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An Áróra Investigation #5
Black as Death (Volume 5)
When the chief suspect in the disappearance of Á ró ra' s sister is found dead, and Á ró ra' s new financial investigation leads to the street where her sister was last scene, she is drawn into a shocking case that threatens everything ... The chilling, twisty, award-winning series continues...
When the fate of Á ró ra' s missing sister, Isafold, is discovered, Á ró ra is relieved that she can halt a search that has taken over her life, even if the mystery remains unsolved. But when Isafold' s boyfriend – chief suspect in her disappearance – is found dead in the same place that Isafold' s body was found, Á ró ra begins to lose her grip on reality.
To distract herself, she dives headfirst into a money-laundering case that her friend Daní el is investigating. But she finds that there is more than meets the eye, and once again, all leads point towards Engihjalli, the street where Isafold lived and died, and a series of shocking secrets that could explain and endanger everything...
Atmospheric, dark and chilling, Black as Death is the much-anticipated finale to the addictive, twisty An Á ró ra Investigation series, as Á ró ra and her friends search for answers that may take them to places even darker than death...
When the fate of Á ró ra' s missing sister, Isafold, is discovered, Á ró ra is relieved that she can halt a search that has taken over her life, even if the mystery remains unsolved. But when Isafold' s boyfriend – chief suspect in her disappearance – is found dead in the same place that Isafold' s body was found, Á ró ra begins to lose her grip on reality.
To distract herself, she dives headfirst into a money-laundering case that her friend Daní el is investigating. But she finds that there is more than meets the eye, and once again, all leads point towards Engihjalli, the street where Isafold lived and died, and a series of shocking secrets that could explain and endanger everything...
Atmospheric, dark and chilling, Black as Death is the much-anticipated finale to the addictive, twisty An Á ró ra Investigation series, as Á ró ra and her friends search for answers that may take them to places even darker than death...
300 pages, Paperback
Published January 23, 2026
About the author
Lilja Sigurðardóttir
31 books459 followersLilja´s newest book, Netið ((Tangle) was published by Forlagid publishing in October 2016 and is the second book in the Reykjavík Noir Trilogy.
Lilja started her writing career in 2008 when she sent a manuscript of a novel to a competition run by the publishing house Bjartur whose aim was to find the Icelandic Dan Brown. Lilja got a publishing deal out of the competition and in 2009 her first book, the crime novel Spor (Steps), came out, which she wrote in her spare time. Her second book, Fyrirgefning (Foregiveness) was published a year later but after that Lilja wrote mostly for theatre for the coming years. She won the Icelandic Theatre Awards for Best Play of the Year in 2014 for her staged debut Stóru börnin (Big Babies). But in 2015 she started a new crime series with Icelands biggest publisher Forlagid. The series has been called The Reykjavík Noir Trilogy, and the first book in series, Gildran (Snare) became an instant success.
Lilja started her writing career in 2008 when she sent a manuscript of a novel to a competition run by the publishing house Bjartur whose aim was to find the Icelandic Dan Brown. Lilja got a publishing deal out of the competition and in 2009 her first book, the crime novel Spor (Steps), came out, which she wrote in her spare time. Her second book, Fyrirgefning (Foregiveness) was published a year later but after that Lilja wrote mostly for theatre for the coming years. She won the Icelandic Theatre Awards for Best Play of the Year in 2014 for her staged debut Stóru börnin (Big Babies). But in 2015 she started a new crime series with Icelands biggest publisher Forlagid. The series has been called The Reykjavík Noir Trilogy, and the first book in series, Gildran (Snare) became an instant success.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 30, 2026
Finished reading: April 30th 2026
“She needed to convey to someone she trusted how utterly alone a person is in the face of violence. How the pain of the blows almost pales in comparison to theaching loneliness that fills one's whole being.”
REVIEW
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October 31, 2025The Áróra Investigation series has been wonderful, each book has been something to look forward to over the past five years and whilst I was eager to read the latest, it has been quite a sad experience too. It's always difficult to say goodbye to characters that one loves.
Lilja Sigurðardóttir’s Black as Death delivers a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion to the Áróra Investigation series; five books that have explored the murky underbelly of Icelandic crime, but also obsession and loss. Atmospheric and taut, this final story combines classic Nordic noir with a very clever character-driven mystery.
At the heart of the novel is Áróra, still reeling from the devastating truth about her missing sister Ísafold. The discovery of what really happened should bring closure, but instead it leaves Áróra devastated.
Áróra throws herself into a financial crime case with her partner, Daníel, a money-laundering scheme that proves to be anything but straightforward. As the threads of corruption, betrayal, and violence begin to intertwine, the novel takes the reader back to Engihjalli, the street in Reykjavík that has seen so many secrets. The setting is described excellently and almost becomes a character in its own right.
The author's prose is tight and so well developed, every detail is needed, nothing is gratuitous. Iceland’s landscape; all dark waters, brittle ice, and little light. Yet amid the bleakness, there are glimmers of connection and hope.
Black as Death balances two intertwined mysteries: one deeply personal, the other procedural and financial. The pacing is deliberate, building tension throughout. The use of flashbacks, told in the voice of Ísafold is brilliant, giving the reader the opportunity to feel that they know her more personally.
