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Helena Halme
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The Red King of Helsinki: A Cold War Spy Novel Kindle Edition

by Helena Halme (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.4 out of 5 stars 36 ratings
He’s a rookie spy chasing a violent Russian KGB man. She’s a young student looking for a friend who has mysteriously disappeared. Can he save her?

It’s the height of the Cold War and Finland is the playground of the Russian KGB. A former Royal Navy officer Iain is asked to work undercover. He’s to investigate Vladislav Kovtun, a violent KGB spy, dubbed The Red King of Helsinki by the Finnish secret service. This is Iain’s first assignment, and when he discovers the bodies left in Kovtun’s wake, he quickly gets embroiled in danger.

Young student Pia has two goals in life: she dreams of a career in gymnastics and she wants Heikki, a boy in her class with the dreamiest blue eyes, to notice her. But when her best friend, Anni, the daughter of an eminent Finnish Diplomat, goes missing, Pia begins to investigate the mystery behind her disappearance. Unbeknown to Pia, Kovtun, The Red King of Helsinki, is watching her every move, as is the British spy, Iain.

Will Iain be able to save Pia before it’s too late?

The Red King of Helsinki is a Cold War spy story set in Finland during one freezing week in 1979. If you like Nordic Noir, you will love this fast-moving Nordic spy story by the Finnish author Helena Halme. Perfect for readers who like William Boyd's Restless or Helen Dunmore's Exposure.

Pick up The Red King of Helsinki to discover this chilling Nordic spy tale today!
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  1. Print length
    258 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 29, 2013
  4. File size
    750 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00C416296
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Newhurst Press (March 29, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 29, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 750 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.4 out of 5 stars 36 ratings

About the author

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Helena Halme

Helena Halme

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A romance author with a flair for Nordic settings, I bring love stories to life. My newest novel, TO MELT A FROZEN HEART, is an enemies-to-lovers romance unfolding in the magical Lapland, where Northern Lights dance across the sky while love blossoms amidst the snowy landscapes and ancient traditions.

Why not join my Readers Group and get two free books? Go to my website helenahamebooks.com to find out more!

Customer reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars
36 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Pamela Harrell-Savukoski
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2014
    Good story. And I really enjoyed the Helsinki scenes. I've been to the streets - or at least most of them - and the descriptions were spot on.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Tiina Walsh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully tense spy-story in late '70s Helsinki
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this story! I've read Helena's first book the Englishman also, which I really enjoyed, and this one yet again had me up reading at all hours... I'm originally from Finland myself, having lived in Ireland for a long time, and I'm always delighted to read anything to do with Finland. However, Finland in the late '70s is a very different place from my childhood's Finland, with the Soviet presence strongly felt in everyday life back then. And again, we have some interesting Englishmen freezing in the Helsinki winter, as they try to do their spy work... wonderfully written, the characters and the sense of time and place were magnificent, and I can't wait to read more by Helena Halme!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • dennis barron
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Red King
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent read!! I'm looking forward to reading more books by Halme.. Medium paced with very interesting characters. If you have visited Finland you will understand the weather conditions and the citizens reaction to Russia. Truly enjoyed
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  • Francis Potts
    4.0 out of 5 stars Chilly suspense
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2013
    The Finnish winter provides an atmospheric background to this exciting suspense novel. Intrigue, young love, older love, disappointment, and gymnastics. All in one great story.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jaycee
    4.0 out of 5 stars A slow-burn, this one!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Took me quite a while to become ’aux fait’ with the names and status of the characters in this novel.
    So much so, that I almost gave up, at one point.
    Pleased I persevered as the story became more exciting as it continued.
    A cracking ending completed a worthwhile read.
    Report
  • BReimer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Mystery entwined in Finn and Soviet politics
    Reviewed in Canada on December 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting story that kept me reading to find out what happened next. Multi characters that seemed to be this kind of person that were revealed to have other interesting characteristics.
    Report
  • rmjones2003
    3.0 out of 5 stars Who’s who?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It’s taking me more time than anticipated to get into this novel. Although the atmosphere is really nice and rich. You can really absorb a winters day in Finland through this book. The Finnish names are a struggle at times too for those unfamiliar.
    Report
  • Robin Wilton
    4.0 out of 5 stars A well-crafted, down-to-earth thriller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    If you're looking for lasers and car chases, this isn't the Cold War tale for you... On the other hand, if you want a spy story that works at the human level, and is redolent of its Cold War period and its cold Baltic winter, you're in luck. Helena Halme is perfectly equipped to weave a narrative that combines Russian, Finnish and English strands, and the result is confident and well paced.
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  • Lili
    3.0 out of 5 stars An uninspiring spy tale.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Take an Englishman a Russian and a Finnish schoolgirl and mix them together. Not a very inspiring spy tale a little confusing and slow of pace.
    Report

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