The Secret of Snow: The heartwarming international bestseller and Swedish Book of the Year debut

''An extraordinary story'' Fredrik Backman, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove

Meet Máriddja: eccentric, eighty-five years old, and facing a cancer diagnosis. She''s determined to keep the truth about her illness from her dear husband Biera, while also finding someone who can take care of him once she''s gone.

Meet Kaj: a new transplant to the village, recently engaged to Mimmi, and mourning the death of his mother. One day, when Kaj unexpectedly finds a box of Sámi-the indigenous people of Scandinavia-handicrafts belonging to his mother, he unlocks something he never anticipated, something that will change his life for years to come.

A debut that is at turns tender, funny and devastating, The Secret of Snow introduces a cast of loveable, quirky characters perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman and Jonas Jonasson. Translated by Alice Menzies.

'This is a story about culture and identity and about fighting to keep your memories while being robbed of your history, but it's written with a warmth and humor that never leaves the reader alone on the journey' Fredrik Backman, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove

'A must-read. Balancing humour and darkness with remarkable grace, this story and its characters found their way into my heart' Lisa Ridzen, bestselling author of When the Cranes Fly South

Mariddja is eight-five years old and more than a little eccentric. When she finds out she has cancer, her first thought isn't for herself. It's for her beloved husband. Without children or grandchildren, Mariddja and Biera have only ever had each other. She's determined to keep her diagnosis a secret from Biera, and to find the one person who might take care of him when she's gone.

Kaj is new to the village, recently engaged to the love of his life, and mourning the death of his mother. One day, he finds a box of Sami handicrafts that once belonged to his mother, the carefully wrapped objects placed together like a crisp new set of jigsaw pieces. If he can solve the puzzle, it will unlock a secret he could have never imagined.

Tender, heart-wrenching and often laugh-out-loud funny, The Secret of Snow is a stunning, award-winning debut about family, loneliness and community. Perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman and Jonas Jonnasson.

• | Author: Tina Harnesk
• | Publisher: Orion
• | Publication Date: Feb 05, 2026
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language: eng
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9781398717787
• | ISBN-10: 1398717789