What do you think?
Rate this book
Kaevandus
Lumisel jaanuaripäeval asub uuriv ajakirjanik Janne Vuori selgitama tõde kaevanduse kohta, mille ebaseaduslik tegevus on põhjustanud ökokatastroofi Põhja-Soome väikelinnas. Kui aga kaevanduse juhatuse liikmed üksteise järel müstilistel asjaoludel surevad, mõistab ta, et seisab silmitsi ohtliku vastasega, kes ei peatu millegi ees. Kas jõuab ta tõe jälile enne, kui on liiga hilja? Kas ka Janne ja tema pere elu on ohus, kui ta ei lõpeta oma uurimistööd? Ootamatult kohtub Janne oma isaga, kes saabub üle kolmekümne aasta Helsingisse. Miks isa omal ajal lahkus, miks tuli nüüd tagasi ja millega on ta kõik need aastad tegelenud?
«Kaevandus» on haarav põnevik ahnusest ja saladustest, veresidemeist ja veretöist, mõrvast ja andeksandmisest. See on isa ja poja, kahe otsusekindla mehe ja ühe ebatavalise perekonna lugu. Lugu sellest, kuidas mineviku saladused võivad mõjutada meie elu kõige ootamatumal moel.
«Kaevandus» on haarav põnevik ahnusest ja saladustest, veresidemeist ja veretöist, mõrvast ja andeksandmisest. See on isa ja poja, kahe otsusekindla mehe ja ühe ebatavalise perekonna lugu. Lugu sellest, kuidas mineviku saladused võivad mõjutada meie elu kõige ootamatumal moel.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
147 people are currently reading
1105 people want to read
About the author
Antti Tuomainen
26 books594 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
May 29, 2018
Janne is an investigative journalist with daddy issues who's a workaholic. He starts investigating into the Finnish mining industry after he receives a tip. The writing is good but I didn't really get into this one. The mining business thing was so boring to me especially the way it was presented, I didn't really feel any horror at the whole environmental angle. Also it alternates between Janne and his father's POV and neither of them are likable. Shrugging off your family for the greater good sounds great and all but who did they really help out in the end.
October 18, 2023
I wouldn’t say this is the best Tuomainen. It was written before he started doing books showcasing his wonderful sense of humor. Still, straightforward isn’t necessarily bad. His settings are always wonderful and his characters terrific. In this case the reader is dropped into dark and snowy Helsinki and even darker and snowier upper Finland.
The primary story revolves around an evil mining company in the North who are poisoning the environment. Pretty conventional stuff. The narrator, a journalist from the big city, is feeling threatened and followed there and at home. Conventional again. Of course he has personal problems at home and difficulties with his boss. Same old same old. One necessary element depends entirely on a huge coincidence and seems very unlikely. Still, I feel the book deserves 4 stars. Tuomainen is a very skilled craftsman.
The primary story revolves around an evil mining company in the North who are poisoning the environment. Pretty conventional stuff. The narrator, a journalist from the big city, is feeling threatened and followed there and at home. Conventional again. Of course he has personal problems at home and difficulties with his boss. Same old same old. One necessary element depends entirely on a huge coincidence and seems very unlikely. Still, I feel the book deserves 4 stars. Tuomainen is a very skilled craftsman.
April 8, 2017
It all begins with an anonymous email. Investigative reporter Janne Vuori’s interest is piqued when he gets a message that a mine in northern Finland is poisoning the environment. Travelling there doesn’t get him much. Security is high & the locals are strangely tight lipped. Back in the city Janne begins to track down the company’s executives but oddly enough, they seem to be dropping like flies before he can even get an interview.
But once Janne senses a story, his obsessive nature kicks in & soon he’s mixing it up with eco-warriors & company thugs as he continues to dig. His search for the truth becomes all consuming & causes cracks in his relationship with Pauliina. She wants a partner who’s home for dinner & present to care for their daughter.
Janne loves his family but it’s not like he had a role model for the job. His father walked out when he was a little boy & neither he nor his mother heard from him again. Until now. Emil reappears one day & over the course of the book we learn where he’s been & why he left. In alternate chapters we follow a nameless hitman as he quietly & efficiently eliminates the mining company’s head honchos.
There are many threads to the plot & everyone seems to have a hidden agenda. Janne is up against powerful men with secrets they’ll do anything to protect including killing those who get too close. Janne’s personal life also evolves as the story progresses. His relationship with Emil develops slowly & he’s in for a few shocks as he gets to know his father.
The setting is another character in the book & the author uses descriptions of the cold winds & unrelenting snowfall to create a dark & atmospheric read that will have you reaching for a sweater. Most of our time is spent with Janne, a complex & fully realized character. Emil is just as compelling & I found his story just as intriguing as the main plot. Pauliina is less developed but she is a secondary character that we get to know mostly through Janne’s eyes.
It’s a story about greed & the abuse of power that touches on the battle between industrial progress & protecting the environment. Kudos to David Hackston for an smooth translation that allows the reader to get caught up in this smart, tense thriller.
But once Janne senses a story, his obsessive nature kicks in & soon he’s mixing it up with eco-warriors & company thugs as he continues to dig. His search for the truth becomes all consuming & causes cracks in his relationship with Pauliina. She wants a partner who’s home for dinner & present to care for their daughter.
Janne loves his family but it’s not like he had a role model for the job. His father walked out when he was a little boy & neither he nor his mother heard from him again. Until now. Emil reappears one day & over the course of the book we learn where he’s been & why he left. In alternate chapters we follow a nameless hitman as he quietly & efficiently eliminates the mining company’s head honchos.
There are many threads to the plot & everyone seems to have a hidden agenda. Janne is up against powerful men with secrets they’ll do anything to protect including killing those who get too close. Janne’s personal life also evolves as the story progresses. His relationship with Emil develops slowly & he’s in for a few shocks as he gets to know his father.
The setting is another character in the book & the author uses descriptions of the cold winds & unrelenting snowfall to create a dark & atmospheric read that will have you reaching for a sweater. Most of our time is spent with Janne, a complex & fully realized character. Emil is just as compelling & I found his story just as intriguing as the main plot. Pauliina is less developed but she is a secondary character that we get to know mostly through Janne’s eyes.
It’s a story about greed & the abuse of power that touches on the battle between industrial progress & protecting the environment. Kudos to David Hackston for an smooth translation that allows the reader to get caught up in this smart, tense thriller.
December 21, 2016
A hitman. A journalist. A family - torn apart. Can he uncover the truth before it's too late?
