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Þóra Guðmundsdóttir #5
Eldnatt
Vårdhemmet för gravt handikappade förvandlades till en helvetisk dödsfälla när hela huset en natt stod i lågor. Fem dog i elden, den enda överlevande, en pojke med Downs syndrom, dömdes för mordbrand.
Men var han verkligen skyldig? Händelsen har nästan hunnit falla i glömska när advokat Thóra Gudmundsdóttir blir påmind om den, av en ny bekantskap som hon hellre vore utan. En långtidsdömd pedofil på samma anstalt som pojken tycks ha ett lika sjukligt som skrämmande sinne för att skaffa sig kunskap i fallet. Vilka är hans intressen? Varför har han kontaktat henne?
Samtidigt börjar en radiojournalist få hotfulla samtal till sitt program. Det är uppenbart att fler brott, med dödlig utgång, kan kopplas till branden. När hela sanningen gör sig hörd innebär den en fasa som går bortom naturen.
I översättning av Anna Gunnarsdotter Grönberg.
Yrsa Sigurdardóttir [f. 1963 i Reykjavík] har blivit översatt till ett trettiotal språk och rönt stora framgångar i såväl Europa som usa och Japan för sitt säregna sätt att kombinera deckargenren med övernaturlig skräck. Eldnatt är en ny, fristående roman om advokaten Thóra Gudmundsdóttir.
»Yrsa Sigurdardóttir levererar suveränt kyliga atmosfärer och återkommande rysningar av spänning: Hon sällar sig med all rätt till frontlinjen av nordiska kriminalförfattare.« THE TIMES
»Islands svar på Stieg Larsson.« THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
»Står sig vid en jämförelse med den allra främsta kriminallitteraturen, oavsett ursprung.« TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
»Yrsa Sigurdardóttir är lysande på att frammana en atmosfär av smygande hot och overklighet.« THE GUARDIAN
Men var han verkligen skyldig? Händelsen har nästan hunnit falla i glömska när advokat Thóra Gudmundsdóttir blir påmind om den, av en ny bekantskap som hon hellre vore utan. En långtidsdömd pedofil på samma anstalt som pojken tycks ha ett lika sjukligt som skrämmande sinne för att skaffa sig kunskap i fallet. Vilka är hans intressen? Varför har han kontaktat henne?
Samtidigt börjar en radiojournalist få hotfulla samtal till sitt program. Det är uppenbart att fler brott, med dödlig utgång, kan kopplas till branden. När hela sanningen gör sig hörd innebär den en fasa som går bortom naturen.
I översättning av Anna Gunnarsdotter Grönberg.
Yrsa Sigurdardóttir [f. 1963 i Reykjavík] har blivit översatt till ett trettiotal språk och rönt stora framgångar i såväl Europa som usa och Japan för sitt säregna sätt att kombinera deckargenren med övernaturlig skräck. Eldnatt är en ny, fristående roman om advokaten Thóra Gudmundsdóttir.
»Yrsa Sigurdardóttir levererar suveränt kyliga atmosfärer och återkommande rysningar av spänning: Hon sällar sig med all rätt till frontlinjen av nordiska kriminalförfattare.« THE TIMES
»Islands svar på Stieg Larsson.« THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
»Står sig vid en jämförelse med den allra främsta kriminallitteraturen, oavsett ursprung.« TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
»Yrsa Sigurdardóttir är lysande på att frammana en atmosfär av smygande hot och overklighet.« THE GUARDIAN
440 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
244 people are currently reading
2414 people want to read
About the author
Yrsa Sigurdardottir
45 books2,886 followersAKA: Yrsa Sigurðardóttir
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir is an Icelandic writer, of both crime-novels and children's fiction. She has been writing since 1998.
Her début crime-novel "Last Rituals" published in the US in 2007, and the UK in January 2008 was translated into English by Bernard Scudder, and is book 1 of the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series.
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir graduated from high-school in 1983, finished a B.Sc. in civil engineering from the University of Iceland in 1988 and M.Sc in the same field from Concordia University in Montreal in 1997.
Yrsa now works as a civil engineer for the company Fjarhitun, as well as being a writer.
In 2000 the Icelandic department of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) awarded Yrsa for her book Við viljum jólin í júlí (We Want Christmas in July).
Yrsa lives in the Reykjavík suburb of Seltjarnarnes. She is married with two children.
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir is an Icelandic writer, of both crime-novels and children's fiction. She has been writing since 1998.
Her début crime-novel "Last Rituals" published in the US in 2007, and the UK in January 2008 was translated into English by Bernard Scudder, and is book 1 of the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series.
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir graduated from high-school in 1983, finished a B.Sc. in civil engineering from the University of Iceland in 1988 and M.Sc in the same field from Concordia University in Montreal in 1997.
Yrsa now works as a civil engineer for the company Fjarhitun, as well as being a writer.
In 2000 the Icelandic department of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) awarded Yrsa for her book Við viljum jólin í júlí (We Want Christmas in July).
