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Reykjavik
What happened to Lara?
Iceland, 1956. Fourteen-year-old Lara spends the summer on the small island of Videy, just off the coast of Reykjavík.
In early August, the girl disappears without a trace.
The mystery becomes Iceland's greatest unsolved case. What happened to the young girl? Is she still alive? Did she leave the island, or did something happen to her there?
Thirty years later, journalist Valur Robertsson begins his own investigation into Lara's case. But as he draws closer to discovering the secret, it's soon clear that this is a mystery someone will stop at nothing to keep unsolved...
Iceland, 1956. Fourteen-year-old Lara spends the summer on the small island of Videy, just off the coast of Reykjavík.
In early August, the girl disappears without a trace.
The mystery becomes Iceland's greatest unsolved case. What happened to the young girl? Is she still alive? Did she leave the island, or did something happen to her there?
Thirty years later, journalist Valur Robertsson begins his own investigation into Lara's case. But as he draws closer to discovering the secret, it's soon clear that this is a mystery someone will stop at nothing to keep unsolved...
367 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
1312 people are currently reading
12723 people want to read
About the author
Ragnar Jónasson
51 books3,890 followersRagnar Jonasson is author of the award winning and international bestselling Dark Iceland series.
His debut Snowblind, first in the Dark Iceland series, went to number one in the Amazon Kindle charts shortly after publication. The book was also a no. 1 Amazon Kindle bestseller in Australia. Snowblind has been a paperback bestseller in France.
Nightblind won the Dead Good Reader Award 2016 for Most Captivating Crime in Translation.
Snowblind was called a "classically crafted whodunit" by THE NEW YORK TIMES, and it was selected by The Independent as one of the best crime novels of 2015 in the UK.
Rights to the Dark Iceland series have been sold to UK, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Poland, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Morocco, Portugal, Croatia, Armenia and Iceland.
Ragnar was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he works as a writer and a lawyer. He also teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University and has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV-news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
He is also the co-founder of the Reykjavik international crime writing festival Iceland Noir.
From the age of 17, Ragnar translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic.
Ragnar has also had short stories published internationally, including in the distinguished Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in the US, the first stories by an Icelandic author in that magazine.
He has appeared on festival panels worldwide, and lives in Reykjavik.
His debut Snowblind, first in the Dark Iceland series, went to number one in the Amazon Kindle charts shortly after publication. The book was also a no. 1 Amazon Kindle bestseller in Australia. Snowblind has been a paperback bestseller in France.
Nightblind won the Dead Good Reader Award 2016 for Most Captivating Crime in Translation.
Snowblind was called a "classically crafted whodunit" by THE NEW YORK TIMES, and it was selected by The Independent as one of the best crime novels of 2015 in the UK.
Rights to the Dark Iceland series have been sold to UK, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Poland, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Morocco, Portugal, Croatia, Armenia and Iceland.
Ragnar was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he works as a writer and a lawyer. He also teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University and has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV-news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
He is also the co-founder of the Reykjavik international crime writing festival Iceland Noir.
From the age of 17, Ragnar translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic.
Ragnar has also had short stories published internationally, including in the distinguished Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in the US, the first stories by an Icelandic author in that magazine.
He has appeared on festival panels worldwide, and lives in Reykjavik.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,561 reviews
July 24, 2023
I’ve been a fan of some of Ragnar Jonasson’s other books so I was curious to read this one. This time, it’s written in partnership with Katrin Jacobsdottir, and maybe that explains some of the clunkiness. The language is basic, although most scenes are easy to envision.
The story starts in 1956 when a 15 year old girl goes missing from her summer employment on an island outside Reykjavik. The young policeman handling the investigation is not allowed to fully investigate this case (due to her employers’ status and friends in high places). He continues to be haunted by his inability to solve it. Thirty years later and it’s still an open case when a young reporter decides to write a series of articles about her.
The book moved at a glacier’s pace and lacked drama. There are three sections, each having its own main character. There’s not a lot of character development to make up for the lack of excitement. The ending had a decent twist. It was an ok story but one I’ll probably forget in a few days’ time.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
The story starts in 1956 when a 15 year old girl goes missing from her summer employment on an island outside Reykjavik. The young policeman handling the investigation is not allowed to fully investigate this case (due to her employers’ status and friends in high places). He continues to be haunted by his inability to solve it. Thirty years later and it’s still an open case when a young reporter decides to write a series of articles about her.
The book moved at a glacier’s pace and lacked drama. There are three sections, each having its own main character. There’s not a lot of character development to make up for the lack of excitement. The ending had a decent twist. It was an ok story but one I’ll probably forget in a few days’ time.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
December 5, 2023
Based off the title alone, this was a must read for me. Reykjavik is near the top of my bucket list of places to visit. But for now the only way I can visit is through this book.
Let’s just say when I do get the chance for an authentic trip I hope it goes better than this book did for me!🤣
Told in two timelines:
1956 - Lara, a young teenage girl working on a small island off of Reykjavik goes missing. The ensuing investigation (though it truly wasn’t much of one) turned up no clues as to her whereabouts. The case went cold…
1986 - During a celebration for the city of Reykjavik the case gains new feet as a journalist stirs the pot. But maybe things were better left unsolved. There are still those who will go to great lengths to hide what happened to Lara.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration provided by Bert Seymour and Tamaryn Payne.
I loved the setting of this book (of course). But the storyline itself just moved a too slowly for me. I also had some difficulty keeping all the characters straight. This might have been easier if I had read it and been able to see the names in written form?🤷🏻♀️
Let’s just say when I do get the chance for an authentic trip I hope it goes better than this book did for me!🤣
Told in two timelines:
1956 - Lara, a young teenage girl working on a small island off of Reykjavik goes missing. The ensuing investigation (though it truly wasn’t much of one) turned up no clues as to her whereabouts. The case went cold…
1986 - During a celebration for the city of Reykjavik the case gains new feet as a journalist stirs the pot. But maybe things were better left unsolved. There are still those who will go to great lengths to hide what happened to Lara.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration provided by Bert Seymour and Tamaryn Payne.
I loved the setting of this book (of course). But the storyline itself just moved a too slowly for me. I also had some difficulty keeping all the characters straight. This might have been easier if I had read it and been able to see the names in written form?🤷🏻♀️
July 22, 2023
It’s 1956 and policeman Kristján Kristjánsson takes a boat across to the small island of Videy, just off Reykjavik. Concern is growing for the whereabouts of fifteen year old Lara Marteinsdóttir who is working on the island as a maid. He’s informed that Lara has decided to return home but she has not been seen since and no one has heard from her. The people Kristján questions are off hand and dismissive and so his enquiries get nowhere. The case casts a long shadow over Iceland as it’s as if she vanishes off the face of the earth. The riddle captures public imagination and is kept alive in newspaper stories which try to offer answers to the puzzle of whether Lara leaves the island and is hiding out for some reason or has something happened to her on Videy?
Thirty years on in 1986, Reykjavik is about to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its foundation and journalist Valur Róbertsson starts an investigation into Lára´s case. Interest in it has never been higher but as in 1956, powerful forces are at work to prevent the truth of Lára´s disappearance coming to the surface. Is Valur in danger?
