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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 14h

Read this in flight from London to Fargo. Compelling plot in spite of (because of?) its “made for a movie” violent action sequences. Dark, funny, deeply human crime fiction in a brilliantly crafted English translation by David Hackston. #Finland #CrimeFiction @orendabooks.bsky.social

Cover of The Winter Job, by Antti Tuomainen, English translation by David Hackston

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Amazing theatre experience at Southwark Playhouse’s intimate black box Borough venue. A brilliant cast delivered a moving, insightful adaptation of Patrick Hamilton’s pub trilogy. Wonderful to hear Hamilton’s dialogue brought to life. #theatre #London

Front entry of Southwark Playhouse’s Borough venue

Theatre program & play script for Simon Reade adaptation of Patrick Hamilton’s pub trilogy

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Thi Bui makes a significant contribution to Vietnamese-American literature. This book is absolutely tremendous. Multi-generational memoir infused with accurate historical context. Wisdom and insight on every page.

Cover image of The Best We Could Do, by Thi Bui

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Capturing one of my #WITM reads before August ends. Fragmentary narrative infused with historical context. Highlighted for me the similar endings of large scale psychiatric institutionalization internationally in the late 20th century.

Cover of Beckomberga, by Sara Stridsberg. Translator Deborah Bragan-Turner.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Enjoyed the second in the Detective Aunty series of Uzma Jalaludddin. Toronto-area settings, interesting cultural context, engaging protagonist in Kausar Khan. #CrimeFiction #WomenWriters #CanadianLiterature #AmReading #BookSky

Cover image, Uzma Jalaluddin’s Moonlight Murder

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

This weekend’s reading. The primary crime plot and investigation are okay; the cultural and historical context offered by way of a secondary plot is compelling. #CrimeFiction #Finland

Cover of Lucifer’s Tears by James Thompson

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

This short novel is very intense, actually harrowing in parts. Translated from Swedish. Picked it up off the shelf at my local public #library. Iranian history, women’s history, mother-daughter relationship insight. #amreading #womenwriters

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Heck yeah I’m pre-ordering the next Perveen Mistry book from Sujata Massey! I look forward to learning about India’s film industry in the 1920s and 1930s while enjoying Perveen’s sleuthing. #CrimeFiction #WomenWriters #Books

Cover image of The Star From Calcutta by Sujata Massey, scheduled for release in March 2026

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

3rd annual Minnesota author visit at U Minnesota Crookston generated strong community turnout for book conversation w/Kari Lie Dorer about Muus vs Muus. The humanities can engage people in their communities, and I’m proud to have established this book conversation series. #TeamOline #WingsUp

Speaker and event organizer standing next to poster promoting author visit

Facilitator and author/editor seated on platform with Norwegian flag between them; author is speaking

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Break in a mostly rainy weekend delivered this view of the moon over @lakesuperior.bsky.social in Duluth, Minnesota.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Beautiful day for touring historic Norwegian-American churches in southeastern Minnesota. Event offered as part of the Crossings and Connections conference at St Olaf College.

Country road vista near Tromdhjem Church

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

The fourth Cash Blackbear book is the best one yet! #CrimeFiction readers who don’t know this series should rectify that immediately. Fabulous sleuth and brilliant representation of the Red River Valley for fans of Cash who may never set foot in the region. Thank you, Marcie Rendon! #minnesota #RRV

Cover of Broken Fields, 2025 crime novel by Marcie R Rendon.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

The @britishlibrary.bsky.social Crime Classics subscription is brilliant! A package of happiness arrives each month: ❤️ the little extras tied to each book & the matching bookmarks. The #books themselves are 🤩 and I’ve discovered new authors & new titles by known authors. #booksky #crimefiction

BL Crime Classics edition of The Ten Teacups, matching bookmark, two postcards picturing tea cups with vintage typed notes connected to book’s plot, and mailing envelope.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

In the midst of all the angst, the arrival of volume 51 of MidAmerica with my article on Marcie Rendon’s Cash Blackbear books makes me happy. #CrimeFiction #AcWri #Minnesota