Yrsa lives in the Reykjavík suburb of Seltjarnarnes. She is married with two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 325 reviews
February 28, 2015
Against the backdrop of Iceland's fiscal crisis, this multi-faceted novel provided a literate and very suspenseful read. A fire in a home that sheltered those unable to look after themselves, an autistic boy, a paralyzed girl, another girl with locked in syndrome and a young man with limited intelligence, kills all including the night watchman and the young man charged. But did he do it?
Asked to re-open the case, Thora sets out to uncover evidence that this young man of sub mental abilities did not have the planning skills necessary to commit this crime. Love the character of Thora, she has a blended family and a dogged sense of right and wrong. There are multiple threads in this story and for quite some time I was not sure where they fit, including a haunted house and young child. There are constant revelations to keep the plot moving, very interesting characters and eventually all comes together in a very believable and well plotted way.
A very good thriller, this writer just gets better and better. Love that her stories are so structurally tight, nothing is left hanging. One of the best Nordic stories I have read lately.
ARC from NetGalley.
Asked to re-open the case, Thora sets out to uncover evidence that this young man of sub mental abilities did not have the planning skills necessary to commit this crime. Love the character of Thora, she has a blended family and a dogged sense of right and wrong. There are multiple threads in this story and for quite some time I was not sure where they fit, including a haunted house and young child. There are constant revelations to keep the plot moving, very interesting characters and eventually all comes together in a very believable and well plotted way.
A very good thriller, this writer just gets better and better. Love that her stories are so structurally tight, nothing is left hanging. One of the best Nordic stories I have read lately.
ARC from NetGalley.
November 5, 2018
É o segundo livro que leio da autora e não me desiludiu!
February 17, 2015
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, Yrsa Sigurdardottir’s latest complex crime thriller (Thora Gudmundsdottir #5 Series) reminding you of the classic, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, with this multi-layered dark spine-chilling psycho- Nordic noir.
Set in Iceland, a fire, an arson eighteen months earlier. A young man, Jakob with Down's Syndrome had been convicted of burning down a residential assisted living facility and killing five people.
A fellow inmate of the Secure Psychiatric Unit (SPU) at Sogan has requested Thor’s assistance, and says Jakob is his friend. He is twenty years old and may spend the rest of his life here. Karlsoon says Jakob did not do it, and wants Thora to prove it.
Until 1992, prisoners with mental health problems had either been placed in institutions aboard or simply kept among the general population at at Litla-Hraun prison. Neither option was ideal. The first option: the language barrier, untold hardships and the distance from their family and friends. The latter: The prison was not an adequate healthcare facility.
Thora did not know how well the prisoners considered to be of sound mind would interact with those suffering from mental illness, and she could not imagine how the harsh conditions of prison life could possibly be conducive to the treatment of the criminally insane. All seven places at Sogna were always occupied.
The guy hiring her is no run of the mill inmate, due to lack of evidence in several cases, he received suspended sentence of six years for false imprisonment. Twelve years later he sexually assaulted a teen, and this time there was no neighbor who intervened. However, when reading through the records, the police had received an anonymous tip telling them exactly where to find certain things.
He was found guilty but declared no criminally liable due to insanity. This meant he was acquitted of criminal charged and sentenced to the SPU, until the court proposed he was no longer a threat. He now has been here eight years and says he has inherited money from his mother. And he says, “A child who’s had their fingers burned might still want to play with tire. “ (now wonder what he means by this) we soon find out.
The mystery heats up as one case turns into several involving arson, murder, rape, and financial corruption. Thora continues to receive texts from an unidentified sender who seems to be feeding her enigmatic clues. A mysterious set of numbers and letters appears in a text, as well as on a frosted window and in the drawings of an autistic boy. Then, there is a haunted house and a ghost. And how is the multiple murder connected to the death of a young woman, killed in what was supposed to be a hit-and-run?
Wow, Thora is really thrown into a complex case(s), and in addition dealing with the disabled, family of those with disabilities, as well as the world of rehabilitation, she is dealing with criminals--she has to question.
There are numerous pieces to this mysterious puzzle and Thora is tenacious, in getting to the core to connect all the dots. At the same time she relates to Iceland's recent financial and economical issues, and other items of reference to provide vivid descriptions and settings of the area. Many secondary characters, with twists and turns for a complex multi-layered engrossing suspense, and the cases all come together for an explosive ending.
Well written and intense, with extensive research into mental illness, emotional and social issues, with a nice balance of Thora’s work and personal life. My first book by this author, and look forward to reading more!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, Yrsa Sigurdardottir’s latest complex crime thriller (Thora Gudmundsdottir #5 Series) reminding you of the classic, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, with this multi-layered dark spine-chilling psycho- Nordic noir.
Set in Iceland, a fire, an arson eighteen months earlier. A young man, Jakob with Down's Syndrome had been convicted of burning down a residential assisted living facility and killing five people.
A fellow inmate of the Secure Psychiatric Unit (SPU) at Sogan has requested Thor’s assistance, and says Jakob is his friend. He is twenty years old and may spend the rest of his life here. Karlsoon says Jakob did not do it, and wants Thora to prove it.
