- Hardcover: 360 pages
- Publisher: W. F. Howes LTD (2006)
- ASIN: 1845058836
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 801,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This novel, which won the Best Nordic Crime Award in the year it was published, is a worthy successor to the magnificent "Jar City" (now republished as Tainted Blood). In it Indridason tells three tales in parallel: the investigation into the identity of the bodies found in a shallow grave and two tales featuring female abuse from the days of WWII.
To be honest, the strength of this novel doesn't actually lie in the traditional murder mystery but in the depth of the social commentary. Abused wives and children still exist, but the behaviour of the abuser is no longer tolerated and social mechanisms are in place to protect the vulnerable. 60 years ago this was not the case and the portrait Indridason paints of a wife-batterer and his abused family is powerful and harrowing, yet never voyeuristic. He is more concerned with the psychological destruction of the soul rather than the physical breaking of bones.
The other strength of this novel is his downtrodden detective, Erlendur, whose family life is as traumatic as that of the people he investigates. Is Erlendur, who is portraited realistically, warts and all, partly to blame? This mystery is offered alongside the traditional murder and it's one for which there is no open and shut case.
I read this novel in 2 sittings. The author is one to watch. At one week in the summer of 2003, his crime novels occupied the top five spots in the Icelandic bestseller list.
Only two have been translated into English. Does anyone know when the next one is due?
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A corpse is found on a hill in the outskirts of Reykjavik. It looks like it has already been there for a long time, but the excavation goes terribly slow because a team of archaeologists is carrying out the work. In the meantime inspector Erlendur and his colleagues try to get a picture of what happened 50 to 70 years ago. Slowly but surely they find out the awful truth. In between the story line of the investigation, there is another storyline about a family consisting of a father, mother, 2 brothers and a handicapped sister. It soon becomes apparent that something horrible happened in the family and this is written down so vividly that I had to put down the book a few times because it nearly became too much. An in the meantime Erlendur's drugs-addicted daughter Eva Lind is in a coma and he finally finds the courage to tell her what he feels for her. In short, this is a wonderful, sensitive thriller with a lot of psychological insight, well-developed storylines and beautiful descriptions of the various characters.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I think this is the most harrowing book I've ever read in my life. The psychology of the wife-beater, the wife and her journey into submission are absolutely spot on.
In addition to the two 'historical' plots, we also have the contemporary unravelling and the soap opera that is evolving around the lives of the three detectives - all expertly handled.
I made the mistake of opening this book up after lunch on a Sunday - and I just couldn't put it down - not for a single minute - the dialogue and pace are absolutely gripping. I eventually emerged in the early evening feeling as though I'd lived a parallel life in a different timestream. It really is that good - no wonder it's won awards all over the place.
In addition to the two 'historical' plots, we also have the contemporary unravelling and the soap opera that is evolving around the lives of the three detectives - all expertly handled.
I made the mistake of opening this book up after lunch on a Sunday - and I just couldn't put it down - not for a single minute - the dialogue and pace are absolutely gripping. I eventually emerged in the early evening feeling as though I'd lived a parallel life in a different timestream. It really is that good - no wonder it's won awards all over the place.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
unputdownable
unputdownable...looking fo r the next one.These newly discovered Scandinavian murder mysteries need more exposure... another author producing similat to The Killing.
Published 6 months ago by carolmay
Excellent.Highly recommended
I found this book both compelling and deeply moving.It is relatively short, but,unlike Stieg Larsson for example, not a word is wasted. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Johnnybluetime
No words can describe this tale...
Halfway through this book, you will stop caring about the mystery aspect, and the harrowing tale of this miserable family will grab you by the guts, never to let go till the end. Read more
Published on 11 May 2010 by karabekirus
Another gloomy Scandinavian detective
Never read anything based in Iceland before. On the basis of this it makes Wallander and his ilk seem like light comedy.
Nevertheless I enjoyed the book. Read more
Nevertheless I enjoyed the book. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2010 by Mephisto
Ghastly
Ghastly sums up the villain of the piece; the book is excellent. The plot is skillfully worked out to keep us guessing to the end, though for my taste some of the teasing-out if... Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2010 by SJJones
Gripping
Another fine piece by Arnaldur. Possibly it resonates more if you have been to Iceland but his characters are believable and "normal" insofar as they behave like human beings and... Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2010 by C. Saunders
Slow Burner
Having read the first in this series (Jar City) and being impressed by the plot but let down by the lack of character development I decided to buy the second in the series and see... Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2009 by J. Milton
One of the best thriller I've ever read
I was so pleasantly surprised by that book. I was expecting yet another possibly boring storyline but it was probably one of the most original ones I've ever read. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2009 by Laurence Baillie
Morose Norse Morse
Good, solid 'whodunnit?' with a bit of 'who was it done to?' to get the whole Reykjavik story off to a flyer. Read more
Published on 26 July 2009 by Officer Dibble
More than just a crime writer
Little gore though shocking violence ... in this case, psychological study of domestic abuse. Interesting police officers that you sympathise with. A lovely smooth style. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2009 by Ms. M. Kolodziej
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