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Fire and Ice #2
66º North
From the million-copy bestselling author, perfect for fans of Stieg Larsson, Anne Holt, and The Killing."Michael Ridpath is on the war path, trouncing the Scandinavians on their home turf. This is international thriller writing at its best, fine characters, page turning suspense and a great, fresh location." PETER JAMESIceland 1934: Two boys playing in the lava fields that surround their isolated farmsteads see something they shouldn't have. The consequences will haunt them and their families for generations. Iceland 2009: the credit crunch bites. The currency has been devalued, savings annihilated, lives ruined. Revolution is in the air, as is the feeling that someone ought to pay the blood price... And in a country with a population of just 300,000 souls, where everyone knows everybody, it isn't hard to draw up a list of those responsible. And then, one-by-one, to cross them off. Iceland 2010: As bankers and politicians start to die, at home and abroad, it is up to Magnus Jonson to unravel the web of conspirators before they strike again. But while Magnus investigates the crimes of the present, the crimes of the past are catching up with him.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
125 people are currently reading
828 people want to read
About the author
Michael Ridpath
66 books311 followersBefore becoming a writer, Michael Ridpath used to work as a bond trader in the City of London. After writing several financial thrillers, which were published in over 30 languages, he began a crime series featuring the Icelandic detective Magnus Jonson. He has also written five stand-alone thrillers, the latest of which is The Diplomat’s Wife, published in February 2021. He lives in London.
And if you want a free copy of his novella, The Polar Bear Killing, and to sign up to his quarterly newsletter, just click this link: http://eepurl.com/dlzgFH
And if you want a free copy of his novella, The Polar Bear Killing, and to sign up to his quarterly newsletter, just click this link: http://eepurl.com/dlzgFH
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 14, 2020
”’I believed it all. The story that we were all financial geniuses, younger and quicker and smarter than the others. That we were the Viking Raiders of the twenty-first century. That we took calculated risks and won. That the wealth was here to stay. That this was just the beginning of the prosperity, not the end.’
‘I was wrong.’”
I’ve been around for many bubbles, the tech bubble, the housing bubble, and numerous stock bubbles. The tech bubble was the hardest one for me because I felt like an idiot not jumping in on the opportunities that were coming my way. I had nightmares that my future grandkids would be talking about what a moron I was not to make the family rich when the opportunity was so ripe. One of my rules has always been to never invest in anything that I don’t understand. It doesn’t always work to invest in what I do know, but usually if it comes apart and I lose money, at least I understand why it didn’t work. What I couldn’t understand about the tech boom was all the money flowing into investing, but there was so little money coming back in revenue. It smelled like a three day old fish to me. Certainly, there were people who got rich off the tech boom, but there were many more who lost more than they could afford.
I was buying property during the housing boom because money was so easy to get. Many people were buying their first homes or buying a bigger home, but unfortunately, most of them were opting for variable rate interest loans that allowed them to have a smaller payment in the beginning, but they did not seem to understand that as interest rates went up so would their payment...immediately. The housing bubble was born. I, of course, do not trust banks or interest rates any further than I can throw Shaquille O’Neal. All the property I bought was put on a fixed interest rate. I survived the housing bubble because I was conservative and careful.
So I understand the fever that took over the Icelandic people that lead to such a devastating financial crash in 2009. You see your friend put in some money and triple his investment. Even though you don’t exactly trust the situation, you start to feel stupid not being involved. Nobody wants to find themselves poor when everyone around them is getting rich.
Those young, bright Icelandic bankers thought it would never end. There is certainly money to be made in a boom. The trick is to figure out when the boom will bust and pull your money before the crash. When you double down and double down again and again, eventually the market will catch you with your tighty whities flapping in the wind. ”But you can’t just blame the bankers. All of us Icelanders have to ask ourselves what we were doing borrowing money we could never repay. And we’re just going to have to pay it all back.” Greed is a difficult disease of the mind to control; ask the Dutch tulip investors in 1637.
Magnus Jonson, an Icelandic born American from Boston, is investigating the murders of several prominent bankers who were instrumental in creating the financial disintegration of Iceland. The Pots and Pans Revolution with “anarchists” rising up to drive the Icelandic government out of office created some strife. It also allowed like minded people to meet. What absolutely flabbergasted me was, during the heat of the upheaval, normal Icelandic citizens stood between the police and the anarchists trying to calm the situation down. History is a vast ocean of occurrences, so I’m sure it has happened before, but I’ve never heard of people standing between rioters and police. There is something so civilized about average people standing up in a situation like that and being a voice of reason.
Kudos, Iceland.
Magnus is dealing with issues involving his beautiful artistic girlfriend, Ingilief, who is encouraging him to reconnect with his family, but his grandfather, Hallgrimur, is a hard and bitter man, and there are no golden memories associated from the time Magnus was living with him. Magnus is also unofficially investigating the murder of his father, Ragnar, and the more he finds out about the history of his family, the more he starts to believe that someone in the family could have been responsible. Ingilief is a handful. ”Since his youth he had been an avid reader of the Icelandic sagas, the tales of medieval revenge and daring. There were heroes and cowards in those stories, seekers of justice and hiders from it, and Magnus saw himself as one of the heroes. He smiled to himself. There were also women urging their men-folk to get off their asses and go avenge the family honour. Women like Ingilief.”
I’ve started adding Icelandic Sagas to my reading list, and they are frankly addictive. I started Njal’s Sagathe other day thinking I would just read a few pages to get an idea of what it was going to be like and read 50 pages.