In the dead of winter, investigative reporter Janne Vuori sets out to uncover the truth about a mining company, whose illegal activities have created an environmental disaster in a small town in Northern Finland. When the company's executives begin to die in a string of mysterious accidents, and Janne's personal life starts to unravel, past meets present in a catastrophic series of events that could cost him his life.
I was instantly curious about this book for a couple of reasons. For one, it's published by the most excellent, Orenda Books, and secondly, it sounded such a unique story and setting. I certainly wasn't disappointed!
Janne Vuori is immensely passionate about his Journalism and also his endeavour to reaveal the real truths. This has many complications, and he finds himself caught up in a tangle of conspiracy, strange events, and a personal life seeming to fall apart.
I really absorbed the whole atmosphere of this book. A combination of, Antti's writing, which is outstanding and the mysterious and haunting setting in Northern Finland. The book is quite involved and requires a lot of concentration, but it moves along beautifully. It can be very dark in moments and quite sad, but on the flip side, it's captivating, thrilling and not short of some unexpected violence at times.
Antti Tuomainen is an exceptional author and one to keep an eye out for!
Another bravo to Orenda Books. What an amazing year this publisher has had!
An extremely solid 4* and most definitely recommended!
In the dead of winter, investigative reporter Janne Vuori sets out to uncover the truth about a mining company, whose illegal activities have created an environmental disaster in a small town in Northern Finland. When the company's executives begin to die in a string of mysterious accidents, and Janne's personal life starts to unravel, past meets present in a catastrophic series of events that could cost him his life.
I was instantly curious about this book for a couple of reasons. For one, it's published by the most excellent, Orenda Books, and secondly, it sounded such a unique story and setting. I certainly wasn't disappointed!
Janne Vuori is immensely passionate about his Journalism and also his endeavour to reaveal the real truths. This has many complications, and he finds himself caught up in a tangle of conspiracy, strange events, and a personal life seeming to fall apart.
I really absorbed the whole atmosphere of this book. A combination of, Antti's writing, which is outstanding and the mysterious and haunting setting in Northern Finland. The book is quite involved and requires a lot of concentration, but it moves along beautifully. It can be very dark in moments and quite sad, but on the flip side, it's captivating, thrilling and not short of some unexpected violence at times.
Antti Tuomainen is an exceptional author and one to keep an eye out for!
Another bravo to Orenda Books. What an amazing year this publisher has had!
An extremely solid 4* and most definitely recommended!
November 18, 2016
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
Once again Orenda has placed a book in my hands that is so different from what I normally read, yet so original and engaging. Janne is a newspaper reporter who is very dedicated to his career. When he receives an anonymous tip about possible corruption in a nearby mine, he is intrigued and begins to investigate, even though it puts a huge strain on his personal life. Is furthering his career and uncovering a potentially deadly environmental scandal worth the stress it puts on his partner and daughter? Can he somehow get to the bottom on what exactly is happening at the mine and keep himself out of danger?
What really captivated me about this book was not the plot, though that was interesting enough. Rather it was the outstanding writing and deep characterization that really drew me in. Tuomainen’s writing is simply remarkable and has an air of sophistication that enthralled me. This was such a vividly detailed atmosphere that I could feel the chill in the air and felt as if I looked out my own window I would see fat snowflakes falling from the sky. Janne is a man who finds himself at a crossroads. He knows, deep down that he shouldn’t be putting himself in harms way, he has a young daughter depending on him now. But he cannot help himself, he’s dedicated to his job, and besides that he knows the story about the mine needs to be told.
I do want to mention that while there are times there is violence mentioned, there are no actual gory descriptions. I know some of you like to steer clear of graphic details, this would be a great book for you. While there are many crimes being committed, I would say this is an environmental thriller that focuses on some very topical and prevalent issues. Think conspiracy theories and corruption with a sense of noir.
Once again Orenda has placed a book in my hands that is so different from what I normally read, yet so original and engaging. Janne is a newspaper reporter who is very dedicated to his career. When he receives an anonymous tip about possible corruption in a nearby mine, he is intrigued and begins to investigate, even though it puts a huge strain on his personal life. Is furthering his career and uncovering a potentially deadly environmental scandal worth the stress it puts on his partner and daughter? Can he somehow get to the bottom on what exactly is happening at the mine and keep himself out of danger?
What really captivated me about this book was not the plot, though that was interesting enough. Rather it was the outstanding writing and deep characterization that really drew me in. Tuomainen’s writing is simply remarkable and has an air of sophistication that enthralled me. This was such a vividly detailed atmosphere that I could feel the chill in the air and felt as if I looked out my own window I would see fat snowflakes falling from the sky. Janne is a man who finds himself at a crossroads. He knows, deep down that he shouldn’t be putting himself in harms way, he has a young daughter depending on him now. But he cannot help himself, he’s dedicated to his job, and besides that he knows the story about the mine needs to be told.
I do want to mention that while there are times there is violence mentioned, there are no actual gory descriptions. I know some of you like to steer clear of graphic details, this would be a great book for you. While there are many crimes being committed, I would say this is an environmental thriller that focuses on some very topical and prevalent issues. Think conspiracy theories and corruption with a sense of noir.
December 21, 2016
One of the manifold reasons that I love Scandinavian crime thrillers so much is the unerring ability of the authors within this genre to so finely balance the exploration of the human psyche, and important social and political issues, in total harmony with the essential need of bringing to their readers a believable and compelling criminal mystery. The Mine is a perfect example of this, exposing the less than legal activities of a mining company in the snowy wastes of rural Finland, as a jumping off point for a menacing tale of murder and retribution. The author’s research into the history and workings of this particular industry across Finland, is clearly in evidence, and Tuomainen does not hesitate in exposing the particular follies and dangers linked to it. In common with Gunnar Staalesen’s We Shall Inherit The Wind and the Danish drama Follow The Money which also addressed issues in relation to environmental issues this adds a layer of interest to the reader, outside of a linear crime narrative. I thought the plot was excellent, and was genuinely interested and engaged with Janne’s refusal to give up in his mission to expose the truth behind the mining corporation and its dastardly deeds, and delighted by the additional weight that Tuomainen’s exploration of human connection brings to the whole affair.
