The Birthmark Murders — Death Is a Cabaret, Old Chum!
A theatre, a past, and a body that won’t stay quiet
The Birthmark Murders — Death Is a Cabaret, Old Chum!
Set in Finland’s theatre world, The Birthmark Murders mixes sharp humour with slow-burn suspense. When Pekka Wall — an older, well-heeled editor — returns to Finland after 25 years since the death of his friend, he’s pulled into a web of betrayals stretching across decades.
Fans of Anthony Horowitz and Mick Herron will feel at home: this is Scandi-tinged crime with character at its core — and an LGBTQ+ sleuth who refuses to play by polite rules.
With its taut narrative, vivid Finnish backdrop, and unforgettable characters, The Birthmark Murders is poised to captivate mystery lovers worldwide. More than just a murder mystery, it’s a deep exploration of artistry, human frailty, and the inescapable pull of the past.
Here are some songs the story refers to:
Review fromReadersfavorite.com
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Birthmark Murders by Janus Lucky is a murder mystery that follows Mikael Allardice, a half-Finnish New Zealander who returns to Ryväskylä, Finland, to uncover the truth behind his father Mikael “Spiral” Långberg's death, which occurred under mysterious circumstances during a troubled Cabaret production. Officially ruled a suicide, the circumstances surrounding his father’s death remain unclear. Mikael teams up with Pekka Wall and the hilarious Tuomas “T” Ylivire to explore Finland’s hidden world, where secrets are deeply guarded. Armed with a journal and a cassette tape, they dig deeper, and Mikael uncovers layers of betrayal and paranoia. Along the way, he realizes that exposing the truth about his father’s death is far more complicated than he anticipated, with a matching birthmark and the past holding answers that threaten to reshape everything he believed to be true. “He was murdered, and I bloody well want to find out why – and by whom.”
Janus Lucky’s The Birthmark Murders is a fantastic, intelligent read with a hard-boiled mystery baked into the protagonist Mikael's arc, and narrated from an omniscient point of view that allows us into the heads of multiple characters. Mikael's disillusionment is evident as his perception of his deceased father, as well as his mother, unravels, and he is forced to come face-to-face with the deep emotional wounds of both personal identity and loss. Lucky balances this with real humor, the highlight of which almost always comes through the witty exchanges between characters like Pekka and Tuomas, whose sarcasm offers much-needed relief, especially as the story takes a dark turn. Lucky incorporates aspects of Māori culture that are clearly formed from either lived experience, exhaustive research, or a combination of both. The plot culminates in a shocking ending, one that I absolutely did not see coming. Tightly written, smart, and entertaining. Recommended.
Reviews from Goodreads
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Janus Lucky delivers a sharp, atmospheric mystery that blends Nordic noir with theatrical intrigue. Set in the icy shadows of Finland, The Birthmark Murders is both a gripping murder investigation and a haunting exploration of family, identity, and buried truths. With dark humor, layered characters, and elegant prose, this novel captivates from the first page to the last. A compelling read for fans of literary crime and psychological suspense. – Maris from Goodreads
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Janus Lucky’s The Birthmark Murders is a captivating literary mystery that blends Nordic noir with theatrical intrigue and psychological depth. Set in Finland, the novel follows Mikael Långberg as he returns home to uncover the truth behind his father’s suspicious death during a doomed theatre production.
Lucky writes with wit and precision, exploring themes of grief, identity, and illusion. The dialogue is sharp, the characters well-crafted, and the cultural backdrop adds richness without slowing the pace.
This is more than a murder mystery it's a meditation on the stories we inherit and the truths we choose to believe. A bold, emotionally resonant novel that will satisfy fans of literary suspense and European noir. – Manuel Norton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ With The Birthmark Murders, Janus Lucky delivers a clever and haunting mystery infused with dark humor and theatrical flair. Mikael’s return to Finland becomes a gripping search for truth as he unravels the secrets behind his father’s apparent suicide.
Lucky’s writing is sharp, intelligent, and often slyly funny, blending irony with emotional insight. The cast is memorable, the setting atmospheric, and the narrative builds tension with elegance.
This is a genre-defying mystery equal parts satire, family drama, and psychological noir. Smart, original, and deeply satisfying. – Mary. Denault
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Birthmark Murders is a richly atmospheric and emotionally layered mystery that examines truth, memory, and the performances we give in life. Janus Lucky crafts a compelling story of a son returning home to make sense of a father's mysterious death.
The novel is driven by vivid characters, especially the sharp and eccentric Pekka Wall, and a setting as cold and enigmatic as the secrets it holds. Lucky’s prose is confident and thoughtful, with a literary quality that elevates the suspense.
A smart, slow-burn psychological noir that lingers long after the final page. – Prisilla R
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Thank you for letting me read your final draft of Death is a Cabaret. I have to say that I spent the sunny Saturday reading it forgetting the time. You have written a page-turner. It was funny, touching, direct, and sometimes disturbing but boy it really made my day. Brilliant stuff.
Amy
★★★★★