Winners of the 2026 Kouvola Crime Fiction Festival writing competition

The chief judge, historian and University of Helsinki docent Aleksi Mainio will present the six crime novels selected for the shortlist and announce the winners.

Authors of the Witness Burden anthology

Marja-Liisa Haapakorva, Hannele Hakala, Samu Heikinmatti, Niina Holopainen, Henri Iivari, Tuija Kaisla, Sari Kekkonen, Jukka Ketola, Tuomas Laaksonen, Petri Laine, H. M. Lann, Laura Liimatainen, Tomi Lilja, Rauni Lintula, Cecilia Mattila, Mervi Murtonen, Eetu Niemi, Ahti Nieminen, Johanna Ojaharju, Markus Packalen, Janne Rautapää, Tuomas Ravea, Annele Saikkala, Kaisa Saksa, Jussi Silvonen, Kirsti Sundell, Janni Tasanko, Anna Toni, Inka Vilen and Petri Vilkko.