Dark As My Heart was one of my favourite books of last year, due to the mesmeric, lyrical quality that Tuomainen injects into his prose. Despite the weightier environmental issues of this book, that provide the driving force for the story, there are interludes of writing, that resonate strongly with the author’s gift for the rhythm and cadence of emotional expression. I finished reading the book with at least ten highlighted passages of sublime, naturalistic description whether referring to the physical landscape, or the emotional landscape of the characters. I found Tuomainen’s portrayal of the fragile reconciliation between Janne and his father, Emil, particularly affecting, and the bridging of the gap between their differing sense of morality powerfully wrought, when the true nature and motivations of Janne’s father come to light. Although not entirely convinced by Emil’s day job, it proved an interesting juxtaposition for us to see how Janne and his mother dealt with his absence, and the tentative steps made by Emil to reconnect. Strongly in evidence in his previous books is Tuomainen’s knack for rootling around in the depths of people’s emotional selves, and depicting them so transparently that you cannot be helped as a reader to being utterly drawn into his characters. I felt like I came to know all these people intimately as the story progressed, with increasing amounts of either complete empathy or moral outrage at the situations they find themselves in. This is fiction writing at its best, highlighting the power to move, unsettle and educate the reader, and hold them completely into its thrall. Highly recommended.
Dark As My Heart was one of my favourite books of last year, due to the mesmeric, lyrical quality that Tuomainen injects into his prose. Despite the weightier environmental issues of this book, that provide the driving force for the story, there are interludes of writing, that resonate strongly with the author’s gift for the rhythm and cadence of emotional expression. I finished reading the book with at least ten highlighted passages of sublime, naturalistic description whether referring to the physical landscape, or the emotional landscape of the characters. I found Tuomainen’s portrayal of the fragile reconciliation between Janne and his father, Emil, particularly affecting, and the bridging of the gap between their differing sense of morality powerfully wrought, when the true nature and motivations of Janne’s father come to light. Although not entirely convinced by Emil’s day job, it proved an interesting juxtaposition for us to see how Janne and his mother dealt with his absence, and the tentative steps made by Emil to reconnect. Strongly in evidence in his previous books is Tuomainen’s knack for rootling around in the depths of people’s emotional selves, and depicting them so transparently that you cannot be helped as a reader to being utterly drawn into his characters. I felt like I came to know all these people intimately as the story progressed, with increasing amounts of either complete empathy or moral outrage at the situations they find themselves in. This is fiction writing at its best, highlighting the power to move, unsettle and educate the reader, and hold them completely into its thrall. Highly recommended.
December 12, 2016
Thriller set in FINLAND
Journalist Janne Vuori finds himself investigating the mine at Suomalahti, Northern Finland, initially credited with being innovative and environmentally friendly. Yet there has been an environmental disaster and gradually Janne connects a number of unexplained deaths linked to the company.
Back home, he is struggling with a failing relationship with Pauliina, with whom he has a daughter. Factor in his father Emil who pops up and accosts him in a supermarket after disappearing 30 years or so ago, and he is man in under pressure. Yet, he remains largely phlegmatic about the strands in his life that seem to be piling in but the insidious creep of stress becomes all too apparent – is he turning out like his father, can he competently tackle the invidious situation that is unravelling?
A disconnected voice punctuates the narrative detailing killings. Who can this be?
The sense of place is very strong, a wintery landscape that is like an enveloping sheath of snow, a veil over the places he visits, small places and into Helsinki. There is no lustre in the ambient setting, it is monochrome and dulling to the senses and just adds to the grind of Janne’s life.
The book glides towards the end, as though on ice as the momentum of tension comes to a natural end. This is a well thought through story and excellently written, undoubted credit goes to David Hackston, who translated the original.
As you read this book I challenge you not to silently mouth the innumerable vowels that appear in the Finish language, in an attempt at pronunciation… Töölö for example is quite a mouthful for an English reader. It is much like eating a doughnut and not licking your lips!
Journalist Janne Vuori finds himself investigating the mine at Suomalahti, Northern Finland, initially credited with being innovative and environmentally friendly. Yet there has been an environmental disaster and gradually Janne connects a number of unexplained deaths linked to the company.
Back home, he is struggling with a failing relationship with Pauliina, with whom he has a daughter. Factor in his father Emil who pops up and accosts him in a supermarket after disappearing 30 years or so ago, and he is man in under pressure. Yet, he remains largely phlegmatic about the strands in his life that seem to be piling in but the insidious creep of stress becomes all too apparent – is he turning out like his father, can he competently tackle the invidious situation that is unravelling?
A disconnected voice punctuates the narrative detailing killings. Who can this be?
The sense of place is very strong, a wintery landscape that is like an enveloping sheath of snow, a veil over the places he visits, small places and into Helsinki. There is no lustre in the ambient setting, it is monochrome and dulling to the senses and just adds to the grind of Janne’s life.
The book glides towards the end, as though on ice as the momentum of tension comes to a natural end. This is a well thought through story and excellently written, undoubted credit goes to David Hackston, who translated the original.
As you read this book I challenge you not to silently mouth the innumerable vowels that appear in the Finish language, in an attempt at pronunciation… Töölö for example is quite a mouthful for an English reader. It is much like eating a doughnut and not licking your lips!
November 27, 2016
The Mine… well, where to begin… It creeps under your skin. Your mind wanders back to it when you’re not reading it. It took me longer than normal to read, but in a way I’m glad because the characters didn’t leave me during the time it took. Slow but suspenseful prose shrouded in the freezing cold atmospheric locations make The Mine a truly chilling read.
While the blurb gives you a description, it doesn’t give you the full story. The reader is left to uncover what is truth and what is deception within the pages. With elements of shady corruption, a conspiracy theory vibe and some menacing characters, The Mine was an ice cold treat of a book.
I really liked Janne. At times during the course of the book I felt sorry for him for reasons I wont say as I don’t want to say anything out of turn. There is more than just a noirish thriller here, its got heart and emotion at its core. Unexpected, but a great slice of humanity in the midst of all the badness.
If you know me, and read my blog, you’ll know that these are the books that keep me warm at night. The colder the climate, the happier I am as a reader. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Mine. Antti Tuomainen’s skillful storytelling is as sharp as an ice pick, and I cannot wait to read more from him.
I can’t say much more. If you like your thrillers to be peppered with a little bit of conspiracy and action, then The Mine is most certainly one to pick up!
Highly recommended.
While the blurb gives you a description, it doesn’t give you the full story. The reader is left to uncover what is truth and what is deception within the pages. With elements of shady corruption, a conspiracy theory vibe and some menacing characters, The Mine was an ice cold treat of a book.
I really liked Janne. At times during the course of the book I felt sorry for him for reasons I wont say as I don’t want to say anything out of turn. There is more than just a noirish thriller here, its got heart and emotion at its core. Unexpected, but a great slice of humanity in the midst of all the badness.
If you know me, and read my blog, you’ll know that these are the books that keep me warm at night. The colder the climate, the happier I am as a reader. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Mine. Antti Tuomainen’s skillful storytelling is as sharp as an ice pick, and I cannot wait to read more from him.