This book moves between the 1930s, 2009, 2010 as events from the past are still influencing Magnus’s present. Michael Ridpath explains Kreppa, and the action takes Magnus outside of Reykjavik so that the reader can experience those beautiful, strange landscapes and the unusual, architectural structures that make up the history of Iceland.
”The snow, which had fallen a few days before, glowed a luminescent blue, except at the top of the far mountains where the rising sun painted it red. He could still see the dark shapes of the twisted rocky waves of Berserkjahraun. The warmth of the lava stone meant that the snow always melted there first.”
I love the way Ridpath shows the influence that ancient Sagas still have on Icelandic people and especially on Magnus, who when time allows will dip into a saga to relieve stress and focus his thoughts elsewhere so his mind will be refreshed for concentrating on the case. I’ve really enjoyed the first two forays into the Fire & Ice series and will definitely be reading more.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visithttp://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
‘I was wrong.’”
I’ve been around for many bubbles, the tech bubble, the housing bubble, and numerous stock bubbles. The tech bubble was the hardest one for me because I felt like an idiot not jumping in on the opportunities that were coming my way. I had nightmares that my future grandkids would be talking about what a moron I was not to make the family rich when the opportunity was so ripe. One of my rules has always been to never invest in anything that I don’t understand. It doesn’t always work to invest in what I do know, but usually if it comes apart and I lose money, at least I understand why it didn’t work. What I couldn’t understand about the tech boom was all the money flowing into investing, but there was so little money coming back in revenue. It smelled like a three day old fish to me. Certainly, there were people who got rich off the tech boom, but there were many more who lost more than they could afford.
I was buying property during the housing boom because money was so easy to get. Many people were buying their first homes or buying a bigger home, but unfortunately, most of them were opting for variable rate interest loans that allowed them to have a smaller payment in the beginning, but they did not seem to understand that as interest rates went up so would their payment...immediately. The housing bubble was born. I, of course, do not trust banks or interest rates any further than I can throw Shaquille O’Neal. All the property I bought was put on a fixed interest rate. I survived the housing bubble because I was conservative and careful.
So I understand the fever that took over the Icelandic people that lead to such a devastating financial crash in 2009. You see your friend put in some money and triple his investment. Even though you don’t exactly trust the situation, you start to feel stupid not being involved. Nobody wants to find themselves poor when everyone around them is getting rich.
Those young, bright Icelandic bankers thought it would never end. There is certainly money to be made in a boom. The trick is to figure out when the boom will bust and pull your money before the crash. When you double down and double down again and again, eventually the market will catch you with your tighty whities flapping in the wind. ”But you can’t just blame the bankers. All of us Icelanders have to ask ourselves what we were doing borrowing money we could never repay. And we’re just going to have to pay it all back.” Greed is a difficult disease of the mind to control; ask the Dutch tulip investors in 1637.
Magnus Jonson, an Icelandic born American from Boston, is investigating the murders of several prominent bankers who were instrumental in creating the financial disintegration of Iceland. The Pots and Pans Revolution with “anarchists” rising up to drive the Icelandic government out of office created some strife. It also allowed like minded people to meet. What absolutely flabbergasted me was, during the heat of the upheaval, normal Icelandic citizens stood between the police and the anarchists trying to calm the situation down. History is a vast ocean of occurrences, so I’m sure it has happened before, but I’ve never heard of people standing between rioters and police. There is something so civilized about average people standing up in a situation like that and being a voice of reason.
Kudos, Iceland.
Magnus is dealing with issues involving his beautiful artistic girlfriend, Ingilief, who is encouraging him to reconnect with his family, but his grandfather, Hallgrimur, is a hard and bitter man, and there are no golden memories associated from the time Magnus was living with him. Magnus is also unofficially investigating the murder of his father, Ragnar, and the more he finds out about the history of his family, the more he starts to believe that someone in the family could have been responsible. Ingilief is a handful. ”Since his youth he had been an avid reader of the Icelandic sagas, the tales of medieval revenge and daring. There were heroes and cowards in those stories, seekers of justice and hiders from it, and Magnus saw himself as one of the heroes. He smiled to himself. There were also women urging their men-folk to get off their asses and go avenge the family honour. Women like Ingilief.”
I’ve started adding Icelandic Sagas to my reading list, and they are frankly addictive. I started Njal’s Sagathe other day thinking I would just read a few pages to get an idea of what it was going to be like and read 50 pages.
This book moves between the 1930s, 2009, 2010 as events from the past are still influencing Magnus’s present. Michael Ridpath explains Kreppa, and the action takes Magnus outside of Reykjavik so that the reader can experience those beautiful, strange landscapes and the unusual, architectural structures that make up the history of Iceland.
”The snow, which had fallen a few days before, glowed a luminescent blue, except at the top of the far mountains where the rising sun painted it red. He could still see the dark shapes of the twisted rocky waves of Berserkjahraun. The warmth of the lava stone meant that the snow always melted there first.”
I love the way Ridpath shows the influence that ancient Sagas still have on Icelandic people and especially on Magnus, who when time allows will dip into a saga to relieve stress and focus his thoughts elsewhere so his mind will be refreshed for concentrating on the case. I’ve really enjoyed the first two forays into the Fire & Ice series and will definitely be reading more.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visithttp://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
September 21, 2022
A native Icelander who moved to America and lived for nearly 20 years before being temporarily transferred to Iceland.
Magnus Jonson had been working as a detective in the Boston PD for some time when his life became endangered because he was an important witness against a gang leader. His superiors wanted to keep him safe and the authorities in Iceland were interested in hosting an Icelandic-speaking, experienced policeman to train Iceland's forces in the way of big city crime.
