When does the reading with Martta Kaukonen take place?

The reading takes place on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 7 PM.

Where does the event take place?

The event location is the Hof City Library at Wörthstraße 18, 95028 Hof.

Which books will Martta Kaukonen present?

The three volumes of the Ira Trilogy will be presented: Therapized, Traumatized, and Manipulated.

Who accompanies Martta Kaukonen at the reading?

Translator Gabriele Schrey-Vasara accompanies the evening and discusses the German texts and the translation process with the author.

What is the entrance fee?

Admission to the reading is free. A donation is requested.

Is there a supporting program?

The evening includes treats from Finnish cuisine and musical accompaniment by accordionist Adrian Stieglitz.

Psychological tension and Finnish linguistic art: Martta Kaukonen reads her Ira Trilogy

Name: Thriller author Martta Kaukonen presents the Ira Trilogy
Start: 2026-11-13T19:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-13T21:00:00+01:00
Location: Stadtbücherei Hof

When psychological tension becomes a literary encounter

On Friday, November 13, 2026, Finnish thriller author Martta Kaukonen will come to the Hof City Library. Together with her translator Gabriele Schrey-Vasara, she will present the Ira Trilogy – a reading about hidden guilt, family secrets, and the art of leading readers astray time and again.

Ira between therapy, trauma, and manipulation

At the center of the trilogy are the German-language volumes Therapized, Traumatized, and Manipulated. Young Ira begins therapy, but it soon becomes clear that she did not choose her therapist by chance. There is a burdensome secret between the two women that dictates the psychological tension of the plot.

In the following volumes, the narrative web expands: Ira searches for answers about her father, her early deceased mother, and the legacy of retired criminal inspector Kerttu. Kaukonen's style combines the classic psychological thriller with a multi-layered character depiction and a precisely executed dramaturgy.

A Finnish voice of the psychological thriller

Martta Kaukonen, born in 1976, lives in Helsinki and worked as a film critic before her writing career. Her debut Therapized was published in 2021 and reached the bestseller list of Spiegel in Germany within the first week of its release. The author's novels have been translated into numerous languages. For her debut, Kaukonen received nominations for the Viktor Crime Award and the Glass Key Award, among others.

Her literary quality arises from the suspenseful interplay of various perspectives. The plot unfolds like a psychological puzzle, the pieces of which gradually reveal their significance. Cinematic scene direction, short concise sequences, and a consistent atmosphere of mistrust characterize her linguistic artistry.

Reading with translation and insights into the writing process

The audience will experience excerpts from the German translations and learn more about Kaukonen's writing process and her relationship with the characters. Gabriele Schrey-Vasara will accompany the evening as the translator. She studied Romance languages, history, and Finno-Ugric studies in Göttingen and Helsinki, led the German Library in Helsinki for a long time, and has translated over 100 Finnish books into German, including numerous crime novels.

Finnish cuisine and musical atmosphere

The atmosphere of the reading will be complemented by delights from Finnish cuisine and musical accompaniment from accordionist Adrian Stieglitz. Thus, the evening connects literary experience, cultural exchange, and an immediate author encounter with an insight into Finnish crime literature.

Conclusion: Experience psychological tension up close

The reading at the Hof City Library is aimed at all who appreciate psychological thrillers, sophisticated narratives, and literary discussions about characters, translation, and the art of writing. Admission is free; donations are requested. Those wishing to not only read Martta Kaukonen's Ira Trilogy but also to experience her voice and literary working style firsthand will find a special opportunity that evening.