While it can be read as a standalone, the novel’s full emotional impact comes from having followed Áróra’s journey across the series.
Black as Death is an elegant, haunting, and deeply satisfying conclusion to Lilja Sigurðardóttir’s series. It’s a crime novel that understands grief as intimately as it understands deception — and it leaves you with the uneasy sense that some mysteries, especially those of the heart, can never be fully solved.
Lilja Sigurðardóttir’s Black as Death delivers a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion to the Áróra Investigation series; five books that have explored the murky underbelly of Icelandic crime, but also obsession and loss. Atmospheric and taut, this final story combines classic Nordic noir with a very clever character-driven mystery.
At the heart of the novel is Áróra, still reeling from the devastating truth about her missing sister Ísafold. The discovery of what really happened should bring closure, but instead it leaves Áróra devastated.
Áróra throws herself into a financial crime case with her partner, Daníel, a money-laundering scheme that proves to be anything but straightforward. As the threads of corruption, betrayal, and violence begin to intertwine, the novel takes the reader back to Engihjalli, the street in Reykjavík that has seen so many secrets. The setting is described excellently and almost becomes a character in its own right.
The author's prose is tight and so well developed, every detail is needed, nothing is gratuitous. Iceland’s landscape; all dark waters, brittle ice, and little light. Yet amid the bleakness, there are glimmers of connection and hope.
Black as Death balances two intertwined mysteries: one deeply personal, the other procedural and financial. The pacing is deliberate, building tension throughout. The use of flashbacks, told in the voice of Ísafold is brilliant, giving the reader the opportunity to feel that they know her more personally.
While it can be read as a standalone, the novel’s full emotional impact comes from having followed Áróra’s journey across the series.
Black as Death is an elegant, haunting, and deeply satisfying conclusion to Lilja Sigurðardóttir’s series. It’s a crime novel that understands grief as intimately as it understands deception — and it leaves you with the uneasy sense that some mysteries, especially those of the heart, can never be fully solved.
October 30, 2025
I was pleased to be invited to read another novel in the Cousins of Pemberley series, as I have enjoyed some of the previous novels in the series. Flora can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, but having missed a few of the more recent instalments, I did find it a little confusing to keep up with the family tree, so I would recommend reading them in order.
Linda O'Byrne is very respectful of Jane Austen's style of writing, and this allows the reader to be transported to the nineteenth century society about which she is writing. She writes about some issues in society that would have been controversial in Austen's society and it is interesting to see how the characters react to this, especially those with whom we are already familiar from Austen's original novel.
As the title suggests, the focus of this story is Flora, the daughter of Darcy's sister, Georgiana. I loved getting to know her, and I really loved her outspoken personality, even though it made her unpopular with those around her. She's also very kind and caring and she's very easy to warm to as the story gathers pace.
Flora is a relatively short novel, but there's certainly a lot going on to keep the reader engaged. It's fairly easy to spot the direction in which the story is going but there are still a few surprises along the way!
Linda O'Byrne is very respectful of Jane Austen's style of writing, and this allows the reader to be transported to the nineteenth century society about which she is writing. She writes about some issues in society that would have been controversial in Austen's society and it is interesting to see how the characters react to this, especially those with whom we are already familiar from Austen's original novel.
As the title suggests, the focus of this story is Flora, the daughter of Darcy's sister, Georgiana. I loved getting to know her, and I really loved her outspoken personality, even though it made her unpopular with those around her. She's also very kind and caring and she's very easy to warm to as the story gathers pace.
Flora is a relatively short novel, but there's certainly a lot going on to keep the reader engaged. It's fairly easy to spot the direction in which the story is going but there are still a few surprises along the way!
February 25, 2025
Sopiva päätös sarjalle. Edelleen suosittelen.
November 22, 2025
Black as Death, Áróra Investigation Series #5 , Lilja Sigurðardóttir, ( translator) Lorenza García / 7.99 iBook 23/10/25. 22/11/2025. 4/5.
What a series this has been. Enjoyed each book and especially how the writer has developed the final storyline wrap ups. Really recommend reading the whole series. Quite interesting characters! If there is a message here, no one chooses who they will love!
“”A chilling Icelandic thriller where the past refuses to stay buried.
When the chief suspect in the disappearance of Áróra's sister is found dead, and Áróra's new financial investigation leads to the street where her sister was last seen, she is drawn into a shocking case that threatens everything. A three-year-old claims she is the reincarnation of Áróra's sister, Ísafold, and knows details of her death that have never been made public. Is it a hoax, or could there be a more sinister explanation?
As Áróra delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies, forcing her to confront her own guilt and the possibility that she never really knew her sister at all. With the help of her boyfriend, Daniel, and her eccentric friend, Lady Gúgúlú, Áróra must unravel the truth before it's too late. But as the lines between the past and present blur, Áróra finds herself in a race against time to save not only herself but also the memory of her sister.
For fans of atmospheric Nordic Noir, complex female leads, and twisty plots.”””
