained with as many twists and turns as the adventure park’s rides and reader satisfaction is pretty well guaranteed. Why not come along for the ride?
September 25, 2021
Antti Tuomainen on suosikkini suomalaisista "jännistyskirjailijoista" (jos häntä sellaiseksi voi luonnehtia, varsinainen dekkaristi hän ei mielestäni ole).
Hirvikaava on jatko-osa edelliselle Jäniskerroin-romaanille (jota ollaan ilmeisesti filmaamassa ihan Hollywoodissa asti?). Kirjan voi toki lukea ilman, että on lukenut edellistä osaa, mutta paremmin pysyy kärryillä, jos on aiemman osan lukenut. Tämä taitaakin olla Tuomaisen ensimmäinen "jatkokertomustrina".
Ei Tuomainen tälläkään kertaa petä, mutta mitään kovin uutta sellaista, mitä ei Jäniskertoimessa kerrottu, hän ei Hirvikaavassa tuo esille. Vakuutusmatemaatikko Henri Koskisen seikkailut seikkailupuistoyrittäjänä jatkuvat. Koskinen on vähän samantapainen nörtti kuin vaikkapa Rillit huurussa -sarjan Sheldon (ilman niin näkyviä autistisia piirteitä). Vastaavanlainen insinöörihahmo on ollut esimerkiksi Graeme Simsionin Vaimotesti-kirjassa. Jäniskertoimessa Koskisen ajatusmaailman kuvaaminen oli vielä ihan mielenkiintoista, mutta Hirvikaavassa toisto alkoi jo kyllästyttää. Toki pari kertaa Tuomainen nytkin osuu maaliin Koskisen ajatuskulkua kuvatessaan.
Itse tarinan juoni on taattua Tuomaista ja mielenkiinto pysyy yllä loppuratkaisuun asti.
Ei kuitenkaan Tuomaisen parhaimmistoon kuulu minusta tämä teos.
Arvioni 3/5.
Hirvikaava on jatko-osa edelliselle Jäniskerroin-romaanille (jota ollaan ilmeisesti filmaamassa ihan Hollywoodissa asti?). Kirjan voi toki lukea ilman, että on lukenut edellistä osaa, mutta paremmin pysyy kärryillä, jos on aiemman osan lukenut. Tämä taitaakin olla Tuomaisen ensimmäinen "jatkokertomustrina".
Ei Tuomainen tälläkään kertaa petä, mutta mitään kovin uutta sellaista, mitä ei Jäniskertoimessa kerrottu, hän ei Hirvikaavassa tuo esille. Vakuutusmatemaatikko Henri Koskisen seikkailut seikkailupuistoyrittäjänä jatkuvat. Koskinen on vähän samantapainen nörtti kuin vaikkapa Rillit huurussa -sarjan Sheldon (ilman niin näkyviä autistisia piirteitä). Vastaavanlainen insinöörihahmo on ollut esimerkiksi Graeme Simsionin Vaimotesti-kirjassa. Jäniskertoimessa Koskisen ajatusmaailman kuvaaminen oli vielä ihan mielenkiintoista, mutta Hirvikaavassa toisto alkoi jo kyllästyttää. Toki pari kertaa Tuomainen nytkin osuu maaliin Koskisen ajatuskulkua kuvatessaan.
Itse tarinan juoni on taattua Tuomaista ja mielenkiinto pysyy yllä loppuratkaisuun asti.
Ei kuitenkaan Tuomaisen parhaimmistoon kuulu minusta tämä teos.
Arvioni 3/5.
January 8, 2023
Antti Tuomaisen seikkailupuisto-trilogian toinen osa Hirvikaava (2021) ei yllä edeltäjänsä Jäniskertoimen (2020) tasolle. Siinä missä Jäniskerroin onnistui yllättämään absurdilla miljööllään ja hupaisilla hahmoillaan, paletin toistaminen ei saa samaa efektiä aikaan. Oikeastaan vain seikkailupuiston turvallisuuspäällikkö Esan militaristiset analyysit puistoa koskevista uhista (kuten riehuvista lapsista) saa leveämmän hymyn huulille. Tyhjäkäyntiä ja tapahtumien toistuvaa spekulointia on rasittavan paljon. Juoni jää varsin heppoiseksi, ja kerronta ja huumorielementit ovat vanhan toistoa. Tuomainen on parhaimmillaan loistava, mutta Hirvikaavan myötä jään lukijana pakosti pohtimaan, onko trilogian kirjoittaminen samasta aiheesta hyvä ratkaisu. Onko viisasta kirjoittaa samasta romaanista kolme eri versiota?