The first book in the Fire & Ice series was the story of Magnus's initial experiences in Iceland. Far North takes place four months later. Magnus is teaching fellow officers and attending an abbreviated course at Iceland's Police Academy in order to learn the laws of the country before he can formally become an Icelandic police officer.
Magnus was used to a hectic pace of crimes and investigations while working in Boston. Essentially sitting on his hands now makes for an unhappy and unfulfilled detective.
As luck would have it -- for Magnus, not the victim -- a ruined former Icelandic banker has been shot to death in London. Magnus is brought in to determine if there is an Icelandic connection with the murder.
This series could be read as standalones. The author does a good job of recapping the previous story without making it too tedious for those readers who are already familiar with the story.
Magnus Jonson had been working as a detective in the Boston PD for some time when his life became endangered because he was an important witness against a gang leader. His superiors wanted to keep him safe and the authorities in Iceland were interested in hosting an Icelandic-speaking, experienced policeman to train Iceland's forces in the way of big city crime.
The first book in the Fire & Ice series was the story of Magnus's initial experiences in Iceland. Far North takes place four months later. Magnus is teaching fellow officers and attending an abbreviated course at Iceland's Police Academy in order to learn the laws of the country before he can formally become an Icelandic police officer.
Magnus was used to a hectic pace of crimes and investigations while working in Boston. Essentially sitting on his hands now makes for an unhappy and unfulfilled detective.
As luck would have it -- for Magnus, not the victim -- a ruined former Icelandic banker has been shot to death in London. Magnus is brought in to determine if there is an Icelandic connection with the murder.
This series could be read as standalones. The author does a good job of recapping the previous story without making it too tedious for those readers who are already familiar with the story.
June 23, 2015
I interrupted my Russian reading with Far North, a mystery series by Michael Ridpath that unfolds in Iceland. (My brain had to take a trip from Moscow to Reykjavik and back.) As I mentioned in an earlier post, this time last year I was gearing up for a trip to Iceland, and I’ve been feeling wistful lately. The country made an immense impression on me. There’s something about the landscape that beckons: the quiet, the lava fields, the heavy clouds, the green hills, and, as much as it wreaked havoc on my sleeping pattern, midnight sun. Believe it or not, it is in Iceland that I gained an appreciation for darkness, which is rather ironic, considering I love the sunshine, the ocean, and white sandy beaches.
Anyhow, I felt like returning to the fascinating streets of Reykjavik, so I turned to Michael Ridpath’s aptly titled Fire and Ice series, featuring detective Magnus Jonson. (You might wonder why I didn’t bother to read something by an Icelandic author, but it was purely a case of library availability. Far North was on the shelf, but I still have titles by Yrsa Sigurdardottir and Arnaldur Indridason on my list.)
For whatever reason, reviews on Goodreads are quite critical of Ridpath’s writing. He’s either too predictable or incorporates too much personal life details of the detective into the mystery. On the first point, I would disagree, but on the second, there is perhaps some credence. Despite my forthcoming complaints, I quite enjoyed Far North, which used the financial crisis of 2009 (aka, the kreppa) as an interesting plot device. However, I was a little frustrated by the level of family history provided, and that great big chunks of the novel ultimately had no bearing on the actual crime in question, which is the murder of bankers responsible for the financial collapse of Iceland. Not to mention, if I want to know how that particular mystery unwinds, I will have to keep reading the series.
Frustrations aside, I was captivated enough by the story to keep going, because I was curious to discover who the killer was, someone I guessed correctly approximately 275 pages in. There were many elements of the novel, though, that were surprises, but awkwardly executed (excuse the pun). The major disappointment would have to be the wrap up, as the killer is never really questioned, and the reasoning behind the whole murder plot is never fully articulated.
Anyhow, I felt like returning to the fascinating streets of Reykjavik, so I turned to Michael Ridpath’s aptly titled Fire and Ice series, featuring detective Magnus Jonson. (You might wonder why I didn’t bother to read something by an Icelandic author, but it was purely a case of library availability. Far North was on the shelf, but I still have titles by Yrsa Sigurdardottir and Arnaldur Indridason on my list.)
For whatever reason, reviews on Goodreads are quite critical of Ridpath’s writing. He’s either too predictable or incorporates too much personal life details of the detective into the mystery. On the first point, I would disagree, but on the second, there is perhaps some credence. Despite my forthcoming complaints, I quite enjoyed Far North, which used the financial crisis of 2009 (aka, the kreppa) as an interesting plot device. However, I was a little frustrated by the level of family history provided, and that great big chunks of the novel ultimately had no bearing on the actual crime in question, which is the murder of bankers responsible for the financial collapse of Iceland. Not to mention, if I want to know how that particular mystery unwinds, I will have to keep reading the series.
Frustrations aside, I was captivated enough by the story to keep going, because I was curious to discover who the killer was, someone I guessed correctly approximately 275 pages in. There were many elements of the novel, though, that were surprises, but awkwardly executed (excuse the pun). The major disappointment would have to be the wrap up, as the killer is never really questioned, and the reasoning behind the whole murder plot is never fully articulated.
