Helsinki Noir -
the dark side of Helsinki
Helsinki Noir – The dark side of Helsinki
New international literature festival in Helsinki
February 2026 will see friends of crime literature flock to Helsinki! Finnish and international literary stars will take to the stage at the Alexander Theatre on February 27th and 28th to delight festival-goers. Appearing on stage will be some of the most exciting crime, police procedural, and true crime authors, discussing themes such as evil, international crime, pivotal human choices, police work, and crime solving.
Step into the dark – it’s never been this attractive!
Tickets from Lippu.fi
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PRESENTERS
Jo Nesbø (NO)
The Norwegian author Jo Nesbø is one of the world’s most popular writers. He is best known for his Harry Hole series, which has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the 14th instalment.
Elly Griffiths (UK)
Elly Griffiths is an English author known for her cosy thrillers. She struck success with her Ruth Galloway crime series, and since then charmed readers with her Brighton Mysteries and Harbinder Kaur crime novels. The newest series from this prolific author, Ali Dawson, the saucy fifty-something detective sergeant investigates very old cold murder cases in her rather special London police unit.
Chris Whitaker (UK)
Chris Whitaker is a bestselling English author. His first novel, “All the Colours of the Dark”, is being published in Finnish translation in February 2026. Universal Pictures is also making a film adaptation of the book. Whitaker has won several prestigious awards such as the CWA Gold Dagger and the Ned Kelly International Award. His books have been translated to over 30 languages. Whitaker was born in London and now lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and three children.
Stefan Ahnhem (SWE)
Stefan Ahnhem is a major name in the top tier of Scandinavian thriller authors. The first instalment in his Fabian Risk crime series, Victim without a Face, was an international success which won the Crimetime Award. This thriller series deftly combines psychological suspense and hectic action.
Lilja Sigurdardóttir (IS)
Lilja Sigurdardóttir (b. 1972) is an Icelandic detective writer and playwright who has twice won the award for best detective story of the year in Iceland. The translation rights to his books have been sold to more than 20 countries.
Skúli Sigurdsson (IS)
Icelander Skúli Sigurdsson’s debut novel Big Brother (2022), the first in the Iceland Chronicle series, was awarded the Crime Novel of the Year Award in Iceland and was shortlisted for the Glass Key Award. The series follows the work and exploits of journalists at the Iceland Chronicle and detective Héðinn Vernharðsson against the backdrop of Iceland’s rugged nature. Well received by readers and critics alike, Skúli's work has been described as thrilling, imaginative and excelling among Icelandic thrillers.
Satu Rämö
Satu Rämö is an author living in Iceland. The Hildur series has been an exceptionally great success by every measure. A TV series and plays are being made about Hildur, and translation rights for the series have been sold to twenty countries, including Germany, Great Britain, France and all the Nordic countries. Tinna is the 5th part of Hildur series. .
Max Seeck
Max Seeck is author, screenwriter and film director from Espoo. Seeck's fourth novel, The Faithful Reader, made the New York Times bestseller list, and his sixth novel, Kauna, received the annual Lasiavain Award for the best Nordic detective story.
Leena Lehtolainen
Leena Lehtolainen, one of Finland's most popular authors, is particularly known for her Maria Kallio and Hilja Ilveskero detective series. She has also written several fiction novels and ya books.
Helena Immonen
Helena Immonen is a journalism and communications professional, guerrilla radar and reserve officer with a background in security policy. His Operation Fox series has been both a sales and critical success. He also writes popular books for children and young people.
Immu Ilmén
Mika Ilmén (b. 1971) is a former motorcycle club member and professional freestyle fighter. Today, he is known as a popular author, YouTuber, social media personality, and TV personality.
Kale Puonti
Kale Puonti worked for more than 30 years in Helsinki in the field of drugs and organised crime. He has seen the international drug trade come to Finland from the front and has been involved in many highly publicised cases. Puonti has become a favourite with readers with his convincingly realistic Pasila Poison series of detective stories.
Patricia G. Bertényi
Patricia G. Bertényi (b. 1973) is a Hungarian-born Turku resident who works as a nurse in the intensive care unit and is the editor-in-chief of Tehohoitolehti. She also holds a degree in photography from the New York Institute of Photography.
