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The Darkness: If you like Saga Noren from The Bridge, then you'll love Hulda Hermannsdottir (Hidden Iceland)

The Darkness: If you like Saga Noren from The Bridge, then you'll love Hulda Hermannsdottir (Hidden Iceland)

by Victoria Cribb (Translator), Ragnar Jónasson (Author)

  • Used

    Paperback 2018

    $3.30
Synopsis

'Superb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction' Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month 'Ragnar Jonasson writes with a chilling, poetic beauty - a must-read addition to the growing canon of Iceland Noir' Peter James, The Number One bestselling author of Love You Dead 'Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdoittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year' Bolo Books Review **Be the first to read the incredible, chilling first novel in the new Hulda crime series from Icelandic superstar Ragnar Jonasson by pre-ordering your copy now** The body of a young Russian woman washes up on an Icelandic shore. After a cursory investigation, the death is declared a suicide and the case is quietly closed. Over a year later Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdottir of the Reykjavik police is forced into early retirement. She dreads the loneliness, and the memories of her dark past that threaten to come back to haunt her. But before she leaves she is given two weeks to solve a single cold case of her choice. She knows which one: the Russian woman whose hope for asylum ended on the dark, cold shore of an unfamiliar country. Soon Hulda discovers that another young woman vanished at the same time, and that no one is telling her the whole story. Even her colleagues in the police seem determined to put the brakes on her investigation. Meanwhile the clock is ticking. Hulda will find the killer, even if it means putting her own life in danger. Spanning the icy streets of Reykjavik, the Icelandic highlands and cold, isolated fjords, The Darkness is an atmospheric thriller fromone of the most exciting names in Nordic Noir. Praise for Ragnar Jonasson 'Seductive . . . an old-fashioned murder mystery with a strong central character and the fascinating background of a small Icelandic town cut off by snow. Ragnar does claustrophobia beautifully' Ann Cleeves 'A classic crime story seen through a uniquely Icelandic lens . . . first rate and highly recommended' Lee Child on Snowblind 'A modern take on Agatha Christie-style mystery, as twisty as any slalom . . .' Ian Rankin on Snowblind 'His clues are traditional and beautifully finessed - and he keeps you turning the pages' The Independent on Snowblind 'Distinctive blend of Nordic noir and golden age detective fiction . . . atmospheric . . . economical and evocative prose' The Guardian on Nightblind 'Jonasson's books have breathed new life into Nordic noir . . . all the skilful plotting of an old-fashioned whodunit although it feels bitingly contemporary in setting and tone' Sunday Express 'The ending hits the reader like a kick in the stomach' Frettatiminn **** 'Out of all of Ragnar's books, this is the one I like the most . . . The book of his which reminds me most of Agatha Christie' Kiljan on The Island

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More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 336
 Publisher: Michael Joseph
Published: 08 Mar 2018
ISBN 10: 0718187814
ISBN 13: 9780718187811
Book Overview: Spanning Reykjavik, the Icelandic highlands and cold, isolated fjords, The Darkness is the start of a classy thriller series like no other from the Icelandic superstar.