What a series this has been. Enjoyed each book and especially how the writer has developed the final storyline wrap ups. Really recommend reading the whole series. Quite interesting characters! If there is a message here, no one chooses who they will love!
“”A chilling Icelandic thriller where the past refuses to stay buried.
When the chief suspect in the disappearance of Áróra's sister is found dead, and Áróra's new financial investigation leads to the street where her sister was last seen, she is drawn into a shocking case that threatens everything. A three-year-old claims she is the reincarnation of Áróra's sister, Ísafold, and knows details of her death that have never been made public. Is it a hoax, or could there be a more sinister explanation?
As Áróra delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies, forcing her to confront her own guilt and the possibility that she never really knew her sister at all. With the help of her boyfriend, Daniel, and her eccentric friend, Lady Gúgúlú, Áróra must unravel the truth before it's too late. But as the lines between the past and present blur, Áróra finds herself in a race against time to save not only herself but also the memory of her sister.
For fans of atmospheric Nordic Noir, complex female leads, and twisty plots.”””
November 6, 2025
A sad end to an engrossing series that ties up all loose ends successfully.
The translation was mostly fine though there were a few things off e.g. drive thru hatch instead of just drive thru, nursery school instead of just nursery or even preschool, but I could live with those because of the story.
9781916788848 needs to be merged into this one.
The translation was mostly fine though there were a few things off e.g. drive thru hatch instead of just drive thru, nursery school instead of just nursery or even preschool, but I could live with those because of the story.
9781916788848 needs to be merged into this one.
May 5, 2026
A brilliant ending to this series. Loved the way that everything linked together and the ending was bittersweet but realistic.
The main characters were really easy to invest in and the other characters in each novel were so believable and well-drawn. The horror of domestic abuse was dealt with frighteningly realistically and the sufferer's belief that this was true love was really difficult to read or understand, but shed light on how difficult it is to get out of that situation. The constant fear and erosion of belief and confidence is horrific.
For lots of reasons this was an altogether really amazing series.
The main characters were really easy to invest in and the other characters in each novel were so believable and well-drawn. The horror of domestic abuse was dealt with frighteningly realistically and the sufferer's belief that this was true love was really difficult to read or understand, but shed light on how difficult it is to get out of that situation. The constant fear and erosion of belief and confidence is horrific.
For lots of reasons this was an altogether really amazing series.
November 6, 2025
Breathtaking, emotional, shocking and twisty, Black As Death is the fifth installment and the unforgettable finale in the Árora Investigation series. Set in Iceland, a landscape with a bleak, mournful, sinister and forbidding atmosphere that is echoed in the emotions evoked by this story of love, loss, abuse, fear and murder.
The book opens with Ísafold hiding in the bathroom after another round of abuse from her drug-dealing husband, Bjorn. She considers calling her sister, Árora, but knows she’ll tell her to leave or that there’s nothing she can do as Ísafold always goes back to him. So despite her desperation and loneliness, she decides it isn’t right to bother her sister. Not even as she whispers to herself that she thinks Bjorn will kill her soon.
We then jump forward, to Árora’s point of view. It’s now four years since Ísafold went missing and suspicion fell on Bjorn, the theory being that he killed her and then fled to Canada. But this past spring Ísafold’s body was found in a suitcase deep within a volcanic fissure in a lava field and Bjorn’s body was also located in another suitcase in that same lava field. If Bjorn didn’t kill her sister then who did? Árora’s partner, Daniel, a detective, and his work colleague, Helena, are investigating the murders, but answers aren’t coming quickly enough for Árora.
Running parallel to this, Daniel has discovered a possible money laundering operation that involves a local coffee chain. The shops aren’t busy enough for the amount of money they are taking and the owners have filed numerous complaints of criminal damage and violent acts against them that they later decline to pursue, making Daniel even more suspicious. This is just the kind of case that would benefit from Á́rora’s skills as an investigator and also prove a good distraction for her, so Daniel asks her to help. Arora happily throws herself into the case, it is soon clear that there is more to this case than first thought. And it is dragging her right back to that same street where her sister lived and died…
Darkly atmospheric, tense and heartrending, this was an addictive piece of Nordic noir. And what a finale! Lilja Sigurðardóttir had me in her thrall from start to finish. The story moves between timelines and narrators, the tension rising and the atmosphere getting tauter as the timelines converged and we raced towards an explosive conclusion. There is a lot going on in this book but it is never confusing, even when like me you’ve fallen behind on the series. Sigurðardóttir catches us up with past events and skillfully makes the different voices easily identifiable so that you never lose track of what’s happening. However, it isn't always clear what timeline some of the characters and scenes are taking place in, but that felt deliberate and it heightened the mystery and suspense. I listened to this on audiobook, Sigurðardóttir’s expert storytelling and choreography merging with Lorenza Garcia’s fantastic translation and the compelling narration of Colleen Prendergast to create an utterly riveting and emotional thriller. I was on tenterhooks right up until its conclusion, which doesn’t leave you with the usual feeling of satisfaction you get when a killer is unmasked and the truth is finally revealed. Instead, there was a profound sadness at lives lost and other lives changed forever.
