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Palm Beach, Finland
***Shortlisted for the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award***
***Book of the Year in The Times***
Things don't go entirely to plan when undercover ace detective Jan Nyman is sent to the 'hottest beach in Finland' to investigate a suspicious death. Fargo meets Baywatch in a mesmerising, poignant dark-comedy thriller by the King of Helsinki Noir
***Book of the Year in The Times***
Things don't go entirely to plan when undercover ace detective Jan Nyman is sent to the 'hottest beach in Finland' to investigate a suspicious death. Fargo meets Baywatch in a mesmerising, poignant dark-comedy thriller by the King of Helsinki Noir
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2017
449 people are currently reading
900 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
October 17, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Palm Beach Finland is an odd little book. If it was made into a film it would rival some of the strangest movies ever made. At times I wasn’t sure whether it was the way the author intended or the translation that made the plot so ‘out there’ – Think of it as a Tarantino-Esq book.
The story begins with someone being killed in a house, accidentally and in a most bizarre way, but the person isn’t the owner and no-one knows who they were. We then move onto the owner of the property returning. Olivia Koshi has inherited the family home after the death of her father. The house is in need of a lot of repairs and Olivia is flat broke. The house is also on the edge of the new holiday resort, Palm Beach.
Detective Jan Nyman is going undercover to find out who the killer or killers were. His cover is that he is a maths teacher on vacation. What Jan discovers is an exceptionally strange holiday resort – Palm Beach, run by Jorma Leivo. Jorma is a man who is determined to make the holiday resort a success and throws everything at making it that way – Legally or not.
As you can tell from the small snippet I have given you, the book is completely and utterly different from anything I have ever read. I was unsure how I was going to fair with it at first and three chapters in I was thinking of giving up as I kept on having to re-read sections to fully understand them. However, I like wacky things, so why should this book be any different, so I continued.
The book has an undertone of having a dark sense of humour, I was never quite sure whether I should be laughing or in shock at some of the scenes. The character development is superb and I especially loved Jan and his detective skills.
After my initial concerns, I soon realised that I was whizzing through the pages and I was fully submerged in this outlandish book. Sometimes you need a break from the norm and this book will certainly give you that.
Palm Beach Finland is an odd little book. If it was made into a film it would rival some of the strangest movies ever made. At times I wasn’t sure whether it was the way the author intended or the translation that made the plot so ‘out there’ – Think of it as a Tarantino-Esq book.
The story begins with someone being killed in a house, accidentally and in a most bizarre way, but the person isn’t the owner and no-one knows who they were. We then move onto the owner of the property returning. Olivia Koshi has inherited the family home after the death of her father. The house is in need of a lot of repairs and Olivia is flat broke. The house is also on the edge of the new holiday resort, Palm Beach.
Detective Jan Nyman is going undercover to find out who the killer or killers were. His cover is that he is a maths teacher on vacation. What Jan discovers is an exceptionally strange holiday resort – Palm Beach, run by Jorma Leivo. Jorma is a man who is determined to make the holiday resort a success and throws everything at making it that way – Legally or not.
As you can tell from the small snippet I have given you, the book is completely and utterly different from anything I have ever read. I was unsure how I was going to fair with it at first and three chapters in I was thinking of giving up as I kept on having to re-read sections to fully understand them. However, I like wacky things, so why should this book be any different, so I continued.
The book has an undertone of having a dark sense of humour, I was never quite sure whether I should be laughing or in shock at some of the scenes. The character development is superb and I especially loved Jan and his detective skills.
After my initial concerns, I soon realised that I was whizzing through the pages and I was fully submerged in this outlandish book. Sometimes you need a break from the norm and this book will certainly give you that.
April 1, 2023
Strange, even bizarre in places, but very entertaining
I have been fortunate enough to spend several weeks in Finland living with the Finns. I can visualize some of my Finnish friends taking me to see this resort with quizzical looks on their faces, not sure whether or not to take this Florida transplant thing seriously. Really, a Florida style resort on the shores of the chilly Baltic Sea?
Do take this novel seriously. A quirky blend of Scandinavian noir and dark humor, it is a sort of Carl Hiaasen and Donald Westlake meet the Cohen Brothers scenario. What a movie this would make. Meanwhile read the novel. Laugh, cringe, gasp, hold your breath in suspense and have a good time.
I have been fortunate enough to spend several weeks in Finland living with the Finns. I can visualize some of my Finnish friends taking me to see this resort with quizzical looks on their faces, not sure whether or not to take this Florida transplant thing seriously. Really, a Florida style resort on the shores of the chilly Baltic Sea?
Do take this novel seriously. A quirky blend of Scandinavian noir and dark humor, it is a sort of Carl Hiaasen and Donald Westlake meet the Cohen Brothers scenario. What a movie this would make. Meanwhile read the novel. Laugh, cringe, gasp, hold your breath in suspense and have a good time.
October 21, 2019
From the author dubbed the ‘King of Helsinki Noir’, Antti Tuomainen, whose precious works include “The Man Who Died”, you just know you’re guaranteed a brilliant and entertaining read that gives that little bit extra of European escapism.
“Palm Beach Finland” is not just a crime novel, it’s witty, humorous and dark, that’s highly addictive and unputdownable. When Jan Nyman, the ace detective of the covert operations unit of the National Central Police, is sent to a sleepy seaside town to investigate a mysterious death, it could be his most intriguing case ever. Nyman arrives in the town dominated by a bizarre holiday village—the "hottest beach in Finland." The suspect - Olivia Koski, who has only recently returned to her old hometown. The mission - find out what happened, by any means necessary.
I adored this book (and the author), Antti’s stories, even though dark, are so entertaining you end up flying through them, addictively turning the pages and very much losing track of time. The characters are always so unique and different and I loved how at the beginning of the story I had in my mind the burglars in ‘Home Alone’ when the scene in the kitchen played out. There’s nobody you don’t endear to and even though the story is based on humour and tongue in cheek plotlines, the author always covers emotions sympathetically and you end up with a whole package that far exceeds any plain crime novel.
Translated seamlessly from Finnish by David Hackston, “Palm Beach Finland” is a real contender to challenge the Scandinavian crime fiction genre formula and I can’t wait to read “Little Siberia”, Antti’s latest novel and a much anticipated one at that!
A fab five stars for a another fab read by this author!
“Palm Beach Finland” is not just a crime novel, it’s witty, humorous and dark, that’s highly addictive and unputdownable. When Jan Nyman, the ace detective of the covert operations unit of the National Central Police, is sent to a sleepy seaside town to investigate a mysterious death, it could be his most intriguing case ever. Nyman arrives in the town dominated by a bizarre holiday village—the "hottest beach in Finland." The suspect - Olivia Koski, who has only recently returned to her old hometown. The mission - find out what happened, by any means necessary.
I adored this book (and the author), Antti’s stories, even though dark, are so entertaining you end up flying through them, addictively turning the pages and very much losing track of time. The characters are always so unique and different and I loved how at the beginning of the story I had in my mind the burglars in ‘Home Alone’ when the scene in the kitchen played out. There’s nobody you don’t endear to and even though the story is based on humour and tongue in cheek plotlines, the author always covers emotions sympathetically and you end up with a whole package that far exceeds any plain crime novel.
Translated seamlessly from Finnish by David Hackston, “Palm Beach Finland” is a real contender to challenge the Scandinavian crime fiction genre formula and I can’t wait to read “Little Siberia”, Antti’s latest novel and a much anticipated one at that!
A fab five stars for a another fab read by this author!
October 11, 2024
Witty and fun, with a bit of noir. Loved it! RTC.
