
Indrek Hargla
Writing
Biography
Indrek Hargla (real name Indrek Sootak; also used pseudonyms Andrei Golikov and Marat Faizijev; born July 12, 1970 in Tallinn) is an Estonian writer. He is one of the most prominent Estonian writers of science fiction and crime novels. His most notable work is the Apothecary Melchior series, where activity takes place in medieval Tallinn. In 1993 he graduated from University of Tartu, studied jurisprudence. After graduation, he worked at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 2012, he has been a professional writer. He has won many awards, e.g. 17 times Estonian 'Stalker' science fiction prize.
Known For

Juhan Liiv, a struggling poet and an unlikely detective, solves gruesome murder cases in Estonia, the Wild West of the crumbling Russian Empire in the 1890s. Investigations take him to miserable dwellings of the local Estonian peasants, luxurious castles of German nobility that have sworn allegiance to the Czar, and to the depths of ancient forests where witchcraft is still practiced. Juhan is fighting crime and his own inner demons. He is considered mad and pronounced crazy. But by standing for justice and truth, at the end of the day, he is the sanest of them all.
The Shadow

Estonia's women's swimming team is stripped of their Olympic medals because of doping, and a scandal begins. With the help of Martin Kütt, an internationally renowned crisis expert, the team aims to solve the disaster. However, as Martin investigates the doping, it emerges that even government officials are involved in the affair.
Alpine House

In the middle of the night, a drunk town guard happens to meet the daughter of a rich merchant… who drowned herself into a well 10 years ago. Soon after the town guard falls dead from the tower. This is followed by two other suspicious deaths. Doubting the existence of the ghost, Melchior has a hunch that these ‘accidents’ are part of a heinous crime. Tracking down the killer, his path will cross with heretics, old feuds and dark family secrets.
Melchior the Apothecary: The Ghost

In medieval Tallinn, a famous knight who is freed from the pirates of the Baltic Sea is murdered. The hero's head is cut off and his mouth is stuffed with coins. The gold chain he bought the same day is missing. The bailiff orders Melchior, an apothecary, to investigate the crime. The clever young man discovers that the slain was looking for a mysterious "Tallinn prisoner" and the traces lead to the Dominican monastery. A fabulous sequence of bloodwork is unleashed - anyone who comes into contact with this secret is in danger of dying.
Melchior the Apothecary

Melchior’s bride Keterlyn happens to witness an attack on a young man. The victim, who has lost his memory, does not know who he is and how he ended up in a Tallinn. A ring found at the scene leads Melchior to the trail of the nocturnal brotherhood, questions are also raised by the troupe of freaks who performed on fair day. Ominous signs suggest that not only is the stranger recovering from a murder attempt at risk, but Melchior and Keterlyn as well. At the same time, an inquisitor known as a ruthless witch hunter arrives in town. Melchior's ability to "speak to the dead" and to notice invisible traces of murder have raised the suspicion that he may be a dangerous heretic. And the place of the enemy of the church is at the stake…
Melchior the Apothecary: The Executioner's Daughter

"A Bad Scene" is a film compilation, which speaks about the darker currents hiding in human relationships, situations, which are practically inescapable, in five different ways. The fourth short film, “Bewitched”, directed by Maria Avdjushko, talks about middle-aged Rainar, who discovers on a family outing that they have left behind their food. Wandering in the forest, he stumbles upon mysterious Liina, who slowly bewitches him.