The Sweet Poison Cook

By Arto Paasilinna

In the yard of a quaint red-painted house, where the midsummer rose is in bloom and a gentle breeze blows through the birch trees, Colonel’s wife Linnea Ravaska paces about anxiously. It’s pension day and, as per usual, a gang of loudmouthed louts turn up at her door demading her pension money.

Led by her foster son, Kauko Nyyssönen, the rowdy gang turns up today in a stolen car. They upturn Linneas house and, after forcing Linnea to make her will to Kauko, they kill her cat.

Frightened, Linnea signs and feels she is no longer safe. She flees the farm with a dark gleam in her eye. With unexpected cunning and resolve, she begins to retaliate against her tormentors using unconventional and lethal means, blending traditional hospitality with deadly intent.

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About the author

Arto Paasilinna (1942-2018) worked as a lumberjack and journalist before becoming a full-time writer. He published thirty-five novels and twelve non-fiction works during his lifetime, cementing his authorship as one full of creative vision, humour, and uplifting portrayals of man’s relationship with nature. One of Finland’s most well-known writers, his works have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold over 8 million copies worldwide.