This collaboration between Ragnar Jónasson and Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir sure works for me! The mystery they have created has all the makings of a classic Christie novel, a girl goes missing, only three people on the island at the time, so whodunnit? There are no suspects and it keeps you guessing until the grand finale as the authors cleverly hide the truth in plain sight with an excellent final plot twist. Sure fooled me! It builds slowly with all the detail you expect in a Scandi but with subtle little hints that keep you eagerly reading on and when there are some surprising revelations they seem to jump out from the pages.
I really enjoy the way the tale is woven amongst actual events from 1986 as it not only gives context but adds authenticity to the writing. The Gorbachev/Reagan summit in Reykjavik is especially well used as here we have the potential for the ending of the Cold War coinciding with the potential for solving Lára´s murder. You get caught up in the excitement and anticipation of both.
The setting is absolutely fantastic, there are some terrific descriptions of Reykjavik and the islands which adds an ominous and brooding atmosphere to the emerging dark tale.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of but there is a helpful list at the start as well as a useful pronunciation guide at the end. With the exception of Valur and his sister Sunna, most characters are snapshots but they are well done.
This is a most enjoyable read and if you like Scandi Noir this is well worth reading.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Thirty years on in 1986, Reykjavik is about to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its foundation and journalist Valur Róbertsson starts an investigation into Lára´s case. Interest in it has never been higher but as in 1956, powerful forces are at work to prevent the truth of Lára´s disappearance coming to the surface. Is Valur in danger?
This collaboration between Ragnar Jónasson and Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir sure works for me! The mystery they have created has all the makings of a classic Christie novel, a girl goes missing, only three people on the island at the time, so whodunnit? There are no suspects and it keeps you guessing until the grand finale as the authors cleverly hide the truth in plain sight with an excellent final plot twist. Sure fooled me! It builds slowly with all the detail you expect in a Scandi but with subtle little hints that keep you eagerly reading on and when there are some surprising revelations they seem to jump out from the pages.
I really enjoy the way the tale is woven amongst actual events from 1986 as it not only gives context but adds authenticity to the writing. The Gorbachev/Reagan summit in Reykjavik is especially well used as here we have the potential for the ending of the Cold War coinciding with the potential for solving Lára´s murder. You get caught up in the excitement and anticipation of both.
The setting is absolutely fantastic, there are some terrific descriptions of Reykjavik and the islands which adds an ominous and brooding atmosphere to the emerging dark tale.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of but there is a helpful list at the start as well as a useful pronunciation guide at the end. With the exception of Valur and his sister Sunna, most characters are snapshots but they are well done.
This is a most enjoyable read and if you like Scandi Noir this is well worth reading.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
September 11, 2023
Lára’s Missing. Something’s Missing
Nordic noir! I stumbled onto this genre a few years ago and really took to it. Best Selling Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason was the first one to hook me with “The Darkness Knows,” a slow moving, dark atmospheric wonder. The landscapes, the ice and snow, the understated aura flavored the read for me. Another leading Icelandic author, Ragnar Jónasson, released “Outside” last year and I was let down, particularly in its ending. He does have very devoted fans, however, and I looked forward to reading his new offering, "Reykjavik.”
In 1956 a fourteen-year-old girl, Lára, suddenly quits her job as a maid on the sparsely inhabited island of Videy. She then disappears without a trace. The whole of Iceland is shocked and her disappearance ignites tabloid sales for decades. The story unfolds first through the eyes of the young police officer, then a reporter, then the reporter’s sister, Sunna.
As a whodunit, it works pretty well. There are some obvious suspects and a few clever twists. The changing point of view did not quite work for me, however, particularly since it fell to Sunna to solve the mystery and wrap things up– when she was such a bit player for the first two thirds of the book.
The qualities I love about the Nordic noir realm were not major strengths here. For one thing, the weather did not seem to be a character…it was not cold enough! Looking at other reviews from those more familiar with Jonasson’s work, I get the sense that this is not one of his strongest offerings. “Reykjavík” was co-written with Katrín Jakobsdóttir– who happens to be the Prime Minister of Iceland– and this may have watered down Jonasson’s style.
Three stars. “Reykjavik” was a pleasant enough read, it just lacked the atmosphere to make the story pop.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nordic noir! I stumbled onto this genre a few years ago and really took to it. Best Selling Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason was the first one to hook me with “The Darkness Knows,” a slow moving, dark atmospheric wonder. The landscapes, the ice and snow, the understated aura flavored the read for me. Another leading Icelandic author, Ragnar Jónasson, released “Outside” last year and I was let down, particularly in its ending. He does have very devoted fans, however, and I looked forward to reading his new offering, "Reykjavik.”
In 1956 a fourteen-year-old girl, Lára, suddenly quits her job as a maid on the sparsely inhabited island of Videy. She then disappears without a trace. The whole of Iceland is shocked and her disappearance ignites tabloid sales for decades. The story unfolds first through the eyes of the young police officer, then a reporter, then the reporter’s sister, Sunna.
As a whodunit, it works pretty well. There are some obvious suspects and a few clever twists. The changing point of view did not quite work for me, however, particularly since it fell to Sunna to solve the mystery and wrap things up– when she was such a bit player for the first two thirds of the book.
The qualities I love about the Nordic noir realm were not major strengths here. For one thing, the weather did not seem to be a character…it was not cold enough! Looking at other reviews from those more familiar with Jonasson’s work, I get the sense that this is not one of his strongest offerings. “Reykjavík” was co-written with Katrín Jakobsdóttir– who happens to be the Prime Minister of Iceland– and this may have watered down Jonasson’s style.
Three stars. “Reykjavik” was a pleasant enough read, it just lacked the atmosphere to make the story pop.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2024
Більше дописів та інфи в моєму авторському блозі - "Ласкаво просимо в Касл-Рок, штат Мен"
«Рейк’явік. Нордичний детектив» Рагнара Йонаннсона та Катрін Якобсдоттір – це монотонний детектив зі спокійним плином сюжету, повільний, як той лінивець на гіляці.
Так от.
Сюжет розповідає нам про розслідування таємничого зникнення 15-річної дівчинки на віддаленому острові, де вона працювала покоївкою у заможної дорослої пари. Слідчі дії у 1956 році, коли сталась надзвичайна подія, нічого не дала, а справа у спокійній країні стала легендарною та обросла забобонами та легендами.
І ось, через 30 років, амбітний молодий журналіст повертається до прикиданої пилом часу справи, щоб досягти популярності і дістатись до істини.
І має ж бути щось прям толкове, чи не так?
Але виявилось інакше.
Всьо написано максимально спокійно, врівноважено та монотонно – це все призводить до зрозумілих та частих нападів нудьги. Чесно, окремі епізоди хотілось просто пролистати або пробігти за 5 секунд, але я тримав себе в руках. А є сцени та роздуми, які, на мою думку, можна було спокійно опустити та видалити.
На несподівані повороти, захоплюючі таємниці чекати не доводиться. Лише один сюжетний твіст, який перевертає все на 180 градусів – це єдине, що сколихнуло мене та запам’яталось.
Детективна складова мене теж не вразила. Нічого нового я для себе не відкрив. А використані плюшки для зацікавлення читача на моє скромне переконання не діють на всі 100%.