April 28, 2012
In January 2009 Iceland is a troubled country, with many lives ruined following the Kreppa (financial crisis). Many people have marched to the square to stand outside the Parliament building in Reykjavik to protest. Among then is Harpa, who has lost her job in the bank and can no longer pay her mortgage, her brother also can no longer make the payments on his farm, and her father who should be enjoying his retirement has lost all his savings. But these and similar stories are all around as the angry Icelanders beat drums, saucepans and any kitchen utensils they can get their hands on. Among such a mêlée Harpa meets a fisherman Bjorn, Sindri Palsson, a writer, and along with some others they vent their anger at the bankers whose greed has created this situation calling for something to be done. But in the main the demonstration although noisy is relatively peaceful. The government are relieved that it wasn't worse, no deaths reported, just the suicide of a banker Gabriel Orn.
Sergeant Detective Magnus Jonson of the Boston Police Department is on secondment to Reykjavik following his involvement as a witness in a police corruption scandal in Boston. Magnus is Icelandic born but has lived in the USA since he was twelve. When the National Police Commissioner of Iceland became concerned about big-city crime reaching Iceland he had requested an American Police Detective who had practical experience and spoke Icelandic to give teaching course at the National Police College on crime in the USA. Magnus was the natural choice.
The murder in London of the Icelandic banker Oskar Gunnarsson brings Magnus back to hands-on police work. Although quite enjoying his teaching he is a detective at heart. Inspector Baldur Jakobsson head of the Violent Crimes Unit is keen to ensure that there is no Icelandic connection, as he does not want Iceland linked to terrorists, but when Magnus looks into the background of Oskar Gunnarsson he learns that he worked at the same bank as Gabriel Orn, indeed he was his boss. Magnus is uneasy with such a coincidence and starts to dig deeper, which puts him in communication with Detective Sergeant Piper of the British police.
As Magnus investigates the possible connection between the two deaths, he comes into contact with an estranged family member, and encouraged by his girlfriend Ingileif he arranges a meeting in the hope of laying to rest some of the traumas in his family's past. But his meeting only raises more questions - which unbeknown to him reach back to events in 1934, when two young boys stumbled on a secret whilst acting out one of the Icelandic historic Saga's.
As with the first book in this series `Where the Shadows Lie' I learnt much about Iceland, its culture and in particular the historic Saga's.
The two investigations, one international and one personal run concurrently, and both are absorbing. The story is one of anger, helplessness, fear, and in some respects everyone's greed. As more people in influential positions are murdered Magnus continues to pursue his line of investigation which is not in-line with his superiors. The `whodunit' aspect kept me enthralled to the end. And the final sentence has me leaping up and down for the next book.
A real page turner, this is an excellent piece of writing. Highly recommended.
------
Lizzie Hayes
Sergeant Detective Magnus Jonson of the Boston Police Department is on secondment to Reykjavik following his involvement as a witness in a police corruption scandal in Boston. Magnus is Icelandic born but has lived in the USA since he was twelve. When the National Police Commissioner of Iceland became concerned about big-city crime reaching Iceland he had requested an American Police Detective who had practical experience and spoke Icelandic to give teaching course at the National Police College on crime in the USA. Magnus was the natural choice.
The murder in London of the Icelandic banker Oskar Gunnarsson brings Magnus back to hands-on police work. Although quite enjoying his teaching he is a detective at heart. Inspector Baldur Jakobsson head of the Violent Crimes Unit is keen to ensure that there is no Icelandic connection, as he does not want Iceland linked to terrorists, but when Magnus looks into the background of Oskar Gunnarsson he learns that he worked at the same bank as Gabriel Orn, indeed he was his boss. Magnus is uneasy with such a coincidence and starts to dig deeper, which puts him in communication with Detective Sergeant Piper of the British police.
As Magnus investigates the possible connection between the two deaths, he comes into contact with an estranged family member, and encouraged by his girlfriend Ingileif he arranges a meeting in the hope of laying to rest some of the traumas in his family's past. But his meeting only raises more questions - which unbeknown to him reach back to events in 1934, when two young boys stumbled on a secret whilst acting out one of the Icelandic historic Saga's.
As with the first book in this series `Where the Shadows Lie' I learnt much about Iceland, its culture and in particular the historic Saga's.
The two investigations, one international and one personal run concurrently, and both are absorbing. The story is one of anger, helplessness, fear, and in some respects everyone's greed. As more people in influential positions are murdered Magnus continues to pursue his line of investigation which is not in-line with his superiors. The `whodunit' aspect kept me enthralled to the end. And the final sentence has me leaping up and down for the next book.
A real page turner, this is an excellent piece of writing. Highly recommended.
------
Lizzie Hayes
February 23, 2016
This time Michael Ridpath has used the "kreppa", Iceland's economic downturn of 2009, as the backdrop for another great "whodunnit". It appears some people in the banking industry are the targets and some have turned up dead after the "pots and pans" demonstrations in the streets of Reyjavik. He has also taken us back to Detective Magnus Jonson's childhood in Iceland and Magnus isn't sure he wants to go there. There are more than a few bad memories he doesn't want to dredge up but they just won't stop coming.
Magnus has an uncanny urge to always stick his nose into cases the higher ups want to let be, but he always sees things from a different angle. Maybe that's why he's so good at solving them.
Love the setting of this book!
Magnus has an uncanny urge to always stick his nose into cases the higher ups want to let be, but he always sees things from a different angle. Maybe that's why he's so good at solving them.
Love the setting of this book!
May 29, 2012
Wow! You're left with another adventure in the making. And that's a good thing. Michael uses all the Icelandic data. You're not let down.
April 21, 2019
I don't think I will ever appreciate the impact of the Icelandic financial crisis last decade. A series of actions of a few, coupled with global and economic forces beyond anyone's control, caused such havoc on a tiny nation.