4 Stars: A 4-star rating is for books that are compelling, thought-provoking, and well-executed across the board. These books offer deep character development, an engaging plot, and a memorable writing style. They might introduce innovative ideas or explore themes in a way that resonates deeply. While not flawless, a 4-star book is one I would eagerly recommend and reflects a high level of enjoyment and appreciation.
4 Stars: A 4-star rating is for books that are compelling, thought-provoking, and well-executed across the board. These books offer deep character development, an engaging plot, and a memorable writing style. They might introduce innovative ideas or explore themes in a way that resonates deeply. While not flawless, a 4-star book is one I would eagerly recommend and reflects a high level of enjoyment and appreciation.
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June 27, 2021Sain äkillisen juhannuspäähänpiston valita luettavakseni ihan muun tyyppistä kirjallisuutta kuin mitä yleensä luen. Halusin lukea tarinan, joka veisi totaalisesti mennessään ja niin tartuin hyllystäni löytyvään Antti Tuomaisen dekkariin Palm Beach Finland.
Se kuulkaas oli aivan täydellisen nappi valinta.
Tuomaisen dekkarin tyyli on jotakin, jota ei voi kuvailla, vaan joka pitää kokea. On hauskaa ja hillitöntä ja jännääkin. Kielellisesti tämä teos on vallan notkea ja kutkuttava ja sen henkilöt ovat hyvin tunnistettavia niin hyvässä kuin pahassakin. Samalla Tuomainen tulee myös kertoneeksi jotain oleellista suomalaisuudesta. Enää en ihmettele, että hänen kirjansa ovat saaneet hyvän vastaanoton ulkomailla.
Jos haluat äkkilähdön omintakeiselle rantalomalle klikkaa matkatoimiston ostoskoriin Palm Beach Finland ja puhalla sisäinen Flamingosi täyteen ilmaa.
Se kuulkaas oli aivan täydellisen nappi valinta.
Tuomaisen dekkarin tyyli on jotakin, jota ei voi kuvailla, vaan joka pitää kokea. On hauskaa ja hillitöntä ja jännääkin. Kielellisesti tämä teos on vallan notkea ja kutkuttava ja sen henkilöt ovat hyvin tunnistettavia niin hyvässä kuin pahassakin. Samalla Tuomainen tulee myös kertoneeksi jotain oleellista suomalaisuudesta. Enää en ihmettele, että hänen kirjansa ovat saaneet hyvän vastaanoton ulkomailla.
Jos haluat äkkilähdön omintakeiselle rantalomalle klikkaa matkatoimiston ostoskoriin Palm Beach Finland ja puhalla sisäinen Flamingosi täyteen ilmaa.
October 3, 2018
I enjoyed Tuomainen’s earlier two novels translated to English, Dark As My Heart and The Man Who Died but this was pretty dreadful.
In his acknowledgements the author says how his novels are either very dark, or ‘with a dose of black humour flavouring the noir’. If that’s the case he should stick to the very dark, the humour doesn’t work, even if some of it is lost in translation. In trying to bring levity to his characters they end up becoming ridiculous figures, with almost a slapstick type of comedy attached to them.
To include humour in noir writing it needs to be dry and not laugh out loud. Only the very best writers can do it well.
This is a poor effort in other ways also. It’s setting soon loses its appeal, which is usually no problem for Scandinavian crime. The plot loses focus as the novel proceeds until it peters out with a disappointing finale.
In his acknowledgements the author says how his novels are either very dark, or ‘with a dose of black humour flavouring the noir’. If that’s the case he should stick to the very dark, the humour doesn’t work, even if some of it is lost in translation. In trying to bring levity to his characters they end up becoming ridiculous figures, with almost a slapstick type of comedy attached to them.
To include humour in noir writing it needs to be dry and not laugh out loud. Only the very best writers can do it well.
This is a poor effort in other ways also. It’s setting soon loses its appeal, which is usually no problem for Scandinavian crime. The plot loses focus as the novel proceeds until it peters out with a disappointing finale.
July 18, 2023
I LOVED THIS. It made me smile. It made me think. It got me invested in the characters, even or, perhaps, especially the hapless incompetent ones up to no good. It kept me turning the pages both to find out what would happen next and in the hope that at least some things might turn out well.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of Antti Tuomainen's books, starting with 'Little Siberia' in which the arrival of a meteorite in a small Finnish town causes chaos and crime.
When I think of good Scandi Noir, I think of dark, sad stories about the evil things people do to each other. Stories with the muscles of a thriller but with a heart that balances compassion for human frailty with an abhorrence of human cruelty. Antti Tuomainen's first five books were like that. They won awards and had him hailed as 'The King Of Helsinki Noir'.
Then, with his sixth novel 'The Man Who Died', he decided to change the tone of his books and add elements of dark humour. He described 'The Man Who Died' as "...what I hoped to be, a darkly funny book about dying." He continued on this path with his next book, 'Palm Beach Finland'.
What fascinated me, as I read 'Palm Beach Finland' was Tuomainen's ability to add humour to his story without letting go of the attributes of the best of Scandi Noir. This book still has the muscles of a thriller and still has a heart that balances compassion for human frailty with an abhorrence of human cruelty. It just does it differently. In place of a bleak, resigned acceptance of how sad and dark the world can be, the humour suffuses the narrative with a little bubble of hope, a possibility of change and redemption that transforms everything.
'Palm Beach Finland' is populated by larger-than-life characters, each with their own agenda and each unknowingly slowly converging on the others with what will probably be fatal consequences. It produces a constant pulse of low-level tension that keeps the story moving forward.
I liked that none of the people were as simple as they at first appeared to be. Tuomainen pulled me into thinking of them as comic archetypes, the sort of characters that populate a Carl Hiaasen novel and then turned them into real people, transforming the story from Pantomime into something with more depth that's less easy to label.
At about the point that I started to see the characters as people rather than vessels of comic potential energy, I started to see that, with one exception, they all had something in common. They were all dealing with how their lives had been shaped by their dreams.
There's the not-quite-sane entrepreneur who has thrown everything he has into turning this always cold Norwegian beachfront into a facsimile of Palm Beach except without the, to him, unbearable Floridian heat. Other people look at the gaudily painted beach huts, the lifeguards in 'Baywatch' swimwear overlooking empty water and the oversized signage and see tack. The entrepreneur sees his dream unfolding and becoming real.
There's the lifeguard who, in his head, is a guitarist. He dreams of being a global star like Springsteen or Clapton and is just marking time in his home town until the big break comes along. What I liked most about him was that he comes to see that his dream is his biggest source of unhappiness.
There's his best friend since childhood, who at first seems to be the Dumber part of this incompetent Dumb and Dumber duo but who changes when he finally stops being high for long enough to realise that, if he wants the woman he dreams of, he's going to have to do something and some of those things aren't nice.
There's the woman in her late thirties who works as a lifeguard, despite hating the uniform, because she needs the money. She has spent her life following the dreams of men who thought themselves talented and who left her with nothing but debt. Her own dream is more modest: to restore the failing house that had been bodged into existence by her grandfather and her father and which she grew up in. I liked her focus, her reluctance to trust and that despite her history and her clarity of vision. she retained the ability to hope.
Finally, there's the undercover policeman who starts with no dream of his own and comes to realise that he's good at being an undercover cop because he's more comfortable pretending to be someone else than he is being himself. The modes dream that he develops is simply to have a real life.
The only character unaffected by dreams is the contract killer. He doesn't dream. He just kills and moves on. I liked that the quietly efficient killer's lost humanity was signalled by the absence of any kind of dream.
'Palm Beach Finland' to me from, 'Who is Antti Tuomainen?' to 'What else has he written and which book should I read next?' so I tried to find out a little more about him. I came across this Capital Crime interview. Take a look if you'd like to know more.
https://vimeo.com/375418277
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of Antti Tuomainen's books, starting with 'Little Siberia' in which the arrival of a meteorite in a small Finnish town causes chaos and crime.
