The nominees for the 2026 Clue of the Year Award

Here are the six nominees, one of which will win the Clue of the Year award for the best Finnish crime fiction book of the year. The winner will be announced on 3 February 2026. At the same time, the best debut crime novel of the year will also be awarded, as will the Foreign Crime Writer Award. For the first time, we will also present the Clue of the Year Junior Award for the best crime novel for children and young adults.

The nominees were selected by a three-member jury comprising Päivi Kuntze (chair), Anssi Linkoaho and Marja Litja-Salminen. They will also select the final winner. The jury approved 99 crime novels published this year and at the end of 2024 for the competition.

"We wanted to read good stories, and our wish came true. This year's selection of crime fiction has been excellent – thanks to the authors, editors and publishers. We aim for a good and positive feeling after reading, even if the story is dark and the characters are unpleasant. A good book stays with you but makes you want to read it again. We also appreciate appropriately intellectual humour. The range of crime and suspense literature has expanded in recent years," says Päivi Kuntze, chair of the jury.

"This year, we had the opportunity to read as many as 20 debut crime novels, and we are delighted to say that they are all of a very high quality. It's great to see new, fresh talent and new, open-minded approaches entering the field! As an exception, we are also giving space to the shortlist of three debut crime novels because they deserve it," she continues.

The nominees for the 2026 Clue of the Year award and the jury's reasoning are as follows:

Pekka Hyyti: Huhtikuun kymmenen päivää (”Ten Days in April”) (Myllylahti)

Inspector Voitto Karhu and his inner circle transport readers to springtime in 1942 and the heart of Tampere's history. A veteran of vivid historical depictions, Hyyti is a unique interpreter of history and a strong expert on the war years. Based on this, he has created interesting characters for the story. The important figures on the home front, with their feelings and emotions, ignite an exciting narrative. The activists who terrorised the city are also vividly portrayed, and their motives are easy to understand. The book provides readers with memorable insights into the history of child welfare and the sabotage carried out by forest guerrillas.

Helena Immonen: Horros (”Hibernation”) Docendo)

The opening of the Havu series introduces Antto Havu, who dropped out of cadet school after a tragic accident. The main character's background is exceptionally well-developed, with a difficult relationship with his mother and tales of his grandfather, who provided him with the happiest days of his childhood. Immonen creates realistic horror scenarios for the reader involving new types of technical and medical applications that would disrupt world politics if realised. Cognitive and psychological warfare both frighten and fascinate the reader. This topical and global thriller is nicely softened by a solid humanity.

Risto Isomäki: Krakenin saari (”Kraken's Island”) (Into)

Marine biologist Martti Ritola sets out to investigate the mysterious destruction of a mini-submarine off the coast of Tenerife. In the depths of the ocean, crimes are being committed against nature and our only planet, Earth. The setting, with its creatures and deep-sea trenches, is described in a fascinating and expertly accurate manner. We appreciate the author's research-based writing style, which is concise, structured, fact-based and well-reasoned. This eco-thriller deserves its place at the top of the list, bringing a fresh maritime breeze to the suspense genre. While it is difficult for the reader to distinguish between fact and fantasy, the excellent explanatory section at the end of the book provides valuable context.

Matti Laine: Isänsä tytär (Her father’s daughter”) (Bazar)

The new series introduces Kovanen's family. His daughter Kata works for the Armadillo organisation, which protects people in danger. Her work and intense hobbies are based in Berlin. Her father, Rene, has left his job as a police officer behind and settled in Lapland. Laine constructs compelling dramas, so the story and plot will keep you hooked from beginning to end. The book features stunning language and lively, concise storytelling. Likeable and believable antiheroes who have fallen on hard times ultimately rise to the top. Amidst the turmoil of evil, there is also humour, warmth and a humane undertone. In the world of the Kovanen family, we learn that nothing is black and white. And that most things are grey.

Christian Rönnbacka: Armoton (“Merciless”) (Bazar)

The Porvoo police criminal investigation team, led by Inspector Antti Hautalehto, is investigating allegations of harassment against a parish priest and his spouse. The police station, with its diverse human relationships, is described in a personal and warm manner. The plot is full of complex twists and turns, and the investigation is full of surprises. The villains are not stupid bullies, but rather skilled criminals with surprising backgrounds. Rönnbacka writes in an enjoyable, fluent and flawless style that captivates the reader. Readers familiar with Porvoo will enjoy the authentic descriptions of the locations.

Antti Tuomainen: Hyvällä tai sahalla (”With good or with a saw” (Otava)

The book is a compelling and captivating story about Heikki, a sawmill owner in financial trouble, a corpse that is not dead after all, and the power of money. The small village setting is described in an interesting way. The portrayal of people in the summer nights is warm and the language is masterful. Tuomainen has found a clever way to get the bad guys out of the game, seemingly by accident. The book offers incredible plot twists that will make you cry and laugh at the same time. Yet the humour is not forced, but simmers throughout the narrative. The imagery is rich, and the narrative flows effortlessly.

The nominees for the Debut Crime Novel of the Year award are

Tatiana Elf: Huijari (“Swindler”) (Into)

Tatiana Elf is a screenwriter and author based in Helsinki, born in South Africa. She is the creative force behind several TV dramas. The book is a breathtaking psychological thriller about Rebekka Nummi, who is trying to escape her dark side. The sociopathic protagonist is a bold, novel and thought-provoking character. The book features cinematic, fast-paced cuts and versatile, weighty dialogue. The characterisation is precise and profound. The skilfully portrayed, even unpleasant characters and personality traits raise many questions in the reader's mind. Is Rebekka a hero or a criminal? Is sociopathy her strength?

Piia Helander: Helios (Karisto)

Piia Helander is an accountant and first-time author from Hyvinkää. She is an eternal 'horse girl' who lives with her dog and three cats. Freelance journalist Sandra Dahlqvist's visit to a horse stable turns into a murder investigation together with Constable Ossi Hietala. The backgrounds of the main characters are described in a credible manner. In her book, Helander raises the serious question of the responsibility of authorities, coaches and other adults involved in various sports. The dreams and conflicts of young people are insightfully portrayed. The book is also likely to appeal to young readers.

Joel Kangas: Kaamos (Karisto)

Joel Kangas is a debut author and musician from Inari who works in banking sector development. Mikkal Moilanen, a Helsinki police officer of Lapland origin, seeks to solve his sleep problems with the help of a therapist. The crime investigation effortlessly transports readers from present-day Helsinki, Hämeenlinna and Vesisaar in Norway to Muotkatunturi in the 1990s. The novel thoughtfully explores the prejudices, both conscious and unconscious, that shape and distort the thinking of the police. The cast of characters is diverse, and the portrayal of people is profound. The narrative is full of suspense and is at times even disturbing.

For further information, please contact:

Päivi Kuntze, Chair of the Clew of the Year jury, The Finnish Whodunnit Society, tel. +358 50 60080, paivi.a.kuntze@gmail.com

Sini Paloheimo, Chair of the Board of The Finnish Whodunnit Society, tel. +358 40 5615203, sinipaloheimo@gmail.com

For editorial enquiries:

Photos can also be downloaded from the Finnish Whodunnit Society website:

https://www.dekkariseura.fi/vuoden-johtolanka/vuoden-johtolanka-2026-ehdokkaat/