Michael Ridpath does an amazing job in 'Far North' to detail the depth of impact of the crisis and even then only scratches the surface. Characters such as Matti and Freya who are hardly mentioned and merely subsidiary to the storyline highlight the personal tragedy of this Icelandic legacy.
Meanwhile Magnus Jonson, the American Icelander, somewhat removed from the crisis, plays centre stage in solving a series of shootings motivated by need for revenge on the minority of fat cats who were responsible for the chaos.
Magnus is a likeable and relatable character, wrestling his own demons, and I love the way Ridpath weaves Magnus' personal story throughout this second book in the series, leaving the reader anticipating what is to come. This series really satisfies my love for Nordic Noir and all things Iceland.
Michael Ridpath does an amazing job in 'Far North' to detail the depth of impact of the crisis and even then only scratches the surface. Characters such as Matti and Freya who are hardly mentioned and merely subsidiary to the storyline highlight the personal tragedy of this Icelandic legacy.
Meanwhile Magnus Jonson, the American Icelander, somewhat removed from the crisis, plays centre stage in solving a series of shootings motivated by need for revenge on the minority of fat cats who were responsible for the chaos.
Magnus is a likeable and relatable character, wrestling his own demons, and I love the way Ridpath weaves Magnus' personal story throughout this second book in the series, leaving the reader anticipating what is to come. This series really satisfies my love for Nordic Noir and all things Iceland.
January 13, 2019
3.5 estrelas
O 1º livro da série, que li em português, foi tão entusiasmante que tinha mesmo de continuar a ler a série. De repente, com aquele livro, dei por mim fascinada com a Islândia. 66º North não foi tão entusiasmante, mas foi bom na mesma. Em Inglês-Britânico foi um desafio um pouco maior para entender algumas palavras que designam certas coisas no cenário que é a Islândia e, por isso, não foi tão fácil de visualizar o cenário na minha mente. O enredo policial em volta de um bocado de política também não é o mais apelativo, mas Michael Ridpath soube não tornar a coisa maçadora.
Continuo fascinada com a Islândia, apesar de me arrepiar toda só de imaginar os dias longos de Inverno e escuridão, que duram muito mais que aqui, no nosso Portugalito :)
O 1º livro da série, que li em português, foi tão entusiasmante que tinha mesmo de continuar a ler a série. De repente, com aquele livro, dei por mim fascinada com a Islândia. 66º North não foi tão entusiasmante, mas foi bom na mesma. Em Inglês-Britânico foi um desafio um pouco maior para entender algumas palavras que designam certas coisas no cenário que é a Islândia e, por isso, não foi tão fácil de visualizar o cenário na minha mente. O enredo policial em volta de um bocado de política também não é o mais apelativo, mas Michael Ridpath soube não tornar a coisa maçadora.
Continuo fascinada com a Islândia, apesar de me arrepiar toda só de imaginar os dias longos de Inverno e escuridão, que duram muito mais que aqui, no nosso Portugalito :)
July 28, 2011
66º North was rather a delight to read. I received it as a birthday present this year, on the request for any books that went into the genre of adventure. This book certainly isn’t a Lord of the Rings type adventure, put has an small amount of adventure, with more prominent themes of Crime investigation. Set in the heart of Iceland, what starts off as a simple mistake, escalates into something much bigger.
On a previous review, I saw that someone gave up after the 2nd chapter. I will admit very little happens at the start except for one thing, but certainly stick with it because these chapters really set up the story and vital characters for later.
This story has some great twists and unexpected moments along with sub-plots. The book is actually easy to read, chapters are rather small for what we consider the conventional amount, and scenes can sometimes be as short as a page. This book, prolonging that you're not one of those quick readers who devours books in three days, took me about two weeks to read.
I was surprised to find out that 66º North is the second book out of a series, known as the Fire & Ice series. I can assure you that I faced no problem when it came to understanding what was going on. I understood the main character, and the story without any knowledge of the first book.
I have to say the ending was great. Certain sub-plots that weren’t resolved in this book, must be coming back for book number 3 (if there is going to be one.) The ending features the main character Magnus confronting someone, and what happens between them finishes the book on a climax.
On a previous review, I saw that someone gave up after the 2nd chapter. I will admit very little happens at the start except for one thing, but certainly stick with it because these chapters really set up the story and vital characters for later.
This story has some great twists and unexpected moments along with sub-plots. The book is actually easy to read, chapters are rather small for what we consider the conventional amount, and scenes can sometimes be as short as a page. This book, prolonging that you're not one of those quick readers who devours books in three days, took me about two weeks to read.
I was surprised to find out that 66º North is the second book out of a series, known as the Fire & Ice series. I can assure you that I faced no problem when it came to understanding what was going on. I understood the main character, and the story without any knowledge of the first book.
I have to say the ending was great. Certain sub-plots that weren’t resolved in this book, must be coming back for book number 3 (if there is going to be one.) The ending features the main character Magnus confronting someone, and what happens between them finishes the book on a climax.
January 23, 2012
How can you take a trip to Iceland without needing a passport (or having to leave the comfort of your couch, as was in my case)? Read Michael Ridpath's "Fire and Ice" series.
This is title #2 in that series and, yes, you will need to have read the first installment (the equally strong "Where Shadows Lie") before reading this.
In this book, you learn a little bit more about the background of Icelander-turned American-turned back to Icelander, Magnus, and his family. Along with the terrible family secret that has turned into a sad legacy that is an albatross around Magnus's neck.
The true mystery, however, is that of who is picking off Icelandic bankers who had a hand in the kreppa (the meltdown of their economy back in 2008/2009) and who is the next target?