When I think of good Scandi Noir, I think of dark, sad stories about the evil things people do to each other. Stories with the muscles of a thriller but with a heart that balances compassion for human frailty with an abhorrence of human cruelty. Antti Tuomainen's first five books were like that. They won awards and had him hailed as 'The King Of Helsinki Noir'.
Then, with his sixth novel 'The Man Who Died', he decided to change the tone of his books and add elements of dark humour. He described 'The Man Who Died' as "...what I hoped to be, a darkly funny book about dying." He continued on this path with his next book, 'Palm Beach Finland'.
What fascinated me, as I read 'Palm Beach Finland' was Tuomainen's ability to add humour to his story without letting go of the attributes of the best of Scandi Noir. This book still has the muscles of a thriller and still has a heart that balances compassion for human frailty with an abhorrence of human cruelty. It just does it differently. In place of a bleak, resigned acceptance of how sad and dark the world can be, the humour suffuses the narrative with a little bubble of hope, a possibility of change and redemption that transforms everything.
'Palm Beach Finland' is populated by larger-than-life characters, each with their own agenda and each unknowingly slowly converging on the others with what will probably be fatal consequences. It produces a constant pulse of low-level tension that keeps the story moving forward.
I liked that none of the people were as simple as they at first appeared to be. Tuomainen pulled me into thinking of them as comic archetypes, the sort of characters that populate a Carl Hiaasen novel and then turned them into real people, transforming the story from Pantomime into something with more depth that's less easy to label.
At about the point that I started to see the characters as people rather than vessels of comic potential energy, I started to see that, with one exception, they all had something in common. They were all dealing with how their lives had been shaped by their dreams.
There's the not-quite-sane entrepreneur who has thrown everything he has into turning this always cold Norwegian beachfront into a facsimile of Palm Beach except without the, to him, unbearable Floridian heat. Other people look at the gaudily painted beach huts, the lifeguards in 'Baywatch' swimwear overlooking empty water and the oversized signage and see tack. The entrepreneur sees his dream unfolding and becoming real.
There's the lifeguard who, in his head, is a guitarist. He dreams of being a global star like Springsteen or Clapton and is just marking time in his home town until the big break comes along. What I liked most about him was that he comes to see that his dream is his biggest source of unhappiness.
There's his best friend since childhood, who at first seems to be the Dumber part of this incompetent Dumb and Dumber duo but who changes when he finally stops being high for long enough to realise that, if he wants the woman he dreams of, he's going to have to do something and some of those things aren't nice.
There's the woman in her late thirties who works as a lifeguard, despite hating the uniform, because she needs the money. She has spent her life following the dreams of men who thought themselves talented and who left her with nothing but debt. Her own dream is more modest: to restore the failing house that had been bodged into existence by her grandfather and her father and which she grew up in. I liked her focus, her reluctance to trust and that despite her history and her clarity of vision. she retained the ability to hope.
Finally, there's the undercover policeman who starts with no dream of his own and comes to realise that he's good at being an undercover cop because he's more comfortable pretending to be someone else than he is being himself. The modes dream that he develops is simply to have a real life.
The only character unaffected by dreams is the contract killer. He doesn't dream. He just kills and moves on. I liked that the quietly efficient killer's lost humanity was signalled by the absence of any kind of dream.
'Palm Beach Finland' to me from, 'Who is Antti Tuomainen?' to 'What else has he written and which book should I read next?' so I tried to find out a little more about him. I came across this Capital Crime interview. Take a look if you'd like to know more.
https://vimeo.com/375418277
October 9, 2018
3.5* --> 4*
Sunshine, sandy beaches, palm trees. What more could you want?
Welcome to Palm Beach … Finland!
Wait, what? *screeches to a halt*
Yes, Palm Beach Finland. The hottest beach in Finland. Where everything is bright neon lights, it’s cold, the beaches are mostly empty and the palm trees are made of plastic. Not exactly the paradise you find offered in the glossy brochures.
But something is afoot in this not-quite paradise. There has been a mysterious death and Jan Nyman is sent undercover to find out what happened. And thus begins one of the oddest books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. With references to tv shows like Baywatch and Miami Vice and a nod to Fargo, Palm Beach Finland is full of quirky and eccentric characters that will either have you laughing or rolling your eyes.
Because some of it is a tad over the top, a bit outlandish, almost bordering towards the slapstick genre but there is also dash of subtly dark and black humour throughout that you just don’t find anywhere else but will have you chuckling throughout. Palm Beach Finland is original, unique and highly unusual. This is crime fiction with a difference and I dare say nobody does it better than Antii Tuomainen does.
So a mystery to solve, although not quite for the reader since we know pretty much what happened from the start. But the characters in this story are all so incredibly unpredictable, there is no way of knowing what they’ll get up to next or even if their actions will be successful. That’s half the fun right there. Yet, there is also a more serious undertone to the story. That of residents in this sleepy community with ambitions and dreams of a better life, desperately grabbing at opportunities to make a change.
Once again, David Hackston’s translation is faultless, enabling an English speaking audience to enjoy Antii Tuomainen’s unique way with words and his delightful sense of humour. Wonderfully weird, fabulously funny and extremely entertaining.
Sunshine, sandy beaches, palm trees. What more could you want?
Welcome to Palm Beach … Finland!
Wait, what? *screeches to a halt*
Yes, Palm Beach Finland. The hottest beach in Finland. Where everything is bright neon lights, it’s cold, the beaches are mostly empty and the palm trees are made of plastic. Not exactly the paradise you find offered in the glossy brochures.
But something is afoot in this not-quite paradise. There has been a mysterious death and Jan Nyman is sent undercover to find out what happened. And thus begins one of the oddest books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. With references to tv shows like Baywatch and Miami Vice and a nod to Fargo, Palm Beach Finland is full of quirky and eccentric characters that will either have you laughing or rolling your eyes.
Because some of it is a tad over the top, a bit outlandish, almost bordering towards the slapstick genre but there is also dash of subtly dark and black humour throughout that you just don’t find anywhere else but will have you chuckling throughout. Palm Beach Finland is original, unique and highly unusual. This is crime fiction with a difference and I dare say nobody does it better than Antii Tuomainen does.
So a mystery to solve, although not quite for the reader since we know pretty much what happened from the start. But the characters in this story are all so incredibly unpredictable, there is no way of knowing what they’ll get up to next or even if their actions will be successful. That’s half the fun right there. Yet, there is also a more serious undertone to the story. That of residents in this sleepy community with ambitions and dreams of a better life, desperately grabbing at opportunities to make a change.
Once again, David Hackston’s translation is faultless, enabling an English speaking audience to enjoy Antii Tuomainen’s unique way with words and his delightful sense of humour. Wonderfully weird, fabulously funny and extremely entertaining.
November 3, 2019
Variace na Hospodu na mýtince po finsku. Chtěl se rekreovat, ale svítilo mu do toho slunce. Spíš než thriller je to taková zábavná oddechovka s několika groteskními úmrtími. Pokud snesete občasný fekální humor a nedotažené linky děje, tak je to vlastně celkem milé. Mě fascinovalo, jak spisovatel vydržel jet celých 333 stran joke o tom, že je na finských plážích kosa na koupání, a furt to bylo docela vtipný. Ať žijí plameňáci! (česky vyjde na podzim 2020)
March 5, 2019
After finishing THE MAN WHO DIED in almost record time, PALM BEACH FINLAND was recommended in the highest possible terms, so the audio version of it was obtained and listened to with haste. Another one that should have come with a warning about driving and listening, because I don't know how I've managed to survive these books whilst dodging kangaroos and dust storms on the roads recently. Needless to say PALM BEACH FINLAND is funny and a bit mad (in a good way), but it's a different sort of funny/mad to THE MAN WHO DIED.
