#Review of The Fresh Cut by Antti Tuomainen – Darkly Twisty Scandi-Noir Out Now! @anttituomainen @OrendaBooks #ScandiNoir #TheFreshCut

The Fresh Cut
By Antti Tuomainen

written by Louise Cannon – Bookmarks and Stages

Antti Tuomainen is the sole reason why I read Scandi-Noir from time to time. He does what Scandi-noir authors don’t do too much and that is bring quite a bit of humour to his characters and mixes it very well with a twisty, dark crime to be solved.
Thanks to Orenda Books, I have The Fresh Cut, which has the honour of being Finnish Crime Novel of the Year, in exchange of an honest review. I have reviewed a few books now by Antti Tuomainen from trilogy to stand-alone books, so let’s see what I thought of his latest stand-alone novel.

The Fresh Cut takes readers into the life of Heikki Nevalainen who owns the once successful sawmill, but has fallen on hard times, with huge debts now being attached to its reputation. The solution comes in the form of gangster, Ismo Sippo. His proposal is to dispose of Sippo’s already dead wife, Annaleena and keep the mill working or lose everything. All isn’t quite as Sippo presumes it is with his wife, creating quite a different twist that may or may not be in his favour…

To add to the fray, there’s a Belgian buyer who turns up and his work colleagues are coming up with their own plans.
There are also further complications, some that may prove rather fatal…

The humour that comes through is part pure comic caper and in part it’s deadpan and is cleverly written and placed. There’s some properly good humour that propels a chuckle. The humour comes from some of the dialogue, the misunderstandings and the situations the characters find themselves in as well as some of the narrative. Some of its dark humour, some quirky and it all fits smoothly into the plot.

There’s intrigue and little parts that become thought-provoking. There’s a mysterious photograph showing someone at a celebration, but the person in the picture doesn’t convey someone who is celebrating…

There are interesting encounters between Senior Constable Lievonen and Sippo that brings an intriguing atmosphere to the book.

Amongst the humour are dark, intense twists and turns as crimes are committed. What happens is gripping and not all decisions made from available choices are wise ones, sometimes creating something quite catastrophically explosive for a small Finnish town.

The Fresh Cut doesn’t disappoint. It feels a quick read, but that’s because time flies whilst reading it.

The Fresh Cut is an excellent, compelling read for winter with hot chocolate and other treats or as a Christmas present for your favourite reader.

Check out these thrillers by The Barra Boy writer – Iain Kelly @iain_kelly_writing #thrillers

Iain Kelly is perhaps most synonymous for the highly successful stand-alone book, The Barra Boy. He has, in fact been writing for a few years with the series, State Trilogy and Cal Jackson. February 2027 will see a new Cal Jackson book, Hopeman.

From scenic, tranquil Scotland to crime on the streets and from seemingly unassuming people to dark secrets to be revealed. This is the corners of Scotland Iain Kelly will take readers to. The dark, mysterious places where people lurk and linger. He takes you to what lurks below the surface of cities and its people.

Check out what all his books are to date as you scroll down to discover stand-alone novels and series. They would make a great Christmas present for somebody special or a fabulous addition to your own reading pile and bookcase.

Stand-Alone Books

THE BARRA BOY

Thirteen-year-old Ewan Fraser is sent to the remote island of Barra, off Scotland’s west coast, to stay with his aunt and uncle.

Resigned to a monotonous summer of boredom, he is befriended by local girl Laura Robertson; together they explore the golden beaches and rocky coves of the idyllic island.

But a dark secret that connects Laura to the mysterious outcast Mhairi Matheson and her son, Billy, is hidden beneath the tranquil surface…

A secret that threatens to tear the small community apart.

Forty years later, Ewan returns to confront the truth about the formative summer of his adolescence, and finally learn the truth about Laura and the boy from Barra.

ALL WE CANNOT LEAVE BEHIND

Edinburgh, 1920. Three children are missing, abducted from the poorhouses of the city.

When a body is found near the town of Liberton, Dr Thomas Stevenson, still suffering from the trauma of the First World War, finds himself drawn into the police investigation. But suspicion falls on the woman with the mysterious past who lives with Thomas. Could she be guilty of the brutal murder?

With time running out and lives at stake, Thomas must prove her innocence, but to do that he has to find the real killer and unlock the truth about her secret past. A past that casts a long, dark shadow.

Cal Jackson Series

FULL SUN – CAL JACKSON 1

Cal Jackson has just been released from prison. Now all he wants is a quiet life.