I can’t say much more. If you like your thrillers to be peppered with a little bit of conspiracy and action, then The Mine is most certainly one to pick up!
Highly recommended.
November 14, 2016
The Mine – Classic Finnish Noir
Antti Tuomainen is leading the Finnish invasion of crime noir from his homeland, and with The Mine it is easy to see why he is an award-winning writer. He has brought his simple way of storytelling that has a wonderful mixture of passion and at times sadness, to give us a compelling thriller wondering how it all will end.
The story brings together a journalist, a hitman, a broken family and a toxic mine spewing out secrets that others would prefer to be kept silent. A traumatic story of family, corruption and that secrets never remain hidden and that come back and bite you.
Janne Vuori is a well-known journalist on a Helsinki newspaper well known for its quality reporting, something Janne prides himself on. When he receives a tip off about a nickel mine and the toxins it is dumping in to the environment, then his natural curiosity causes him to head north to find out more.
What he does not realise that in chasing the story at the cost of all other things then his relationship with Pauliina, mother of his daughter Ella collapse completely. At the same time after thirty years he meets his own father, who has a complicated history of his own and it seems strange that he is now back, searching him and his mother out.
While investigating the ownership of the Northern Finnish mine, he finds that members of the board are being murdered while one has committed suicide. The owners of the company seem to be well hidden and there must be a story will raise the possibility that he too could become a target.
The Mine is a gripping and traumatic environmental thriller and how far people will go to hide the truth, while secrets from the past come back to haunt you. The book is well written and has been translated by David Hackston, so that none of the beauty and elegance of Tuomainen’s prose is not lost to the reader.
The Mine is thriller that shows off the best of Finnish Noir and ask why has it been hidden from the English reader for so long. Thank God for Orenda Books for bringing Antti Tuomainen to our attention and I can guarantee a book you cannot put down.
Antti Tuomainen is leading the Finnish invasion of crime noir from his homeland, and with The Mine it is easy to see why he is an award-winning writer. He has brought his simple way of storytelling that has a wonderful mixture of passion and at times sadness, to give us a compelling thriller wondering how it all will end.
The story brings together a journalist, a hitman, a broken family and a toxic mine spewing out secrets that others would prefer to be kept silent. A traumatic story of family, corruption and that secrets never remain hidden and that come back and bite you.
Janne Vuori is a well-known journalist on a Helsinki newspaper well known for its quality reporting, something Janne prides himself on. When he receives a tip off about a nickel mine and the toxins it is dumping in to the environment, then his natural curiosity causes him to head north to find out more.
What he does not realise that in chasing the story at the cost of all other things then his relationship with Pauliina, mother of his daughter Ella collapse completely. At the same time after thirty years he meets his own father, who has a complicated history of his own and it seems strange that he is now back, searching him and his mother out.
While investigating the ownership of the Northern Finnish mine, he finds that members of the board are being murdered while one has committed suicide. The owners of the company seem to be well hidden and there must be a story will raise the possibility that he too could become a target.
The Mine is a gripping and traumatic environmental thriller and how far people will go to hide the truth, while secrets from the past come back to haunt you. The book is well written and has been translated by David Hackston, so that none of the beauty and elegance of Tuomainen’s prose is not lost to the reader.
The Mine is thriller that shows off the best of Finnish Noir and ask why has it been hidden from the English reader for so long. Thank God for Orenda Books for bringing Antti Tuomainen to our attention and I can guarantee a book you cannot put down.
November 4, 2016
Janne Vuori is offered a job investigating a mining company by someone who seems to be as interested as Janne in them.
As soon as I read the description and started the novel, it is very obvious it was going to be one of conspiracy and cover ups.
The setting and the authors writing really brings the story to life and I could easily visualise the area that the author was describing to me. I’ve read a few books lately, including ones like Ragnar Jonasson, and they just have such an idyllic setting that makes you want to go and visit the places that the authors are describing and Antti Tuomainen’s novel is no different.
Janne ends up taking on more than he bargained for and soon realises that some stories come with a price. It’s certainly a story about uncovering the truth and finding out more than what you bargained for.
The Mine is the perfect read for fans of the whole conspiracy and cover up theme. Unfortunately it isn’t one of my favourites and I did struggle to fully get into the novel as it tends to be a subject I prefer to watch on a screen rather than in a book for some reason, but would certainly urge fans of it to have a read as I definitely think it’s one they would enjoy.
My thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
As soon as I read the description and started the novel, it is very obvious it was going to be one of conspiracy and cover ups.
The setting and the authors writing really brings the story to life and I could easily visualise the area that the author was describing to me. I’ve read a few books lately, including ones like Ragnar Jonasson, and they just have such an idyllic setting that makes you want to go and visit the places that the authors are describing and Antti Tuomainen’s novel is no different.
Janne ends up taking on more than he bargained for and soon realises that some stories come with a price. It’s certainly a story about uncovering the truth and finding out more than what you bargained for.
The Mine is the perfect read for fans of the whole conspiracy and cover up theme. Unfortunately it isn’t one of my favourites and I did struggle to fully get into the novel as it tends to be a subject I prefer to watch on a screen rather than in a book for some reason, but would certainly urge fans of it to have a read as I definitely think it’s one they would enjoy.
My thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
November 11, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed THE MINE. I would give it somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars!! This is a sparsely-written, surprisingly emotional little book. It's never in-your-face violent, but it's moody and atmospheric, alluding to acts of violence rather than focusing on their portrayal. What begins as an investigation into illegal mining practices in northern Finland becomes a journey of self-discovery for a journalist whose personal life is struggling as much as his professional life. Very well written, a truly unique and unusual read with an ending that left me in tears!
November 22, 2016
There's two stories being followed in The Mine which eventually cross over and I have to say, each story was just as interesting as the other. The main story follows Janne, a hard working journalist with a partner and young daughter. He is sent some information to get him interested in a possible story as he is quite a well known advocate for green living. This information leads him and people he knows into danger.
I really didn't like Janne as a person, but I'm not really sure if I was supposed to. He is extremely selfish and single minded and he puts work in front of his personal life and his daughter. Not liking him though didn't change my want to find out what is going on and willing him on in his investigation. That to me is a sign of an excellent author, that even though I didn't like the main character, I still wanted to continue reading.
The second story follows that of a mysterious hitman who is living a very lonely life and is questioning the things he has done and is doing. You learn more and more about him as the story goes along and I ended up routing for him and really hoping that he got what he wanted from his life.
The world building is really good in this book and I really felt the cold that Janne was feeling when he was in the north. I could just picture the snow and hear the silence due to the fact no one was around. It was extremely atmospheric.