The entire scenario here is dry as the aforementioned dust funny. Set in a beach location in Finland, that a local "entrepreneur" Jorma Leivo, is determined to turn into a Palm Beach styled resort, the location scenario provides plenty of opportunity for some really funny observations - not the least of which is Leivo's determination that it will be the vacation of choice for the rich and famous, the yacht set, presumably (but not articulated) those prepared to brave Finland's version of a Palm Beach climate. The only stumbling block (apart from the mould and characterless accommodation chalets, and maybe the plastic palm trees), is the need to expand just a little to create the perfect marina environment.
The book starts out with the bizarre death of a man in a nearby house, moving through that investigation, to beach activities, a lot of cycling, some hiding in the bushes peeping at elderly ladies indulging their attraction for each other, a lot of bizarre goings on by two of the most unqualified killers you'd ever met, and some of the most bumbling attempts at cover up you're ever going to encounter. Police are baffled by the murder, the victim's identity, his reason for being in a house where he was completely unknown, through the very odd way he was killed, right up to why and .... well everything about everything to do with the whole crime. Olivia (the owner of the house) is equally baffled, and police hierarchy become concerned that the investigation of such an odd killing is going nowhere. Meanwhile interest has been raised in bigger criminal circles, and a couple of local ... idiots is really the only word that can be applied here ... are confused. Mind you Olivia, who inherited the run down property on the death of her father is, frankly, more worried about her immediate problems with plumbing than why a total stranger got himself bumped off in her kitchen, and slightly bemused at the amount of effort Leivo seems to be putting into frightening her into believing that she's in great danger. Meanwhile an undercover detective (Jan Nyman) is despatched to solve the case, although the genius that decided somebody with zero mathematical ability should masquerade as a maths teacher on vacation, hasn't thought it through at all, and Olivia might be worried about money and unhappy with her job opportunities, but she's not an idiot and she can smell a rat when one lobs on her doorstep wanting wind surfing lessons.
Needless to say, we're in different territory again. Different territory seems to be Antti Tuomainen's comfort zone though and a dark, dry, laid back sense of humour is the thing you're going to notice in these books, although utterly unbelievable plots delivered in a totally believable manner might also occur to you. It's an elegant balancing act as the crime itself is not downplayed, although everybody here seems to be pre-programmed to approach things from just left of a bit daft, no matter their motivations. The motivations are very real - from revenge to attraction, and that all too human combination of greed and stupidity. Add a bit of grandiose ambition and you've got a full hand.
Regardless of the way that Antti Tuomainen designs and deals the cards in any of his books, you can expect something quirky, different, readable, and clever. Next up THE MINE.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
The entire scenario here is dry as the aforementioned dust funny. Set in a beach location in Finland, that a local "entrepreneur" Jorma Leivo, is determined to turn into a Palm Beach styled resort, the location scenario provides plenty of opportunity for some really funny observations - not the least of which is Leivo's determination that it will be the vacation of choice for the rich and famous, the yacht set, presumably (but not articulated) those prepared to brave Finland's version of a Palm Beach climate. The only stumbling block (apart from the mould and characterless accommodation chalets, and maybe the plastic palm trees), is the need to expand just a little to create the perfect marina environment.
The book starts out with the bizarre death of a man in a nearby house, moving through that investigation, to beach activities, a lot of cycling, some hiding in the bushes peeping at elderly ladies indulging their attraction for each other, a lot of bizarre goings on by two of the most unqualified killers you'd ever met, and some of the most bumbling attempts at cover up you're ever going to encounter. Police are baffled by the murder, the victim's identity, his reason for being in a house where he was completely unknown, through the very odd way he was killed, right up to why and .... well everything about everything to do with the whole crime. Olivia (the owner of the house) is equally baffled, and police hierarchy become concerned that the investigation of such an odd killing is going nowhere. Meanwhile interest has been raised in bigger criminal circles, and a couple of local ... idiots is really the only word that can be applied here ... are confused. Mind you Olivia, who inherited the run down property on the death of her father is, frankly, more worried about her immediate problems with plumbing than why a total stranger got himself bumped off in her kitchen, and slightly bemused at the amount of effort Leivo seems to be putting into frightening her into believing that she's in great danger. Meanwhile an undercover detective (Jan Nyman) is despatched to solve the case, although the genius that decided somebody with zero mathematical ability should masquerade as a maths teacher on vacation, hasn't thought it through at all, and Olivia might be worried about money and unhappy with her job opportunities, but she's not an idiot and she can smell a rat when one lobs on her doorstep wanting wind surfing lessons.
Needless to say, we're in different territory again. Different territory seems to be Antti Tuomainen's comfort zone though and a dark, dry, laid back sense of humour is the thing you're going to notice in these books, although utterly unbelievable plots delivered in a totally believable manner might also occur to you. It's an elegant balancing act as the crime itself is not downplayed, although everybody here seems to be pre-programmed to approach things from just left of a bit daft, no matter their motivations. The motivations are very real - from revenge to attraction, and that all too human combination of greed and stupidity. Add a bit of grandiose ambition and you've got a full hand.
Regardless of the way that Antti Tuomainen designs and deals the cards in any of his books, you can expect something quirky, different, readable, and clever. Next up THE MINE.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
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June 30, 2018Not the right version but OH MY GOD THIS BOOK!
April 16, 2019
Welcome to Palm, Beach Finland! Get ready to stay in a brightly colored cabana decorated with flamingos and palm trees on Finland’s “hottest beach”. This bizarre holiday village is attempting to become a prime traveler’s destination, but there’s just one small problem...a murder has occurred nearby.
Jan Nyman, an experienced undercover detective, has been placed on the case. Immediately after arriving he finds this seaside town is filled with interesting people and no shortage of suspects. Number one on the list is Olivia Koski, who recently returned back to town and is the owner of the home where the murder occurred. Was she also the target? Nyman is hellbent on finding the truth, but he’ll have to navigate a cast of characters who just walked out of the script of Fargo first! Greed, dreams of fame, and bumbling criminals will stop at nothing to get what they want unless Nyman can put a stop to them.
PALM BEACH, FINLAND is my first book by Antti Tuomainen and I don’t think I could have asked for a better introduction to the author! This book could quite possibly be the most fun I have ever had while reading a work of crime fiction. Tuomainen has given his story an obvious nod to movies like Fargo where the criminals can’t help but get in their own way. This book is dark comedy mixed with noir into a perfect result!
Immediately Tuomainen opens the book to the murder, which inevitably draws Jan Nyman to town to investigate. Chico and Robin would love to think that they are the greatest criminals and conmen the world has seen, but these two are a hot mess! Their easy task to scare someone quickly spirals out of control into a series of ridiculously comical events that end in murder. I certainly wouldn’t be hiring these two for any jobs! Despite being terribly unorganized criminals they seem to be able to avoid suspicion and carry on with their attempts to make money and achieve their dreams. Each character within this book is well-rounded and Tuomainen alternates who the reader is spending time with, so we get a chance to know what makes everyone tick.
The setting of the resort, Palm Beach, Finland, plays along perfectly with the story at hand. It’s owned by a man who desperately wants the place to be a success, but has also chosen to paint the cabanas in dayglo colors and decorate with palm trees and flamingos. Tuomainen describes the resort so well that I had no trouble conjuring an image in my mind and if we’re going to be honest...I really want to go there! I would love to experience this place firsthand!
This story and Tuomainen’s writing make for an incredibly addictive, bingeable read that will keep you turning pages just to see what foolery might happen next! The comedy works so unbelievably well with the crime in this story that you feel like you’ve been transported into a movie. I cannot wait to read more by Tuomainen! I read his acknowledgements at the end of this book and love that he described for readers the many styles he has written in, so now all I need to do is decide if I want to stay with his hilarious side or venture into his darker work.