Головне – герої. До них в мене не виникло жодних почуттів. Жоднісіньких. І це не я такий холодний, просто персонажі сірі, бліді. Ну не хотів я за них хвилюватись, мені було відверто пофіг на них. А, як показує практика, якщо немає зв’язку з протагоністом чи іншими героями, хороше враження від прочитаного ніяк не складеться.
От якби сюди додати трішечки екшончику, переслідування чи поворотиків у історії – скандинавський сетинг, стильні 80-ті та атмосфера невідомої країни могли б спрацювати. Але…
Ось тут «Лабораторія» потрапила в штангу, конкретно в штангу. Радує, що це – виняток з правил.
Фінальний акорд – результат: «Рейк’явік. Нордичний детектив» Рагнара Йонаннсона та Катрін Якобсдоттір – книга, в якої немає нічого, щоб вразити, зацікавити, захопити розум. Посередність – і нічого більше.
«Рейк’явік. Нордичний детектив» Рагнара Йонаннсона та Катрін Якобсдоттір – це монотонний детектив зі спокійним плином сюжету, повільний, як той лінивець на гіляці.
Так от.
Сюжет розповідає нам про розслідування таємничого зникнення 15-річної дівчинки на віддаленому острові, де вона працювала покоївкою у заможної дорослої пари. Слідчі дії у 1956 році, коли сталась надзвичайна подія, нічого не дала, а справа у спокійній країні стала легендарною та обросла забобонами та легендами.
І ось, через 30 років, амбітний молодий журналіст повертається до прикиданої пилом часу справи, щоб досягти популярності і дістатись до істини.
І має ж бути щось прям толкове, чи не так?
Але виявилось інакше.
Всьо написано максимально спокійно, врівноважено та монотонно – це все призводить до зрозумілих та частих нападів нудьги. Чесно, окремі епізоди хотілось просто пролистати або пробігти за 5 секунд, але я тримав себе в руках. А є сцени та роздуми, які, на мою думку, можна було спокійно опустити та видалити.
На несподівані повороти, захоплюючі таємниці чекати не доводиться. Лише один сюжетний твіст, який перевертає все на 180 градусів – це єдине, що сколихнуло мене та запам’яталось.
Детективна складова мене теж не вразила. Нічого нового я для себе не відкрив. А використані плюшки для зацікавлення читача на моє скромне переконання не діють на всі 100%.
Головне – герої. До них в мене не виникло жодних почуттів. Жоднісіньких. І це не я такий холодний, просто персонажі сірі, бліді. Ну не хотів я за них хвилюватись, мені було відверто пофіг на них. А, як показує практика, якщо немає зв’язку з протагоністом чи іншими героями, хороше враження від прочитаного ніяк не складеться.
От якби сюди додати трішечки екшончику, переслідування чи поворотиків у історії – скандинавський сетинг, стильні 80-ті та атмосфера невідомої країни могли б спрацювати. Але…
Ось тут «Лабораторія» потрапила в штангу, конкретно в штангу. Радує, що це – виняток з правил.
Фінальний акорд – результат: «Рейк’явік. Нордичний детектив» Рагнара Йонаннсона та Катрін Якобсдоттір – книга, в якої немає нічого, щоб вразити, зацікавити, захопити розум. Посередність – і нічого більше.
July 21, 2024
«Ніби хтось захоче прочитати детектив, дія якого відбувається в Ісландії»
Рейк’явік 80-х, про який ми, впевнена, фактично нічого не знаємо. Автори нікуди не поспішали, у повільному темпі розкриваючи читачеві чимало тих дрібниць про героїв, які не матимуть жодного значення для розслідування, але надають об’єму історії. А потім десь на 225-ій сторінці дехто з героїв доходить до тієї думки, яка тобі була очевидна ще більше 100 сторінок тому. Тож я навіть не знаю, яким чином ця книга не стала прохідною для мене. Назвемо це «магією ісландського детективу»🙂
п.с. «Я нічого не тямлю в рибалці» - ем, риболовлі?
Скласти список дійових осіб на початку детектива – дещо дивне і зайве рішення.
Писати абревіатури з маленької літери – відколи?
Рейк’явік 80-х, про який ми, впевнена, фактично нічого не знаємо. Автори нікуди не поспішали, у повільному темпі розкриваючи читачеві чимало тих дрібниць про героїв, які не матимуть жодного значення для розслідування, але надають об’єму історії. А потім десь на 225-ій сторінці дехто з героїв доходить до тієї думки, яка тобі була очевидна ще більше 100 сторінок тому. Тож я навіть не знаю, яким чином ця книга не стала прохідною для мене. Назвемо це «магією ісландського детективу»🙂
п.с. «Я нічого не тямлю в рибалці» - ем, риболовлі?
Скласти список дійових осіб на початку детектива – дещо дивне і зайве рішення.
Писати абревіатури з маленької літери – відколи?
August 19, 2023
3.0 Stars
I read and loved several of Ragnar Jónasson's books so I was eager to read this newest translated release.
I typically love missing cold case stories so the set up for this one sounded perfect. In execution, I found this one less interesting than the premise promised to be. I liked the 1980s timeline more than the past but the story felt lacking in the suspense that I wanted from this kind of story.
Furthermore, I tend to read these Icelandic stories for the atmosphere and setting, which I felt this book was lacking. This book is an author collaboration and perhaps not the most successful. The story and characters were fine but not the memorable ones I had hoped for.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I read and loved several of Ragnar Jónasson's books so I was eager to read this newest translated release.
I typically love missing cold case stories so the set up for this one sounded perfect. In execution, I found this one less interesting than the premise promised to be. I liked the 1980s timeline more than the past but the story felt lacking in the suspense that I wanted from this kind of story.
Furthermore, I tend to read these Icelandic stories for the atmosphere and setting, which I felt this book was lacking. This book is an author collaboration and perhaps not the most successful. The story and characters were fine but not the memorable ones I had hoped for.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
January 8, 2024
While Lára went missing in 1956 on a remote Islandic island, the main investigative setting of the story takes place in 1986. The author does a fine job setting up the mystery, but there wasn’t that suspenseful, thriller “oomph” that the story needed. However, 1986 was quite an eventful year in Icelandic and global events, and the author does succeed in pulling on the heart strings of the easy-going, fun memories of that year to Generation X.
January 16, 2024
Very poor showing for Icelandic lit. Truly an amateur hour here with weak characters, bland dialogue and terrible, most simplistic mystery plot. I am shocked this was evidently penned by an acclaimed writer. But it’s also a collaboration with a politician, so maybe this is a vanity project gone wrong. Either way, disappointing.
August 19, 2023
As featured on www.mysteryandsuspense.com
Fans of Steig Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Millenium series will fall in love with Ragnar Jónasson’s Icelandic crime novel, “Reykjavik”. Jonasson is no stranger to Icelandic fiction, as his “Snowblind” series reached the top of the Kindle charts in many countries. The rights for “Snowblind” have been purchased in many countries, and I can see his new novel making waves on the small screen as well.
In 1956, a teenage girl vanished from Videy, a small island off the coast of Reykjavik. The girl, Lana, had been working as a live in domestic for an older, but esteemed couple, who claim Lana quit her job suddenly and left the island, and no one has heard from her since. Thirty years later, journalist Valur Robertsson begins his own investigation of the case, hoping to uncover a new clue in the disappearance. But the secrets Valur uncovers are secrets that very important people don’t want to be told, and Valur’s life is put at risk as he grows more determined to investigate what happened to the young girl all those years ago.