More important and current topics are covered in this book as it touches on environmental activists and the damage that we as humans are doing to the world. It was very cleverly done and showed different ways that people go about raising awareness.
Overall a great book and another one I have already been recommending.
This review originally was posted on my blog http://lifeofanerdishmum.blogspot.co.uk/
I really didn't like Janne as a person, but I'm not really sure if I was supposed to. He is extremely selfish and single minded and he puts work in front of his personal life and his daughter. Not liking him though didn't change my want to find out what is going on and willing him on in his investigation. That to me is a sign of an excellent author, that even though I didn't like the main character, I still wanted to continue reading.
The second story follows that of a mysterious hitman who is living a very lonely life and is questioning the things he has done and is doing. You learn more and more about him as the story goes along and I ended up routing for him and really hoping that he got what he wanted from his life.
The world building is really good in this book and I really felt the cold that Janne was feeling when he was in the north. I could just picture the snow and hear the silence due to the fact no one was around. It was extremely atmospheric.
More important and current topics are covered in this book as it touches on environmental activists and the damage that we as humans are doing to the world. It was very cleverly done and showed different ways that people go about raising awareness.
Overall a great book and another one I have already been recommending.
This review originally was posted on my blog http://lifeofanerdishmum.blogspot.co.uk/
April 17, 2017
Antti tells the story of a great miss justice and horrific environmental exposure of a mine operating in northern Finland. Janne is a journalist who at the time is having marriage problems and receives a message via the internet about a mine that has problems in northern Finland. This aggravates his wife to no end because he is a workaholic and she is worried about their daughter. At the same time she receives a letter stating that his family will be in trouble if he continues with his present assignment. While all this happens his father who's been gone for aver 30 years returns and wants into Janne's life. Dragging his baggage with him as he is a hit man.
On his second trip to the mine one of the people he is with is killed before his eyes. This is followed up by his father killing the two people responsible for the death. He ends up writing about the mine and lets people know what they have to expect. It ends up with Janne and his wife making up and his mother and father making up. Leaving it open for another story.
On his second trip to the mine one of the people he is with is killed before his eyes. This is followed up by his father killing the two people responsible for the death. He ends up writing about the mine and lets people know what they have to expect. It ends up with Janne and his wife making up and his mother and father making up. Leaving it open for another story.
August 24, 2025
Antti Tuomaisen Kaivos kolahti nikkelikaivospitäjässä kasvaneeseen lukijaan aika lujaa. Tuomaisen viljelemä lakoninen huumori on vastustamaton lisä melko karuun tarinaan.
Janne Vuori on toimittaja, joka saa vinkin hämäräperäisistä kaivospuuhista ja pian hän onkin kaulaansa myöten mukana selvittämässä ympäristörikosta.
Jannen parisuhdeongelmat jäävät vähän turhan kliseisesti juntturaan, mutta muuten kirja toimii vakuuttavasti. Isän ja pojan suhde sekä Jannen omat isyyspohdinnat rinnastuvat varsin notkeasti. Isien työt - niistäkin saadaan paljon irti.
Janne Vuori on toimittaja, joka saa vinkin hämäräperäisistä kaivospuuhista ja pian hän onkin kaulaansa myöten mukana selvittämässä ympäristörikosta.
Jannen parisuhdeongelmat jäävät vähän turhan kliseisesti juntturaan, mutta muuten kirja toimii vakuuttavasti. Isän ja pojan suhde sekä Jannen omat isyyspohdinnat rinnastuvat varsin notkeasti. Isien työt - niistäkin saadaan paljon irti.
April 1, 2017
What a great romantic comedy this was...no, sorry, happy april fool's day. The book is actually not funny at all or particularly romantic, it's a story of a 30 year old journalist who stumbles upon a potential doozy of a story. He stubbornly pursues it, too wrapped up in his world to prevent his family from unraveling. And if that wasn't enough to deal with, his father returns to town after missing for 30 years, which he spent killing others. And if that wasn't enough, it's January, in Finland, and, at the risk of sounding redundant, a particularly brutal one. What drew me to this book was the location, I like to read internationally and wanted to read a Finnish author. The armchair traveler in me was left satisfied, Tuomaiten writes well and the snowy windy forbidding atmosphere really comes across. The mystery aspect of the plot left me fairly indifferent, it was done competently, but it wasn't the sort of logistical puzzle to boggle the mind and a large company sort of cover up just isn't as compelling as a good old fashioned murder. Actually, the setting would make for a really compelling murder mystery or even something with hints of supernatural. The dramatic writing was very enjoyable, though, and moved at a nice pace, very dialogue driven, made for a quick read. And an entertaining one too. Thanks Netgalley.
March 25, 2018
Review: THE MINE by Antti Tuomainen
Wow! This author is incredibly gifted! I was expecting gritty Finnish crime; he is, after all, considered "The King of Helsinki Noir." I couldn't have expected his talent at exploring sensory imagery, riffing on each and every sense. He must have a hundred different metaphors, similes, and analogies for snow (which is important to me). He views the world as a painter would, drawing out the lines, then vivifying the natural world. And oh, does his love of the environment shine, in the pristine beauty of frozen Finland, but throughout the planet at large, that poor, environmentally toxic ecosystem which is all we have.
When he turns his view to humanity, he is a genius here too. A contract killer who suddenly determines to enter the life of his son after an absence of 30 years. A journalist driven by his need to expose Truth, even at the expense of his relationship and his own fatherhood {and yes, also driven by his own unacknowledged self-righteousness}. An earlier journalist whose quest for truth resulted in tons of research, but few completions. A suspicious Northern Finland nickel mine purchased for two euros, which is not as purported, whose board of directors are dying one by one, in bizarre "accidents."
I couldn't stop reading this fabulous mystery of Literary Noir.
Wow! This author is incredibly gifted! I was expecting gritty Finnish crime; he is, after all, considered "The King of Helsinki Noir." I couldn't have expected his talent at exploring sensory imagery, riffing on each and every sense. He must have a hundred different metaphors, similes, and analogies for snow (which is important to me). He views the world as a painter would, drawing out the lines, then vivifying the natural world. And oh, does his love of the environment shine, in the pristine beauty of frozen Finland, but throughout the planet at large, that poor, environmentally toxic ecosystem which is all we have.
When he turns his view to humanity, he is a genius here too. A contract killer who suddenly determines to enter the life of his son after an absence of 30 years. A journalist driven by his need to expose Truth, even at the expense of his relationship and his own fatherhood {and yes, also driven by his own unacknowledged self-righteousness}. An earlier journalist whose quest for truth resulted in tons of research, but few completions. A suspicious Northern Finland nickel mine purchased for two euros, which is not as purported, whose board of directors are dying one by one, in bizarre "accidents."