Árora, Daniel and Helen are likeable characters who it was easy to support. They each have different characteristics and skills that merge together to create a formidable crime-fighting team. While they, and all of the characters, are fascinating and layered, it is Árora and Ísafold who stood out as the most complex and memorable characters. Árora’s grief is palpable, as is her guilt at not being able to save her sister, her anger at her killer, and her desperation to find answers and justice. I was rooting for her at every step, praying that she would finally get the answers after years of torment. But I think the character who had the biggest emotional impact on me was Ísafold, and not only because I myself have been in an abusive relationship. Ísafold’s vulnerability, fear and turmoil radiate from the pages. We feel her inner conflict as she is torn between love for Bjorn and knowing she needs to leave, made even harder for her as he uses the classic abusive tactic of lovebombing her after each incident so that she forgives him again. Not only that, but having already isolated her from almost everyone, he cleverly manipulates her into giving up the job she loves to take a job as a carer and then coercing her into stealing pills he can then sell on. The biggest villains, Bjorn and his fearsome boss, Stuler, were skillfully written, made my blood boil and chills run down my spine. I spent the whole book longing for them to get their comeuppance and hoping justice would be served.
If you haven’t read this series, then add it to your TBR now. A must-read for all thriller fans.
The book opens with Ísafold hiding in the bathroom after another round of abuse from her drug-dealing husband, Bjorn. She considers calling her sister, Árora, but knows she’ll tell her to leave or that there’s nothing she can do as Ísafold always goes back to him. So despite her desperation and loneliness, she decides it isn’t right to bother her sister. Not even as she whispers to herself that she thinks Bjorn will kill her soon.
We then jump forward, to Árora’s point of view. It’s now four years since Ísafold went missing and suspicion fell on Bjorn, the theory being that he killed her and then fled to Canada. But this past spring Ísafold’s body was found in a suitcase deep within a volcanic fissure in a lava field and Bjorn’s body was also located in another suitcase in that same lava field. If Bjorn didn’t kill her sister then who did? Árora’s partner, Daniel, a detective, and his work colleague, Helena, are investigating the murders, but answers aren’t coming quickly enough for Árora.
Running parallel to this, Daniel has discovered a possible money laundering operation that involves a local coffee chain. The shops aren’t busy enough for the amount of money they are taking and the owners have filed numerous complaints of criminal damage and violent acts against them that they later decline to pursue, making Daniel even more suspicious. This is just the kind of case that would benefit from Á́rora’s skills as an investigator and also prove a good distraction for her, so Daniel asks her to help. Arora happily throws herself into the case, it is soon clear that there is more to this case than first thought. And it is dragging her right back to that same street where her sister lived and died…
Darkly atmospheric, tense and heartrending, this was an addictive piece of Nordic noir. And what a finale! Lilja Sigurðardóttir had me in her thrall from start to finish. The story moves between timelines and narrators, the tension rising and the atmosphere getting tauter as the timelines converged and we raced towards an explosive conclusion. There is a lot going on in this book but it is never confusing, even when like me you’ve fallen behind on the series. Sigurðardóttir catches us up with past events and skillfully makes the different voices easily identifiable so that you never lose track of what’s happening. However, it isn't always clear what timeline some of the characters and scenes are taking place in, but that felt deliberate and it heightened the mystery and suspense. I listened to this on audiobook, Sigurðardóttir’s expert storytelling and choreography merging with Lorenza Garcia’s fantastic translation and the compelling narration of Colleen Prendergast to create an utterly riveting and emotional thriller. I was on tenterhooks right up until its conclusion, which doesn’t leave you with the usual feeling of satisfaction you get when a killer is unmasked and the truth is finally revealed. Instead, there was a profound sadness at lives lost and other lives changed forever.
Árora, Daniel and Helen are likeable characters who it was easy to support. They each have different characteristics and skills that merge together to create a formidable crime-fighting team. While they, and all of the characters, are fascinating and layered, it is Árora and Ísafold who stood out as the most complex and memorable characters. Árora’s grief is palpable, as is her guilt at not being able to save her sister, her anger at her killer, and her desperation to find answers and justice. I was rooting for her at every step, praying that she would finally get the answers after years of torment. But I think the character who had the biggest emotional impact on me was Ísafold, and not only because I myself have been in an abusive relationship. Ísafold’s vulnerability, fear and turmoil radiate from the pages. We feel her inner conflict as she is torn between love for Bjorn and knowing she needs to leave, made even harder for her as he uses the classic abusive tactic of lovebombing her after each incident so that she forgives him again. Not only that, but having already isolated her from almost everyone, he cleverly manipulates her into giving up the job she loves to take a job as a carer and then coercing her into stealing pills he can then sell on. The biggest villains, Bjorn and his fearsome boss, Stuler, were skillfully written, made my blood boil and chills run down my spine. I spent the whole book longing for them to get their comeuppance and hoping justice would be served.
If you haven’t read this series, then add it to your TBR now. A must-read for all thriller fans.
