Review | Little Siberia by Antti Tuomainen

A meteorite crashes into Hurmevaara, Finland, causing a disturbance in the small town. Said to be worth millions of dollars, the meteorite is placed under the guard of the local priest, Joel, at the War Museum. Joel is currently worrying about his wife’s unexpected pregnancy when someone tries to steal the meteorite. Can he protect the meteorite and save his marriage?

He was preparing himself to die. Then something happened, and he’s still alive.

Little Siberia takes you on a wild journey from the first page! This is the kind of crime fiction I appreciate; full of pathos, humour, repercussions, and difficult choices. Joel used to be a military chaplain before he was wounded. He’s struggling with his faith and finds it hard to guide others who come to him. He loves his wife but he’s suspicious of her loyalty. I found him relatable and even when he makes silly decisions I understood why he did it. The meteorite is found by a former rally driver, Tarvainen, who I thought is fascinating as well. Both men have their own demons, but they handle them in different ways. The other characters are also believable in their motives and actions.

I loved how humor offsets the darkness in the book. Some of the scenes are unexpectedly funny and I kind of felt bad for laughing! The book is reminiscent of Fargo with the same kind of vibe. The writing is highly enjoyable; I didn’t think anything was lost in translation. While certain scenes may push the boundaries of what’s possible, I was invested in the story and couldn’t wait to find out who is behind the case of the meteorite and Joel’s family predicament. Between the chaotic and unexpected scenes, there are thoughtful moments of humanity, forgiveness, and hope. The ending is bittersweet but it made me smile.

What would you do with a meteorite worth millions of dollars? Little Siberia gives a glimpse of the possibilities and I’m glad I went for the ride.

CW: alcoholism, infidelity

About the author: Antti Tuomainen

Photo by Jaanus Jagomagi