Article heading in journal: “Marcie R. Rendon’s Cash Blackbear Crime-Fiction Series and Nordic Settler Colonial Legacies in Minnesota’s Red River Valley”

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

A fabulous part of my new year’s reading! One consequence is I’ve promised myself a plush dragon for my birthday this year. 🐉

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

2024 was the first year I tracked books read. I excluded scholarly reading and noted genre. Of 102 books read, 72 were #CrimeFiction & 11 were translations. I began last year with Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, which I loved, so I’m starting 2025 with More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop! #books

Cover of More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa translated by Eric Ozawa

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Fun at the @guthrietheater.bsky.social this evening—Jenna Agbayani and Juyeon Song, both in Guthrie debuts, really delivered The Heart Sellers. Food for thought, a frozen turkey, lots of unexpected laughter, and the best pair of housedresses I’ve seen in years.

Picture of theatre program. The Heart Sellers at the Guthrie.

Early arrivals in McGuire proscenium stage at the Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis; The Hearts Sellers stage set.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

And the close of the day(light) overlooking the St Paul campus of the U. #solstice

Street scene with snow, one car & one pedestrian, looking across at campus landscape.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Quiet and sunny North Loop this morning. Happy to be in Minneapolis for the shortest day of the year! #solstice

Picture of street, parked cars, and apartment buildings; snow-covered ground under a pretty sky.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Bought 3 titles on the holiday books display at Once Upon A Crime bookstore (26th Street, Minneapolis) for the week ahead. Up first, Jill McGown’s DCI Lloyd Christmas adventure with amateur dramatics and criminal shenanigans.

Scene of Crime: A Christmas Murder Mystery, Jill McGown. Paperback book.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Starting my year-and reading in earnest with a pair of books from last weekend’s book shopping: both works in translation, both from A+ bookstores on Snelling Ave in St Paul (Next Chapter; Midway Books): The Cat Who Saved Books & The Defenceless.

Picture of two books. The Defenceless, Kati Hiekkapelto, translated from Finnish by David Hackston. The Cat Who Saved Books, Sosuke Matsukawa, translated from Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Happy Saturday from Paul and Babe in Bemidji! #Minnesota

Photo of “larger-than-life” statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in Bemidji

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Following up Schott’s Fifty-Four Pigs with series book two, Six Ostriches. Fun #CrimeFiction series: veterinarian sleuth w/a rural Winnipeg-area practice & a super-sniffer dog named Pippin. The physical books are lovely, too—thx @ecwpress.bsky.social! #Books

Photo of book: Six Ostriches, by Philipp Schott

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Proofs are one of my favorite stages of the publishing process! So pleased to have my article on Marcie Rendon’s Cash Blackbear books scheduled for publication in MidAmerica, a journal dedicated to the study of #Midwestern literature and culture. #Minnesota #CrimeFiction #RRV

Image of page proof heading on article entitled “Marcie R. Rendon’s Cash Blackbear Crime-Fiction Series and Nordic Settler Colonial Legacies In Minnesota’s Red River Valley”

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Serving on the Crookston Area Community Fund, I’ve learned more about the community while helping put CACF dollars to work. CACF chair Shirley Iverson & I met with grant recipients for a “big check” photo. Such great community energy! This cycle, the fund awarded 8 grants totaling $25k.

Grant fund awardees with oversize “check”

Grant fund awardee from Crookston’s Care & Share with 2 CACF committee members holding oversize award “check”

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

Greetings from the granddogs: one small, one tall, both rescues.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

“Then why should the autumn of his life not be an Indian summer of peace and tranquil happiness? Why not?” Alas, Mr. Pottermack, it’s clearly not meant to be! Started this book with modest expectations but I’m taking notes and appreciating Freeman’s clever narrative. #CrimeFiction #ModWrite

British Library Crime Classics edition of Mr. Pottermack’s Oversight by R. Austin Freeman

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 02/11/2024

Most important packing decision has been made: non-fiction collection of short pieces & a new-to-me #crimefiction author. #Minnesota #Canada #lit #books ✈️ 🎒 📚

Two books: St Paul Almanac: A 10-year Retrospective & Fifty-Four Pigs, by Phillip Schott