But when his sister marries into the family of corrupt businessman Francis McArthur, Cal finds himself caught in the middle of an ongoing war between his new family and the police.

When a childhood friend, the mysterious and enchanting Elise Moreau, disappears, Cal’s got his work cut out to find her and discover what links her to McArthur.

And that’s before the first dead body turns up.

As a heat wave grips Glasgow’s mean streets and vibrant night life, Cal is reluctantly forced to act, before he finds himself either back in prison, or buried in the ground.

HOSTILE CITY – CAL JACKSON 2

A young human rights lawyer, Rose Black, is dead. Her killer is on the run.

As the police fail to apprehend a dangerous murderer, tension rises and fear grips the city.
While Detective Simone Millar is on the trail of a gang destroying properties across Glasgow, far-right agitators are stirring up hatred and division ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Cal Jackson is just trying to keep his head down and stay out of trouble, but when the violence hits too close to home, he can no longer avoid confronting his past – and being dragged back into a world of trouble and pain.

As events conspire to bring them together, Cal and Millar face a stark choice if they want to catch a killer and clean up the corrupt streets of the city – it’s kill or be killed.

HOPEMAN – CAL JACKSON 3 – COMING FEBRUARY 2027

‘One day, you can pay me back somehow. Who knows when I might need your help.’

Cal Jackson owes Ben Weaver a debt he can never forget. When Ben disappears after his release from prison, Cal agrees to try and find him.

His search takes him to Hopeman, a picturesque village on the beautiful Moray Firth coast in the Scottish Highlands. Behind the sandy beaches and the idyllic landscape, a far darker reality is revealed, and the hunter soon becomes the hunted.

When Cal gets entangled with the Shannon family, a ruthless crime dynasty using the village as a base for smuggling, the stakes get higher, and violence lurks behind every closed door.

If Cal thought finding Ben was going to be easy, he should have known better. As violence erupts across Hopeman, Cal must risk everything to repay the old debt…

#Review of Connor Burn’s Latest Stand-Up Show FLOW is Scottish humour at its best. Now on Tour around the UK @connorburnscomedy #comedy #comedytour #UKTour

Stand-up Comedy – Flow
Comedian – Connor Burns

review by Louise Cannon – Bookmarks and Stages

FLOW, flows exceptionally well. Flow is joyous and hilarious from start to finish with excellent observation and a little bit of heartwarming tenderness too. Connor Burns is going places and creates a show that’s impressive. Connor Burns is the stand-up comedian to watch! He’s one of the funniest Scottish comedians I have seen in a while. The good news is he’s on tour around the UK. I saw him at the Albert Halls, Stirling, Scotland. A few days before he went to Stirling, I was fortunate to be able to interview him. His ever increasing popularity is impressive. You can find the interview at the end of this review as well as how you can get your ticket on this UK wide tour and expanding to the rest of Europe for 2026/2027. Lots of dates for everyone and comedy for a wide range of tastes. I was asked to not take a notebook or recording equipment. No mean feat, but this show was so memorable from what I felt to what I heard and saw was memorable, it was a joy to be in the moment and know it was all sinking in.

The atmosphere was dramatic with great stage lighting, a bit like Live at the Apollo and the audience was ready to be entertained. Flow should be on everyone’s live show list. It truly was laughter from start to finish. Laughter from the audience filled the auditorium all the way through.

Connor Burns burst onto the stage and had great banter with the audience. He revealed he likes to do this before the warm-up act. A bit like a warm-up before the warm-up. Unique, but brought a warm feeling. It ultimately meant the audience was relaxed and ready to warmly receive the support act.

The warm-up came in the form of Australian comedian, Annie Boyle. She was deadpan and funny in style, about relatable topics like trying to find jeans in Primark and relationships. Her comic timing was great, even the gaps of silence, which felt well planned to work with that timing, brought laughter!

After a short break, Connor Burns had a very funny introduction, setting-up the rest of the evening and atmosphere perfectly. From that moment on, the well-constructed, relatable stories with well-timed punchlines brought much hilarity.

Connor Burns met Annie Boyle in Australia whilst on tour. There’s a funny story about that and what happened after the show, taking audiences to the world of fast-food Drive Thru, such as McDonalds. Apparently you really do need a car… The middle part of that story, just gets funnier and funnier as it picked up pace as it moved along.

If you want to know, in absolutely hilarious style, what it’s like being a Scot when Scotland makes it to the World Cup, Conner is your man. Football fanatics, non-football fans and everyone in-between will appreciate and find the funny side alike.

