Among the Saints

Lapland hometown hoodlum named Marzipan Räikkönen is killed near his home. But the who, why, and how of the murder no one knows, not even the victim himself. His death launches a series of events recounted in the first person by thirty-five different people touched by Marzipan's murder. The witty story line cleverly connects the dots among the personalities, including the ambulance drivers, detectives, family members, neighbors, two-bit criminals, and even the minister officiating at the funeral, to finally reveal the killer. This fast moving crime novel, full of wry Finnish humor, deepens into a multi layered panorama about society, its people, and ultimately justice. Originally published in Finland, the critically-acclaimed novel quickly became a best seller and was made into a popular movie. Jari Tervo (b. 1959), a native of Lapland, is one of the most prominent and popular names in Finnish literature. The former reporter has gained a national reputation for his critically-acclaimed novels and as a television personality. Tervo has an inimitable style and voice, much admired by critics. The public knows him as an omniscient quiz show guest and sardonic commentator on current events, and also follows his literary output with appreciation and admiration. He received the award for Finland's Best Crime Novel in 2000, and he has been repeatedly on top of the Finnish best seller lists ever since.