Cruel Is the Night: Book Talk with Karo Hämäläinen

Join us for a book talk with prizewinning Finnish author Karo Hämäläinen on his English-language debut, Cruel Is The Night.

A literary homage to Agatha Christie and a black comedy locked-room mystery about murder, mayhem, and morality in our cynical modern world, in this novel four Finnish friends meet for dinner. It’s been ten years since the host, Robert, has seen his once-best friend, Mikko, following an ideological falling-out regarding Robert’s scheme to earn millions off of unethical (but not illegal) interest rate manipulations — a scheme that particularly troubled Mikko, as an investigative journalist who has dedicated his career to bringing down corrupt financiers and politicians. Also along for the evening are Mikko’s wife, Veera (with whom Robert once had a secret affair) and Robert’s young trophy wife, Elise.

Translator Owen F. Witesman joins us for the book talk. Following the discussion, copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.