October 31, 2025
Arora is feeling lost since the grisly discovery of her sister's body. The search for Isafold has consumed her life for the past few years, and now her theory that Isafold was murdered by her violent boyfriend, Bjorn, has been shown to be false, she does not know how to move on. Who did murder Isafold and Bjorn, and dump their remains in a volcanic fissure - Isafold's disturbingly missing its heart?
To keep herself occupied, Arora uses her investigative skills to help her police detective boyfriend, Daniel, with a financial misconduct case he has been passed from Interpol. But she uncovers a lot more than she expected, when the threads of the case become entangled with those of Isafold and Bjorn's murder inquiry. Arora being Arora, she is determined to get to the truth about her sister's death, even if it means leaping over boundaries she knows she should not cross...
Welcome to the fifth, and final, instalment of the excellent Arora Investigations series. After the dramatic events of book four, Dark as Night, when Arora's search for her sister ended with the discovery of, not one, but two bodies (alongside a cracking storyline for delightful Lady Gúgúlú), I was chomping at the bit to get to the finale - and I have not been disappointed, my Nordic noir loving friends!
Black as Death picks up shortly after the gripping conclusion of Dark as Night, with Arora unsure about how she finds her way back to the vestiges of a normal life. Always fiercely independent, and a loveable loose canon, Arora is not one to stand aside when there are questions to be answered - and as usual, tracking them down gets her into hot water with unsavoury characters.
The story unfurls through several threads - the progress of the police investigation into Isafold and Bjorn's deaths (hello again detective Helena - this time with a new rookie sidekick, Vala); Arora's search for clues and delving into places she should not; ructions in the characters' personal lives (especially Arora and Daniel's relationship); and heart-rending flashbacks from Isafold's perspective in the weeks before she went missing... there is a reappearance of Lady Gúgúlú too, which adds welcome comic relief.
After the relentless thrills of Black as Night, this final story is very much on the slow burn side, which is more in keeping with the series as a whole - although Sigudardottir handles action and sinuous suspense with equal skill. The threads draw together with a feeling of unsettling fascination, and I was totally transfixed as the reveals dropped. The discomfiting atmosphere is bolstered by the solid kick of dread Isafold's narrative brings to the mix, as Sigurdardottir holds nothing back about domestic violence and the hold abusers have over their partners. Meaty themes about outsiders and discrimination echo through the story too (one of her specialities), and there is lots of gritty content about nefarious underworld types for the thrills.
I absorbed this final book in a single sitting, and am very sorry to be leaving this cast of characters behind. Absolutely first class Icelandic crime drama, beautifully translated by Lorenza Garcia!
Arora is feeling lost since the grisly discovery of her sister's body. The search of Isafold has consumed her life for the past few years, and now her theory that Isafold was murdered by her violent boyfriend, Bjorn, has been shown to be false, she does not know how to move on. Who did murder Isafold and Bjorn, and dump their remains in a volcanic fissure - Isafold's disturbingly missing its heart?
To keep herself occupied, Arora uses her investigative skills to help her police detective boyfriend, Daniel, with a financial misconduct case he has been passed from Interpol. But she uncovers a lot more than she expected, when the threads of the case become entangled with those of Isafold and Bjorn's murder inquiry. Arora being Arora, she is determined to get to the truth about her sister's death, even if it means leaping over boundaries she knows she should not cross...
Welcome to the fifth, and final, instalment of the excellent Arora Investigations series. After the dramatic events of book four, Dark as Night, when Arora's search for her sister ended with the discovery of, not one, but two bodies (alongside a cracking storyline for delightful Lady Gúgúlú), I was chomping at the bit to get to the finale - and I have not been disappointed, my Nordic noir loving friends!
Black as Death picks up shortly after the gripping conclusion of Dark as Night, with Arora unsure about how she finds her way back to the vestiges of a normal life. Always fiercely independent, and a loveable loose canon, Arora is not one to stand aside when there are questions to be answered - and as usual, tracking them down gets her into hot water with unsavoury characters.
The story unfurls through several threads - the progress of the police investigation into Isafold and Bjorn's deaths (hello again detective Helena - this time with a new rookie sidekick, Vala); Arora's search for clues and delving into places she should not; ructions in the characters' personal lives (especially Arora and Daniel's relationship); and heart-rending flashbacks from Isafold's perspective in the weeks before she went missing... there is a reappearance of Lady Gúgúlú too, which adds welcome comic relief.
After the relentless thrills of Dark as Night, this final story is very much on the slow burn side, which is more in keeping with the series as a whole - although Sigurdardottir handles action and sinuous suspense with equal skill. The threads draw together with a feeling of unsettling fascination, and I was totally transfixed as the reveals dropped. The discomfiting atmosphere is bolstered by the solid kick of dread Isafold's narrative brings to the mix, as Sigurdardottir holds nothing back about domestic violence and the hold abusers have over their partners. Meaty themes about outsiders and discrimination echo through the story too (one of her specialities), and there is lots of gritty content about nefarious underworld types for the thrills.
I absorbed this final book in a single sitting, and am very sorry to be leaving this cast of characters behind. Absolutely first class Icelandic crime drama, beautifully translated by Lorenza Garcia!