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 28/10/2024

I voted! Polk County, Minnesota. 🗳️

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 25/10/2024

Insightful conversation + Q&A with brilliant writer Sarah Stonich brought together UMN Crookston campus & the community. Books were sold & signed; treats were consumed; readers were happy. There’s never been a better time to read Minnesota-set books by #Minnesota authors! @uminnpress.bsky.social

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 05/10/2024

The scene of the crime: grateful for Saturday so I can complete revisions to my MidAmerica essay on Marcie Rendon’s Cash Blackbear #crimefiction series. #AcademicWriting

Books by Marcie Rendon and others, pages of text, coffee, and writing tools on a kitchen table.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 05/10/2024

This year’s author visit features Sarah Stonich, author of fiction that illuminates Minnesota’s Iron Range and its inhabitants over the past hundred years. Put a #litprof in the Vice Chancellor’s office, get book talks! @uminnpress.bsky.social

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 29/09/2024

Beautiful day for the Hytta market in Red Lake Falls. Food & art/craft vendors, kid-friendly activities, fresh produce & baked goods for sale. Hope I get lucky w/the quilt raffle! #Minnesota #market #NWMinnesota

Hytta Autumn Market entrance sign. Seeger Farms, Red Lake Falls, Minnesota.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 26/09/2024

It started with great “noir weekend” deals @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social. Once I’d picked 4 noir titles at 40% off I noticed free shipping clicked in at $75. Final result, 8 beautiful books delivered! #noir #tove #translation

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 22/09/2024

Saturday night with #Sherlock as I begin a new writing project. #AcWri #CrimeFiction

Museum of London exhibition companion; Larry Millett’s first Holmes novel; volume 1 of ACD’s Complete Sherlock Holmes (Bantam edition)

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 17/09/2024

Not only is the book situated at a fascinating intersection of women’s history and Norwegian-Minnesotan immigrant history, it’s co-translated by Torild Homstad, who welcomed me into the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study a dozen years ago. Great story, skillfully contextualized.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 31/03/2024

Front and center at Magers and Quinn in Minneapolis, a table of @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social titles. The rest of the store was pretty great, too! #books #bookstore

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 23/03/2024

As a brilliant Foyle’s bookseller once observed, “nobody ever regretted buying a book.” Especially at Foyle’s. Avoid regret: buy the book!

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 01/01/2024

Final book for 2023. I’ll decide tomorrow what the first book of 2024 will be by picking from a TBR stack. Happy New Year!

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, by Yagisawa; translated by Ozawa

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 13/12/2023

Great series! The latest book is darker, not only thematically but in Perveen’s life. Always absorbing and carefully researched—wherever Perveen goes, I’m ready to learn. #CrimeFiction

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 13/11/2023

Zenith Bookstore in Duluth is a great independent shop—excellent local interest and regional authors sections. Bought a few titles for myself and a few more as gifts.

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 28/10/2023

This weekend’s reading is highly recommended. Strong recurring characters, suspenseful plots, and rich Copenhagen color. Tara Chace translation is brilliant. #CrimeFiction

Covers of 2 Katrine Engberg novels in translation

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 27/10/2023

Happy October 27 from NW Minnesota!

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 26/10/2023

Great to be back in the Guthrie Theater for an interesting new play that included yoga, rain, and a wrecking ball. Some good laughs alongside food for thought. Many actors in their Guthrie debut—miigwech to all! #Minneapolis

For the People theatre program and stage set

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 26/10/2023

Fantastic event with Marcie Rendon: it was standing room only for a reading, Q&A, and conversation. Audience awaits the next installment in the Cash Blackbear series! #CrimeFiction

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 15/10/2023

Finally got caught up with Helene Tursten’s Embla Nyström series. Engaging sleuth and distinctive rural milieu. Enjoyed the Irene Huss cameo in Snowdrift. #CrimeFiction

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Rosemary Johnsen @johnsenrm.bsky.social · 14/10/2023

Venue for next Wednesday’s book talk with Marcie Rendon: Crookston, Minnesota has some surprises. #CrimeFiction

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