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.
Lehtolainen was born in Vesanto. In addition to her work as a writer, she has worked as a literary scholar, columnist, and critic, and has completed a licentiate in philosophy. She currently lives in Degerby.
Lehtolainen published her first novel at the age of 12; Ja äkkiä onkin toukokuu was published in 1976.
Ensimmäinen murhani, published in 1993, began Lehtolainen’s series of crime novels, which, with its lively heroine Maria Kallio, brought a female perspective to male-driven Finnish detective literature, which was enthusiastically received.
Leena Lehtolainen’s works have been translated into over 30 languages.
Photo: Sabrina Bqain