To keep herself occupied, Arora uses her investigative skills to help her police detective boyfriend, Daniel, with a financial misconduct case he has been passed from Interpol. But she uncovers a lot more than she expected, when the threads of the case become entangled with those of Isafold and Bjorn's murder inquiry. Arora being Arora, she is determined to get to the truth about her sister's death, even if it means leaping over boundaries she knows she should not cross...
Welcome to the fifth, and final, instalment of the excellent Arora Investigations series. After the dramatic events of book four, Dark as Night, when Arora's search for her sister ended with the discovery of, not one, but two bodies (alongside a cracking storyline for delightful Lady Gúgúlú), I was chomping at the bit to get to the finale - and I have not been disappointed, my Nordic noir loving friends!
Black as Death picks up shortly after the gripping conclusion of Dark as Night, with Arora unsure about how she finds her way back to the vestiges of a normal life. Always fiercely independent, and a loveable loose canon, Arora is not one to stand aside when there are questions to be answered - and as usual, tracking them down gets her into hot water with unsavoury characters.
The story unfurls through several threads - the progress of the police investigation into Isafold and Bjorn's deaths (hello again detective Helena - this time with a new rookie sidekick, Vala); Arora's search for clues and delving into places she should not; ructions in the characters' personal lives (especially Arora and Daniel's relationship); and heart-rending flashbacks from Isafold's perspective in the weeks before she went missing... there is a reappearance of Lady Gúgúlú too, which adds welcome comic relief.
After the relentless thrills of Black as Night, this final story is very much on the slow burn side, which is more in keeping with the series as a whole - although Sigudardottir handles action and sinuous suspense with equal skill. The threads draw together with a feeling of unsettling fascination, and I was totally transfixed as the reveals dropped. The discomfiting atmosphere is bolstered by the solid kick of dread Isafold's narrative brings to the mix, as Sigurdardottir holds nothing back about domestic violence and the hold abusers have over their partners. Meaty themes about outsiders and discrimination echo through the story too (one of her specialities), and there is lots of gritty content about nefarious underworld types for the thrills.
I absorbed this final book in a single sitting, and am very sorry to be leaving this cast of characters behind. Absolutely first class Icelandic crime drama, beautifully translated by Lorenza Garcia!
Arora is feeling lost since the grisly discovery of her sister's body. The search of Isafold has consumed her life for the past few years, and now her theory that Isafold was murdered by her violent boyfriend, Bjorn, has been shown to be false, she does not know how to move on. Who did murder Isafold and Bjorn, and dump their remains in a volcanic fissure - Isafold's disturbingly missing its heart?
To keep herself occupied, Arora uses her investigative skills to help her police detective boyfriend, Daniel, with a financial misconduct case he has been passed from Interpol. But she uncovers a lot more than she expected, when the threads of the case become entangled with those of Isafold and Bjorn's murder inquiry. Arora being Arora, she is determined to get to the truth about her sister's death, even if it means leaping over boundaries she knows she should not cross...
Welcome to the fifth, and final, instalment of the excellent Arora Investigations series. After the dramatic events of book four, Dark as Night, when Arora's search for her sister ended with the discovery of, not one, but two bodies (alongside a cracking storyline for delightful Lady Gúgúlú), I was chomping at the bit to get to the finale - and I have not been disappointed, my Nordic noir loving friends!
Black as Death picks up shortly after the gripping conclusion of Dark as Night, with Arora unsure about how she finds her way back to the vestiges of a normal life. Always fiercely independent, and a loveable loose canon, Arora is not one to stand aside when there are questions to be answered - and as usual, tracking them down gets her into hot water with unsavoury characters.
The story unfurls through several threads - the progress of the police investigation into Isafold and Bjorn's deaths (hello again detective Helena - this time with a new rookie sidekick, Vala); Arora's search for clues and delving into places she should not; ructions in the characters' personal lives (especially Arora and Daniel's relationship); and heart-rending flashbacks from Isafold's perspective in the weeks before she went missing... there is a reappearance of Lady Gúgúlú too, which adds welcome comic relief.
After the relentless thrills of Dark as Night, this final story is very much on the slow burn side, which is more in keeping with the series as a whole - although Sigurdardottir handles action and sinuous suspense with equal skill. The threads draw together with a feeling of unsettling fascination, and I was totally transfixed as the reveals dropped. The discomfiting atmosphere is bolstered by the solid kick of dread Isafold's narrative brings to the mix, as Sigurdardottir holds nothing back about domestic violence and the hold abusers have over their partners. Meaty themes about outsiders and discrimination echo through the story too (one of her specialities), and there is lots of gritty content about nefarious underworld types for the thrills.
I absorbed this final book in a single sitting, and am very sorry to be leaving this cast of characters behind. Absolutely first class Icelandic crime drama, beautifully translated by Lorenza Garcia!
Read
January 26, 2025Tämän dekkarin juoni on jokseenkin epätodellinen ellei absurdi. Juonen kummallisuus toistuu myös edellisessäkin kirjassa kuolonmusta laava. Tarinan henkilöiden ristiriitaisuus ja pinnallisuus alkaa ärsyttämään siinä määrin että tuskin jatkan tämän kirjoittajan tuotannon lukemista.