I couldn't stop reading this fabulous mystery of Literary Noir.
October 15, 2018
Tuomainen's story of a Helsinki journalist investigating a failing mine in northern Finland bends the definition of a thriller. This is one of those stories where you know 90% of the secrets early on, and the pleasure is seeing how the characters react as they uncover the last 10%. It's more moody than menacing, but the superb writing and translation kept me engaged to the end.
October 9, 2024
Insufferable male protagonist
December 14, 2016
This book has that special something that keeps you reading.
This was such an enjoyable read that I could easily have read it in one sitting, but I wasn’t ready to leave the Finnish atmosphere so I spread my read over two days, and I’m already eager to return to the Nordic setting.
The Mine is a subtle thriller, with its dark and moody atmosphere surrounding the plot, this book has that special something, when a book is not particularly fast-paced but your absorbed by the plot which is so beautifully suspenseful and real.
Before reading this book, I never thought a story about mining would be my cup of tea, but with characters such as these, and a story so cleverly told, I am a fan. The characters were so wonderfully developed. Janne Vuori, the journalist, being my favourite, alongside trying to uncover the secrets of the mine, and stay alive, I enjoyed reading the way his work impacted his personal life. He was drawn into this case so deeply, even at the expense of some of his personal relationships, you can’t help but be drawn in right alongside him. I wasn’t expecting this book to evoke such emotion in me, I don’t want to spoil the plot so I won’t give too much away, so I’ll just say, while reading I had a reoccurring thought “oh, Janne’s so sweet, he just wants to do the right thing, just be a little more patient with him, please.” Some readers may dislike Janne due to his need to uncover this mining conspiracy at the expense of his family, but I found his passion, his conviction, his quest for the truth welcoming. The portrayal of these family dynamics was told in a very real way.
Alongside the main story, was the storyline of Emil, Janne’s father, returning to his son’s life after a 30 year absence, this added another lovely dimension to this story. Where has his dad been all this time and why now has he returned?
While reading this book, nothing jumped off the page at me in an obvious way, there was no overly dramatic moments but Tuomainen’s writing was simple, yet effective, the characters so well developed that I wish this book was longer, so I could keep reading. I definitely recommend this book, it’s cold in Finland, and Tuomainen makes sure you know that in his description of the setting throughout the book. Grab a copy of this book, grab a cuppa and come to Finland, let this author’s beautiful, atmospheric writing sooth your soul.
Before I wrap up this review, I must commend David Hackston on the amazing job he did, translating this book.
*My thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
This was such an enjoyable read that I could easily have read it in one sitting, but I wasn’t ready to leave the Finnish atmosphere so I spread my read over two days, and I’m already eager to return to the Nordic setting.
The Mine is a subtle thriller, with its dark and moody atmosphere surrounding the plot, this book has that special something, when a book is not particularly fast-paced but your absorbed by the plot which is so beautifully suspenseful and real.
Before reading this book, I never thought a story about mining would be my cup of tea, but with characters such as these, and a story so cleverly told, I am a fan. The characters were so wonderfully developed. Janne Vuori, the journalist, being my favourite, alongside trying to uncover the secrets of the mine, and stay alive, I enjoyed reading the way his work impacted his personal life. He was drawn into this case so deeply, even at the expense of some of his personal relationships, you can’t help but be drawn in right alongside him. I wasn’t expecting this book to evoke such emotion in me, I don’t want to spoil the plot so I won’t give too much away, so I’ll just say, while reading I had a reoccurring thought “oh, Janne’s so sweet, he just wants to do the right thing, just be a little more patient with him, please.” Some readers may dislike Janne due to his need to uncover this mining conspiracy at the expense of his family, but I found his passion, his conviction, his quest for the truth welcoming. The portrayal of these family dynamics was told in a very real way.
Alongside the main story, was the storyline of Emil, Janne’s father, returning to his son’s life after a 30 year absence, this added another lovely dimension to this story. Where has his dad been all this time and why now has he returned?
While reading this book, nothing jumped off the page at me in an obvious way, there was no overly dramatic moments but Tuomainen’s writing was simple, yet effective, the characters so well developed that I wish this book was longer, so I could keep reading. I definitely recommend this book, it’s cold in Finland, and Tuomainen makes sure you know that in his description of the setting throughout the book. Grab a copy of this book, grab a cuppa and come to Finland, let this author’s beautiful, atmospheric writing sooth your soul.
Before I wrap up this review, I must commend David Hackston on the amazing job he did, translating this book.
*My thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
July 7, 2020
As a Nordic Noir aficionado, I am always on the lookout for authors I haven’t read. Finnish writer, Antti Tuomainen has been on my list for quite a while and I have only just managed to get my hands on one his books. What a treat indeed this book has turned out to be, and Tuomainen is set to become an author that I need to read more of.
Firstly, I want to say that Tuomainen has the most beautiful, lyrical and almost poetic writing style. His ability to create an atmospheric backdrop of a landscape that is as dark, icy and foreboding as the characters and plot line is astounding and brings an authenticity and genuineness to the story. Tuomainen has a capacity to bring his characters to life in a way that privileges the reader with both the external words and actions and internal thoughts and motives. His characters are fully human and in doing so are engaged and connected.
The Mine is a story of ecological disaster, corporate greed, journalistic drive and familial strains. Janne Vuori is an investigative reporter, fairly obsessed to uncover the truth about the Suomalahti mine in Northern Finland. Grappling with balancing a relationship, being a new father and encountering his own father after he abandoned Jaane and his mother, leaves him betwixt and between in a state of being both here and there.
Tuomainen does an amazing job of bringing the pieces of this story together, weaving them into a tapestry that is bleak yet bright, disillusioning yet enlightening and brings the story and the characters to a satisfying conclusion. I loved the way Tuomainen wrote differing portions of chapters of this book from different character perspectives without announcing that he was doing so. Shifting from first person to third person with ease and eloquence added to the beautiful writing style that in and of itself was a joy to read.
5 star read without hesitation from me.
Firstly, I want to say that Tuomainen has the most beautiful, lyrical and almost poetic writing style. His ability to create an atmospheric backdrop of a landscape that is as dark, icy and foreboding as the characters and plot line is astounding and brings an authenticity and genuineness to the story. Tuomainen has a capacity to bring his characters to life in a way that privileges the reader with both the external words and actions and internal thoughts and motives. His characters are fully human and in doing so are engaged and connected.
The Mine is a story of ecological disaster, corporate greed, journalistic drive and familial strains. Janne Vuori is an investigative reporter, fairly obsessed to uncover the truth about the Suomalahti mine in Northern Finland. Grappling with balancing a relationship, being a new father and encountering his own father after he abandoned Jaane and his mother, leaves him betwixt and between in a state of being both here and there.
