Translated by Quentin Bates
Published by Orenda Books,
15 February 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-910633-57-1
Published by Orenda Books,
15 February 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-910633-57-1
Bored in quarantine-locked Siglufjórdur, the young police
officer Ari Thór is investigating a cold case from 1955, a woman’s death in an
isolated farmhouse. When a mysterious photo turns up, he gets a local TV
journalist, Isrun, interested, but she’s also following a case of her own – the
hit-and-run death of the son of a former Prime Minister.
This
complex who-dunnit combines two family tragedies and a political investigation,
with the child-centred theme echoing across the plot strands. Jónasson weaves the
stories together in short chapters, moving from former drug addict Róbert’s
spooky experience to Isrun’s interviews and Ari Thór’s research. The characters
are engaging and realistic, and the Icelandic landscape vividly described. The
plot moves quickly, with a good number of unexpected twists, and each strand
has a satisfying solution.
An
intriguing, stylish mix of traditional PP and reporter investigation, in a
bleakly beautiful Icelandic small town setting. This is an excellent series,
and I’d recommend starting at the beginning, with Snowblind. The second book, as they were originally released in
Iceland, was Blackout, and Rupture
was the third, followed by Whiteout
and Nightblind.
------
Reviewer: Marsali
Taylor
Ragnar Jonasson
was
born in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 1976 and works as a lawyer. He also teaches
copyright law at Reykjavik University and has previously worked on radio and
television, including as a TV news reporter for the Icelandic National
Broadcasting Service. Before becoming a writer, Ragnar translated 14 Agatha
Christie novels into Icelandic, and has had short stories published in
international literary magazines. Ragnar is a member of the UK Crime Writers'
Association (CWA) and recently set up the first overseas chapter of the CWA, in
Reykjavik. He is also the co-founder of the Reykjavik international crime
writing festival Iceland Noir (www.icelandnoir.com), which was selected by the
Guardian as one of the 'best crime-writing festivals around the world'. Ragnar
has appeared on panels at festivals worldwide, and he lives in Reykjavik with
his wife and daughter.
Quentin
Bates is an English novelist of
mystery/crime fiction novels. Quentin found himself working in Iceland for a
year, which turned into a decade, and has used some of that experience as well
as a university writing course to develop his Gunnhildur series. Although he is
British, Quentin is more in line with Scandinavian crime fiction authors.
Quentin is also a full-time journalist and feature writer for an obscure
nautical trade magazine.
A review of
Quentin’s latest book Thin Ice
can be read here.
http://promotingcrime.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/thin-ice-by-quentin-bates.html
http://promotingcrime.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/thin-ice-by-quentin-bates.html
Marsali Taylor grew up near
Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently
a part-time teacher on Shetland's scenic west side, living with her husband and
two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is
fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive
dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a
keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of
her local drama group. Marsali also does
a regular monthly column for the Mystery People e-zine.
A review of her recent book Ghosts
of the Vikings can be read here.
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