Until 1992, prisoners with mental health problems had either been placed in institutions aboard or simply kept among the general population at at Litla-Hraun prison. Neither option was ideal. The first option: the language barrier, untold hardships and the distance from their family and friends. The latter: The prison was not an adequate healthcare facility.
Thora did not know how well the prisoners considered to be of sound mind would interact with those suffering from mental illness, and she could not imagine how the harsh conditions of prison life could possibly be conducive to the treatment of the criminally insane. All seven places at Sogna were always occupied.
The guy hiring her is no run of the mill inmate, due to lack of evidence in several cases, he received suspended sentence of six years for false imprisonment. Twelve years later he sexually assaulted a teen, and this time there was no neighbor who intervened. However, when reading through the records, the police had received an anonymous tip telling them exactly where to find certain things.
He was found guilty but declared no criminally liable due to insanity. This meant he was acquitted of criminal charged and sentenced to the SPU, until the court proposed he was no longer a threat. He now has been here eight years and says he has inherited money from his mother. And he says, “A child who’s had their fingers burned might still want to play with tire. “ (now wonder what he means by this) we soon find out.
The mystery heats up as one case turns into several involving arson, murder, rape, and financial corruption. Thora continues to receive texts from an unidentified sender who seems to be feeding her enigmatic clues. A mysterious set of numbers and letters appears in a text, as well as on a frosted window and in the drawings of an autistic boy. Then, there is a haunted house and a ghost. And how is the multiple murder connected to the death of a young woman, killed in what was supposed to be a hit-and-run?
Wow, Thora is really thrown into a complex case(s), and in addition dealing with the disabled, family of those with disabilities, as well as the world of rehabilitation, she is dealing with criminals--she has to question.
There are numerous pieces to this mysterious puzzle and Thora is tenacious, in getting to the core to connect all the dots. At the same time she relates to Iceland's recent financial and economical issues, and other items of reference to provide vivid descriptions and settings of the area. Many secondary characters, with twists and turns for a complex multi-layered engrossing suspense, and the cases all come together for an explosive ending.
Well written and intense, with extensive research into mental illness, emotional and social issues, with a nice balance of Thora’s work and personal life. My first book by this author, and look forward to reading more!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
March 13, 2014
The spookiest of the Sigurdardottir books that I have read so far, this is a crime story full of twists and corruption; as well as some genuinely chilling moments. Reading this makes me all the more convinced that I will need all of my courage to read Sigurdarddottir's actual horror novel I See You. This also serves as an interesting look into how Icelandic society views disabilities, I realise that it is a work of fiction; but I very much doubt that the majority of the attidudes displayed here would be able to be included in a novel from a British or American author, at least not a novel with a modern contemporary setting. Sigurdardottir is probably my favourite Scandi-Crime writers and this novel has done nothing to knock her off top spot.
October 5, 2016
This is my first book by this author, but definitely won't be my last! (In fact, I already have another one to read!) I can easily see why Yrsa Sigudardottir is known as the Queen Of Icelandic Fiction, but I'd say she's more accurately the Queen Of ScandiNoir. I will write a roper review shortly, but be assured - I'm definitely a convert to this highly talented author. As for guessing "whodunit"? No chance! She's way too smart for me! An utter triumph of a crime novel, with a small touch of the supernatural. Spooky.
September 11, 2021
One of the better thrillers I've read recently. Quite engaging and thrilling read.
January 9, 2015
Thora is an attorney in Iceland who has been hired by a heinous pedophile named Josteinn Karlsson, to prove that a young man with Down Syndrome named Jakob, who has been convicted of starting a fire that killed five residents of a care facility and a security guard, is actually innocent. Thora is very puzzled by this. Her services cost a lot of money and she can't understand why Josteinn wants to clear Jakob's name. Josteinn says that he came into a huge inheritance from his mother and that he has personal motives for hiring her.
Thora investigates the dead residents and talks to their surviving family members in order to gather as much information as possible. She ends up finding out a lot that has been withheld from the police and discovers a number of family secrets. There is an autistic boy who was killed in the fire who had a previous interest in starting fires himself. This is something that his family has not revealed. One of the dead residents, a comatose woman, was found to be pregnant upon autopsy, and the father has not been identified.
Thora, along with her husband Martin, who is currently out of work because of the economic downturn In Iceland during the time this novel takes place in 2010, do most of the investigative work themselves. The police are not in the picture because Jakob has already been found guilty in a court of law. It is Thora's hope that the case can be reopened and retried, this time with the real culprit punished.
The book takes place during a very short period of time, mostly in January 2010, but there is some backstory in the prologue about some creepy events that take place in a house. It is believed that a spirit haunts the house and an exorcism is performed.
Other characters are introduced throughout the novel. There is Ari, who is the conservator for Josteinn's estate and who also, perhaps coincidentally, was Jakob's inept lawyer. There is a disc jockey named Margeir who is getting more and more frightened as he gets weirder and weirder calls on his radio talk show that allude to something in his past. Additionally, Thorla finds out that there is someone who used to live in the care home but was transferred out before the fire. She has 'locked in syndrome', a rare condition where she can't move any part of her body except her eyes. Does she know something about the fire and who is responsible?