November 6, 2025
We reach the fifth and final instalment of excellent series and what a journey it has been. The reader has followed Áróra in the search for her missing sister Isafold, taking her from Edinburgh back home to Iceland and becoming reacquainted with another life. This has come at some emotional cost to Áróra, partly due to a sense of guilt as she feels she turned her back on her sister when she needed her most. The desire for answers has burned deep in her heart, her mind will not rest until she discovers them, so her life in Iceland has been lived in a kind of statis. At least she has the developing relationship with Daniel to support her through the darker times.
At the close of the fourth novel, Dark as Night, Isafold’s body had been discovered, so Áróra’s search is over and the police now must track down her murderer. Any thoughts of the series concluding in whimper can be dispelled though, it ends in an almighty crash. At the same location as Isafold’s body is that of Björn, her abusive boyfriend and the chief suspect, so there could be two murderers. Any hope of closure for Áróra is shattered by forensic evidence that the police have withheld from public reporting. This disclosure is both devastating and macabre. Will Áróra ever find the peace of mind she needs?
As there is nothing she can do in the investigation, Áróra throws herself into work, investigation a potential case of money laundering. A simple case on the outside, however, has tentacles that run deep and bring her up against dangerous adversaries.
Áróra has and continues to be a wonderfully engaging central character, determined, sharp and incisive but also flawed. She has deep seated feelings of guilt and regret to deal with. Having grown tired of returning to Iceland to support Isafold after another severe beating from Björn, she decides that there is no more she can do, she will never leave him.
This story becomes Isafold’s story, of her final weeks and days. These are told by a series of regular flashbacks as the current day murder and money laundering investigations progress. Sad and troubling, they recount the life of an abused woman under coercive control and emotionally manipulated. Self-delusion takes over such that even when given the opportunity to leave (as supported by Áróra) she feels compelled to stay held by Stockholm Syndrome, to believe things will improve. This is raw, emotional and convincingly written and it times difficult to read. Her murder is unexpected and shocking and is followed by a touch of the metaphysical that feels right and fitting.
Money laundering is happening all around us, and what occurs in the story is entirely believable, like much of it being hidden in plain sight. The more people look objectively around them the more they will be aware of the potential, though obtaining the proof is more difficult. Money laundering doesn’t appear to get the headlines, perhaps because without a direct and obvious victim it almost appears victimless. Here it is tied into organised, cash generating crime that plagues our town and cities with very real victims.
The motivations for the murders are surprisingly banal, but in a series driven by righteous intentions it feels entirely fitting. All murder is senseless, none more so that Isafold’s which is tragic, whilst many will believe Björn merely got what he was due.
There is less of the magnificent Icelandic scenery this time, though it does retain its unique flavour. There is a return of Daniel’s friend and lodger the drag queen Lady Gúgúlú to bring a few light-hearted moments, but only a cameo. This I thought nicely judged, the drag queen schtick is becoming a bit passe but moreover this is Isafold’s epitaph, and its power shouldn’t be diluted.
This is a fabulous and fitting end to a series, one that feels conclusive and timely.
At the close of the fourth novel, Dark as Night, Isafold’s body had been discovered, so Áróra’s search is over and the police now must track down her murderer. Any thoughts of the series concluding in whimper can be dispelled though, it ends in an almighty crash. At the same location as Isafold’s body is that of Björn, her abusive boyfriend and the chief suspect, so there could be two murderers. Any hope of closure for Áróra is shattered by forensic evidence that the police have withheld from public reporting. This disclosure is both devastating and macabre. Will Áróra ever find the peace of mind she needs?
As there is nothing she can do in the investigation, Áróra throws herself into work, investigation a potential case of money laundering. A simple case on the outside, however, has tentacles that run deep and bring her up against dangerous adversaries.
Áróra has and continues to be a wonderfully engaging central character, determined, sharp and incisive but also flawed. She has deep seated feelings of guilt and regret to deal with. Having grown tired of returning to Iceland to support Isafold after another severe beating from Björn, she decides that there is no more she can do, she will never leave him.
This story becomes Isafold’s story, of her final weeks and days. These are told by a series of regular flashbacks as the current day murder and money laundering investigations progress. Sad and troubling, they recount the life of an abused woman under coercive control and emotionally manipulated. Self-delusion takes over such that even when given the opportunity to leave (as supported by Áróra) she feels compelled to stay held by Stockholm Syndrome, to believe things will improve. This is raw, emotional and convincingly written and it times difficult to read. Her murder is unexpected and shocking and is followed by a touch of the metaphysical that feels right and fitting.
Money laundering is happening all around us, and what occurs in the story is entirely believable, like much of it being hidden in plain sight. The more people look objectively around them the more they will be aware of the potential, though obtaining the proof is more difficult. Money laundering doesn’t appear to get the headlines, perhaps because without a direct and obvious victim it almost appears victimless. Here it is tied into organised, cash generating crime that plagues our town and cities with very real victims.
The motivations for the murders are surprisingly banal, but in a series driven by righteous intentions it feels entirely fitting. All murder is senseless, none more so that Isafold’s which is tragic, whilst many will believe Björn merely got what he was due.
