The Rabbit Factor by Antti Tuomainen

I bought The Rabbit Factor by Antti Tuomainen after seeing Antti at Cheltenham Literature Festival in October. Antti was one of the writers talking about ‘Nordic noir’ – basically crime novels by Nordic writers and set in Nordic countries. There is something quite different about crime novels set in countries which are always cold. Jo Nesbo is the absolute king of the Nordic noir. Also on the panel was Yrsa Siguraoardottir. I’ve read a couple of her novels. They’re very good and very dark!

Anyway, I digress… Antti Tuomainen has recently come up with a slightly different take on the Nordic noir novel – the humorous Nordic noir novel! The Rabbit Factor is the first in a series about Henri Koskinen – an actuary.

Henri likes everything to be sensible. He likes numbers and he’s very good with them. He likes to be able to calculate the mathematical probability of any situation. He certainly doesn’t like open plan workplaces, emotions or banter. But sadly there is no place left in the world for men who are good with numbers, and he loses his job.

Henri then unexpectedly inherits an adventure park (definitely not an amusement park) after the untimely death of his brother. With no other job to do, he sets about trying to manage the business.

But it turns out that his brother’s finances weren’t entirely above board. He owes a lot of money and some very dangerous men are expecting Henri to pay.

Can he pay off the debts and keep himself, his staff and the adventure park safe? It’s a tough call for an actuary…

I absolutely loved The Rabbit Factor! It is funny, clever and completely unique. I had such a clear image of the adventure park in my head – the rides, the cafe, the sounds, the smells… Henri is one of those characters who is a little bit out of place in life. He is funny without meaning to be and struggles to understand other people and emotions, including his own.

Whether you enjoy crime novels, funny novels or you are open to trying something a bit different, I would absolute recommend The Rabbit Factor. I’ve asked for part 2 of the series – The Moose Paradox – for Christmas and I’m really looking forward to reading it!