The book is very well-written and I love the characterizations. Philip Roughton did a wonderful job with the translation as everything flows very smoothly and reads like it was written in English to begin with. I plan on looking up the author's other books as this one is so good.
Thora investigates the dead residents and talks to their surviving family members in order to gather as much information as possible. She ends up finding out a lot that has been withheld from the police and discovers a number of family secrets. There is an autistic boy who was killed in the fire who had a previous interest in starting fires himself. This is something that his family has not revealed. One of the dead residents, a comatose woman, was found to be pregnant upon autopsy, and the father has not been identified.
Thora, along with her husband Martin, who is currently out of work because of the economic downturn In Iceland during the time this novel takes place in 2010, do most of the investigative work themselves. The police are not in the picture because Jakob has already been found guilty in a court of law. It is Thora's hope that the case can be reopened and retried, this time with the real culprit punished.
The book takes place during a very short period of time, mostly in January 2010, but there is some backstory in the prologue about some creepy events that take place in a house. It is believed that a spirit haunts the house and an exorcism is performed.
Other characters are introduced throughout the novel. There is Ari, who is the conservator for Josteinn's estate and who also, perhaps coincidentally, was Jakob's inept lawyer. There is a disc jockey named Margeir who is getting more and more frightened as he gets weirder and weirder calls on his radio talk show that allude to something in his past. Additionally, Thorla finds out that there is someone who used to live in the care home but was transferred out before the fire. She has 'locked in syndrome', a rare condition where she can't move any part of her body except her eyes. Does she know something about the fire and who is responsible?
The book is very well-written and I love the characterizations. Philip Roughton did a wonderful job with the translation as everything flows very smoothly and reads like it was written in English to begin with. I plan on looking up the author's other books as this one is so good.
March 5, 2017
This was a pretty good book. Lots of little details went into this book and you feel like you are really there. If that makes any sense.
October 17, 2013
The crime novels of Yrsa Sigurdardottir get better with each outing and this one is destined to be a Nordic Noir classic. It begins with a hit and run and then an even more horrendous crime is committed - a deliberate fire at a residential home which results in the deaths of 5 people - 4 of them disabled.
The lawyer Thora Gudmundsdottir becomes involved in a bid to free a young man with Downs Syndrome who was found guilty of setting the blaze. The latter followed a highly suspect investigation by the authorities and the subsequent trial which was almost a foregone conclusion.
How Thora is led to begin her investigation is a story in itself and sheds light on several darker aspects of criminality in society.
As she unravels the labyrinth of lies surrounding the deadly fire, Thora also comes to realise the dreadful plight of many disabled people in her community. Meanwhile, there is more trauma related to the fatal fire.
Thora, with occasional help from husband Matthew, immerses herself in painstaking interviews and an in-depth reading of crime and court reports. Other events unfold, sometimes with the unwitting aid of interested parties, almost all of whom have reasons to be ashamed of their actions immediately following the hit and run and the residential home blaze.
Eventually, through a series of dramatic twists and turns, the investigation draws the 2 crimes together and both cases are solved. Though whether justice is done is a matter for the reader to decide.
If you're a fan of any kind of crime genre, this book should at the top of your 2013 list of must reads.
The lawyer Thora Gudmundsdottir becomes involved in a bid to free a young man with Downs Syndrome who was found guilty of setting the blaze. The latter followed a highly suspect investigation by the authorities and the subsequent trial which was almost a foregone conclusion.
How Thora is led to begin her investigation is a story in itself and sheds light on several darker aspects of criminality in society.
As she unravels the labyrinth of lies surrounding the deadly fire, Thora also comes to realise the dreadful plight of many disabled people in her community. Meanwhile, there is more trauma related to the fatal fire.
Thora, with occasional help from husband Matthew, immerses herself in painstaking interviews and an in-depth reading of crime and court reports. Other events unfold, sometimes with the unwitting aid of interested parties, almost all of whom have reasons to be ashamed of their actions immediately following the hit and run and the residential home blaze.
Eventually, through a series of dramatic twists and turns, the investigation draws the 2 crimes together and both cases are solved. Though whether justice is done is a matter for the reader to decide.
If you're a fan of any kind of crime genre, this book should at the top of your 2013 list of must reads.
June 4, 2017
Είναι το έκτο βιβλίο της -αγαπημένης μου- ισλανδής Yrsa Sigurðardóttir και ένα από τα καλύτερά της. To ''Someone to Watch Over Me'' φέρει όλα τα ιδιαίτερα χαρακτηριστικά της συγγραφέως και παράλληλα αφηγείται μια από τις πιο ενδιαφέρουσες ιστορίες της. Παρά το γεγονός ότι, κατά την προσωπική μου οπτική, η κεντρική πρωταγωνίστρια της σειράς, η δικηγόρος Thora Gudmundsdottir είναι ένας σχετικά αδύναμος χαρακτήρας και οι προσωπικές και οικογενειακές της περιπέτειες με τις οποίες διανθίζονται τα βιβλία είναι σχεδόν αδιαάφορες, αυτό δεν κατορθώνει να υποβιβάσει την ποιότητα της γραφής της Sigurðardóttir που καθηλώνει ακόμα και τον πιο δύσκολο και απαιτητικό αναγνώστη. Δεν θα μπώ σε λεπτομέρειες σχετικά με την πλοκή του βιβλίου, άλλωστε η περίληψη του στο goodreads είναι επαρκέστατη, το μόνο που θα πω είναι ότι μαζί με το, εξαιρετικό, ''I Remember You'' συγκαταλέγεται στα κορυφαία έργα του επονομαζόμενου scandinavian noir και κάθε αναγνώστης που ενδιαφέρεται για το συγκεκριμένο είδος (και όχι μόνο) θα πρέπει οπωσδήποτε να το διαβάσει. Ένα ακόμα ιδιαίτερο στοιχείο που δυστυχώς σπανίζει στα crime fiction βιβλία είναι ότι η λύση/εξήγηση στο τέλος ικανοποιεί τον αναγνώστη και δεν αφήνει κενά/ανεξήγητα σημεία στην πλοκή. Έτσι φτάνοντας στο τέλος του βιβλίου, όλα τα κομμάτια του παζλ μπαίνουν στην θέση τους και όλα μαζι απαρτίζουν μια πραγματικά ενδιαφέρουσα και περίπλοκη ιστορία.
Συνίσταται ανεπιφύλακτα σε όλους τους φανατικούς του έιδους.
Καλή ανάγνωση!
Συνίσταται ανεπιφύλακτα σε όλους τους φανατικούς του έιδους.
Καλή ανάγνωση!
February 28, 2022
Das war für mich das Beste Buch aus der Reihe. Mit dem Ende hab ich nicht gerechnet.
August 12, 2018
Despite having some issues with the fact that the plot could have been concluded in about five minutes (since the character who hired Thóra to investigate the fire, already have all the information, including who the perpetrator is), I really enjoyed this book.
It set up very intriguingly and I had moments where I couldn't put the book down.
But I do have some problems, though they only bug me when I activly think about them. Like, why did Josteinn contact Margeir? It makes no sense, at all. I don't know, maybe the author had another plan with him, and just forgot the edit some things out, or there was supposed to be a follow up about it in another book.
And it was unfortunately blurbed by someone who has never read a horror story in her life, considering she labeled this "horror crime". Like, there are two mentions of a ghost, in the beginning and at the end. It was one of the reasons I decided to read this, because it sounded interesting. But it's a just a crime story, with a slight supernatural twist that's easily ignored if that's not your thing. It's so vague, that someone calling this horror is laughable.
But like I said, it was very well put together, and I really liked it.
It set up very intriguingly and I had moments where I couldn't put the book down.
But I do have some problems, though they only bug me when I activly think about them. Like, why did Josteinn contact Margeir? It makes no sense, at all. I don't know, maybe the author had another plan with him, and just forgot the edit some things out, or there was supposed to be a follow up about it in another book.
And it was unfortunately blurbed by someone who has never read a horror story in her life, considering she labeled this "horror crime". Like, there are two mentions of a ghost, in the beginning and at the end. It was one of the reasons I decided to read this, because it sounded interesting. But it's a just a crime story, with a slight supernatural twist that's easily ignored if that's not your thing. It's so vague, that someone calling this horror is laughable.
But like I said, it was very well put together, and I really liked it.
January 26, 2016
Excellent allegory for how elites manipulate the institutions they're embedded in for personal gain. 'Someone To Watch Over Me,' could just as well be a sardonic, cynical reference to the people's democracy of Iceland that utterly failed to 'watch over' its citizens. This is s story of deep disillusionment with democracy's promises of prosperity, social justice, and equality. Essentially an indictment of democracy and in particular its invisible machinery, the deep bureaucracy, which by its sheer density is able to manipulate justice and remain anonymous. Government bureaucracy in the United States has often been called the 'Fourth Branch of Government' due to its competence of interpreting how laws are implemented once they have been legislated. Arguably bureaucracies have more power than actual legislating bodies. Opportunities for collusion and corruption are immense. Anonymity and immunity are also likely. Sigurdadottir weaves a masterful, suspenseful thriller that keeps the reader guessing at all turns.
August 7, 2019
Primeiro livro que leio desta autora... estava há meses parado na estante, nem sei bem porquê. Adorei!
Apesar dos nomes serem difíceis de memorizar ( a minha técnica é fazer umas cábulas numa folha), gostei bastante da escrita. Recomendo e já tenho outros livros desta autora em lista de espera.
Apesar dos nomes serem difíceis de memorizar ( a minha técnica é fazer umas cábulas numa folha), gostei bastante da escrita. Recomendo e já tenho outros livros desta autora em lista de espera.
February 20, 2015
This is a difficult review and reaction to describe. First, my sense of interest and being imbedded within the story was a 5 from the get-go. And on the other hand, the translation context (from Icelandic), duo plot transitions, and a few senseless introductions of yet another character- all three of those- went more towards the 2 star direction than the 3. The first 1/2 of the book was a solid 4, not the last quarter at all. It was as if Yrsa had to finish and get it under so many pages and did so by cutting only the extra verbiage of the last quarter. The book should have been edited and entire redundancies of characters' connections or useless "witnesses" cut, or at least reduced by half.