Disclosure: Thank you to Orenda Books for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Jan Nyman, an experienced undercover detective, has been placed on the case. Immediately after arriving he finds this seaside town is filled with interesting people and no shortage of suspects. Number one on the list is Olivia Koski, who recently returned back to town and is the owner of the home where the murder occurred. Was she also the target? Nyman is hellbent on finding the truth, but he’ll have to navigate a cast of characters who just walked out of the script of Fargo first! Greed, dreams of fame, and bumbling criminals will stop at nothing to get what they want unless Nyman can put a stop to them.
PALM BEACH, FINLAND is my first book by Antti Tuomainen and I don’t think I could have asked for a better introduction to the author! This book could quite possibly be the most fun I have ever had while reading a work of crime fiction. Tuomainen has given his story an obvious nod to movies like Fargo where the criminals can’t help but get in their own way. This book is dark comedy mixed with noir into a perfect result!
Immediately Tuomainen opens the book to the murder, which inevitably draws Jan Nyman to town to investigate. Chico and Robin would love to think that they are the greatest criminals and conmen the world has seen, but these two are a hot mess! Their easy task to scare someone quickly spirals out of control into a series of ridiculously comical events that end in murder. I certainly wouldn’t be hiring these two for any jobs! Despite being terribly unorganized criminals they seem to be able to avoid suspicion and carry on with their attempts to make money and achieve their dreams. Each character within this book is well-rounded and Tuomainen alternates who the reader is spending time with, so we get a chance to know what makes everyone tick.
The setting of the resort, Palm Beach, Finland, plays along perfectly with the story at hand. It’s owned by a man who desperately wants the place to be a success, but has also chosen to paint the cabanas in dayglo colors and decorate with palm trees and flamingos. Tuomainen describes the resort so well that I had no trouble conjuring an image in my mind and if we’re going to be honest...I really want to go there! I would love to experience this place firsthand!
This story and Tuomainen’s writing make for an incredibly addictive, bingeable read that will keep you turning pages just to see what foolery might happen next! The comedy works so unbelievably well with the crime in this story that you feel like you’ve been transported into a movie. I cannot wait to read more by Tuomainen! I read his acknowledgements at the end of this book and love that he described for readers the many styles he has written in, so now all I need to do is decide if I want to stay with his hilarious side or venture into his darker work.
Disclosure: Thank you to Orenda Books for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
January 7, 2023
Gdybym zaczął czytać Anttiego od Najgorętszej plaży w Finlandii, to pierwsza książka byłaby przy okazji ostanią. Całe szczęście wcześniej przeczytałem świetną Małą Syberię i wiedziałem na co stać sympatycznego fińskiego pisarza, tak lubującego się w zrzucaniu na (nie zawsze tęgie) głowy swoich bohaterów przerastających je problemów.
Plaża to nie jest zła książka. Jest przeciętna. Czegoś tutaj brakuje - jak kurortowi położonemu u brzegów Zatoki Fińskiej brakuje :trochę" ciepła i słońca, żeby przyciągnąć hordy zagranicznych turystów. Ale tak poza tym jest ok.
Bohaterowie niby są interesujący, goniący za swoimi mniejszymi lub większymi marzeniami - jeśli lubicie czytać o nieudacznikach powinniście być wniebowzięci, bo w Plaży (prawie) nikomu nic się nie udaje: już sam punkt wyjścia fabuły to "fakap" pewnych dwóch niegrzeszących inteligencją złodziejaszków.
Do tego Tumainen zdecydowanie zbyt mocno pociągnął za wajchę z napisem "komedia" no i wyszło, jak wszyło: nieśmiesznie i nudnawo, przydługo i na siłę. Podczas lektury cały czas miałem wrażenie, że autor stara się tym humorem (niestety skutecznie) załagodzić społeczny przekaz swojej powieści, bo jest to w głównej mierze książka o współczesnej prowincjonalnej Finlandii, jej mieszkańcach i ich marzeniach i gdyby autor odważniej, nie chowając się za humorem poszedł w tę stronę, to efekt byłby znacznie, znacznie lepszy.
Napis na okładce głosi: "Komedia kryminalna" jakby ten różowy flaming miał być zmyłką...
Intrygi kryminalnej oczywiście brak, ale akurat tutaj to nie problem, bo od początku wiadomo: kto? kogo? w co? i za co? o komedii pisałem akapit wyżej, ale najgorzej, że obyczajowo jest mizernie, topornie i zupełnie nieprzekonywująco.
Najgorętsza plaża w Finlandii to nie jest zła książka. Albo ujmę to inaczej: jak na talent i możliwości autora jest bardzo przeciętna. Więc jeśli zastanawiacie się nad sięgnięciem po pierwszą książkę Anttiego Tuomainena i kusi was ten różowy flaming z okładki, to na chwilę zamknijcie oczy, weźcie głęboki oddech i wybierzcie się na Małą Syberię - nie zawiedziecie się.
Plaża to nie jest zła książka. Jest przeciętna. Czegoś tutaj brakuje - jak kurortowi położonemu u brzegów Zatoki Fińskiej brakuje :trochę" ciepła i słońca, żeby przyciągnąć hordy zagranicznych turystów. Ale tak poza tym jest ok.
Bohaterowie niby są interesujący, goniący za swoimi mniejszymi lub większymi marzeniami - jeśli lubicie czytać o nieudacznikach powinniście być wniebowzięci, bo w Plaży (prawie) nikomu nic się nie udaje: już sam punkt wyjścia fabuły to "fakap" pewnych dwóch niegrzeszących inteligencją złodziejaszków.
Do tego Tumainen zdecydowanie zbyt mocno pociągnął za wajchę z napisem "komedia" no i wyszło, jak wszyło: nieśmiesznie i nudnawo, przydługo i na siłę. Podczas lektury cały czas miałem wrażenie, że autor stara się tym humorem (niestety skutecznie) załagodzić społeczny przekaz swojej powieści, bo jest to w głównej mierze książka o współczesnej prowincjonalnej Finlandii, jej mieszkańcach i ich marzeniach i gdyby autor odważniej, nie chowając się za humorem poszedł w tę stronę, to efekt byłby znacznie, znacznie lepszy.
Napis na okładce głosi: "Komedia kryminalna" jakby ten różowy flaming miał być zmyłką...
Intrygi kryminalnej oczywiście brak, ale akurat tutaj to nie problem, bo od początku wiadomo: kto? kogo? w co? i za co? o komedii pisałem akapit wyżej, ale najgorzej, że obyczajowo jest mizernie, topornie i zupełnie nieprzekonywująco.
Najgorętsza plaża w Finlandii to nie jest zła książka. Albo ujmę to inaczej: jak na talent i możliwości autora jest bardzo przeciętna. Więc jeśli zastanawiacie się nad sięgnięciem po pierwszą książkę Anttiego Tuomainena i kusi was ten różowy flaming z okładki, to na chwilę zamknijcie oczy, weźcie głęboki oddech i wybierzcie się na Małą Syberię - nie zawiedziecie się.
November 23, 2025
"Najgorętsza plaża w Finlandii" to komedia kryminalna autorstwa Antti Tuomainena, która toczy się w sobie rozwiązywanie zagadki morderstwa z czarnym humorem.