Tuomainen does an amazing job of bringing the pieces of this story together, weaving them into a tapestry that is bleak yet bright, disillusioning yet enlightening and brings the story and the characters to a satisfying conclusion. I loved the way Tuomainen wrote differing portions of chapters of this book from different character perspectives without announcing that he was doing so. Shifting from first person to third person with ease and eloquence added to the beautiful writing style that in and of itself was a joy to read.
5 star read without hesitation from me.
April 27, 2017
This is a fantastic thriller and I really enjoyed its eco-thriller angle. Filled with a sense of menace and brilliantly drawn characters, it is beautifully written (and translated). Characters are not what they seem or hold dark secrets. The central character, Janne Vuori, a journalist for Helsinki Today, is beset by personal and work issues, at the same time moving into increasing danger as he gets closer to the truth about The Mine. Emil is woven skilfully into the story and his transformation and rebirth is very poignant. This book has stayed with me long after I finished it.
Read
May 2, 2018The writing. Wow.
May 31, 2022
I always enjoy Antti Tuomainens writing style. A complicated mystery in an interesting setting.
November 21, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although it's not to my usual taste. Set in Finland, a journalist embarks on a dangerous expose of an unscrupulous mine. Janne is a hopeless husband and hapless father, but an unrelenting writer and following his story was exciting. Another point of view is offered in alternate chapters but I don't want to give too much away by saying whose it is. The novel covers a lot of ground and is suspenseful and clever. There are some strange descriptions in the story, which I think is due to being a translation, but while I found them odd, I didn't dislike the unusual style. Environmentalists would particularly enjoy this book I think, but I'd recommend it to all lovers of mystery.
January 29, 2020
I liked this more until the main character (journalist Janne Vuori) plunged further and further into selfish idiocy, and until more and more was written about the professional assassin, and until events became less and less believable. About halfway through, I just wanted the book to end. But I kept going because the taut writing pulled me along and the descriptions, especially of the frozen northern Finnish landscape, were so good.
By the end I was wondering what I had read. It started out seeming like a thriller that lives up to the genre's name. By the closing pages I was wondering if it was really black comedy, in which case I'd give it 4 stars. Tuomainen's subsequent books reportedly do have a clear comic streak. I will probably read one or more because he has a flair for it — witness the hilarious (and emotionally accurate) message that an outraged northerner sends to Vuori, excoriating him and all the other "tofu tossers" and latte slurpers who tell real workers in the resource economy how to think and live.
By the end I was wondering what I had read. It started out seeming like a thriller that lives up to the genre's name. By the closing pages I was wondering if it was really black comedy, in which case I'd give it 4 stars. Tuomainen's subsequent books reportedly do have a clear comic streak. I will probably read one or more because he has a flair for it — witness the hilarious (and emotionally accurate) message that an outraged northerner sends to Vuori, excoriating him and all the other "tofu tossers" and latte slurpers who tell real workers in the resource economy how to think and live.
May 12, 2017
This was a truly beautiful book - deliciously dark, thought-provoking, and gorgeously written. It gave me chills, and not only because of the endless snow and cold. I see why Antti is so revered in Finland. He now is in my small home in Hull, too.
November 24, 2016
I'm writing this review as closely to finishing the book as possible; I've not long turned the final page on Antti Tuomainen's fantastic The Mine and relished every second of reading it. The pacing and style are brilliantly effective; calmly drawing you in until you realise you're practically up to your knees in Finnish snow and up to your neck in a complex mystery and there's no way you're gonna want to leave this story even after the last page is turned.
Antti Tuomainen does a crackingc job of evoking a sense of place and the remote setting of most of the action - the isolated mine sits in Northern Finland, snowbound, dangerously cold and practically deserted - adds to both the sense of dread and the intensity.
I love a good, complex conspiracy in a book and The Mine delivers this in spades. Taking on some heavy and important themes, this is, indeed, an intelligent thriller, hugely gripping and immensely rewarding.
While I might not have liked Janne as a character - perhaps because his own work-first, family-second approach is so at odds to my own - his determination to get to the bottom of the story is contagious and this is another of Orenda's recent publications that was ripped through at a pace.
The sub-plot surrounding Janne's hitman father Emil is perhaps my favourite part of this book. Here is a man who takes life for a living - in manners described in some darkly delicious scenes - yet his own calm, pedestrian manner are so counter-intuitive as to the preconceived, literary portrayals of such characters as to be utterly fascinating. Here he is calmly throwing a man off a balcony to his death, here he is just as calmly and routinely browsing through books in a bookshop, here calmly snapping someone's neck mid-run. It's handled so fantastically and as though run-of-the-mill that he might just as well be - as he initially tells his son - working in HR.
That Emil's calm, mild-mannered and thorough manner of carrying through his own occupation contrasts with Janne's investigative urgency is a great device, especially as the older-man, now so-removed from such concern for taking life, is returning to his son almost as he himself is on the precipice of throwing away his family - giving Janne a much a warning not to repeat mistakes, that it's the people that matter in life - just adds to the overall richness of this multi-faceted book.
Antti Tuomainen does a crackingc job of evoking a sense of place and the remote setting of most of the action - the isolated mine sits in Northern Finland, snowbound, dangerously cold and practically deserted - adds to both the sense of dread and the intensity.
I love a good, complex conspiracy in a book and The Mine delivers this in spades. Taking on some heavy and important themes, this is, indeed, an intelligent thriller, hugely gripping and immensely rewarding.
While I might not have liked Janne as a character - perhaps because his own work-first, family-second approach is so at odds to my own - his determination to get to the bottom of the story is contagious and this is another of Orenda's recent publications that was ripped through at a pace.
The sub-plot surrounding Janne's hitman father Emil is perhaps my favourite part of this book. Here is a man who takes life for a living - in manners described in some darkly delicious scenes - yet his own calm, pedestrian manner are so counter-intuitive as to the preconceived, literary portrayals of such characters as to be utterly fascinating. Here he is calmly throwing a man off a balcony to his death, here he is just as calmly and routinely browsing through books in a bookshop, here calmly snapping someone's neck mid-run. It's handled so fantastically and as though run-of-the-mill that he might just as well be - as he initially tells his son - working in HR.
That Emil's calm, mild-mannered and thorough manner of carrying through his own occupation contrasts with Janne's investigative urgency is a great device, especially as the older-man, now so-removed from such concern for taking life, is returning to his son almost as he himself is on the precipice of throwing away his family - giving Janne a much a warning not to repeat mistakes, that it's the people that matter in life - just adds to the overall richness of this multi-faceted book.