But I had to round it up for my enjoyment of these, new to me, characters. Thora's role is central in 5 previous books, and because she and her family have more depth than the usual lawyer, cop, detective scenario, the entire becomes about more than just the clues or criminal outcomes. It also rather alters the genre for this book, IMHO. This became rather politico, psychological, sociological- quite medical in spots. Far more than an ordinary who-dun-it novel. And Iceland's population demographic and Socialist construct jutted like characters themselves. Also she created a moody, creepy drowning by emotional fear in a few spots- that starkly contrasted with the much more lengthy whole.
Well, my library holds 4 out of the 5 other books by Yrsa, and I am fairly sure I'll get to them all. Firmly spaced out. Because these are not easy reads. In fact, because of translation nuance, proper and diminutive names of address, dense sentencing, and numerous societal reasons! Just say I had to reread and go back a page or two more than a couple of times. This book took me about twice as long to read as my average for the same number of pages.
Knowing absolutely zilch about the author, I tried to guess before reading any details of the author's life. Because I could not understand if she was enjoying being a straight man for Socialist practical applications or if she was doing a satire in spots against its reality? Or if she was serious and only relating an acceptance of difference or condition within the stilted methods of nuance translation to English words available? And I guessed correctly. I doubted she would have her day job in anything related to city, state, or governmental capacity or related employments. I figured her as a skills entrepreneur. I was correct. Her "eyes" here gave her away. Not just with Bella, Thora's secretary, either.
Yrsa is not cowed enough either by the present critics, to completely avoid the stereotypes that occur in her society. Matthew, Thora's German partner/spouse in this book, has every OCD duck in a row. Some of the long asides in the book were actually funny. To me they were. As when Thora and Matthew are discussing the larger housing (disgusting "extra" space) and people who actually have style in what they wear or bourgeois habits such as a saucer under their tea cups (who are they trying to fool). At least 5 or 6 long asides occurred that trumpeted doing the least and using the least. Matthew doesn't even know if he will take the job offered to him, as it isn't "good" enough. So he has time to go to work with Thora. Hearing and seeing and immersing himself in all kinds of ways that would be an invasion of privacy rights in my culture and country. But it was the evaluations of "stuff" that had several double meanings in spots.
Beyond all that the Icelandic demographics and methods here were beyond interesting. Stated that disability was 1/2 of one percent of the entire population. Did I ROFL. The latest in Illinois is 16% of the population is on some disability income or structure, beyond the welfare system. Not as a part of it at all. Also especially how disabled people were classified and treated. For the entire book all Jakob wanted to do was go home. And that's all his Mother wanted, as well. But Thora eventually gets the answers and the system reduced itself by 5 too. No, by 7, because two corruption admins posts go in the process also. But we all know that another Bella will be there in a minute to rectify that situation.
Good read. Very different, despite its faults. The author tried to do a bit too much, but 3.5 star rounded up.
Oh my, I almost forgot. I sure hope Thora's ridiculous parents short sale their under water summer place in Spain and by next book there are not 8 or 9 people in 4 small rooms with 1 bathroom that holds only a shower and no bathtub. And that at least 3 of those find some work that they don't think is beneath them. So that poor Thora can take on some cases where she can defend or prosecute for fees and advancement. With an aide who holds some consequence for actually doing her/his job
without bullying her with threats or refusals. And where she won't have to take a free shower or hot tub at a spa in exchange for services rendered. Or apologize for being both smart and innovative in her work ethic, while giving it at least 7 or 8 hours on one week day. Also hope someone reestablishes some value to the krona before Pesi needs new trainers. Ones he can actually wear, that fit and which he likes.
But I had to round it up for my enjoyment of these, new to me, characters. Thora's role is central in 5 previous books, and because she and her family have more depth than the usual lawyer, cop, detective scenario, the entire becomes about more than just the clues or criminal outcomes. It also rather alters the genre for this book, IMHO. This became rather politico, psychological, sociological- quite medical in spots. Far more than an ordinary who-dun-it novel. And Iceland's population demographic and Socialist construct jutted like characters themselves. Also she created a moody, creepy drowning by emotional fear in a few spots- that starkly contrasted with the much more lengthy whole.
Well, my library holds 4 out of the 5 other books by Yrsa, and I am fairly sure I'll get to them all. Firmly spaced out. Because these are not easy reads. In fact, because of translation nuance, proper and diminutive names of address, dense sentencing, and numerous societal reasons! Just say I had to reread and go back a page or two more than a couple of times. This book took me about twice as long to read as my average for the same number of pages.
Knowing absolutely zilch about the author, I tried to guess before reading any details of the author's life. Because I could not understand if she was enjoying being a straight man for Socialist practical applications or if she was doing a satire in spots against its reality? Or if she was serious and only relating an acceptance of difference or condition within the stilted methods of nuance translation to English words available? And I guessed correctly. I doubted she would have her day job in anything related to city, state, or governmental capacity or related employments. I figured her as a skills entrepreneur. I was correct. Her "eyes" here gave her away. Not just with Bella, Thora's secretary, either.
Yrsa is not cowed enough either by the present critics, to completely avoid the stereotypes that occur in her society. Matthew, Thora's German partner/spouse in this book, has every OCD duck in a row. Some of the long asides in the book were actually funny. To me they were. As when Thora and Matthew are discussing the larger housing (disgusting "extra" space) and people who actually have style in what they wear or bourgeois habits such as a saucer under their tea cups (who are they trying to fool). At least 5 or 6 long asides occurred that trumpeted doing the least and using the least. Matthew doesn't even know if he will take the job offered to him, as it isn't "good" enough. So he has time to go to work with Thora. Hearing and seeing and immersing himself in all kinds of ways that would be an invasion of privacy rights in my culture and country. But it was the evaluations of "stuff" that had several double meanings in spots.
Beyond all that the Icelandic demographics and methods here were beyond interesting. Stated that disability was 1/2 of one percent of the entire population. Did I ROFL. The latest in Illinois is 16% of the population is on some disability income or structure, beyond the welfare system. Not as a part of it at all. Also especially how disabled people were classified and treated. For the entire book all Jakob wanted to do was go home. And that's all his Mother wanted, as well. But Thora eventually gets the answers and the system reduced itself by 5 too. No, by 7, because two corruption admins posts go in the process also. But we all know that another Bella will be there in a minute to rectify that situation.
Good read. Very different, despite its faults. The author tried to do a bit too much, but 3.5 star rounded up.
Oh my, I almost forgot. I sure hope Thora's ridiculous parents short sale their under water summer place in Spain and by next book there are not 8 or 9 people in 4 small rooms with 1 bathroom that holds only a shower and no bathtub. And that at least 3 of those find some work that they don't think is beneath them. So that poor Thora can take on some cases where she can defend or prosecute for fees and advancement. With an aide who holds some consequence for actually doing her/his job
without bullying her with threats or refusals. And where she won't have to take a free shower or hot tub at a spa in exchange for services rendered. Or apologize for being both smart and innovative in her work ethic, while giving it at least 7 or 8 hours on one week day. Also hope someone reestablishes some value to the krona before Pesi needs new trainers. Ones he can actually wear, that fit and which he likes.
March 6, 2015
Bit disappointed by this one after all the good reviews I read. The plot is good and interesting, I liked Thora, the investigative lawyer and I feel that unlike other Scandi Crimes I read lately, it neither quite gives enough background on culture, people involved or how everything comes together and the read herrings are a bit obvious. Although the financial crash is mentioned constantly but no real opinions given nor are the serious consequences for icelandic people really fully described. Felt a bit flippant.
Neverthless, decent read after a tired day but not sure if I read another one from this author.
Neverthless, decent read after a tired day but not sure if I read another one from this author.
October 7, 2014
Short review for me as tis a tecchie crime mystery & any review normally = spoilers so......
"I really liked it"
There yer go, done.... A good series of reads by an author of the Nordic Noir genre, all the crimes as expected are dark & very 'orrible for the most part but the stories & characters are amiable enough although her german fellah & their interactions really get on my wick tbh & would much prefer she took Bella on more cases as she did in one of the prior books - far more entertaining.
"I really liked it"
There yer go, done.... A good series of reads by an author of the Nordic Noir genre, all the crimes as expected are dark & very 'orrible for the most part but the stories & characters are amiable enough although her german fellah & their interactions really get on my wick tbh & would much prefer she took Bella on more cases as she did in one of the prior books - far more entertaining.
January 3, 2015
I won this Free book through Goodreads First-reads. A young man, Jakob with down syndrome was accused and convicted of setting fire to his group home. Five handicapped people died in that fire. Attorney Thora Gudmundsdottir was hired to prove Jakob innocent, which she did despite all the nay-sayers. Other injustices were found out in the investigation. The fire was proved to be an accident. Jakob could now go home with his mother. There were many twists and turns to arrive at the final conculusion. Wonderfully written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2020
I enjoy this series very much and this is a very nice addition. A young autistic man is convicted of starting a fire at a care home which killed four other residents and Thora is asked to investigate whether he may have been wrongfully convicted. This becomes a complex investigation with many plot twists. It all takes place in mid-winter as Iceland experience the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis. I like the main characters and the convoluted plot. There is (unfortunately) only one more in the series to enjoy.
April 9, 2014
Once again an interesting story and a good insight into how another country deals with the mentally, emotionally or physically handicapped population. The intrigue and the eerie quality of the story were well done and kept the pages turning along altho the fact that I was distracted by the fact that I am currently traveling made me take longer than usual to finish the book. I do enjoy Thora and her interaction with Bella and wish there had been more of that in the book. Maybe next one....
July 15, 2017
After reading The Girl On The Train, I was happy to receive another Mystery from a GoodReads Giveaway.
Unfortunately, this was a difficult one for me to connect to, most likely due to the fact that I was not able to relate to Thóra.
Also, I found myself distracted by the oddly placed hyphens in the middle of random words throughout the book.
With that being said, the final 100ish pages held me, all mysteries solved, and tying up nicely.