Palm Beach nie jest wymarzonym kurortem do wypoczynku. Finlandia, trzynaście stopni i ani odrobiny słońca. Miejsce to świeci pustkami, pewnie dlatego, że ludzie z reguły lubią wypoczywać w ciepłych krajach. Pewnego dnia dochodzi do dziwnego morderstwa. W starym domu Oliwii, która wróciła, by go wyremontować, znaleziono zwłoki nieznajomego mężczyzny. Nikt nie wie, kim jest i co tam robił. W celu rozwikłania zagadki do kurortu przyjeżdża Jan Nyman, który pod przykrywką oraz zmienioną tożsamością prowadzi śledztwo.
Już kiedyś miałam okazję czytać książkę tego autora i chociaż wtedy bawiłam się trochę lepiej, to pobyt w Palm Beach Finland również sprawił mi nieco przyjemności. Sporo absurdu, pełno pechowych postaci i niefortunnych wypadków. Brak tu akcji oraz napięcia...od samego początku wiemy kto jest mordercą. Jest to pozycja lekka i zabawna, choć mamy trupa w tle. Fabuła nie jest zbyt skomplikowane i to raczej perypetie niezgrabnych bohaterów wychodzą na pierwszy plan. Absurdalna, sarkastyczna i taka zupełnie inna. Mnie osobiście się podobała i zaliczam ją do tych czytanych dla relaksu. Na pewno sięgnę jeszcze po inne dzieła pana Tuomainena.
Moja osobista ocena jest pozytywna, a książkę polecam jako rozrywkę, zwłaszcza dla czytelników szukających czegoś w klimacie nietypowego kryminału.
Palm Beach nie jest wymarzonym kurortem do wypoczynku. Finlandia, trzynaście stopni i ani odrobiny słońca. Miejsce to świeci pustkami, pewnie dlatego, że ludzie z reguły lubią wypoczywać w ciepłych krajach. Pewnego dnia dochodzi do dziwnego morderstwa. W starym domu Oliwii, która wróciła, by go wyremontować, znaleziono zwłoki nieznajomego mężczyzny. Nikt nie wie, kim jest i co tam robił. W celu rozwikłania zagadki do kurortu przyjeżdża Jan Nyman, który pod przykrywką oraz zmienioną tożsamością prowadzi śledztwo.
Już kiedyś miałam okazję czytać książkę tego autora i chociaż wtedy bawiłam się trochę lepiej, to pobyt w Palm Beach Finland również sprawił mi nieco przyjemności. Sporo absurdu, pełno pechowych postaci i niefortunnych wypadków. Brak tu akcji oraz napięcia...od samego początku wiemy kto jest mordercą. Jest to pozycja lekka i zabawna, choć mamy trupa w tle. Fabuła nie jest zbyt skomplikowane i to raczej perypetie niezgrabnych bohaterów wychodzą na pierwszy plan. Absurdalna, sarkastyczna i taka zupełnie inna. Mnie osobiście się podobała i zaliczam ją do tych czytanych dla relaksu. Na pewno sięgnę jeszcze po inne dzieła pana Tuomainena.
Moja osobista ocena jest pozytywna, a książkę polecam jako rozrywkę, zwłaszcza dla czytelników szukających czegoś w klimacie nietypowego kryminału.
December 13, 2025
It's kind of a murder mystery (there's really no mystery because you know from the beginning who killed who, the mystery is more how everything will be resolved) mixed with small-town vibes, rogues (some lovable, some not), dreamers, & doers. It did drag in spots; an editor should have trimmed 50 to 75 pages. Plus, this was written by your average guy that's going to comment on women's figures, including trans women (which had a very tenuous, at best, connection to the storyline), lesbian sex (which had literally nothing to do with the actual storyline), etc. Maybe it fit the '80s vibe by showcasing chauvinistic male viewpoints & the need to make comments about women's appearances? Other than the male chauvinism it was adequate/average & likely forgettable.
July 7, 2018
Oh how I love this man’s wit. Dark humour at its best, this Finnish Noir is a work of pure class.
I loved the subtlety of the humour in The Man Who Died and this has been perfected once more for Palm Beach Finland. Characterisation is brilliant, the description of the landscape as chilling as a Finnish summer and the story... Oh boy the story.
So many times I was out and out chuckling. Many elements I could identify with and then a series of scenarios and situations which were just timed to perfection. And is it wrong that I really liked one of the darker characters in the story, Holma? His loyalty is to be admired, his methods for obtaining cooperation less so. He was fab.
Pack up your towels, your buckets and spades and your warmest windcheater and head off to Palm Beach Finland. This is one summer vacation you won’t forget in a hurry.
Loved it.
I loved the subtlety of the humour in The Man Who Died and this has been perfected once more for Palm Beach Finland. Characterisation is brilliant, the description of the landscape as chilling as a Finnish summer and the story... Oh boy the story.
So many times I was out and out chuckling. Many elements I could identify with and then a series of scenarios and situations which were just timed to perfection. And is it wrong that I really liked one of the darker characters in the story, Holma? His loyalty is to be admired, his methods for obtaining cooperation less so. He was fab.
Pack up your towels, your buckets and spades and your warmest windcheater and head off to Palm Beach Finland. This is one summer vacation you won’t forget in a hurry.
Loved it.
February 27, 2019
It's been a while since I read a book like this so I'd forgotten how much I love dark humour and this book is chock full of it. Add to that incompetent criminals, a few twists and turns, and a little bit of romance and this is damn near perfect. The writing, or possibly the translation, is absolutely wonderful with humorous dialogue, slightly eccentric but oddly believable characters and a plot that will hook you from the very start.
I'm not sure what's holding me back from that 5th star, possibly lack of emotion or connection, but I'd definitely recommend to all fans of crime fiction with a dark sense of humour.
I'm not sure what's holding me back from that 5th star, possibly lack of emotion or connection, but I'd definitely recommend to all fans of crime fiction with a dark sense of humour.
June 25, 2024
I'm still trying to figure out how to describe Palm Beach Finland. It has been tagged mystery, crime, thriller and humor and of those I think that crime and humor are most applicable.
It starts with a crime by two buddies, Chico and Robin that turns out to be something else altogether. You can expect it from those two as Chico says:
Robin was a reliable guy, thought Chico, even though he was one sandwich short of a picnic.
I think Chico is perhaps the ants which accompany the picnic.
This all happens at a beach resort in Finland called Palm Beach Finland. When Nyman, the undercover cop investigating the crime arrives, Leivo the owner of the resort offers him a deflated flamingo:
‘I didn’t have time to blow it up myself,’ said Leivo, and to Nyman’s ears this was the first time he’d sounded genuine. ‘It’s a pink flamingo. Every guest gets one.’
And this is the way it goes with odd characters and dark humor all the way through.
If you enjoy this kind of book in an unusual setting you should read it. I admit that I couldn't put it down and got a good chuckle or three while reading it. I would love to see it on film.
It starts with a crime by two buddies, Chico and Robin that turns out to be something else altogether. You can expect it from those two as Chico says:
Robin was a reliable guy, thought Chico, even though he was one sandwich short of a picnic.
I think Chico is perhaps the ants which accompany the picnic.
This all happens at a beach resort in Finland called Palm Beach Finland. When Nyman, the undercover cop investigating the crime arrives, Leivo the owner of the resort offers him a deflated flamingo:
‘I didn’t have time to blow it up myself,’ said Leivo, and to Nyman’s ears this was the first time he’d sounded genuine. ‘It’s a pink flamingo. Every guest gets one.’
And this is the way it goes with odd characters and dark humor all the way through.
If you enjoy this kind of book in an unusual setting you should read it. I admit that I couldn't put it down and got a good chuckle or three while reading it. I would love to see it on film.
July 5, 2018
Is it wrong that I really want to visit this Palm Beach even though its fictional and sit on an inflatable flamingo?
Antti has one wicked sense of humour and this is no more apparent than in this book. It's dark, humourous and darkly humourous.
Palm Beach Finland is a destination you'll want to have on your literary boarding pass this summer!
