Lead Review (The Moose Paradox)
- Book: The Moose Paradox
- Location: Helsinki
- Author: Antti Tuomainen
The Moose Paradox is the hilarious and gripping sequel to Tuomainen’s crime novel The Rabbit Factor. Tuomainen’s choice of narrator is highly original: Henri Koskinen is not your average hero. He’s an actuary and is trained to look at mathematical solutions. Unlike other mathematicians, though, Henri applies these skills to every problem that life throws at him. While this was a perfectly reasonable attitude to adopt in his work, it’s a somewhat bizarre – and often very funny – approach to fighting against criminals. It’s definitely not the obvious way to save your own life when it is threatened.
In the first book in the series, The Rabbit Factor, Koskinen inherited the adventure park YouMeFun on the outskirts of Helsinki from his brother, together with its considerable debts and a variety of quirky employees. In The Moose Paradox, having overcome previous threats to the park, he has settled into his new way of life. Henri now methodically sets out to improve its financial situation. Logic suggests that by acquiring the latest and best children’s ride – the Moose Chute – YouMeFun will attract more visitors than their rival parks. He calculates that financial stability is within their grasp, but he hasn’t reckoned with his supplier refusing to sell the equipment to him. Soon it’s apparent that it’s not just the park that’s threatened and that Henri himself must fight back to ensure his own survival, as he becomes entangled in a dangerous web of extortion and blackmail.
The Moose Paradox is a delightfully ridiculous approach to crime writing: original, gripping and funny. Henri Koskinen’s outlook on life is perfectly reasoned and somehow he overcomes the heavily armed criminals using nothing more than his calculations and the weapons they bring with them. His uncertainty about who he can trust – whether those closest to him are in league with his enemies – creates further tension. The terrier-like police inspector Osmala suspects Koskinen of being connected with the death of a dangerous criminal when a body turns up. Henri is unable to lie but knows that he must deflect attention and cover his tracks. His honesty makes him vulnerable and it’s endearing when he answers all questions literally.
Meanwhile in the sub-plot, Henri’s poor social skills mean that he is unable to approach the love of his life, the artist and former park employee, Laura Helanto. Tuomainen cleverly continues the theme of mathematics versus art/ logic versus emotion that’s personified by Henri and Laura. Luckily, she seems keen to rekindle their romance and their developing relationship provides another element of tension to sustain the reader’s interest. We also gain insight into Henri’s character through his relationship with his cat, named Schopenhauer after the philosopher, which reproaches him whenever he is late home or deviates from their routine in any way.
As far as location is concerned, Tuomainen describes the settings where the action takes place vividly. We can easily imagine the tormented Henri Koskinen fleeing from his attackers among the rides in his own theme park. The book is not heavy on descriptions of Helsinki itself, and it’s probably best not to assume that typical Finns (if there is such a thing!) are anything like the characters portrayed.
Is it worth buying a season ticket for Tuomainen’s adventure park series? I vote yes! You could read The Moose Paradox without having read The Rabbit Factor, but I’d recommend reading the books in sequence. It’s true that the initial shock of the actuary-as-hero isn’t as great in the sequel, but the novelty remains, and the complexity of Henri Koskinen’s character makes him an engaging character. The plot is well sustained with as many twists and turns as the adventure park’s rides and reader satisfaction is pretty well guaranteed. Why not come along for the ride?
Please wait...