“Reykjavik”, told in its original Icelandic and translated to English, is a tense and taut journalistic thriller. The novel is told from the perspective of Valur and later, his sister Sunna, in 1986, thirty years after Lana goes missing. The beginning of the novel has a significant section from 1956 as well, narrated by the lead detective, Kristjan, as all of his investigative routes run cold. Each section and all chapters are clearly marked with dates, which creates a seamless flow for the reader. Jonasson’s character development is stellar as well, which is a challenge for a novel that essentially has three different protagonists. I found myself engaged in the outcomes for all of the narrators, and all were likable and genuine.
The atmosphere was transforming and completely immersive, with the isolated, yet intriguing country of Iceland as a unique setting. The attitudes of journalists in the Icelandic capital, and of its politics, are discussed briefly, for information purposes only, but Jonasson does not delve into intense detail, focusing solely on the suspenseful plot.
Jonasson creates a slow-building tension as, one-by-one, characters are introduced as suspects, leading up to the final reveal, which packs an unexpected punch. “Reykjavik” had an ending I did not see coming! Jonasson ensures that readers are engaged, with several twists and turns along the way, bringing “Reykjavik” to a powerful and satisfying conclusion. “Reykjavik” will appeal to readers across the globe and Jonasson has marked a solid path into the Nordic fiction market with his newest release.
Fans of Steig Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Millenium series will fall in love with Ragnar Jónasson’s Icelandic crime novel, “Reykjavik”. Jonasson is no stranger to Icelandic fiction, as his “Snowblind” series reached the top of the Kindle charts in many countries. The rights for “Snowblind” have been purchased in many countries, and I can see his new novel making waves on the small screen as well.
In 1956, a teenage girl vanished from Videy, a small island off the coast of Reykjavik. The girl, Lana, had been working as a live in domestic for an older, but esteemed couple, who claim Lana quit her job suddenly and left the island, and no one has heard from her since. Thirty years later, journalist Valur Robertsson begins his own investigation of the case, hoping to uncover a new clue in the disappearance. But the secrets Valur uncovers are secrets that very important people don’t want to be told, and Valur’s life is put at risk as he grows more determined to investigate what happened to the young girl all those years ago.
“Reykjavik”, told in its original Icelandic and translated to English, is a tense and taut journalistic thriller. The novel is told from the perspective of Valur and later, his sister Sunna, in 1986, thirty years after Lana goes missing. The beginning of the novel has a significant section from 1956 as well, narrated by the lead detective, Kristjan, as all of his investigative routes run cold. Each section and all chapters are clearly marked with dates, which creates a seamless flow for the reader. Jonasson’s character development is stellar as well, which is a challenge for a novel that essentially has three different protagonists. I found myself engaged in the outcomes for all of the narrators, and all were likable and genuine.
The atmosphere was transforming and completely immersive, with the isolated, yet intriguing country of Iceland as a unique setting. The attitudes of journalists in the Icelandic capital, and of its politics, are discussed briefly, for information purposes only, but Jonasson does not delve into intense detail, focusing solely on the suspenseful plot.
Jonasson creates a slow-building tension as, one-by-one, characters are introduced as suspects, leading up to the final reveal, which packs an unexpected punch. “Reykjavik” had an ending I did not see coming! Jonasson ensures that readers are engaged, with several twists and turns along the way, bringing “Reykjavik” to a powerful and satisfying conclusion. “Reykjavik” will appeal to readers across the globe and Jonasson has marked a solid path into the Nordic fiction market with his newest release.
July 13, 2023
Като онези подаръци в красива опаковка, които отвътре се оказват празни картонени кутии.
По анотация историята звучи интересно. Точно, каквото имаше нужда за отпускарско четене. Малко северен студ и кримка с cold case, която да разхлади горещниците.
Обаче се оказа написана в много повърхностен стил, стереотипно, на места наивно. От типа "той е такъв и такъв, онзи беше онакъв". "Те се разбираха" и в следващото изречение "разбираха се и затова й се довери". Исландия е представена като страна на скуката.
Минах до края по диагонал, но нещата не се подобриха. А можеше да е добра кримка за плажа.
По анотация историята звучи интересно. Точно, каквото имаше нужда за отпускарско четене. Малко северен студ и кримка с cold case, която да разхлади горещниците.
Обаче се оказа написана в много повърхностен стил, стереотипно, на места наивно. От типа "той е такъв и такъв, онзи беше онакъв". "Те се разбираха" и в следващото изречение "разбираха се и затова й се довери". Исландия е представена като страна на скуката.
Минах до края по диагонал, но нещата не се подобриха. А можеше да е добра кримка за плажа.
July 6, 2023
Got to be honest here…this is not the most exciting book ever written.
It’s a perfectly pleasant murder mystery dealing with a 30-year-old missing person case.
There’s very little suspense, very little edge, and the solution to the mystery is quite basic.
It was challenging to truly like our main character(s) because our MC changes part way through the book. And, since we never really get to know our victim (from 30 years ago), it’s hard to truly care.
It’s not a bad book – it’s just not quite what I’ve come to expect from the author.
• ARC via Publisher
It’s a perfectly pleasant murder mystery dealing with a 30-year-old missing person case.
There’s very little suspense, very little edge, and the solution to the mystery is quite basic.
It was challenging to truly like our main character(s) because our MC changes part way through the book. And, since we never really get to know our victim (from 30 years ago), it’s hard to truly care.
It’s not a bad book – it’s just not quite what I’ve come to expect from the author.
• ARC via Publisher
January 4, 2024
‘Reykjavik’ by Ragnar Katrin is an interesting mystery, with a police-procedural style of writing - at least, it is in translation into English. However, the main characters are not police or private detectives. Instead, they are a brother, Valur Róbertsson, a journalist, and his sister, Sunna Róbertsdóttir, a literature student in college, who were born and live in Iceland.
I sometimes find police procedurals a little flat in tone, but writers can inject excitement sometimes. I have read exciting police procedurals now and then which have surprised me by being the kind of book you can’t put down, so I know it can be done. As an example, using YouTube clips for Dragnet, the 1960’s TV show famous for the actors being completely deadpan in delivering their dialogue, and then next a movie parody made that was based on the Dragnet TV show -
police procedurals can be like:
https://youtu.be/nx5GwULPU90?si=uRG0-...
Or they can be - https://youtu.be/pT_QRKfv8H4?si=Zhy56...
Other police procedurals are good because of the subject matter, or because the mystery is engrossing (what is going to happen?)
‘Reykjavík’ is an odd mystery, I thought, in writing style. It is, well, a police procedural with a 1960’s Joe Friday monotone at times; at other times, it got less passive and more active. The story didn’t really start its engine for me until Sunna took over her brother’s investigation. There are the usual dozens of characters who could be possible murderers, which in this case include politicians, real estate developers, lawyers and their spouses.
