Tina Harnesk is a writer of Sámi descent born in northern Sweden. She works as a library assistant and lives on a mountain outside Arvidsjaur, Sweden, with her husband and children. The Secret of Snow is her debut novel.

Alice Menzies holds an MA in translation theory and practice from University College London, specializing in the Scandinavian languages. She has translated, among other works, And Every Day the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman. She lives in London.

Praise from Sweden for The Secret of Snow

"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. When Swedes describe winters in the north we often talk about the incredible contrast between the compact dark from above and the snow reflecting all light from beneath. That's how her writing feels."
--Fredrik Backman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of My Friends

"Serious yet sprightly. . . . At times darkly comic, at times sparkling with magical realism, Harnesk's celebration of the innate drive to protect individual families and entire cultures will satisfy readers' souls."
--Booklist

"A must-read. Balancing humor and darkness with remarkable grace, this story and its characters found their way into my heart. To everyone who hasn't yet read it--congratulations, you have a wonderful reading experience ahead of you!"
--Lisa Ridzén, author of When the Cranes Fly South

"[E]motionally satisfying. . . . Fans of Fredrik Backman will take to this touching family drama."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Well-written, hysterically funny - and thought-provoking."
--Dagbladet (Norway)

"What a gem of a debut novel! ... Told with verve and filled with anecdotes, myths, humor, and gravity."
--Finnmarken (Norway)

"An incredibly moving and well-written family saga with an extraordinary old woman at its heart."
--Litteratursiden (Denmark)

"A truly wonderful novel that evokes both tears and laughter."
--DBC (Denmark)

"An enchanting mix of warmth, humor, and dazzling storytelling."
--Maailman Kirjat (Finland)

"I have been reading, laughing, and crying. This is a debut novel, but that word almost sounds cliché. The author is part of the story, the dialect, and the Sámi memories. . . I am so glad that this story has been written."
--Dast Magazine

"Tina Harnesk plays with language and lets the details speak. . . Instantly charming, melancholic, and poetic. . . bringing forth images of life rooted in the Sámi spiritual nature. It is often wild and hilarious. . . but the absurd is interlaced with realistic portrayals of defiant bodies, minds, and hearts. A brilliant debut."
--Aftonbladet Söndag

"How is it possible that this is a debut novel? The book is believable and intricate with a rather large and colorful cast of characters. . . An earnest, unique, warm, and personal story that captivates, enthralls, and leaves a deep impression."
--P4 Västernorrland

"Tina Harnesk makes her debut with a multifaceted novel from northern Sweden, with distinct roots in oral storytelling. . . She sprinkles her text with comedic similes and effective punchlines, but underneath the burlesque surface lies a throbbing pain. The Secret of Snow is a beautiful novel about two generations who are steeped in the northern Sámi experience."
--Vi Läser

"Tina Harnesk lives on a mountain outside of Arvidsjaur and has joined the authors who are writing about Sami life and culture. And how she does it! Her novel is burlesque and daring, populated by colorful, unforgettable characters. But underneath the cheerful exterior rests a grief over the traditional reindeer herding life that was lost."
--Ingalill Mosander, Aftonbladet

"This is a magnificent story and reading experience. Told with love and a language so vividly beautiful it almost makes the eyes of an old journalist and editor tear up. The phrasing is elegant and accurate, the language so colorful that you - even without any Sami connection - are unfazed by the Sami words and expressions and can truly see these people and places in your mind's eye while reading."
--Norrbottens-Kuriren

Publisher: Atria Books

Pub date: 2026-02-03

Length: 304 pages