Antti has one wicked sense of humour and this is no more apparent than in this book. It's dark, humourous and darkly humourous.
Palm Beach Finland is a destination you'll want to have on your literary boarding pass this summer!
February 4, 2022
Mám ráda love story, které nejsou love story.
Spousta parádních scén, které si jen říkají o to, aby se jich chopil nějaký správně šílený filmař. Třeba Anders Thomas Jensen. Kniha, která rozhodně nezklame.
Spousta parádních scén, které si jen říkají o to, aby se jich chopil nějaký správně šílený filmař. Třeba Anders Thomas Jensen. Kniha, která rozhodně nezklame.
March 19, 2020
Komedia kryminalna zawsze kojarzyła mi się jedynie z twórczością Joanny Chmielewskiej. I choć nie przepadam za autorką, to od czasu do czasu sięgam po ten gatunek. A już zwłaszcza, gdy potrzebuję czegoś lekkiego, niezobowiązującego i okraszonego szczyptą czarnego humoru.
,,Najgorętsza plaża w Finlandii’’ wszystkie te wymogi spełniła z powodzeniem. Zabawna, przystępna, nieco absurdalna lektura poprawiła mój nastrój w ciągu paru ostatnich dni. Przyznaję, że opis fabuły brzmi nieco zdawkowo, więc postanowiłam szerzej omówić zalety najnowszej książki Antti Tuomainena tak, abyście i Wy mogli skorzystać z dobrodziejstw jego dorobku.
Nadmorska mieścina, a w jej sercu Palm Beach – ośrodek wypoczynkowy, który został zaprojektowany na podobieństwo najsłynniejszych kompleksów plażowych na całym świecie. Złocisty piasek, spienione fale, kolorowe domki letniskowe, dmuchane flamingi i… tylko 13 stopni! Wydawać by się mogło, że to temperatura stoi na przeszkodzie w rozkręceniu biznesu. Ale nie, właściciel Palm Beach, Jorma Leivo ma znacznie poważniejsze problemy.
W tym samym sennym miasteczku dochodzi do makabrycznej zbrodni. W willi położonej zaraz nieopodal ośrodka znaleziono zwłoki niezidentyfikowanego mężczyzny. Czy morderstwo miało coś wspólnego z Jormą? Kim jest ofiara? Kto jest sprawcą i jaki był motyw?
Aby rozwiązać tę zagadkę do Palm Beach zostaje wysłany policyjny detektyw, Jan Nyman. Niestety, mężczyzna szybko orientuje się, że zadanie wcale nie będzie proste. Wśród mieszkańców zapanowała zmowa milczenia, a podejrzana kobieta wcale nie pasuje do wizerunku bezwzględnej morderczyni.
,,Do więzienia trafił tylko raz. Projekt fałszowania pieniędzy rozpoczął od zakupu drukarki najwyższej klasy i w tym celu posłużył się kartą kredytową. Wydrukowane przez niego banknoty opiewały po jednej stronie na dziesięć, a po drugiej na dwadzieścia euro. Próbował zapłacić nimi za wycieczkę do jednego z południowych krajów, którą zarezerwował dla siebie, korzystając z paszportu swojej ówczesnej ciemnowłosej, noszącej okulary narzeczonej o pociągłej twarzy.’’
Co jest najważniejsze w komediach kryminalnych? No oczywiście, że humor! W książce Tuomainena znajdziecie go mnóstwo, ale jest on tak sprytnie przemycony, że nie odczujemy jego wagi. Komiczne, niekiedy wręcz absurdalne oraz odrobinę przerysowane sytuacje wylewają się spomiędzy stron, jednak nie przytłaczają i nie przysłaniają najistotniejszych wydarzeń.
O fabule także należy wspomnieć. W tym przypadku mamy do czynienia z odwróceniem schematu. Czytelnik od początku wie kim jest ofiara, kto zabił i dlaczego. Rozwiązanie zagadki w oczach odbiorcy jest porażająco banalne, więc z tym większym zapałem będzie śledzić zmagania naszych bohaterów. A jak się okaże, to jeden z najzabawniejszych aspektów historii.
Detektyw bierze na celownik częściowo poszkodowaną Olivię, która nie ma zielonego pojęcia czemu ktokolwiek chciałby mordować w jej domu przypadkowego zbira. Ta z kolei podejrzewa Leiva, ale Leivo jak to Leivo – umywa rączki. Pracownicy Palm Beach zachowują się dziwnie, na horyzoncie pojawia się niebezpieczny nieznajomy, co w ogóle nie zwiastuje szczęśliwego zakończenia tej pokręconej historii. Intryga komplikuje się coraz bardziej, akcja nabiera tempa, a pod koniec książki nawet postronny obserwator będzie potrzebował chwilki wytchnienia.
O ile całość oceniam bardzo dobrze, tak finał książki niezbyt mi leży. Rozwiązanie sprawy mnie nie satysfakcjonuje, ponieważ wypada mało przekonująco i uważam, że niektóre wątki nie zostały należycie domknięte. Jednak z drugiej strony - czy w przypadku komedii kryminalnej można w ogóle mówić o jakiejkolwiek wiarygodności? Ja prawdopodobnie za bardzo się czepiam, ale wy musicie przekonać się osobiście co myślicie o NAJGORĘTSZEJ PLAŻY W FINLANDII!
,,Najgorętsza plaża w Finlandii’’ wszystkie te wymogi spełniła z powodzeniem. Zabawna, przystępna, nieco absurdalna lektura poprawiła mój nastrój w ciągu paru ostatnich dni. Przyznaję, że opis fabuły brzmi nieco zdawkowo, więc postanowiłam szerzej omówić zalety najnowszej książki Antti Tuomainena tak, abyście i Wy mogli skorzystać z dobrodziejstw jego dorobku.
Nadmorska mieścina, a w jej sercu Palm Beach – ośrodek wypoczynkowy, który został zaprojektowany na podobieństwo najsłynniejszych kompleksów plażowych na całym świecie. Złocisty piasek, spienione fale, kolorowe domki letniskowe, dmuchane flamingi i… tylko 13 stopni! Wydawać by się mogło, że to temperatura stoi na przeszkodzie w rozkręceniu biznesu. Ale nie, właściciel Palm Beach, Jorma Leivo ma znacznie poważniejsze problemy.
W tym samym sennym miasteczku dochodzi do makabrycznej zbrodni. W willi położonej zaraz nieopodal ośrodka znaleziono zwłoki niezidentyfikowanego mężczyzny. Czy morderstwo miało coś wspólnego z Jormą? Kim jest ofiara? Kto jest sprawcą i jaki był motyw?
Aby rozwiązać tę zagadkę do Palm Beach zostaje wysłany policyjny detektyw, Jan Nyman. Niestety, mężczyzna szybko orientuje się, że zadanie wcale nie będzie proste. Wśród mieszkańców zapanowała zmowa milczenia, a podejrzana kobieta wcale nie pasuje do wizerunku bezwzględnej morderczyni.
,,Do więzienia trafił tylko raz. Projekt fałszowania pieniędzy rozpoczął od zakupu drukarki najwyższej klasy i w tym celu posłużył się kartą kredytową. Wydrukowane przez niego banknoty opiewały po jednej stronie na dziesięć, a po drugiej na dwadzieścia euro. Próbował zapłacić nimi za wycieczkę do jednego z południowych krajów, którą zarezerwował dla siebie, korzystając z paszportu swojej ówczesnej ciemnowłosej, noszącej okulary narzeczonej o pociągłej twarzy.’’