I thought I had figured out this whodunnit but started to doubt myself. That's what I consider the mark of a truly well written mystery -- can they throw me off the trail long enough so I don't figure it out and ruin it for myself!
If you're a fan of Iceland, economic mysteries, and a tortured hero, this book is for you. Highly recommended and I can't wait for the 3rd book in this series to be published. Let's hit the gas pedal here, Mr. Ridpath!
PS - 66 degrees north is the latitude of the Arctic Circle. And also the parallel where the Westfjords are located in Iceland. It's also the name of an awesome outdoors outfitter, also from Iceland.
This is title #2 in that series and, yes, you will need to have read the first installment (the equally strong "Where Shadows Lie") before reading this.
In this book, you learn a little bit more about the background of Icelander-turned American-turned back to Icelander, Magnus, and his family. Along with the terrible family secret that has turned into a sad legacy that is an albatross around Magnus's neck.
The true mystery, however, is that of who is picking off Icelandic bankers who had a hand in the kreppa (the meltdown of their economy back in 2008/2009) and who is the next target?
I thought I had figured out this whodunnit but started to doubt myself. That's what I consider the mark of a truly well written mystery -- can they throw me off the trail long enough so I don't figure it out and ruin it for myself!
If you're a fan of Iceland, economic mysteries, and a tortured hero, this book is for you. Highly recommended and I can't wait for the 3rd book in this series to be published. Let's hit the gas pedal here, Mr. Ridpath!
PS - 66 degrees north is the latitude of the Arctic Circle. And also the parallel where the Westfjords are located in Iceland. It's also the name of an awesome outdoors outfitter, also from Iceland.
July 21, 2012
Geschafft! Die letzte Seite von Michael Ridpaths 2. Islandkrimi mit seinem Ermittler Magnus Jonson ist endlich gelesen. Ungewöhnlich ist nur, wie lange ich für diesen Roman gebraucht habe: nämlich ganze 3 Monate.
Dabei beginnt "66° North" - erschienen unter dem deutschen Titel "Wut" - ganz spannend. Die Wirtschaftskrise hat Island aufgrund einiger Spekulanten unter Islands Bänkern hart getroffen. Auf einer Demonstration treffen 5 ihrer Opfer aufeinander, unter ihnen die ehemalige Bankangestellte Harpa. Als die Nacht vorbei ist, liegt ihr Ex-Freund, einer der Spekulanten, tot im Meer.
Was dann jedoch folgt sind einige Längen. Besonders die Kapitel, die in 30er und 40er Jahren spielen, ergaben zuerst keinen Sinn, da sie keinen Bezug zur Haupthandlung hatten und die Ermittlungen im Fall des toten Bänkers durch langweilige Passagen unterbrachen. Erst gegen Mitte des Romans, als die Ermittlungen an Fahrt aufnehmen und es weitere Tote gibt, wird der Krimi wieder spannend. Die letzten Seiten lesen sich schnell und packend. Doch leider muss man als Leser erst einmal Durchhaltevermögen beweisen, um an diesen Punkt zu gelangen. Daher gibt es von mir nur 3 Sterne.
Dabei beginnt "66° North" - erschienen unter dem deutschen Titel "Wut" - ganz spannend. Die Wirtschaftskrise hat Island aufgrund einiger Spekulanten unter Islands Bänkern hart getroffen. Auf einer Demonstration treffen 5 ihrer Opfer aufeinander, unter ihnen die ehemalige Bankangestellte Harpa. Als die Nacht vorbei ist, liegt ihr Ex-Freund, einer der Spekulanten, tot im Meer.
Was dann jedoch folgt sind einige Längen. Besonders die Kapitel, die in 30er und 40er Jahren spielen, ergaben zuerst keinen Sinn, da sie keinen Bezug zur Haupthandlung hatten und die Ermittlungen im Fall des toten Bänkers durch langweilige Passagen unterbrachen. Erst gegen Mitte des Romans, als die Ermittlungen an Fahrt aufnehmen und es weitere Tote gibt, wird der Krimi wieder spannend. Die letzten Seiten lesen sich schnell und packend. Doch leider muss man als Leser erst einmal Durchhaltevermögen beweisen, um an diesen Punkt zu gelangen. Daher gibt es von mir nur 3 Sterne.
September 18, 2012
This should've been a foregone conclusion for me - it's an Icelandic crime novel! - what's not to like?
Well, a few things actually.
The main character is a detective who spent most of his life in the USA, and some of the American views were grating - specifically about 'feeling naked without a gun'. Also it's in the middle of a series, and there was a lot of referencing of the back story, which was intrusive and mostly unnecesary.
Also structurally the story-telling was unbalanced so there was no tension in finding out who was responsible for the crimes. We always knew, it was just the details that were drip-fed to us.
However, there was one aspect of this book that I liked a lot, and that was the viewpoint of the economic breakdown and the whoe Icesave issue from the Icelandic point of view.
Well, a few things actually.
The main character is a detective who spent most of his life in the USA, and some of the American views were grating - specifically about 'feeling naked without a gun'. Also it's in the middle of a series, and there was a lot of referencing of the back story, which was intrusive and mostly unnecesary.
Also structurally the story-telling was unbalanced so there was no tension in finding out who was responsible for the crimes. We always knew, it was just the details that were drip-fed to us.
However, there was one aspect of this book that I liked a lot, and that was the viewpoint of the economic breakdown and the whoe Icesave issue from the Icelandic point of view.
July 14, 2012
Kind of cool. A slow start that is a bit of hard work for the reader, and occasionally felt I was getting a bit too much of a blow-by-blow account of police work, but mostly I really enjoyed this novel. The scale of it was quite impressive, as was the (very contemporary) detail. I also liked the Laxness references -- having read Independent People not so long ago the economic parallels with that time were well placed. Be interesting to know what the verdict was in Iceland. One thing that has probably worked against it - no one seems to know how to find the degree button on their computer. And searching under 66 degrees does not find, either on Amazon or here.
Also am a bit annoyed with Ridpath as I mostly do not do series but might have to make an exception now and give Meltwater a try.
Also am a bit annoyed with Ridpath as I mostly do not do series but might have to make an exception now and give Meltwater a try.
November 7, 2011
This was a fairly good read, but the story skipped around a lot in time and place. I read (and enjoyed) Where the Shadows Lie earlier in the year, so I was familiar with a number of the characters, but I felt that the balance was really off between the 'main' murder mystery plot of this novel and the ongoing sub-plot of Magnus' father's death. Too much time was spent on episodes from Magnus' family history, considering that this sub-plot hasn't been resolved yet; I would have prefered to read more detail on the current case, instead.
June 29, 2012
Another good one in the Fire & Ice trilogy. It is just the tiniest bit Stieg Larsson-esque in feel in some parts, which can't be held against it. In addition to the main story, the background story and all the characters receive attention and further development. Arni comes into his own in this book. It keeps you guessing until the very end, and also sets up the story for the next book. While I enjoyed this marginally less than Where the Shadows Lie, it is still very worthy of 4 stars and I am looking forward to reading Meltwater. One point - keep an eye on the dates in the chapter headings, especially at the start of the book, until it becomes obvious what is going on.
September 19, 2012
Read my full review at: http://bit.ly/QBSMMo
My opinion: Another winner from writer Michael Ridpath who can write Nordic Noir up there with some of the top authors of this genre, although he lives in London. Ridpath's writing and character development, excellently depicted in the first book of the series, Where the Shadows Lie, continues to be strong.
This was the case with this novel. He weaves two stories in this novel and how they cross paths in the present. I must admit though that the storyline when based in the financial industry left me a tad bored when written about.
My opinion: Another winner from writer Michael Ridpath who can write Nordic Noir up there with some of the top authors of this genre, although he lives in London. Ridpath's writing and character development, excellently depicted in the first book of the series, Where the Shadows Lie, continues to be strong.
This was the case with this novel. He weaves two stories in this novel and how they cross paths in the present. I must admit though that the storyline when based in the financial industry left me a tad bored when written about.
July 17, 2016
It took me about 100 pages to get into the flow of the book. After that, I could hardly put it down and finished it in 2 days. It's a detective story and has 2 storylines, one of which doesn't get resolved in this book. After those 100 pages it's really fast-paced and the story keeps you guessing. Good read!
January 10, 2018
After #1 of Ridpath's Icelandic saga, this was kind of disappointing. Lots of fannying about--to reference Thin Blue Line with Rowan Atkinson. Ridpath has written multiple financial "thrillers" and this seems an attempt to link Magnus Jonson's adventures with the collapse of Iceland's financial structure in 2009. It rather left me majorly uninterested in the fiscal angst and wanting a significant crime to be solved, plus working things around with the girlfriend. Yeah, crime, yeah bodies, and finally some tension within the last 50 pages. Added to which was an overwhelming description of turning left on street A (Icelandic spelling) then going far too fast, darting off on another road with lots of sses and ys... If a writer did that in a Manhattan drama describing each turn and which street from Newark Airport across the Lincoln Tunnel, dodging one's way over to 37th street and into the Queens Midtown...well, you get the picture.
July 20, 2021
Michael Ridpath’s Icelandic series is getting better, his characters more developed, but sometimes things just go too perfectly for Magnus.I am glad this police procedural doesn’t spend endless pages on repeated interviews with lying suspects but the clues and connections just come too easily. This book focuses more on the landscape of Iceland; I just wish I could “see” the landscape better. Ridpath needs to spend more time there.
Other reviewers have commented at length on how the novel effectively uses the 2008-2009 crash as the spark that sets off the chain of events, and I agree that it was a good backdrop to the crimes in this book. The regular insertion of Magnus’s family issues and that developing subplot adds to your understanding of Magnus and also tells me that one of the next novels in the series will be about him solving those historic murders. I can also see a TV series in the works, given the Icelandic backdrop and the success of Shetland….
Other reviewers have commented at length on how the novel effectively uses the 2008-2009 crash as the spark that sets off the chain of events, and I agree that it was a good backdrop to the crimes in this book. The regular insertion of Magnus’s family issues and that developing subplot adds to your understanding of Magnus and also tells me that one of the next novels in the series will be about him solving those historic murders. I can also see a TV series in the works, given the Icelandic backdrop and the success of Shetland….
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April 18, 2024Chilly indeed.
Our American/Icelandic detective is in Iceland. The plot revolves around the period when the Iceland economy hit the bottom due to their banks. Protests galore. Deep bitterness. A young woman is involved in the accidental death of her ex-lover, a banker. Also involved are an aging radical, a young student, a young cook and a fisherman. They help her cover up the death. Later on others involved in the financial/political scandal are murdered. Revenge killings? Our detective tried to discover the truth whilst dealing with childhood traumas. To be honest, this story is not as compelling as the first in this series but I still enjoyed it. We are getting to know more and more about Magnus past. Interesting, and as ever, the Icelandic landscape is a delight. Recommended.