The missing victim is a 15-year-old girl, Lára Marteinsdóttir, hired as a maid for the summer of 1956 for a lawyer, Óttar Óskarsson, and his wife Ólöf Blöndal, who own an island property. Óttar and one of his best friends, the police chief, intimidate the original police officer assigned the case in 1956, Kristján Kristjánsson, into conducting only a cursory investigation. He regrets this, but life moves on. When Valur knocks on his door seeking an interview in 1986 about the still missing Lára, he doesn’t really want to talk about Lára or about his regrets that the case is still unsolved. But in his heart, he hopes Valur will push on despite total lack of cooperation from everyone involved who is still alive thirty years later.
One of the issues I had with this book is it was difficult for me to ‘connect’ or be interested in most of the characters, including Lára. Sunna, who takes over the narration about a third into the novel, is the one person who comes to life for me. Idk.
I also wish there was more specifics about Iceland, but the author did give enough that I was reminded of similar changes that Seattle, Washington, my hometown in the USA, went through, too. Seattle was never so small in my life that I knew everybody as people did in Reykjavík in 1956, but it went through a lot of modernization late in the day, much like Reykjavik. For instance, Seattle didn’t get cable TV until well after the small towns and cities around Seattle had it. In my childhood we had only AM radio and about 7 broadcast TV channels, all of which went off the air at midnight. (I have been told by GR members in England they had even fewer TV stations in the 1970’s.) The book describes how Reykjavik is finally getting new TV stations and radio stations in 1986. The characters are excited about the new media. This event connected with me. I remember being thrilled when two (TWO!) FM radio stations finally started up in the 1970’s in Seattle! FM radio initially tried to be very very Blues-Brothers atmosphere cool, too, which I adored (they played harder rock and arena rock than the AM rock stations (AM rock radio stations played bubblegum music, really, mostly Top 40). The FM stations played college radio music, jazz, along with hard rock, and some ‘underground’ psychedelic 1970’s Los Angeles hippie stuff - very thrilling!). The FM DJ’s had smoky low timbres as speaking voices, spoke quite slow and slithery, quite a change from the rabbity high volume shouting of the AM disk jockeys!
Anyway. Elderly meandering over.
I enjoyed ‘Reykjavik’ once Sunna took over the investigation. I decided on two and two-thirds stars because of her characterization, as well as how the action took off into stereo, away from the initial monophonic tone, when she entered the story.
I sometimes find police procedurals a little flat in tone, but writers can inject excitement sometimes. I have read exciting police procedurals now and then which have surprised me by being the kind of book you can’t put down, so I know it can be done. As an example, using YouTube clips for Dragnet, the 1960’s TV show famous for the actors being completely deadpan in delivering their dialogue, and then next a movie parody made that was based on the Dragnet TV show -
police procedurals can be like:
https://youtu.be/nx5GwULPU90?si=uRG0-...
Or they can be - https://youtu.be/pT_QRKfv8H4?si=Zhy56...
Other police procedurals are good because of the subject matter, or because the mystery is engrossing (what is going to happen?)
‘Reykjavík’ is an odd mystery, I thought, in writing style. It is, well, a police procedural with a 1960’s Joe Friday monotone at times; at other times, it got less passive and more active. The story didn’t really start its engine for me until Sunna took over her brother’s investigation. There are the usual dozens of characters who could be possible murderers, which in this case include politicians, real estate developers, lawyers and their spouses.
The missing victim is a 15-year-old girl, Lára Marteinsdóttir, hired as a maid for the summer of 1956 for a lawyer, Óttar Óskarsson, and his wife Ólöf Blöndal, who own an island property. Óttar and one of his best friends, the police chief, intimidate the original police officer assigned the case in 1956, Kristján Kristjánsson, into conducting only a cursory investigation. He regrets this, but life moves on. When Valur knocks on his door seeking an interview in 1986 about the still missing Lára, he doesn’t really want to talk about Lára or about his regrets that the case is still unsolved. But in his heart, he hopes Valur will push on despite total lack of cooperation from everyone involved who is still alive thirty years later.
One of the issues I had with this book is it was difficult for me to ‘connect’ or be interested in most of the characters, including Lára. Sunna, who takes over the narration about a third into the novel, is the one person who comes to life for me. Idk.
I also wish there was more specifics about Iceland, but the author did give enough that I was reminded of similar changes that Seattle, Washington, my hometown in the USA, went through, too. Seattle was never so small in my life that I knew everybody as people did in Reykjavík in 1956, but it went through a lot of modernization late in the day, much like Reykjavik. For instance, Seattle didn’t get cable TV until well after the small towns and cities around Seattle had it. In my childhood we had only AM radio and about 7 broadcast TV channels, all of which went off the air at midnight. (I have been told by GR members in England they had even fewer TV stations in the 1970’s.) The book describes how Reykjavik is finally getting new TV stations and radio stations in 1986. The characters are excited about the new media. This event connected with me. I remember being thrilled when two (TWO!) FM radio stations finally started up in the 1970’s in Seattle! FM radio initially tried to be very very Blues-Brothers atmosphere cool, too, which I adored (they played harder rock and arena rock than the AM rock stations (AM rock radio stations played bubblegum music, really, mostly Top 40). The FM stations played college radio music, jazz, along with hard rock, and some ‘underground’ psychedelic 1970’s Los Angeles hippie stuff - very thrilling!). The FM DJ’s had smoky low timbres as speaking voices, spoke quite slow and slithery, quite a change from the rabbity high volume shouting of the AM disk jockeys!
Anyway. Elderly meandering over.
I enjoyed ‘Reykjavik’ once Sunna took over the investigation. I decided on two and two-thirds stars because of her characterization, as well as how the action took off into stereo, away from the initial monophonic tone, when she entered the story.
February 11, 2024
Повільно, нордично, класично.
🌟А я насправді рада, що сьогодні все ще лишаються автори, які працюють саме у такій формі: злочинця викривають не під час карколомних гонитв із перестрілками, а у спокійній бесіді, наче на театральній сцені.
🌟 У 1956 році на одному з крихітних островів Ісландії зникає 15-річна дівчина, що працювала покоївкою у поважної сімейної пари. Розслідування нікуди не приводить, бо пара поважна, детектив молоденький, на дворі патріархальний лад, закономірне питання "ви впевнені, що Лаура покинула острів?" вважається за грубість та зухвальство.
❄️Через 30 років один амбітний журналіст вирішує зробити серію колонок на першій шпальті про ту ганебну справу (бо це ж Ісландія, тут не вбивають взагалі, а нерозкритих злочинів просто не існує). Йому щастить знайти кілька зачіпок, але... Але не стану спойлерити.
🌟 Тим не менш, журналістське розслідування потроху просувається і наштовхується на активну протидію з боку певних сил, а це означає, що не так все просто у тому зникненні, тож інтрига тримається.
🌟 Так, події тут відбуваються дуже повільно. Але зважайте, що автор обрав собі часовий проміжок 40-річної давнини! Це сьогодні здійснити телефонний дзвінок справа кількох секунд. Тоді, зателефонувавши комусь, ти міг послухати гудки і зрозуміти, що нікого немає вдома. Отже, відповідь на своє питання ти отримаєш пізніше, можливо навіть завтра. Уявляєте, який жах? 👻
❄️ В цілому мені дуже сподобалося. І класичний сюжет, і згадки Агати Крісті, розкидані по сюжету як явно, так і напівнатяками, і те, як були побудовані певні сцени, і отой перехід до більш активних — буквально готичних! — дій у кінці, і навіть певна театральність фінальних епізодів, де розставлялися крапки над ї. Да і герої тут розвиваються, а в кінці ч��тача очікує навіть маленький твіст (не скажу, що геть неочікуваний, але цікавий, так).
🦋 Тож чому 4 зірочки, а не 5, якщо все чудово? За певну недосказаність: я б хотіла дізнатися, що саме конкретно сталося із усіма причетними до злочину. А так наче лишилося щось недоприбраним, наче якісь ще ниточки стирчать чи на столі після прибирання лишилася чашка із рештками кави та відбитком помади
🌟А я насправді рада, що сьогодні все ще лишаються автори, які працюють саме у такій формі: злочинця викривають не під час карколомних гонитв із перестрілками, а у спокійній бесіді, наче на театральній сцені.
🌟 У 1956 році на одному з крихітних островів Ісландії зникає 15-річна дівчина, що працювала покоївкою у поважної сімейної пари. Розслідування нікуди не приводить, бо пара поважна, детектив молоденький, на дворі патріархальний лад, закономірне питання "ви впевнені, що Лаура покинула острів?" вважається за грубість та зухвальство.
❄️Через 30 років один амбітний журналіст вирішує зробити серію колонок на першій шпальті про ту ганебну справу (бо це ж Ісландія, тут не вбивають взагалі, а нерозкритих злочинів просто не існує). Йому щастить знайти кілька зачіпок, але... Але не стану спойлерити.
🌟 Тим не менш, журналістське розслідування потроху просувається і наштовхується на активну протидію з боку певних сил, а це означає, що не так все просто у тому зникненні, тож інтрига тримається.
🌟 Так, події тут відбуваються дуже повільно. Але зважайте, що автор обрав собі часовий проміжок 40-річної давнини! Це сьогодні здійснити телефонний дзвінок справа кількох секунд. Тоді, зателефонувавши комусь, ти міг послухати гудки і зрозуміти, що нікого немає вдома. Отже, відповідь на своє питання ти отримаєш пізніше, можливо навіть завтра. Уявляєте, який жах? 👻
❄️ В цілому мені дуже сподобалося. І класичний сюжет, і згадки Агати Крісті, розкидані по сюжету як явно, так і напівнатяками, і те, як були побудовані певні сцени, і отой перехід до більш активних — буквально готичних! — дій у кінці, і навіть певна театральність фінальних епізодів, де розставлялися крапки над ї. Да і герої тут розвиваються, а в кінці ч��тача очікує навіть маленький твіст (не скажу, що геть неочікуваний, але цікавий, так).
🦋 Тож чому 4 зірочки, а не 5, якщо все чудово? За певну недосказаність: я б хотіла дізнатися, що саме конкретно сталося із усіма причетними до злочину. А так наче лишилося щось недоприбраним, наче якісь ще ниточки стирчать чи на столі після прибирання лишилася чашка із рештками кави та відбитком помади
February 24, 2024
Дуже непогано, навіть скажу це доволі гарний детектив. Цікава загадка, хоча й на початку здавалось що все доволі просто і аж бісило, чому ніхто не подозрює тих людей, які фактично були єдиними хто міг скоїти злочин. Саме розслідування відбувається 30 років після зникнення дівчини і розслідувати бути молодий журналіст, а не поліцейський, що мені дуже сподобалось. Головною цікавинкою для мене було навіть не саме розслідування, а те як можна розслідувати злочин, що стався так давно. Тим паче не маючи офіційного права це робити. Сподобались описи 80тих, Ісландські будні. Не можу сказати, що це було дуже атмосферно (обкладинка тут трохи misleading) але сеттінг мені сподобався.
February 3, 2023
Þessi náði ekki til mín, klisjukenndur krimmi sem var ekkert mjög spennandi að mínu mati.
Sagan gerist líka árið 1986 og þykir eflaust skemmtilegri ef maður var til á þeim tíma, sem ég var ekki😁
Sagan gerist líka árið 1986 og þykir eflaust skemmtilegri ef maður var til á þeim tíma, sem ég var ekki😁
June 29, 2023
What an exciting story! Many of you are familiar with the Icelandic writer Ragnar Jónasson, In Reykjavik, he co-writes with the ICELANDIC PRIME MINISTER (since 2017) Katrín Jakobsdóttir!!
The book juggles between the loss of 14 year old Lára who was working on an island in 1956 to 10, 20, even 30 years later when a journalist seems to have uncovered information about the case and sets to publish on the 30 year anniversary.
The settings are fabulous and the plot is surprising and engaging. A fantastic addition to the Icelandic Noir collection and sure to keep you up all night. #RagnarJonasson #StMartinsPress #Netgalley #REykjavikNovel
The book juggles between the loss of 14 year old Lára who was working on an island in 1956 to 10, 20, even 30 years later when a journalist seems to have uncovered information about the case and sets to publish on the 30 year anniversary.
The settings are fabulous and the plot is surprising and engaging. A fantastic addition to the Icelandic Noir collection and sure to keep you up all night. #RagnarJonasson #StMartinsPress #Netgalley #REykjavikNovel
March 20, 2025
До неможливості нудний текст
January 3, 2024
IJsland, 1956. De vijftienjarige Lára heeft een vakantiebaantje bij een echtpaar thuis op het kleine eiland Viðey, net voor de kust van de IJslandse hoofdstad Reykjavík.
Begin augustus verdwijnt ze spoorloos.
De vermissingszaak groeit uit tot IJslands grootste onopgeloste zaak. Wat gebeurde er met Lára – leeft ze nog? Verliet ze het eiland? Of gebeurde er daar iets met haar?
Dertig jaar later, in augustus 1986, viert Reykjavík zijn 200ste verjaardag en zal de stad het toneel zijn van de vredestop tussen wereldleiders Ronald Reagan en Mikhail Gorbatsjov.
In dezelfde periode begint journalist Valur Robertsson zijn eigen onderzoek naar Lára’s verdwijning. Maar als hij dichter bij een oplossing komt, en de ogen van de hele wereld op Reykjavík zijn gericht, wordt het langzaam maar zeker duidelijk dat iemand alles op alles zet om te voorkomen dat de zaak wordt opgelost.
Dit verhaal begint met de belangrijkste namen van verschillende personages en zo... dat waren er nogal wat! Vervolgens start je in het jaar 1956 en lees je over politieagent Kristján. Hij is op weg naar de plek waar Lára voor het laatst is gegaan.
De drie hoofdstukken daarna maak je telkens een sprong van tien jaar. Lára is nog steeds vermist en men vreest dat ze niet meer in leven is. Nog steeds is het onduidelijk wat er met haar is gebeurd.
Vanaf dan speelt het verhaal zich continu in 1986 af en komen er verschillende personages voorbij. Zo lees je onder andere over journalist Valur. Ook hij speelt een grote rol in dit mysterieuze verhaal en hij probeert zich meer in de zaak te verdiepen.
'Reykjavík' draait dus voornamelijk om het uitzoeken van de vermissing van Lára. Bijna op de helft van het boek vindt er nog een heftige gebeurtenis plaats en vanaf dan speelt dit ook een grote rol. Ik kan hier niet teveel over vertellen, maar er is iets vreemds aan de hand.
Dit was wel een interessant verhaal, maar het wordt allemaal niet zo spannend. Ik vond de sfeer wel erg goed beschreven en natuurlijk was ik benieuwd naar wat er met Lára was gebeurd. Een leuke leeservaring dus.
Heel erg dankt voor dit recensie-exemplaar @awbrunathrillers!
Beoordeling: 3,5 ⭐️
Begin augustus verdwijnt ze spoorloos.
De vermissingszaak groeit uit tot IJslands grootste onopgeloste zaak. Wat gebeurde er met Lára – leeft ze nog? Verliet ze het eiland? Of gebeurde er daar iets met haar?
Dertig jaar later, in augustus 1986, viert Reykjavík zijn 200ste verjaardag en zal de stad het toneel zijn van de vredestop tussen wereldleiders Ronald Reagan en Mikhail Gorbatsjov.
In dezelfde periode begint journalist Valur Robertsson zijn eigen onderzoek naar Lára’s verdwijning. Maar als hij dichter bij een oplossing komt, en de ogen van de hele wereld op Reykjavík zijn gericht, wordt het langzaam maar zeker duidelijk dat iemand alles op alles zet om te voorkomen dat de zaak wordt opgelost.
Dit verhaal begint met de belangrijkste namen van verschillende personages en zo... dat waren er nogal wat! Vervolgens start je in het jaar 1956 en lees je over politieagent Kristján. Hij is op weg naar de plek waar Lára voor het laatst is gegaan.
De drie hoofdstukken daarna maak je telkens een sprong van tien jaar. Lára is nog steeds vermist en men vreest dat ze niet meer in leven is. Nog steeds is het onduidelijk wat er met haar is gebeurd.
Vanaf dan speelt het verhaal zich continu in 1986 af en komen er verschillende personages voorbij. Zo lees je onder andere over journalist Valur. Ook hij speelt een grote rol in dit mysterieuze verhaal en hij probeert zich meer in de zaak te verdiepen.
'Reykjavík' draait dus voornamelijk om het uitzoeken van de vermissing van Lára. Bijna op de helft van het boek vindt er nog een heftige gebeurtenis plaats en vanaf dan speelt dit ook een grote rol. Ik kan hier niet teveel over vertellen, maar er is iets vreemds aan de hand.
Dit was wel een interessant verhaal, maar het wordt allemaal niet zo spannend. Ik vond de sfeer wel erg goed beschreven en natuurlijk was ik benieuwd naar wat er met Lára was gebeurd. Een leuke leeservaring dus.
Heel erg dankt voor dit recensie-exemplaar @awbrunathrillers!
Beoordeling: 3,5 ⭐️
July 23, 2023
I’m a big Jonasson fan so was really looking forward to reading his latest offering Reykjavik. Unfortunately this is my least favourite.
The story of a girl who goes missing on an island off the coast of Reykjavik in 1956, the story is told in 1956 and 30 years later in 1986.
We start off with the detective on the case being our narrator and his frustration as no one wants to seem to cooperate with his enquiries.
Then we fast forward 30 years where the case has become folklore somewhat. Everyone knows the case. Our detective makes the briefest of appearances but the baton is taken up by a journalist. We settle in with him as our narrator for a while and then his sister becomes our narrator for the final part of the book.
And herein lies the problem. 3 different narrators, not usually a problem as it’s nice to get multiple perspectives and overlaps but here the book is literally 3 chunks with 3 different narrators. Just as you are starting to get to know one and go with them on their investigation you move onto someone else.
It made it extremely hard to get to know any of the characters and get involved in the story. It’s a very strange choice of narrative that’s for sure.
Also not a lot happens in the book. It’s extremely slow, reading a lot longer than it’s page count. The victim we know little or nothing about throughout and well, it’s all just a bit flat.
Previous books by the author have oozed atmosphere but it’s sadly lacking here. It feels like there was an idea and structure for a book and the story was written within that structure rather than evolving from an idea.
It’s ok. It’s underwhelming and instantly forgettable but it’s not terrible.
Two and a half stars rounded up to three. A disappointment for me considering the author.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
The story of a girl who goes missing on an island off the coast of Reykjavik in 1956, the story is told in 1956 and 30 years later in 1986.
We start off with the detective on the case being our narrator and his frustration as no one wants to seem to cooperate with his enquiries.
Then we fast forward 30 years where the case has become folklore somewhat. Everyone knows the case. Our detective makes the briefest of appearances but the baton is taken up by a journalist. We settle in with him as our narrator for a while and then his sister becomes our narrator for the final part of the book.
And herein lies the problem. 3 different narrators, not usually a problem as it’s nice to get multiple perspectives and overlaps but here the book is literally 3 chunks with 3 different narrators. Just as you are starting to get to know one and go with them on their investigation you move onto someone else.
It made it extremely hard to get to know any of the characters and get involved in the story. It’s a very strange choice of narrative that’s for sure.
Also not a lot happens in the book. It’s extremely slow, reading a lot longer than it’s page count. The victim we know little or nothing about throughout and well, it’s all just a bit flat.
Previous books by the author have oozed atmosphere but it’s sadly lacking here. It feels like there was an idea and structure for a book and the story was written within that structure rather than evolving from an idea.
It’s ok. It’s underwhelming and instantly forgettable but it’s not terrible.
Two and a half stars rounded up to three. A disappointment for me considering the author.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
February 10, 2024
Я б не сказала, що це вражаюча детективна історія із хитромудрими поворотами чи темна історія розгадки вбивства.
Це звичайно детектив з хорошою розвʼязкою і особисто для мене з дуже приємними персонажами. Чи то справа в перекладі чи написанні, але ця книжка для мене про «comfort read», бо вона наче лилася, а не читалася.
Описи Ісландії, атмосфери життя у 80-х дуже гарно спрацювали для мене. Хоча історія написана так, що якби не позначка часу, це могло й відбутися зараз. Короткі розділи допомагають читати швидко, і події з точки зору різних персонажів допомагають бачити картину загалом.
Я б почитала ще щось у такому стилі однозначно :)
Це звичайно детектив з хорошою розвʼязкою і особисто для мене з дуже приємними персонажами. Чи то справа в перекладі чи написанні, але ця книжка для мене про «comfort read», бо вона наче лилася, а не читалася.
Описи Ісландії, атмосфери життя у 80-х дуже гарно спрацювали для мене. Хоча історія написана так, що якби не позначка часу, це могло й відбутися зараз. Короткі розділи допомагають читати швидко, і події з точки зору різних персонажів допомагають бачити картину загалом.
Я б почитала ще щось у такому стилі однозначно :)
February 27, 2024
Не знаю чому я така добра, але це максимум 3,5.
Дуже гарний вайб північних детективів, але сама детективна лінія доволі незграбна.
Єдиний твіст відбувається всередині книги, а далі незрозумілі дії, сюжетні ходи і слабенький фінал.
Але читати було безумовно приємно
Дуже гарний вайб північних детективів, але сама детективна лінія доволі незграбна.
Єдиний твіст відбувається всередині книги, а далі незрозумілі дії, сюжетні ходи і слабенький фінал.
Але читати було безумовно приємно
February 13, 2025
Якийсь детектив без детективу. Першу половину книги ходили, балакали. Другу половину книги все те саме по колу. А в кінці, вбивця - садівник. Прийміть смиренно 🤷♂️
December 2, 2023
I finished this today and learned a few things about Iceland which is a fascinating country. There are lots of clues so you can solve the murder mystery but it didn't help me as I was totally baffled. I was so sorry that the journalist got killed also as he discovered critical clues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2024
As a huge fan of Nordic Noir master Jo Nesbo (of Harry Hole fame), I was excited to read Ragnar Jonasson’s missing person mystery, “Reykjavik.”
This story centers around the 1956 disappearance of a 14-year-old girl, Lara, from her job as a live-in housekeeper on an isolated island across the sound from mainland Reykjavik at the home of a wealthy couple.
The couple claim to know nothing about what happened to the young woman. How is this possible? Did Lara drown trying to escape back home? Did she go hiking and get lost? Did they kill her? Did one of their guests molest and murder her? Someone knows something, but no one is talking.
Thirty years later, Lara’s cold case is revisited. What new clues can Icelandic authorities discover about Lara’s alleged vanishing so long after the fact?
This dual-timeline, multi-narration novel left me blah. I would read it for awhile, then pick up another book because “Reykjavik” just didn’t hold my attention for long. Perhaps this novel was lost in translation because I read fabulous things about Jonasson’s writing. Overall, this was a sad two-star novel for me because I had to force myself to finish it.
TheBookMaven graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Ragnar Jonasson, and Publisher Minotaur Books for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.
This story centers around the 1956 disappearance of a 14-year-old girl, Lara, from her job as a live-in housekeeper on an isolated island across the sound from mainland Reykjavik at the home of a wealthy couple.
The couple claim to know nothing about what happened to the young woman. How is this possible? Did Lara drown trying to escape back home? Did she go hiking and get lost? Did they kill her? Did one of their guests molest and murder her? Someone knows something, but no one is talking.
Thirty years later, Lara’s cold case is revisited. What new clues can Icelandic authorities discover about Lara’s alleged vanishing so long after the fact?
This dual-timeline, multi-narration novel left me blah. I would read it for awhile, then pick up another book because “Reykjavik” just didn’t hold my attention for long. Perhaps this novel was lost in translation because I read fabulous things about Jonasson’s writing. Overall, this was a sad two-star novel for me because I had to force myself to finish it.
TheBookMaven graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Ragnar Jonasson, and Publisher Minotaur Books for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.
September 22, 2023
A cold case from the summer of 1956. A young girl who is working as a maid for a couple who are the only inhabitants of this island goes missing and was never found. Intrigued I certainly was . Fast forward to the present and a journalist takes up the mantle of this case but why is he being thwarted at every turn. A gripping read that kept me reading late into the night. Atmospheric, chilling and so much more.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
July 10, 2023
In 1956, fourteen year old Lara gave up her summer job on the island of Videy, Iceland and disappeared. The couple for whom she worked was well connected politically, as well as having some high powered friends. The detective investigating her disappearance was dissuaded from pursuing the case as he would have liked. That haunted him until, on the 30th anniversary of her disappearance, an inquisitive reporter is given a clue and initiates his own dangerous investigation.
In this story, the reader is brought back to the 1980s, the 200th anniversary of Reykjavik and a time before cell phones and internet searches. It is a slow burn; don’t look for fast paced action. Yet, I couldn’t put it down, wanting to find out the solution. I do enjoy Nordic noir and this is a nice addition to that body of literature.
The authors kindly provided a cast of characters in the beginning and a pronunciation guide at the end for all the Icelandic names. I wish I had reviewed the pronunciation guide before reading the book as I realized some of the inflections I used were totally wrong!
Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the ARC.
Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/shereadbook...
You can read my other reviews at http://vickieonmarco.blogspot.
In this story, the reader is brought back to the 1980s, the 200th anniversary of Reykjavik and a time before cell phones and internet searches. It is a slow burn; don’t look for fast paced action. Yet, I couldn’t put it down, wanting to find out the solution. I do enjoy Nordic noir and this is a nice addition to that body of literature.
The authors kindly provided a cast of characters in the beginning and a pronunciation guide at the end for all the Icelandic names. I wish I had reviewed the pronunciation guide before reading the book as I realized some of the inflections I used were totally wrong!
Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the ARC.
Follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/shereadbook...
You can read my other reviews at http://vickieonmarco.blogspot.
September 7, 2023
*** Happy Pub Day ***
I always enjoy Ragnar Jonasson's books but this collaboration with Katrin Jakobsdottir is outstanding! Good story and excellent writing and pacing. It hooked from the start.
in 1956, fifteen-year-old Lara, who had been working for a couple on an unoccupied island near Reykjavik, vanishes without a trace after telling the couple she was going home. In the close-knit country of Iceland, this is a mystery that grips the country for years to come.
In 1986, on the thirtieth anniversary of her disappearance, journalist Valur Robertsson was assigned to rehash the case to see if he can find any new clues. What he finds not only sheds light on what happened to Lara but puts his own life in jeopardy.
This is an engaging story with an interesting cast of characters. The mystery of what happened to Lara not only gripped the citizens of Iceland but this reader as well. Just when I thought I'd figured out what happened to her, a new twist appeared that sent me off down another line of thought. If you like a good mystery, I highly recommend this book. It's a winner.
I always enjoy Ragnar Jonasson's books but this collaboration with Katrin Jakobsdottir is outstanding! Good story and excellent writing and pacing. It hooked from the start.
in 1956, fifteen-year-old Lara, who had been working for a couple on an unoccupied island near Reykjavik, vanishes without a trace after telling the couple she was going home. In the close-knit country of Iceland, this is a mystery that grips the country for years to come.
In 1986, on the thirtieth anniversary of her disappearance, journalist Valur Robertsson was assigned to rehash the case to see if he can find any new clues. What he finds not only sheds light on what happened to Lara but puts his own life in jeopardy.
This is an engaging story with an interesting cast of characters. The mystery of what happened to Lara not only gripped the citizens of Iceland but this reader as well. Just when I thought I'd figured out what happened to her, a new twist appeared that sent me off down another line of thought. If you like a good mystery, I highly recommend this book. It's a winner.
June 1, 2024
надзвичайно нудна книжка, яку я мучила до середини, а потім мені набридло, тож прогортала у кінець, дізналась всі відповіді(не надто вражаюча розв'язка, до речі) і видихнула з полегшення, що зробила правильний вибір і не буду на неї час витрачати.
February 6, 2024
This is set in 1956 on an island called Videy off the coast of Reykjavik a cooled empty island with only two other people a 15y old girl called Lara disappeared, now it's 1986 and it's the big birthday party for Reykjavik birthday that is 200 years.
But still in the back ground is Lara now 30 years old mystery that must be solved by local reporter Valur and his sister Sunna the literature student who loves coffee.
This dark book is full of twists with brilliant ending which I refused to say about except it's not what I thought at all.
But still in the back ground is Lara now 30 years old mystery that must be solved by local reporter Valur and his sister Sunna the literature student who loves coffee.
This dark book is full of twists with brilliant ending which I refused to say about except it's not what I thought at all.
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