February 5, 2017
For all my reviews, check out Clues and Reviews
www.cluesandreviews.wordpress.com
Investigative journalist, Janne Vuori, has always been a dedicated reporter. When he is approached to cover a story involving a mining company, whose illegal actions have caused an environmental crisis in a small town in Northern Finland, he is shocked to find out what this case could cost him. His job, his family and his life.
The Mine, by Antti Tuomainen, is an environmental thriller set in Finland. I am still fairly new to the “nordic noir” genre but I am slowly realizing why so many people are in love with this genre. Between the multifarious characters, the intricate plots and the descriptive landscapes, I cannot get enough! The Mine was no exception, from the first page to the last, I was completely absorbed in Janne Vuori’s world.
The novel opens with Janne taking an anonymous tip to investigate a mining company. As he begins to investigate, his family life begins to suffer and, soon, he is in over his head in the investigation. The novel is told through alternating perspectives; Janne, the investigative reporter as he struggles to balance his work and his family and by Emil, a hit man. Tensions build as the connection between these two characters is made and as members of the mining company cooperation begin to be targeted and murdered.
As with most Orenda books, I found this novel to be eerie and unnerving. For those of you who enjoy a smart thriller that relies on careful prose to build tension rather than descriptive violence, this will be a perfect read for you. This book holds no grisly depictions of brutality, instead, Tuomainen relies on the aftermath of the crimes committed and the effects it takes on those around them.
I found myself spellbound by the descriptions of the Finnish landscape. Tuomainen perfectly describes the surroundings and I found myself transported through his depictions.
I have never been disappointed with an Orenda published read, and The Mine did not put an end to that streak.
www.cluesandreviews.wordpress.com
Investigative journalist, Janne Vuori, has always been a dedicated reporter. When he is approached to cover a story involving a mining company, whose illegal actions have caused an environmental crisis in a small town in Northern Finland, he is shocked to find out what this case could cost him. His job, his family and his life.
The Mine, by Antti Tuomainen, is an environmental thriller set in Finland. I am still fairly new to the “nordic noir” genre but I am slowly realizing why so many people are in love with this genre. Between the multifarious characters, the intricate plots and the descriptive landscapes, I cannot get enough! The Mine was no exception, from the first page to the last, I was completely absorbed in Janne Vuori’s world.
The novel opens with Janne taking an anonymous tip to investigate a mining company. As he begins to investigate, his family life begins to suffer and, soon, he is in over his head in the investigation. The novel is told through alternating perspectives; Janne, the investigative reporter as he struggles to balance his work and his family and by Emil, a hit man. Tensions build as the connection between these two characters is made and as members of the mining company cooperation begin to be targeted and murdered.
As with most Orenda books, I found this novel to be eerie and unnerving. For those of you who enjoy a smart thriller that relies on careful prose to build tension rather than descriptive violence, this will be a perfect read for you. This book holds no grisly depictions of brutality, instead, Tuomainen relies on the aftermath of the crimes committed and the effects it takes on those around them.
I found myself spellbound by the descriptions of the Finnish landscape. Tuomainen perfectly describes the surroundings and I found myself transported through his depictions.
I have never been disappointed with an Orenda published read, and The Mine did not put an end to that streak.
December 16, 2016
Dark, emotive, complex and utterly brilliant, Antti Tuomainen's The Mine is crime mystery at it's best.
Set in the harsh winter months of Finland, Tuomainen's flawless and honed descriptions of places and environment literally had me shivering in my seat. With the main protagonist being a highly driven but flawed young male, I was thrilled when we discover that not only are we going on a journey with Janne on his quest for the truth about what is going on at The Mine, but also and equally as important, his personal one.
Janne wants to be the best journalist he can possibly be, that is the highly driven part of him, the flawed part lies with his other roles in life; husband and father. Also mixed up within the plot are his emotions about his own parents, particularly his father, who left when Janne was just a year old. Tuomainen has created very real and believable characters and I particularly devoured the dialogue between Janne and his wife, Pauliina.
The novel is complex and I can only assume that the author must have retired to bed with a confused and aching head on more than one occasion to thrash out just how he was going to carefully and plainly breakdown the threads of the plot to one easily digestible book. But achieve that he has and hat's off to him.
The pace is fast and not one chapter passes without a significant piece of detail coming to light, which I loved. Written in both first and third person narratives, I also liked that the perspective and investigation came from somewhere other than the police line. Janne isn't out to uncover the crime per se, but moreover the truth - but boy, a lot of crimes take place throughout the duration of the story.
This novel reminded me of Erin Brockovich, but with much more testosterone and bloodshed. A certain page turner until the very end
Set in the harsh winter months of Finland, Tuomainen's flawless and honed descriptions of places and environment literally had me shivering in my seat. With the main protagonist being a highly driven but flawed young male, I was thrilled when we discover that not only are we going on a journey with Janne on his quest for the truth about what is going on at The Mine, but also and equally as important, his personal one.
Janne wants to be the best journalist he can possibly be, that is the highly driven part of him, the flawed part lies with his other roles in life; husband and father. Also mixed up within the plot are his emotions about his own parents, particularly his father, who left when Janne was just a year old. Tuomainen has created very real and believable characters and I particularly devoured the dialogue between Janne and his wife, Pauliina.
The novel is complex and I can only assume that the author must have retired to bed with a confused and aching head on more than one occasion to thrash out just how he was going to carefully and plainly breakdown the threads of the plot to one easily digestible book. But achieve that he has and hat's off to him.
The pace is fast and not one chapter passes without a significant piece of detail coming to light, which I loved. Written in both first and third person narratives, I also liked that the perspective and investigation came from somewhere other than the police line. Janne isn't out to uncover the crime per se, but moreover the truth - but boy, a lot of crimes take place throughout the duration of the story.
This novel reminded me of Erin Brockovich, but with much more testosterone and bloodshed. A certain page turner until the very end
December 31, 2019
Intriguing thriller - a journalist investigates a mining operation in Northern Finland. Meanwhile he deals with problems in his relationship, and the reappearance of the father who deserted him when he was a baby.
I really enjoyed this - it's more of a traditional thriller than some of the author's later works, but there are some sharp one-liners, neat and unpredictable observations on modern society, and a likeable hero. Nicely written, with a great sense of place and some genuine heart stopping moments.
I really enjoyed this - it's more of a traditional thriller than some of the author's later works, but there are some sharp one-liners, neat and unpredictable observations on modern society, and a likeable hero. Nicely written, with a great sense of place and some genuine heart stopping moments.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews