Spoke twice at the Helsinki book fair. Never did work up a political rant. Surprised some people by informing them about the number of trained foreign spies operating with diplomatic credentials from various embassies though. It’s been investigated by journalists and no secret if you read the newspapers. Even where they congregate in the evenings, seeking out their targets is known. I’ve bartended in a couple of the places, pulled some shifts out of curiosity. Why do these things surprise people?
I’ve added a short story called Bite Marks to my Facebook James Thompson author page. It’s been published in a Finnish literary magazine but never before in English. If you would like to read it, click the page link above, then ‘like’ the page. On the left side of the page in the menu, you’ll see a ‘welcome’ button. Click it and Bob’s your uncle.
Hear the song Snow Angels, inspired by the novel, composed and performed by the most excellent band, Berlin Architecture.
A reading from Snow Angels Narrated, rather badly, by yours truly.
I’m speaking at the Helsinki book on Saturday, October 29th. I loathe public speaking and rarely do it. So, if you want to hear me rant, this is the time.
I’ve updated this site’s content, greatly expanded the international section, and included it at the bottom of ‘News and Events’ instead of in ‘Reviews’ for website-building related reasons. There’s a lot of images. Have a look. I’ve also placed interviews here in News and Events, since they’re not reviews and they had to fit somewhere. You’ll also find an international section there where I provide content from my as of now ten publishers. Here’s the news in brief:
Snow Angels was selected as one of Booklist’ s Best Crime Novel Debuts of the Year and nominated for an Edgar Award, an Anthony Award, and a Strand Critics Award.
My recent novel, Lucifer’s Tears, received excellent reviews from all quarters, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus.
The film rights to the Inspector Vaara have been sold. I’m co-screen writer. We expect to start filming Snow Angels in Lapland in June (the scene when Kari met Kate was on Midsummer’s Eve).
My next novel, Helsinki White, is scheduled for U.S. release in March, 2012. Here’s the cover and catalog copy.
Helsinki White
ISBN: 978-0-399-15832-2
TITLE: HELSINKI WHITE
DESCRIPTION: Two days after their daughter is born, Kari Vaara drops a bombshell on his American wife, Kate: He has a brain tumor . . . and he’s been handpicked to run a rogue black-ops unit, using crime to fight crime.
After recovering from surgery, he gets to work. The black-ops unit is small, and reports directly to Finland’s National Chief of Police. They have secrecy, autonomy, and the cash to buy all the high-tech gear. Soon the unit is cleaning house, robbing Helsinki’s mobsters blind of their cash, dope, and illegal firearms. But Kari’s team is too good, and their actions have unintended consequences. . . .
Meanwhile, Finland roils with hatred as its most extreme right political party gains popularity despite no agenda besides xenophobia. When the country’s leading immigrants’ rights advocate is assassinated and her head sent by mail to the Finnish Somalia Network, the president assigns Kari to the murder. Cracking this case will involve the unsolved kidnapping of a billionaire’s children, a Faustian bargain with a former French legionnaire—and Kate.
The U.S. release date for Helsinki White is March 15th. However, you can pre-order it now from major retailers, in both hardback and eBook versions. Go to ‘Home’ and click on a book to order it either as a paper product or on your favorite e-reader. And technology marches on. As well as Kindle and Nook, my books are are also now available on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iBooks and on your computer with iTunes. Click here to learn more.
Please sign up on my mailing list to be eligible for book giveaways and such, and also join me on my Facebook James Thompson author page and on Twitter, username:tassu1
I get to play with the big kids.
Some of Rome is such a mess. Why don't they clear away some that old junk and build a mall?