Our American/Icelandic detective is in Iceland. The plot revolves around the period when the Iceland economy hit the bottom due to their banks. Protests galore. Deep bitterness. A young woman is involved in the accidental death of her ex-lover, a banker. Also involved are an aging radical, a young student, a young cook and a fisherman. They help her cover up the death. Later on others involved in the financial/political scandal are murdered. Revenge killings? Our detective tried to discover the truth whilst dealing with childhood traumas. To be honest, this story is not as compelling as the first in this series but I still enjoyed it. We are getting to know more and more about Magnus past. Interesting, and as ever, the Icelandic landscape is a delight. Recommended.
August 18, 2017
The first 4/5s or so of this book dragged and I found myself skimming, which I don't usually do with fiction. I like books set in Iceland, I like the main character Magnus, and the two story lines were interesting, but I find Ridpath's writing flat. When the pacing is slow, got to have some pizzaz to keep it interesting. Maybe if this is the first book I had read about Iceland, it wouldn't have felt so non-descriptive.
I'm not sure I would have kept reading if I hadn't read the first in the series and knew the backstories. I do plan to read the next in the series because I want to find out what happened.
I'm not sure I would have kept reading if I hadn't read the first in the series and knew the backstories. I do plan to read the next in the series because I want to find out what happened.
September 19, 2018
An unusual story
The banking crisis in Iceland hurt many people both in Iceland and elsewhere.
The few at the top who caused this problem through their greed made life very difficult for the little people both in Iceland and in other countries notably the U.K.
The British mostly got their money back, after a while, but the Icelanders are still suffering and so will their children and their children’s children, so it is easy to see that some people thought the bankers needed to be punished. A very understandable thought.
This story deals with the people who decided to take the law into their own hands.
It makes a very good read that I can recommend.
The banking crisis in Iceland hurt many people both in Iceland and elsewhere.
The few at the top who caused this problem through their greed made life very difficult for the little people both in Iceland and in other countries notably the U.K.
The British mostly got their money back, after a while, but the Icelanders are still suffering and so will their children and their children’s children, so it is easy to see that some people thought the bankers needed to be punished. A very understandable thought.
This story deals with the people who decided to take the law into their own hands.
It makes a very good read that I can recommend.
April 23, 2019
This is the second book in Ridpath's Fire & Ice series. I enjoyed this one just as much as the first one, but do have to say that this one was harder to get into...it probably took me 10 days to read the first half, and then three days to breeze through the second half. Part of why I like this series so much is that it's very specific about place, both in Reykjavik and in the countryside. Because I've been to Iceland I can picture many of the places where things are happening...that always makes a book more enjoyable for me.
June 30, 2018
Worth the time
I'm a slow reader so this took me about five hours. But it was five comfortable hours in air conditioning not out slogging in the heat through the python filled Everglades. So, to me, it was a clear win. The story was entertaining and I learned something about Iceland and the bankers who led the lemmings over the edge. Always the bankers never the greedy followers.
I'm a slow reader so this took me about five hours. But it was five comfortable hours in air conditioning not out slogging in the heat through the python filled Everglades. So, to me, it was a clear win. The story was entertaining and I learned something about Iceland and the bankers who led the lemmings over the edge. Always the bankers never the greedy followers.
December 23, 2018
This is the second book in the series of an Icelandic cop raised in Boston. This time there is someone killing bankers after the monetary collapse, the Kreppa. Magnus is convinced that there is a group of Icelandic people after bankers. He is also wrestling with who killed his father in Boston years earlier. The writing is good, the places in Iceland are easy to know if you have been there. And if you have ever read Independent People, then you must read this mystery!
February 8, 2019
Yay! A new mystery series. I would also be interested in reading Ridpath's earlier works of financial thrillers. Here we have an Icelandic-born cop who moved to Boston at age 12. He became a cop. He gets asked to come to Iceland for some reason. (I am planning on reading the first in the series to sort this out.) There is a good mystery set in the midst of the financial crisis, and Magnus' own family history. Good, believalbe characters and a good pace.
September 19, 2023
The plot of this book lies under the shadow of the Icelandic banking crisis and the angry demonstrations that follow. The murder in London of the former head of one of the banks provides the catalyst for a series of investigations, running parallel with historic family murders of the lead investigators over the last 60 years. The two-plot structure slows up the momentum of the novel - only 3 stars for me
March 25, 2017
I'm really enjoying this series. It's a little weird that two people I know are going to Iceland next month, but I'm the one reading about it. lol
This is mostly about the failure of the banks in 2009/10 and how it affected Icelanders. And Magnus gets a little further in his investigation into his father's death, but it isn't heading in a direction he expected. Time to find the next book.....
This is mostly about the failure of the banks in 2009/10 and how it affected Icelanders. And Magnus gets a little further in his investigation into his father's death, but it isn't heading in a direction he expected. Time to find the next book.....
February 23, 2021
Excellent tale of intrigue murder and family feuds
Based in Iceland and in the time of financial crisis, some folk take thing a step to far. The main character is strong and determined in finding the truth. Flash backs review his family past and a feud based on murder after murder. Well written and engaged the reader. Look forward to reading the sequel
Based in Iceland and in the time of financial crisis, some folk take thing a step to far. The main character is strong and determined in finding the truth. Flash backs review his family past and a feud based on murder after murder. Well written and engaged the reader. Look forward to reading the sequel
January 27, 2025
Really enjoyed the first book in the series. However this one was disappointing. It weighed heavily on the angst of the banking collapse in Iceland and was/is perhaps more popular historically there than now here…at least for me…All said it was good enough that I plan to read the next in the series….
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