Joona Keskitalo
Writer Joona Keskitalo (b. 1992) was born in Oulu and currently lives with his family in Hämeenlinna. As a writer, he is known as a skilled plot developer who spices his captivating stories with humor and well-written characters.
Vera Vala
Vera Vala (b. 1976) has lived in Italy for over 25 years. She loves difficult puzzles, acquiring knowledge, chess and scuba diving. Vera Vala holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and Criminology from Milan, where she lives with her family.
JP Koskinen
JP Koskinen is a writer who has written both non-fiction and fiction. He has studied crime fiction in his non-fiction book Harkittu murha and has written the extensive Murhan vuosi crime novel series. Koskinen has won, among others, the Book of the Year and Savonia Prizes and has been nominated for the Finlandia Prize for fiction twice.
Marja Aarnipuro
Marja Aarnipuro (b. 1960) has had a long career as a journalist, including being an editor-in-chief of the magazine Apu before retiring. In her books, Aarnipuro skillfully combines sensitive topics with dark humor.
Rebecca Härkönen
Rebekka Härkönen (b. 1976) has worked as a journalist for two decades, about half of which as a crime and legal journalist in various media. She currently works at MTV News.
Matti Laine
Helsinki-born Matti Laine (b. 1976) is a screenwriter, actor and author who has written, among other things, the six-part Vitikka detective series.
Isänsä tytär daughter begins an action thriller series set in the cruel world of corruption, corruption and crime, in which Laine, known as a master of interesting characters, is once again in his element.
Isänsä tytär daughter begins an action thriller series set in the cruel world of corruption, corruption and crime, in which Laine, known as a master of interesting characters, is once again in his element.
Matti Remes
Matti Remes is a graphic artist, writer and cartoonist who lives in Helsinki and Hanko with his family. His Ruben Waara crime novels are also set in Hanko. Remes has also published cartoons, both in books and magazines, in Finland, the United States and England. In addition to his literary work, Remes works as a graphic designer in his own office.
Max Manner
Max Manner is known especially for his intense crime novels, and one of his favorite characters is the fifty-something Turku police officer Harri Hirvikallio. Harha, published in August 2024, is the seventh part in the Hirvikallio series.
Heikki Valkama
Heikki Valkama works in Finnish broadcasting Company as journalist in news and current affairs department. His debut novel, Pallokala, introduced the Finnish top chef Riku Mäki, received the Kirja à la Carte award, and was awarded The Finnish Whodunnit Society's debut detective novel of the year. Valkama is an expert on Japanese culture and has written several books on the subject.
Anna Harju
Anna Harju (b. 1983) enjoys atmospheric detective stories with a gripping, complex plot. She lives in tampere. She is a translator and communications expert. Jäljet is her debut novel.
Anna Äärelä
Anna Äärelä (b. 1992) is a Helsinki-based film director, screenwriter and photographer who often explores themes of insecurity and loneliness in her works. Mene Mene Mene is a thriller that offers readers psychological suspense about police work and past trauma.
Janne Huuskonen
Janne Huuskonen (s. 1975) is a journalist and a writer. He has dealt organized crime in Kultainen Vasikka, drug addictions in Koukussa, and the societal dimensions of gangsta rap in Pistooli Guccin laukussa.
Kenneth Eriksson
Kenneth Eriksson (born 1960) started working for the Helsinki Police in 1982. He worked as a detective investigating armed robbery, extortion, gang crime as well as pimping and human trafficking.
Helinä Häkkänen
Helinä Häkkänen is a Doctor of Psychology and Docent of Criminal Psychology at the University of Helsinki. She worked for the Finnish National Criminal Police for over ten years and has also participated in international war crimes investigations. Her previous works include Psykopatia ja 100 kysymystä narsismista.
Christian Rönnbacka
Rönnbacka's popular Hautalehto detective novels have become known for their distinctive humor and expertise in police work. In addition to Hautalehto, Rönnbacka also writes the Henna Björk detective series, which delve into the depths of international crime.
Mikko Kiiskilä
Mikko Kiiskilä (born 1976) has a degree in social sciences and worked in the restaurant trade before becoming a prison guard.
MIKA ILMÉN
Mika Ilmén (born 1971) is a former motorbike gang member and mixed martial arts professional. Now, he is a popular writer, YouTuber, social media and TV personality.