There are funny, yet relatable things that happen in coffee shops, such as Black Sheep. It’s insightful, hitting points experiences that many people will recognise around coffee shops.

He cracks great jokes with certain home-truths about Gen Z and over 50’s. The parents of Gen Z are also not completely let off the hook. The wit here is very clever, with some insights and little bits that might land with people in their minds and reflect them.
A scenario with a cafe is also hilarious and yet may be familiar to some customers.

The drinking culture of the alcoholic kind also doesn’t escape the observational humour. He even cleverly adds in a new law that’s come into force about bottomless brunches.

There’s a lot of fun, it seems about MOTs as he gives one of the most hilarious scenarios about them, breaks on his car, drivers, especially in the Honda Jazz in particular.

He parted with some happy news about his impending marriage (congratulations) and went onto talking about women, how they behave when they meet each other in-comparison to men. His observations don’t end there as he gives a thorough examination to only just moving in together, a minor, but inconvenient health matter, that’s a bit self-depricating, and women’s hangups when getting ready to go out.

So you can also experience an absolutely memorable and hilarious night out, check out where he’s going to be and how to get your ticket here: https://connor-burns.com/flow-uk-tour/

Find the interview here: Interview with Connor Burns

#Interview with comedian Connor Burns On National UK Wide Tour – Flow @connorburnscomedy #comedy #UKtour

interview written by Louise Cannon
Bookmarks and Stages

Connor Burns is a comdian who is touring the UK with his 5th show, called Flow. He has had a record-breaking Edinburgh Festival Fringe run where he sold out more than 17,000 seats. This included the 26 shows at his regular venue plus three extra dates at the 3,000-capacity Edinburgh Playhouse. He has also toured internationally with his style of comedy. With this ever building success, he’s one to watch!
Connor Burns has built a loyal following through touring, social media and word of mouth. I was given the opportunity to interview him ahead of his National UK Tour and will be reviewing his show when it reaches Stirling, Scotland on 1st November. Check out the dates and places to see if he’s coming to a venue near you with his comedy for an entertaining night out. There are many across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Let’s welcome Connor Burns to Bookmark and Stages where we talked about his inspiration, how he’s increasingly becoming a success, what inspired Flow, what audiences can expect and more…

This is you fifth solo show. What or who inspired you to be a comedian and join the “comedy circuit”?

I’ve been obsessed with comedy as long as I can remember, loved making my family, teachers & friends laugh but it never really felt like something that could be a job. That was until my early twenties when I realises that you could sign up for open mic nights and give it a go. That was nine years ago and I’ve never looked back. 

What inspired the title, Flow and what can audiences expect from this show?

I’ve been obsessed with the idea of ‘Flow state’ where training and talent kind of marry up and you aren’t thinking about the process, you’re just doing it. Athletes and musicians often talk about it and I never experienced it in either of those fields. When it happens on stage at a comedy gig it’s the best feeling on the planet. 

What is your writing process and how do you choose what to keep and what to store for a future show?

I’ve never written stuff down word for word, a funny idea or punchline will pop in my head and I’ll write a little note in my phone to remember it and then hop up onstage at an open mic a few times and mess around with it until it’s ready to be put in a longer set. I get a bit bored of stuff quickly which drives my manager crazy because I burn through material quickly but I think my restlessness has served me well because I’m always tweaking or changing stuff to make it funnier.

You haven’t had tv exposure like some of your counterparts, and yet you have managed to get well enough known via social media and word of mouth

Yeah, I’d love to do more TV stuff but I also can’t really afford to wait and see if I get picked for something. And social media works well for me because I’m in full control of my content and have a pretty direct route to my own fanbase. As much as I love the TV stuff I just love performing live, there’s nothing like it, so for now this formula works great. 

You are really making a name for yourself (kudos) and selling so many tickets in some of the biggest venues, even having to put on extra shows. How do you feel and see things transforming for you and your career now, compared to when you first started?

It’s lovely and of course feels very validating to see your work strike a chord with so many people. The added bonus of stepping on stage to a room full of people who have seen your stuff before and know what to expect also brings the quality of each gig up, it doesn’t mean you can get lazy and hope they like you enough not to care. If anything I feel an even stronger duty to my fans to make the show as funny as possible and keep them coming back.

What differences do you see in audiences and do you have to adapt any of your jokes when you go on tour around Europe and Australia in-particular or do audiences embrace the Scottish wit and cynicism?