Media Reviews
Icelandic detective Hulda Hermannsdottir is the best tragic heroine our reviewer has read for years * The Times, Must Read List *
A superb thriller * The Sunday Times *
A complex, fascinating mix of Icelandic community and alienation, atmospheric tension, and timely issues (immigrant exploitation and vigilante justice), Jonasson's latest series is another must-read for crime fans who follow the work of Arnaldur Indridason and Yrsa Sigurdardottir * Booklist *
I've ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax -- Anthony Horowitz * Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For *
If you have ever doubted the appropriateness of the phrase 'Nordic noir', The Darkness will dispel any hesitation . . . in what way this happens (and how badly) is the strength of the book. There are ever-darker surprises, culminating in a finish that leaves one with a highly disturbing image. -- BOOK OF THE WEEK * The Press *
The wait was worthwhile and The Darkness first in the new trilogy, is a very efficient piece of work. Jonasson has the full measure of the Nordic noir genre, and pushes all the requisite buttons * Crime Time Newsletter *
To read Ragnar Jonasson is to plunge into snowy Iceland . . . much of its atmosphere and subtle pacing to the traditional 'golden age' detective fiction as the mystery unfolds and builds to a startling climax, elegantly handled. * The Witness *
As chilling as the nip in the Icelandic air * Choice Magazine *
Superb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction * Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month *
Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news * The Guardian *
Magnificently dark and twisted! That ending - blimey! * C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man *
A sympathetic yet entirely unsentimental portrait of a flawed but decent detective seeking justice for a murdered Russian asylum seeker * Sunday Times Crime Club *
It will get your pulse racing and keep you hooked to the last page * Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series *
Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdoittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year. * BOLO Books Review *
The Darkness is a bullet train of a novel, at once blazingly contemporary and Agatha-Christie old-fashioned. With prose as pure and crisp as Reykjavik snowcrust, Ragnar Jonasson navigates the treacherous narrative with a veteran's hand. I reached the end with adrenalized anticipation, the final twist hitting me in the face. I dare you not to be shocked -- Gregg Hurwitz * Sunday Times bestselling author of Orphan X *
Was gripped from the start of this brilliantly told story. And left wide-eyed with shock at the ending * Fiona Barton, bestselling author of The Widow *
The Darkness is Ragnar Jonasson at the top of his game - deft plotting, a great central character and a story as chilling as the Icelandic winter. I couldn't put it down -- William Ryan * author of The Holy Thief *
Page-turning stuff with an unexpected ending! * James Swallow *
Another masterpiece from the King of Icelandic Noir -- Thomas Enger * bestselling author of the Henning Juul series *
Unbearably sinister * Helen Callaghan, bestselling author of Dear Amy *
The Darkness is a true masterpiece of a crime novel, introducing an original protagonist, a plot full of twists and turns and an ending that leaves you gasping for air -- Yrsa Sigurdardottir * author of the bestselling Thora Gudmundsdottir crime series *
Praise for Ragnar Jonasson * - *
No country associated with the label Nordic noir is as bleak, cold, snowy and empty as Iceland. And no crime writer portrays those elements as evocatively and scarily as Ragnar Jonasson * The Times *
A classic crime story seen through a uniquely Icelandic lens... first rate and highly recommended -- Lee Child, on * Snowblind *
A modern take on Agatha Christie---style mystery, as twisty as any slalom . . . -- Ian Rankin, on * Snowblind *
Ragnar Jonasson writes with a chilling, poetic beauty - a must-read addition to the growing canon of Iceland Noir -- Peter James
Distinctive blend of Nordic noir and golden age detective fiction...atmospheric...economical and evocative prose * The Guardian on Nightblind *
Seductive ... an old-fashioned murder mystery with a strong central character and the fascinating background of a small Icelandic town cut off by snow. Ragnar does claustrophobia beautifully -- Ann Cleeves
The ending hits the reader like a kick in the stomach * FRETTATIMINN **** *
Jonasson's books have breathed new life into Nordic noir ...all the skilful plotting of an old-fashioned whodunit although it feels bitingly contemporary in setting and tone * Sunday Express *
Hulda Hermannsdottir is a welcome addition to the selection of Icelandic crime fiction protagonists . . . It is almost impossible to put the book down until the last word has been read * Frettabladid **** *
Out of all of Ragnar's books, this is the one I like the most . . . The book of his which reminds me most of Agatha Christie * Kiljan, on The Island *
The threads lie in various places, the plot is well woven and the pieces in the puzzle come together well in the end. The structure is good, the main characters are believable, the story flows well, everyone is a suspect a la Agatha Christie and the solution unveils the mystery and leads the readers to the truth. But not all the truth, as some things are better left hidden * Morgunbladid (Icelandic newspaper) *
A very good book, gripping and interesting, with all the threads carefully managed. Hopefully the author will publish as many books as possible with lead character Hulda * Vikan Magazine, on The Island *
Author Bio
Ragnar Jonasson (Author) Ragnar Jonasson was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he works as a writer and a lawyer and teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University. He founded the international crime writing festival Nordic Noir. Ragnar has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, and, from the age of seventeen, has translated fourteen of Agatha Christie's novels. He is an international No.1 bestselling author. The Darkness is the first novel in his Hidden Iceland series, to be followed by The Island and The Mist. Victoria Cribb (Translator) Victoria Cribb studied and worked in Iceland for many years. She has translated more than 25 novels from the Icelandic and, in 2017, she received the Ordstir honorary translation award for services to Icelandic literature.