Unfortunately, this was a difficult one for me to connect to, most likely due to the fact that I was not able to relate to Thóra.
Also, I found myself distracted by the oddly placed hyphens in the middle of random words throughout the book.
With that being said, the final 100ish pages held me, all mysteries solved, and tying up nicely.
June 21, 2015
Se há coisa que me fica deste livro é o que aprendi sobre as deficiências que alguns seres humanos têm e que lhes proporcionam vidas tão diferentes e tristes. Fez-me sentir abençoada.
É um livro longo e a autora opta por parágrafos longos, descrevendo o que se passa, o que não é tão bom como ler os acontecimentos a desenrolaram-se e com diálogos. Acho que é o ponto principal que me faz não dar mais estrelas na minha avaliação final.
É um livro longo e a autora opta por parágrafos longos, descrevendo o que se passa, o que não é tão bom como ler os acontecimentos a desenrolaram-se e com diálogos. Acho que é o ponto principal que me faz não dar mais estrelas na minha avaliação final.
December 18, 2019
5th in this enjoyable Icelandic series finds our heroine lawyer Thora drawn into the potential wrongful conviction of a young man with downs for arson and murder by a particularly nasty piece of work a, a convict in the same prison. A really well plotted story with Thora treading on lots of toes whilst juggling her increasingly complicated home life. Can't wait to read book 6.
April 2, 2019
Someone To Watch Over Me
(Thora Gunmundsdottir Series #5)
by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
2013
Minotaur
5.0 / 5.0
Thora Gunmundsdottir is a high priced lawyer in Iceland. In this book of the series, #5, Thora has been hired by a convicted pedophile, Josteinn, who is locked in a home for the criminally insane, He wants Tora to prove another perosn in the hospital is not guilty of the crime that had him sent there. Jakob, a young man with Downs syndrome, is accused of starting a fire in his care facility, killing 4 disabled children and a security guard. Authorities believe he is responsible for the murder and belongs in the facility. But is Jakob even capable of this, or is he being made a scapegoat? And is the fire related to the rape of Lisa, also in the facility?
Yrsa is one of the best thriller/horror writers. Her ability to weave complex stories with a message, and to build characters and suspense make her stories so suspenseful and twisted. This was great insight also into the way people with mental, physical or psychological handicaps are seen in Iceland.
Outstanding....recommended.
(Thora Gunmundsdottir Series #5)
by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
2013
Minotaur
5.0 / 5.0
Thora Gunmundsdottir is a high priced lawyer in Iceland. In this book of the series, #5, Thora has been hired by a convicted pedophile, Josteinn, who is locked in a home for the criminally insane, He wants Tora to prove another perosn in the hospital is not guilty of the crime that had him sent there. Jakob, a young man with Downs syndrome, is accused of starting a fire in his care facility, killing 4 disabled children and a security guard. Authorities believe he is responsible for the murder and belongs in the facility. But is Jakob even capable of this, or is he being made a scapegoat? And is the fire related to the rape of Lisa, also in the facility?
Yrsa is one of the best thriller/horror writers. Her ability to weave complex stories with a message, and to build characters and suspense make her stories so suspenseful and twisted. This was great insight also into the way people with mental, physical or psychological handicaps are seen in Iceland.
Outstanding....recommended.
March 8, 2023
Like the others in this series I found this to be pretty average and nowhere near the standard of the Children’s House books.
I found large parts of the story enjoyable and many of the scenes with the disabled residents in the house that burnt down were very well done. There was also an excellent sense of menace at certain times which helped build tension.
However the ending was so disappointing and lacked any sort of drama. There was no real detective work leading to the denouement, just a chance discovery of written evidence left by one of the characters. Also the motive for the main crime was really weak and lacked any sort of credibility.
Lastly I found the narrator irritating as she was constantly far too over dramatic, virtually throughout.
I found large parts of the story enjoyable and many of the scenes with the disabled residents in the house that burnt down were very well done. There was also an excellent sense of menace at certain times which helped build tension.
However the ending was so disappointing and lacked any sort of drama. There was no real detective work leading to the denouement, just a chance discovery of written evidence left by one of the characters. Also the motive for the main crime was really weak and lacked any sort of credibility.
Lastly I found the narrator irritating as she was constantly far too over dramatic, virtually throughout.
April 21, 2019
This was a very thorough, slow paced mystery. I had a major issue with Bella. How did she have a job? As a lawyer I feel as though Thora could find a loophole in the contract with her landlord to get rid of her. The other character I didn't like was Matthew. It seemed as though he and Thora were mismatched. There were moments he acted like a diva or just apathetic. The overall tone of the book was a bit depressing due to the financial crash the country experienced, and the weather. Always icy or snowy and cold and windy. I would've liked more on the ghost aspect of the story, but I did like how the author combined both elements.
February 22, 2020
As usual, the case was fascinating and full of twists and turns. I still don't care about Thora's personal life, but this is an issue I have with ongoing series in general. It's no big deal though, I can just skip the family drama and get on with the case. I really enjoy Yrsa's writing and how she makes Iceland come alive in her novels.
April 23, 2024
The best of Nordic noir!
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