I’m honored that you’ve decided to read The Ice Coven for your book club. I certainly hope the story lives up to your expectations; I certainly had an interesting time writing it. The story and idea for the book date back to fall 2019. Those few months were very special for me professionally, because during August, September, and November the foreign rights for my novel Uskollinen lukija, which was titled The Witch Hunter in English, were sold in countries, including the US and Canada. Many publishers also purchased the sequel, which I hadn’t even started. I was under a lot of pressure. Could I come up with a good plot within the time I had at my disposal? In January 2020 I flew to Los Angeles to meet the people who had purchased the film and TV rights for The Witch Hunter. During my four-day stay in La La Land I got an idea of what the story could be about: Two social media influencers could go missing, and some strange pictures would appear on their accounts. Scary? Yes. Haunting? Yes. Would I have enough time to write and finesse the story in time? Maybe. Then something really unexpected happened—in early March the world closed up. All the tours, events, and book fairs got cancelled and suddenly I had all the time in the world. As terrible and heartbreaking as the COVID-19 pandemic has been for so many people on the planet, for me it meant something different—having more time for writing than ever before. Since the offices were also closed for some time, I spent entire days in my garage, just me and my laptop. Writing the story, page after page. Upon the publication the novel became an instant success in Finland, garnering both commercial and critical success. I really don’t know whether that would have been the case had my schedule not been cleared by the global pandemic. Maybe. Maybe not. Anyway, now, when the publication date for the US edition is approaching, I could’t be more excited. I really love what my US publisher has done with it—the cover art, the title, everything.
The Ice Coven is a story about evil people, and it’s not a light read. But it’s also a book with dark humor, strong psychological elements, and good people who will see to it that there’s justice. I really hope you enjoy the book, and get ready for the third installment, which is being released in Finland at the same time as the US publication of The Ice Coven. This time I used not my garage but my actual office. But The Ice Coven, the child of a garage, has a very special place in my heart.
With warmest regards, Max Seeck P.S.: Should you ever want to interact, ask anything, or just give feedback, do not hesitate to contact me on Instagram or Facebook @maxseeck.
1. Manala This is a restaurant that is just a block away from Jessica’s apartment. This is a place Jessica often goes for a late-night snack, dinner, or just a drink or two. In The Ice Coven, Manala has a special role: Jessica meets suspicious nightclub owner Frank Dominis here not just once but twice, and their conversations become rather deep.
2. Central Park Despite its name, the Central Park isn’t actually that central at all; it is a largely forested area about ten kilometers outside Helsinki’s city center and extends to the northern border of the city. The park is more than seventeen hundred acres and includes several horse stables and many jogging paths. Jessica often runs through Central Park on her way to work at the headquarters of the Helsinki Police Department, which is located next to the park.
3. Jessica’s home in Töölö The Töölö (which must be almost impossible to pronounce for anyone who isn’t a Finn) neighborhood is one of the nicest areas in Helsinki’s city center. It’s home for approximately thirty thousand people and is known for its rather traditional atmosphere and easygoing restaurants and cafés. Töölö is full of beautiful old buildings and is definitely a neighborhood tourists should go to have a walk in. Jessica has lived in Töölö almost her entire life and would never move away.
4. Töölönlahti Töölönlahti is a rather small bay in a central location in downtown Helsinki. It’s surrounded by the southernmost part of Central Park, and the area is a perfect place for jogging and hanging out with friends and family. There are a couple of nice restaurants and bars here. Jessica likes to walk by the bay and clear her head. It’s just a block away from her home.
5. Police headquarters in Pasila The homicide team is like another family for Jessica, and the Pasila police station is where she spends almost all her time. This is the place she cannot live without, although she doesn’t always appreciate the people she’s working with. Pasilan poliisitalo (Finnish) is a combination of two rather ugly buildings near the Pasila train station and the Mall of Tripla.
1. Jessica has several challenges to navigate at the start of The Ice Coven. She’s dealing with a new boss, a new case, and the ghosts of her past. How do each of these things affect her as the novel opens? How does she approach each issue?
2. As partners, Jessica and Yusuf have a strong bond. How is that bond challenged throughout The Ice Coven? How is it made stronger?
3. Hellu and Jessica have a difficult relationship. How does it evolve over the course of the book? Do you feel that Hellu treats Jessica fairly? What colors Hellu’s perception of Jessica, and vice versa?
4. Medical examiner Sissi Sarvilinna is an intriguing character. How do her insights contribute to the investigation? How does her work influence her personality and the various idiosyncrasies she’s developed?
5. In The Ice Coven, we learn more about Rasmus Susikoski. How has Rasse’s upbringing affected his life? Does his personality ever hinder him? If so, how? How does he use his quirks to help the investigation?
6. Jessica mourns the loss of Erne, her mentor. In what ways did Erne change Jessica’s life? How does Erne’s death impact the investigative unit?
7. Nina has very strong feelings about Jessica. Do you think these feelings are justified? How do you think Jessica has handled her issues with Nina?
8. Jessica experiences visions of her dead mother, Theresa von Hellens. Are these visions a comfort or a help to Jessica, or just terrifying episodes she is forced to endure? Do they bring us any closer to the true nature of Jessica’s relationship with her mother? If so, how?
9. Along with the visions of her mother, Jessica sees other frightening things throughout the course of the book and has a few scary encounters. Do you think these instances are only in Jessica’s mind or do they have a basis in reality? Please explain.
10. How does the setting of Helsinki play a role in the investigation and in the lives of the investigators? In what ways does where you’re from shape who you are?
11. Jessica meets Frank Dominis in The Ice Coven. Why do you think she’s drawn to him? How does Frank’s past influence his decisions?
12. Social media plays a large role in both the execution of the crimes and in how the case is investigated. Discuss how technology and social media are used throughout the book. How have these things changed your life and the way you view the world around you?
Meet the Author Max Seeck devotes his time to writing professionally. An avid reader of Nordic noir for personal pleasure, he listens to film scores as he writes. His accolades include the Finnish Whodunit Society’s Debut Thriller of the Year Award 2016. Max has a background in sales and marketing and loves to promote his works, and is fluent in English and German. MaxSeeck