Co jest najważniejsze w komediach kryminalnych? No oczywiście, że humor! W książce Tuomainena znajdziecie go mnóstwo, ale jest on tak sprytnie przemycony, że nie odczujemy jego wagi. Komiczne, niekiedy wręcz absurdalne oraz odrobinę przerysowane sytuacje wylewają się spomiędzy stron, jednak nie przytłaczają i nie przysłaniają najistotniejszych wydarzeń.
O fabule także należy wspomnieć. W tym przypadku mamy do czynienia z odwróceniem schematu. Czytelnik od początku wie kim jest ofiara, kto zabił i dlaczego. Rozwiązanie zagadki w oczach odbiorcy jest porażająco banalne, więc z tym większym zapałem będzie śledzić zmagania naszych bohaterów. A jak się okaże, to jeden z najzabawniejszych aspektów historii.
Detektyw bierze na celownik częściowo poszkodowaną Olivię, która nie ma zielonego pojęcia czemu ktokolwiek chciałby mordować w jej domu przypadkowego zbira. Ta z kolei podejrzewa Leiva, ale Leivo jak to Leivo – umywa rączki. Pracownicy Palm Beach zachowują się dziwnie, na horyzoncie pojawia się niebezpieczny nieznajomy, co w ogóle nie zwiastuje szczęśliwego zakończenia tej pokręconej historii. Intryga komplikuje się coraz bardziej, akcja nabiera tempa, a pod koniec książki nawet postronny obserwator będzie potrzebował chwilki wytchnienia.
O ile całość oceniam bardzo dobrze, tak finał książki niezbyt mi leży. Rozwiązanie sprawy mnie nie satysfakcjonuje, ponieważ wypada mało przekonująco i uważam, że niektóre wątki nie zostały należycie domknięte. Jednak z drugiej strony - czy w przypadku komedii kryminalnej można w ogóle mówić o jakiejkolwiek wiarygodności? Ja prawdopodobnie za bardzo się czepiam, ale wy musicie przekonać się osobiście co myślicie o NAJGORĘTSZEJ PLAŻY W FINLANDII!
May 24, 2025
Another offbeat read by Antti Tuomainen. He really is a wizard at bringing distinctly odd characters together and putting them in preposterous situations with all kinds of disastrous outcomes.
In this book, undercover cop, Jan, goes to a newly developed beach resort in the coldest part of Finland to investigate the death of an unknown man found in the house of one of the resort's employees. He expects to identify and arrest the killer - feeling sure it's a local who held a grudge against the victim. What he doesn't allow for is the range of dodgy people working or holidaying in what seems to be the most ridiculous resort in the world; any of which could be the killer. He also doesn't expect to fall in love with one of the suspects or to start questioning his path in life, but finds himself having to deal with both these issues while carrying out his investigation.
There is a lot of fun to be had for the reader in trying to work out how each of the characters will manage to extricate themselves from the trouble they are in. You want them to succeed too no matter that they are rogues and chancers or worse.
As per other books by this author, there are laugh out loud moments and plenty of farcical confusion as the plot develops. There are also some sweet moments too to counteract the darker parts of the novel. Unique storyline and characters. Very good read.
In this book, undercover cop, Jan, goes to a newly developed beach resort in the coldest part of Finland to investigate the death of an unknown man found in the house of one of the resort's employees. He expects to identify and arrest the killer - feeling sure it's a local who held a grudge against the victim. What he doesn't allow for is the range of dodgy people working or holidaying in what seems to be the most ridiculous resort in the world; any of which could be the killer. He also doesn't expect to fall in love with one of the suspects or to start questioning his path in life, but finds himself having to deal with both these issues while carrying out his investigation.
There is a lot of fun to be had for the reader in trying to work out how each of the characters will manage to extricate themselves from the trouble they are in. You want them to succeed too no matter that they are rogues and chancers or worse.
As per other books by this author, there are laugh out loud moments and plenty of farcical confusion as the plot develops. There are also some sweet moments too to counteract the darker parts of the novel. Unique storyline and characters. Very good read.
October 27, 2018
Rounding up to 3 stars. Had high hopes but found this slow and unfunny.
May 5, 2020
that's a "no" from me... 👎
December 27, 2019
Finished reading: December 23rd 2019
"The older you are when you wake up to your dreams, she thought, the more vigorous you pursue them. The more desperately. Because with every passing day there's simply less to lose."
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
June 16, 2022
Antti Tuomaisen järjestyksessään seitsemäs romaani, Palm Beach Finland (2017), on ihan hauska ja viihdyttävä, mutta kerronnaltaan paikoitellen hieman naiivi tekele, eikä yllä ihan sille onnistumisen tasolle kuin kaksi aiemmin lukemaani kirjailijan romaania, Mies joka kuoli (2016) ja Jäniskerroin (2020). Kuten kummassakin aiemmin lukemassani romaanissa, myös Palm Beach Finlandissa juoni rakennetaan omaperäisen yksityisyrittäjyyden ympärille: tällä kertaa ollaan rakentamassa Miami Vice -henkistä aurinkorantakompleksia viileälle ja tuuliselle rannalle jonnekinpäin Suomea. Eikä ruumiilta tietenkään vältytä. Miami Vice- ja Bruce Springsteen -viittaukset ovat ihan hauskoja, mutta samalla myös hiukan hölmöjä, ja sama ongelma jotenkin vaivaa koko romaania. Kerronnasta ja alamaailman hahmoista tulee hieman mieleen Reijo Mäen Vares-romaanit. Mielestäni kahdessa aiemmin lukemassani romaanissa Tuomainen onnistui omaperäisempään kerrontaan, toimivampiin hahmoihin ja onnistuneempaan tarinankuljetukseen. Mutta en sitä kiellä: viihdyn Tuomaisen kirjojen parissa, ja kyllä pariin otteeseen tuli tälläkin kertaa ihan ääneen naurahdettua.
Arvioni 3,3 tähteä viidestä.
Arvioni 3,3 tähteä viidestä.
September 12, 2018
Once again Antti has a book where his sense of humor shines right thru a great story! A lil bit mystery, quirky whodunnit, that has some great characters that are all so different it makes for a great read. Quite a few times I found myself chuckling over one liners and got odd looks from the fam;)
Thanks to Orenda for this copy:)
Thanks to Orenda for this copy:)
March 9, 2025
Endlich wieder mal ein Buch von Antti Tuomainen. Er nimmt einen in ein kleines finnisches Dorf (Palm Beach) mit, um ein Verbrechen aufzuklären. Kurzweilig, flüssiger Lesefluss, leichte Sprache, amüsant, für mich aber kein passendes Ende. Für ein paar unterhaltsame und unbeschwerliche Stunden im Liegestuhl passt es.
May 2, 2021
A fun crime novel that also has a lot of dark humor in it. The reader knows pretty much all that happened from the start so it is no mystery but we get to follow those silly characters and get entertained by the events.
I had second thoughts about my rating because I liked The Man Who Died by the same author much more and gave it 4. But it would be unfair to rate it lower by comparing to other books by the same author because I am sure if it was somebody elses book I would give it a 4 without thinking twice. Still if you liked the book read The Man who Died. It was even more unique, funny and entertaining.
I think this book would be a great crime comedy movie. The guys who did all the crimes were the best part of it. They were fun characters. I especially loved the guy who stubbornly followed his dream to make his Palm Beach resort in Finland a big thing. He was the one who made this book entertaining
I had second thoughts about my rating because I liked The Man Who Died by the same author much more and gave it 4. But it would be unfair to rate it lower by comparing to other books by the same author because I am sure if it was somebody elses book I would give it a 4 without thinking twice. Still if you liked the book read The Man who Died. It was even more unique, funny and entertaining.
I think this book would be a great crime comedy movie. The guys who did all the crimes were the best part of it. They were fun characters. I especially loved the guy who stubbornly followed his dream to make his Palm Beach resort in Finland a big thing. He was the one who made this book entertaining
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