James Thompson, eastern Kentucky-born and тАУraised, has lived in Finland for more than a dozen years; he now resides in Helsinki with his wife. His debut novel, Snow Angels, was selected as a Booklist Best Crime Novel Debut of the Year and was nominated for Edgar┬о, Anthony, and Strand Magazine critics awards. Before becoming a full-time writer, Thompson studied FinnishтАФin which he is fluentтАФand Swedish, and worked as a bartender, bouncer, construction worker and soldier. His other Inspector Vaara novels are LuciferтАЩs Tears and Helsinki White.