This month's Best Read is The Heart Echoes by Helena von Zweigberk. This warm, sometimes chilling and ultimately tragic story of three sisters and long ago buried secrets by the Swedish novelist, journalist, and TV presenter, is brilliantly translated by Tiina Nunnally. An Intriguing Start The … [Read more...]
Feeling Homesick
I've been feeling very homesick for Finland lately. Perhaps it's because I had to cancel my trip to Tampere before Christmas, and it's now over six months since I was last there. While organising my blog posts on this new site, I stumbled upon this one, which I wrote three years ago. It felt so … [Read more...]
Interview with Swanlake Reloaded Director Fredrik Rydman
Since its premiere in 1895, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake has been an inspiration for generations of choreographers and directors. Now Sweden’s Fredrik Rydman brings Swan Lake Reloaded - where Tchaikovsky meets Street Dance - to the London Coliseum for seven performances only from 6 – 10 August … [Read more...]
A Weekend Reader Offer on Coffee and Vodka!
Coffee and Vodka, dubbed 'Nordic Noir Meets Family Saga' at The London Book Fair, is now on a very special and very limited offer. From today until Sunday (26-28 April 2013) you can download my book for only £1.35 (or $1.99).Here are more details and links to where you can download the … [Read more...]
What’s in a cover – receive a free book!
I know some of you are patiently waiting the publication of my next novel. Something which I promised would happen very soon after The Englishman came out.Alas, there have been some complications (aren't there always?).Firstly, this next novel is very dear to my heart because it tells the story of a … [Read more...]
What’s your IKEA story?
The new academic year always seems to herald another trip to IKEA to get bright and beautiful bits of pieces for daughter's digs at university. But IKEA and I have a history going much further back than that.First time ever I visited IKEA was in the round, Guggenheim style, store in Stockholm in … [Read more...]
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
I was very sceptical about watching a Hollywood version of the first book in the wonderful Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson. Although I felt the Swedish films left a lot to be desired, mainly because the plot of the books was completely mixed up between the three films, they had some … [Read more...]
Swedish Sankta Lucia at St Paul’s Cathedral
I felt very privileged to be invited to The Swedish Church Sankta Lucia carol service, which this year was held at no lesser a venue but St Paul's Cathedral in London. The service was due to start at 6.30pm, but we were advised by our seasoned London friends to arrive early to get a good seats. So … [Read more...]
A true story: me as mission control
Last night I got a call from Son, 'Have you got mummu's (Granny in Finnish) telephone number?'I was in London, he was in Sweden, with my mother - or so I thought.'Yes, but persumably you're on the same ferry with her and can locate her without having to use your mobile?' I asked, drily. My … [Read more...]
Mary Queen of Shops and My Mother
Mary Portas. Photo: Telegraph.com I am extremely happy to see that Mary Portas new collection at House of Fraser is aimed at the over 40's. As she says, it's this market segment that has money to spend - not the one populated by the 20-somethings. (Sad as that may be). So why are the models in … [Read more...]