Arvioni: 3,0 tähteä viidestä.
Arvioni: 3,0 tähteä viidestä.
August 1, 2023
Henri Koskinen never wanted to own an adventure park, but life never works out like we want to, but whilst a reluctant owner, he has turned around the fortunes of the park. Until…..a blast from the past appears and then it’s a fight for everything, his life, his love, his park and his freedom. Can maths come to the rescue?
The second book of the Rabbit Factor trilogy and it continues the fun, dark humour theme from book one. Henri has to be one of the nerdiest hero in all of literature but he’s great fun. A great read.
The second book of the Rabbit Factor trilogy and it continues the fun, dark humour theme from book one. Henri has to be one of the nerdiest hero in all of literature but he’s great fun. A great read.
November 7, 2022
The Moose Paradox is as funny, if not funnier, than The Rabbit Factor. All the old favourites return and new ones too. Poor Henri gets caught up in another criminal escapade which threatens his adventure park and also his life. The slapstick fight scenes are just brilliant. Excited to hear this series is being made into a TV series but cautiously so as TV adaptations don't always work.
October 24, 2024
Ocena: mocna 3,5⭐️
Format audiobook
Zabawne, przewrotne, momentami zaskakujące historie z parku rozrywki wciągnęły mnie totalnie. To jedna z takich książek która jest lekka, miła i przyjemna, dobra na trasę w aucie albo do sprzątania. Dobra rozrywka czytelnicza
Format audiobook
Zabawne, przewrotne, momentami zaskakujące historie z parku rozrywki wciągnęły mnie totalnie. To jedna z takich książek która jest lekka, miła i przyjemna, dobra na trasę w aucie albo do sprzątania. Dobra rozrywka czytelnicza
January 24, 2023
Liksom första delen rolig, intressant med lite spännande delar. En bra bok. Lyssnade på den.
July 1, 2024
No i fajnie, podobało mi się. Jednak antyspołeczny główny bohater z głową nie od parady jest kluczem do mojego czytelniczego serca ♥️
November 26, 2024
Just like the last book, this sophomore volume in The Rabbit Factor trilogy follows the textbook style of plot development. The second paragraph of my review of the first book holds true for this one too, except that this time, the 'all is lost' moment just before the climax was spelt out too clearly, too on-the-nose. I don't have a problem with that, but if you're going to make it look like there's no way our protagonist is gonna get out of this, please don't offer unsatisfying magical solutions in the very next chapter when every problem suddenly disappears into thin air. Frankly, I think the author was in a rush to end things and send the manuscript to the publishing house as soon as possible, because hey, you've got to write the final volume too and you're already running behind schedule!
I liked the way how it started, steadily introducing new characters and conflicts they brought to the plot. Then it seemed like things were scattering hither-thither too fast for my liking, yet it felt like it wasn't progressing at all. I don't know how something can be too fast and too slow simultaneously, but in my humble estimate, that's exactly what happened.
On top of that, after things rearranged themselves to a nice spot with a flick of the magic wand, I expected the author to at least provide me a suitable explanation in the final chapter, a connection between the myriad events that followed one after another. You see, that's what he did in the last book, giving a rundown of the events, lifting the veil, if you will. I rightfully expected him to explain what the hell was going on under the covers, seeing as I cared to slog through this fog for over five hours, hoping it'll clear in the end, but no, the pay-off didn't come. Instead, problems just mysteriously vanished. What's more, the final chapter that was supposed to provide an explanation, is used as a springboard to tease the plot of the third book. Again, as I said, the writer was definitely in a hurry to not only complete the book, but to start and finish the next one before the deadline.
The first book was a breath of fresh air. This one lost the plot altogether. While it retains parts of what I liked about its predecessor, I won't recommend someone to invest their time reading it. I am not even sure if I'll check out the final book in the series.
