Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+

Håkan Nesser in London

April 1, 2009 by Helena Halme 2 Comments

I was very kindly invited to hear the Swedish crime writer, Håkan Nesser, speak at the Swedish Church in Marylebone last night. I’ve been a fan of Nesser for years, so I was acting like a little girl with a crush on a teacher when I spotted him on arrival at the church hall.

I’d insisted that my friend and I got there at least half an hour before the start. As the famous author graciously signed my books, I tried to tell him my life story. I mentioned we’d come early to get a good seat. The place was yet empty. My friend hid behind my back, but she was a good sport and didn’t even laugh when I couldn’t resist asking the man several questions after his talk. The hall did fill, and when Nesser delivered his funny and informative talk, it was full.

As I want my Babington book club to read Nesser, I asked him when more of his books were going to be published in English. ‘One per year is what they’ve decided. They’ll carry on way past my time on earth,’ he said with a glint in his eye. He’s written 21 books and does not look like stopping.

The first one to come out in English, which I bought there and then (and had it signed and dedicated to me, bliss of blisses), is called ‘Mind’s Eye’. It’s the first in the Detective Chief Inspector Van Veeteren series. Others to look out are ‘Borkman’s Point’ and ‘The Return’. ‘Woman with Birthmark’ will come out in English on 1 May.

I have to admit I enjoy his latter books with the charismatic Detective Barbarotti more. But all of his books have a sense that the crime and the detective work is an afterthought in the storytelling. They are not conventional detective novels. But then what is ordinary or conventional? I think this is exactly the point.

The language Mr Nesser uses is extraordinary, it’s economical, with every sentence and word carefully placed. One wouldn’t associate his expressions with this genre. To add to the mysterious and abstract feel of the novels, he often makes up place names, names of characters as well as flora and fauna.

To cap the evening we found that the great man now lives in London. No, I’m not going to start to stalk him. Promise.

You may also like:

Books Set in Scandinavia It’s Publication Day A Reading from An Island Heatwave Love on the Island Books 4-6 Boxed Set

Comments

  1. Robin Wilton says

    April 17, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    Sounds like I should try one of the Barbarotti books, then… What I meant by the Twitter comment was that for some reason, I found the fictional setting of Borkmann’s Point distracting. I prefer the very strong sense of place you get from, say, Mankell (Skåne), Nesbø (Olso), Dibdin (Italy…), Indriðasson (Reykjavik) etc…

    Reply
  2. Helena Halme says

    April 17, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    I asked him if he thought his books got better but he claimed his first book was as good as his last and moved quickly onto the next person. I know I improve all the time…but then I haven’t written 21 books and been translated into 20 languages. Glad you enjoy Scandinavian lit., sometimes it feels as if I’m running a one-woman campaign on it!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Pre-order offer

To Melt A Frozen Heart now 0.99 on pre-order

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

NEW NOVEL

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Buy Direct from the author

Follow me on Instagram

Whoo hoo! My new book, an enemies-to-lovers winter Whoo hoo! My new book, an enemies-to-lovers winter romance, To Melt A Frozen Heart, is now on pre-order!
💙
To Melt A Frozen Heart is Book 1 in a new series, titled, The Anderssons.  In the first novel in the series, we meet  Kat Andersson, a passionate environmentalist TV producer. Heartbroken after a devastating betrayal by those whom she most trusted in her life, she travels to Lapland, where she meets – and immediately hates – Mikael Hult, a ski instructor from a wealthy Finnish mining family.
💙
Here’s the full blurb:
When trust is betrayed by those closest to you, can love still find its way?

Kat, a TV producer nursing a shattered heart from a celebrity chef's betrayal, seeks refuge in Lapland. There, she crosses paths with Mikael, a Finnish ski instructor from a wealthy mining dynasty.

Their worlds collide like ice and fire, yet an irresistible attraction blooms. Kat, an ardent vegan and environmental advocate, has sworn off holiday romances. Mikael embodies everything she detests about privilege: fast cars, inherited wealth, and disregard for the environment.

But destiny has other plans. When disaster strikes in Lapland's pristine wilderness, Kat and Mikael find themselves drawn together. In their struggle for survival, they uncover shared values and a connection they never expected.

Will Kat's heart thaw, granting her a second chance at love, or will it remain frozen forever? 

To Melt A Frozen Heart whisks you from London's bustling streets to Lapland's enchanting landscapes, where the Northern Lights and twinkling stars illuminate Kat and Mikael’s path.
💙
You can now pre-order the eBook version of To Melt A Frozen Heart from your favourite store for just $0.99. This is a time-sensitive offer, so if you want to read my next novel, Book 1 in a brand new series, as soon as it hits the virtual shelves go to my profile or here: helenahalmebooks.com to secure your copy.
💙
To Melt A Frozen Heart will be out on 30 November 2023, at which point the price will go up to $4.99. 
💙❄️📘📖
Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @moss Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @mossymummy . Now wonderfully energized, I’m at my desk with coffee (naturally), running through the first edits of my Lapland book (cover and title reveal coming soon - watch this space 👀). 
I hope your week has kicked off well too!
☕️📘🤸‍♂️❤️
I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry toma I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry tomato plant, but not so many from the ‘big’ one. It’s very satisfying to eat fruit from your own #London balcony though! 🍅🪴
There’s nothing like meeting up with a good frie There’s nothing like meeting up with a good friend who also happens to be an amazing author! 
✍🏻🥰
Freddie @freddieppeters and I write in  different genres but we have so much in common. Our 3+ hour lunches are legendary.
🥂📚
Always prolific, Freddie has once again beat me to publishing her latest financial thriller, Book 2 in the Nancy Wu series, SON AND CRUSADER. I cannot wait to read it!
📘🕵️‍♀️
Load More Follow on Instagram

writing and publishing tips

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

PRE-ORDER OFFER

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in