Amidst freezing rain, Timo Repo escapes from his father’s funeral. Detective Lieutenant Kari Takamäki and his homicide team must return the convicted wife-murderer back to prison. But as the manhunt begins, Takamäki's team starts digging into old evidence. Why would Repo flee now, with over half his sentence completed? Was he guilty after all? Or was he an innocent man unjustly sentenced to life in prison -- and to losing his only son? Timo Repo’s escape is no longer a routine case.

Helsinki Homicide: Cold Trail deliberates taking justice into your own hands. While Takamäki ponders whether the legal system always gets it right, Repo battles with his conscience and those who have wronged him.

The novel is yet another thrilling read from Sipila, full of his trademark rugged realism. The sequel to Nothing but the Truth is the fourth of his novels to be translated into English. Against the Wall won Finland’s 2009 Crime Novel of the Year Award.

Jarkko Sipila is a Finnish author and journalist. He has reported on Finnish crime for more than 20 years, has written 15 books, and co-wrote a TV-series based on the Takamäki books. Through realistic characters and story lines, he explores current topics surrounding life in contemporary Finland.


“Sipila’s realistic narration of the lives of both criminals and cops continues in Cold Trail.” - Helsingin Sanomat

“Sipila is one of the great Finnish crime novelists.” - Ilta-Sanomat