Everywhere has little differences in their sensibilities but it’s your job to observe those and fold them into the show somehow. Sometimes it’s as simple as altering a reference to something local but it’s all part of the process and ultimately funny is funny and we all experience the same issues in life. As for the Scottish cynicism it definitely travels well, nothing unites strangers like a good rant. 

What’s next for you and your career?

For me it’s all about touring, as long as I can keep building and more people come every year then that’s enough for me. I’m not really a world domination type of guy, if I can have a loyal following that will come out and fill a theatre in each city then I’m over the moon.  

Connor Burns is bringing his show FLOW to the UK on a national tour, and will be performing at The Leicester Square Theatre, London on 5^th March 2027. For tickets and more information visit: https://connor-burns.com/flow-uk-tour/

Article of Japan’s First Large-Scale International Comedy Festival Featuring Charlie Burrows from Cirque du Soleil #Japan #InternationalComedyFestival #CirqueduSoleil #StreetPerformers #TheArts

Japan’s First Large-Scale International Comedy Festival Featuring Cirque du Soleil Opens to the World

written by Louise Cannon – Bookmarks and Stages

It was interesting to be asked to write a post-show article, not from the UK, where I live, but Japan, thanks to Tomoya Sato. I, needless to say, jumped at the unique opportunity. There’s so much colour and a variety of acts. I have chosen a few to showcase throughout my piece to give a flavour of this brand new festival in Osaka that welcomes the world.

This October, 2026 in Osaka, something momentous was happening and will grow and return in 2027.
Japan’s first international comedy festival as part of The Osaka International Cultural and Arts Project, was held, to much success, it will now be an annual event, with the aims of promoting tourism and culture, showing the rest of the world that Osaka has a lighter side of life.

We, in the UK may not associate Japan with comedy, but it turns out Osaka is a city that cherishes culture and laughter and is now opening it up in a concentrated, colourful, humorous, festive occasion to the rest of the world. It involved groups such as, Skit Comedy, Non-Style, acrobatics, jugglers and more…

Japan, over the years has become a destination country for tourists and in 2026, in the UK, this just got bigger. At the same time, Japan has also been looking towards the UK and featuring more at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the biggest international arts and comedy festival in the world and the world renowned Cirque du Soleil.

I was also treated to watching some of the acts online. The audiences appeared receptive and reacting positively to the acts that came one after the other. What has been created is a feat of artistic flair, high energy and humour with warmth mixing comedy, acrobats and street entertainment in a way that is familiar to the likes of Edinburgh Fringe and Cirque di Soleil audiences, but with a mighty dose of Japanese artistry and flavour. The combination showcases Japan in a very modern light, with energy and a welcome lightness in atmosphere.

The event was inclusive in that performances were non-verbal and all was based on physical expression in its two programmes: a Street Programme at Namba Hiroba and a Theatre Programme at SPACE14 in Shinsaibashi.

It’s a festival that truly opens up Osaka both in Japan and internationally and puts a different perspective on it as it shines a light both nationally and internationally.

What people were treated to over the 3 days were displays of dance, magic, juggling, areal acts, acrobatics a bit of audience participation, slap-stick style jokes, all done by performing physical theatre. Music and lighting on the stage also played a big part in bringing the atmosphere and acts succinctly together.

The inaugural opening ceremony was hosted by CRAZY COCO and Akira Ishida of NON STYLE.

Ishida commented: “We’ve gathered people who can make you laugh without relying on
words. I really want people from overseas to find it funny.”

Perhaps, globally, most notably in attendance, was Charlie Burrows who casts for all the resident shows of the world-renowned, Cirque du Solei, which is also a partner in this festival. He was casting ahead of the Cirque du Solei and also appeared on stage and was around, giving helpful advice.

Charlie Burrows commented: “I watched the performers in Osaka, and there were so many wonderful people.”

Second, most notable are the award winning, THE TOKYO IDIOTS. They have performed at
the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland, one of the world’s largest arts and comedy
festivals, and received the “Sea of Laughter Award.”

The critically acclaimed non-verbal comedy show, CHALLENGE, written, directed and produced by Akira Ishida was performed. It was awarded 5 star ratings at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024. It tells the story of a bored salary man (Ishida) who falls in love at first sight with a woman and tries to win her heart…
He is about to head home from the office, is handed a mountain of work. He struggles in a world somewhere between reality and dream. In the dream he falls in love with a woman and cannot forget her even after waking up. He then meets her again in the real world, but where will this romance lead…? There are twists and turns and a surprise ending…

CHALLENGE, incorporates Japanese culture, beginning with a game to create the word “Challenge” and also showed “tate” (Japanese sword-fighting), dance, upbeat music and audience participation.

