Ukrainian bestselling thriller “I See You Are Interested in Darkness” published in Czech

Ukrainian writer Illarion Pavliuk’s bestselling psychological thriller “I See You Are Interested in Darkness” has been published in Czech by Argo under the title “Vidím, že vás zajímá temnota.” The Czech edition was translated by Jiřina Dvořáková and published with support from Translate Ukraine, the Ukrainian Book Institute’s program supporting translations of Ukrainian literature into other languages.

The novel follows criminal psychologist Andriy Haister, who travels to a remote, snow-covered town to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. He gradually discovers that a serial killer known as the Beast is operating there. Argo describes the book as a genre-crossing bestseller combining a crime plot and strong symbolism, with elements of horror, satire, psychological drama, war literature, and fantasy.

“I See You Are Interested in Darkness” was first published in Ukrainian by the Old Lion Publishing House in 2020. After a new edition appeared in 2023, the novel became one of the most successful contemporary Ukrainian bestsellers. By September 2025, 146,335 copies had been sold.

The novel remained among Ukraine’s top-selling books for three consecutive years, from 2023 to 2025. In 2025, the Old Lion Publishing House sold 38,000 copies, making it the publisher’s top-selling title for the third consecutive year.

Pavliuk’s popularity has continued among younger Ukrainian readers. In the first quarter of 2026, he ranked second among Ukrainian authors whose books were purchased through YeKnyha, Ukraine’s state book program for 18-year-olds. 

The Czech edition is part of the novel’s growing international presence. In 2026, translations of “I See You Are Interested in Darkness” were also selected for publication in Finnish, Polish, Romanian, and Azerbaijani through the Ukrainian Book Institute’s Translate Ukraine program.

Pavliuk is a Ukrainian writer, journalist, and serviceman. His books include “White Ash,” “The Dance of the Simpleton,” “I See You Are Interested in Darkness,” and his latest novel, “Emil’s Book.”

As reported earlier, “Emil’s Book” sold 25,500 copies in 2025, making it the Old Lion Publishing House’s second-best-selling title of the year.