I liked the way how it started, steadily introducing new characters and conflicts they brought to the plot. Then it seemed like things were scattering hither-thither too fast for my liking, yet it felt like it wasn't progressing at all. I don't know how something can be too fast and too slow simultaneously, but in my humble estimate, that's exactly what happened.
On top of that, after things rearranged themselves to a nice spot with a flick of the magic wand, I expected the author to at least provide me a suitable explanation in the final chapter, a connection between the myriad events that followed one after another. You see, that's what he did in the last book, giving a rundown of the events, lifting the veil, if you will. I rightfully expected him to explain what the hell was going on under the covers, seeing as I cared to slog through this fog for over five hours, hoping it'll clear in the end, but no, the pay-off didn't come. Instead, problems just mysteriously vanished. What's more, the final chapter that was supposed to provide an explanation, is used as a springboard to tease the plot of the third book. Again, as I said, the writer was definitely in a hurry to not only complete the book, but to start and finish the next one before the deadline.
The first book was a breath of fresh air. This one lost the plot altogether. While it retains parts of what I liked about its predecessor, I won't recommend someone to invest their time reading it. I am not even sure if I'll check out the final book in the series.
January 13, 2026
While mildly amusing the ongoing casual crimes just rubbed me the wrong way.
July 11, 2025
An excellent follow on from the first book. You need to suspend your disbelief a few times but a really enjoyable read.
August 2, 2023
This is part 2 (of 3?) of a series about an actuary who somehow ends up running an adventure park that is always teetering on the edge of crisis. The actuary runs his life with math, and probability, and calculates everything. But there is a girl involved, and this book starts to bring out the fact that he is capable of human emotions, despite years of training otherwise. The author still manages to inject the situations with a good dose of humor, but again the math angle (ie., where the main character uses math as his guiding principle) starts to feel a bit thin toward the end. I thought he could play it a little differently. But as a device for explaining the main character is works OK, just not very believable at the end. The story is good, and amusing as well, so worth a read. I plan to read #3 when I can get hold of it.
December 26, 2021
Antti Tuomaisen Hirvikaava jatkoi hirmuhauskaa dekkarisarjaa, jonka päähenkilönä toimi entinen vakuutusmatemaatikko Henri Koskinen. Tosiaankin tämä mustan huumorin pläjäys on dekkari, sillä kirjoissa tulee ruumiita ja rikoksia tutkii kiinnostavalla psykologisella otteella rikostutkija Osmala.
Edellisen kirjan jänis liittyi seikkailupuiston laitteeseen. Hirvikaava oli uusin laite, jonka Henri halusi seikkailupuiston vetonaulaksi, mutta sen hankkimisesta tuli aikamoinen kujanjuoksu. Lue kirjasta siitä, onnistuiko Henri hankinnoissaan. Entäs ongelmat velipojan kanssa, miten niiden kanssa kävi?
Antti Tuomaisen Hirvikaava vei vauhdikkaasti seikkailupuisto SunMunFunin juonikkaisiin seikkailuihin. Vakuutusmatemaatikko/seikkailupuiston johtaja Henri Koskinen oli yllätys yllätys vaikeuksien keskellä, joista yllättäen selviytyi, varmaan yllätys itsellekin. Hirvikaavan mukana tulee pomminvarma nauruvaroitus.
Edellisen kirjan jänis liittyi seikkailupuiston laitteeseen. Hirvikaava oli uusin laite, jonka Henri halusi seikkailupuiston vetonaulaksi, mutta sen hankkimisesta tuli aikamoinen kujanjuoksu. Lue kirjasta siitä, onnistuiko Henri hankinnoissaan. Entäs ongelmat velipojan kanssa, miten niiden kanssa kävi?
Antti Tuomaisen Hirvikaava vei vauhdikkaasti seikkailupuisto SunMunFunin juonikkaisiin seikkailuihin. Vakuutusmatemaatikko/seikkailupuiston johtaja Henri Koskinen oli yllätys yllätys vaikeuksien keskellä, joista yllättäen selviytyi, varmaan yllätys itsellekin. Hirvikaavan mukana tulee pomminvarma nauruvaroitus.
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