Ishida returned to the stage on the second day with challenges, including one involving a Rubik’s Cube but kept being interrupted with artistic movement and dance.

Audience members from overseas after “CHALLENGE” said:

“The way the performers spoke and their facial expressions were so funny that I laughed. It was really great.” (a visitor from Vietnam)
“It was easy to understand and much more fun than I expected.” (a visitor from Myanmar)

Goe Asakoshi of The Plan 9 opened the final day.

Gabez took to the main stage on the final day with pantomime style entertainment, full of fun and the traditional audience participation to the delight of the audience.

Performers took to the stage once more to show digest sequences of their acts, such as Yuji Kiyokawa performed an illusion using a harmonica.

There was rope jumping and high speed Cossack dancing that the audience enjoyed.

Shingo Sakata, Japanese record holder for seven-ball juggling took to the stage to show this impressive skill with seven fluorescent orange balls.

It culminated in performers speaking at the end and celebratory comment about comedy festivals being the best.

Check it out on their social media:

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osaka_comedy_festival/

#Review of Historical Fiction – The Spirit of the Times by Justin Newland #bookreview by Lou #HistoricalFiction #silkroad #TheSpiritOfTheTimes #justinnewland

The Spirit of the Times
By Justin Newland

review by Louise Cannon

The Spirit of the Times takes place during the times of the bubonic plague. Readers not only get a chance to travel back in time to the 1300’s but also take a journey along the famous Silk Road, plus a map is included. The book is “part fiction, part history and part speculation about the origin of disease; the power of innocence; the unfortunate aspects of custom and dogma; and humanity’s ability to respond to the governing influence or spirit of the times.
It is thanks to Justin Newland who sent a copy of the book for an honest review, which you can find below the mysterious purple skies of the cover, and the blurb…

Ring-A Ring-A Roses, A Pocket Full of Poses… a famous and seemingly fun children’s rhyme, but it used to have a darker meaning. Enter the times of the “black death”, “the plague” in and be swept along through short chapters containing fear, adventure, religion, many types of beliefs and more… Travel along the Silk Road and be confronted with sandstorms, slave traders and meet the people who inhabit some beliefs that keep the main character in danger.

Fascinatingly the book begins with a map with the old countries names with the modern day names in brackets. It helps give a sense of place and time as does, not just the talk of the plague, but also the fascinating mentions of Genghis Khan. You really get a sense of the power.

Readers follow Karia, a young woman living under the Mongols. She carries a lot and feels and sees dangers. She has visions at times, which holds quite a bit of responsibility as the black plague seeps into the world. She holds some self-doubts, which is interesting, but could have been a bit stronger.
When she travels in caravans along the famous route known as the Silk Road, she is in fear of losing her little cousin, Abi to the dance of Whirling Dervishes of Bukhara and Karia, herself is confronted by people believing she is a witch.

The religious aspects of Islamic, Muslim and Christian faiths meet are interesting and what is quite refreshing is when a child is born and the mother is asked what faith, assuming it will be Muslim, practically puts her foot down and says she will choose what faith to have her child baptised and how to raise it. It seems quite modern, but there was no doubt some women who were strong in their convictions and in not allowing someone else to choose for them way back in the fourteenth century.

The research done is admirable in all of Justin Newland’s books, people can really gain some knowledge and perhaps have interest piqued in this. The pace is quite fast, helped with the short chapters, written with each word carrying the story ever forward adding depth and a mix of historical wonderment and fact.

For a rather different time period in historical fiction, this book is good to take a chance on to travel to a rather challenging era very different from today’s modern world.

Blurb

In fourteenth-century Central Asia, Karia is a young woman living under the yoke of Mongol occupation. But she’s different. She’s a fighter with supernatural powers. She could use them to keep the Black Plague at bay and solve the mystery of the purple skies at dawn – if only she could overcome her self-doubt.

Travelling in caravans on the Silk Road, she faces dangers seen and unseen – from sandstorms and slave traders to the desert djinn and folk who believe she’s a witch. She fears losing Abi, her little cousin, who’s fascinated by roses and the dance of the Whirling Dervishes of Bukhara.

When Karia falls in love with an English sailor fleeing the Knights Hospitaller, they sail to England with Abi to unravel the meaning of the purple skies, a dance, a posy tree, and a ring of roses.

The Spirit of the Times is part history, part fiction and part speculation: on the origin of disease; the power of innocence; the unfortunate aspects of custom and dogma; and humanity’s ability to respond to the governing influence or spirit of the times.