Fantastic

A brilliant story which keeps you guessing until the very end. I will definitely read more from this author.

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It's Bad To Lie

Brilliant. The ending could not be predicted. The opening rescue scene made little sense until later in the story. Cleverly done. Highly recommended.

My rating: 5/5.

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Not for me

Completely disappointed. No resolved ending, I didn't feel for any of the characters, a lot of people were murdered...for what. Wouldn't recommend.

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Contrived ending disappoints

The murders are gruesome so a very thoughtful plot is required to justify the this. I am not satisfied that this was the case. I enjoyed the first half as the brooding atmosphere and inexplicable horror were developed. Unfortunately I spotted the ending as soon as the characters involved in the first murder were set into context. This was reinforced by the context of the third murder. As a result I was left wondering why the author chose to render the police so slow on the uptake when there were evident clues or obvious lines of enquiry in abundance. The final chapters were risible. The lead investigator goes from clueless to suddenly providing the perpetrator with a detailed backstory account of their crimes before the inevitable final conflict. The narration is OK compared to the dreadful narration for Why Did You Lie but inexplicably the characters' accents change randomly and pointlessly since the characters are set out clearly in the third person narrative. Although Icelanders, some characters adopt a fluctuating estuary-English accent, another sounds like an Aussie and one develops an Irish lilt part way through a conversation.

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Can't get enough of this author

I have read the Freya series, am halfway through Thora and getting through all stand alone novels. Yrsa Sigurdadottir pens terrific tales, steeped in Icelandic culture, daily life and environment. Translation is excellent and narrators give a lilting life to events and pronunciation. Extremely enjoyable.

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Yes, I finished it....

This is a gripping story, cleverly pulled together, despite the reader who does it no favours.

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4 people found this helpful

Queen of Nordic Noir

I found this book to be gripping and exciting. Yrsa manages to interweave several stories and draw them together at appropriate times which builds the suspense. Skilfully read. Only negative is that it is too short.

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1 person found this helpful

WOW

I have long been a fan of Sigurdardottir but this stand-alone novel reflects her at the top of her form. I was listening today while walking to the shops but I had to turn off my iPod because I was becoming too nervous--in the middle of a sunny Saturday afternoon on the high street.This novelist is a master in integrating descriptions of weather fronts and the sea into her narrative. These descriptions are not irritating digressions from the plot lines but rather are important elements in the unfolding of her characters' actions. Sigurdardottir weaves three distinct narratives with fully drawn protagonists into an integrated whole by the end of the book and I was left shaking my head in admiration at a novelist with such ability to match her confidence.

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6 people found this helpful

Good story, excellently read

Very well read and sometimes quite shouty so not easy. Several
storylines that intertwine nicely. All in all very enjoyable, I would definitely recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

Fine......not too inspired. Ending poor.

It was fine......not too inspired. Ending poor. I will not be rushing back for more.

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