There is less of the magnificent Icelandic scenery this time, though it does retain its unique flavour. There is a return of Daniel’s friend and lodger the drag queen Lady Gúgúlú to bring a few light-hearted moments, but only a cameo. This I thought nicely judged, the drag queen schtick is becoming a bit passe but moreover this is Isafold’s epitaph, and its power shouldn’t be diluted.
This is a fabulous and fitting end to a series, one that feels conclusive and timely.
December 27, 2025
Black as Death is the fifth and final book in Lilja Sigurdardóttir's superb An Áróra Investigation series and the series comes full circle as Áróra finally discovers exactly what happened to her sister, Ísafold. Although I've always recommended reading this series in order because the quality of writing and immersive stories deserve no less, it hasn't necessarily been vital to do so. This time, however, I really would encourage you to have read at least the first book, Cold as Hell first in order to really appreciate Lilja Sigurdardóttir's clever plotting which leads to this emotional conclusion to Áróra's heartbreaking search for Ísafold.
The tragic inevitability of Ísafold's fate is felt even more deeply here thanks to the flashback chapters written from her perspective. It's both fascinating and agonising to bear witness to her suffering at the hands of her boyfriend, Björn and Lilja Sigurdardóttir empathetically examines why a woman might stay with her violent abuser. Despite having been conditioned to think of herself as simple-minded by Björn, it is clear that Ísafold was actually a resourceful young woman who desperately clung to the brief moments where she felt loved. She obviously makes the wrong choices here – choices which ultimately resulted in her brutal murder – but while the melancholic weight foreknowledge is distressing, Lilja Sigurdardóttir never blames her for her beatings or her death.
The guilt Áróra feels is equally as well described in Black as Death; after all, she arguably had the opportunity to help her sister but, frustrated by Ísafold's refusal to walk away, she made a decision which has long haunted her. Her anguish is further intensified here when she hears a disturbing update from the investigation into the murder of Ísafold – and of Björn. Her lover, Daniel has been removed from the case but is still close enough to be able to keep her abreast of any updates. He is disheartened to be handed a financial investigation linked to a big international money-laundering operation. The return of the fabulous Lady Gúgúlú brings some much needed light relief both to Daniel and to the storyline. Helena, meanwhile, is still working on Ísafold's murder and is paired with an ambitious new graduate, Vala. As she tries to make some headway by re-questioning some of the people who knew Ísafold best in her final months, she also has to negotiate workplace misogyny as well as complications in her personal life.
Although the mystery of Ísafold and Björn's murders is compulsively intriguing, what really sets this series apart is the rich characterisation. Lilja Sigurdardóttir's beautifully perceptive writing ensures these complicated, flawed individuals are vibrantly, authentically real throughout. A word here, too for Lorenza Garcia's seamless translation which sees the narrative flows effortlessly. In an attempt to distract herself from her constant thoughts of Ísafold, Áróra immerses herself in Daniel's financial case, and this sub-plot is just as satisfyingly perplexing. Eventually, of course, this twisty, emotional rollercoaster reaches its sombre conclusion. We already know there can't be a happy ending of course but there is some resolution and perhaps even a little hope. Black as Death is an outstanding finale to a brilliant series but I hope Lilja Sigurdardóttir will forgive me when I say I'll always keep my fingers crossed for more from at least some of the wonderful characters she has touched my heart with here!
The tragic inevitability of Ísafold's fate is felt even more deeply here thanks to the flashback chapters written from her perspective. It's both fascinating and agonising to bear witness to her suffering at the hands of her boyfriend, Björn and Lilja Sigurdardóttir empathetically examines why a woman might stay with her violent abuser. Despite having been conditioned to think of herself as simple-minded by Björn, it is clear that Ísafold was actually a resourceful young woman who desperately clung to the brief moments where she felt loved. She obviously makes the wrong choices here – choices which ultimately resulted in her brutal murder – but while the melancholic weight foreknowledge is distressing, Lilja Sigurdardóttir never blames her for her beatings or her death.
The guilt Áróra feels is equally as well described in Black as Death; after all, she arguably had the opportunity to help her sister but, frustrated by Ísafold's refusal to walk away, she made a decision which has long haunted her. Her anguish is further intensified here when she hears a disturbing update from the investigation into the murder of Ísafold – and of Björn. Her lover, Daniel has been removed from the case but is still close enough to be able to keep her abreast of any updates. He is disheartened to be handed a financial investigation linked to a big international money-laundering operation. The return of the fabulous Lady Gúgúlú brings some much needed light relief both to Daniel and to the storyline. Helena, meanwhile, is still working on Ísafold's murder and is paired with an ambitious new graduate, Vala. As she tries to make some headway by re-questioning some of the people who knew Ísafold best in her final months, she also has to negotiate workplace misogyny as well as complications in her personal life.
Although the mystery of Ísafold and Björn's murders is compulsively intriguing, what really sets this series apart is the rich characterisation. Lilja Sigurdardóttir's beautifully perceptive writing ensures these complicated, flawed individuals are vibrantly, authentically real throughout. A word here, too for Lorenza Garcia's seamless translation which sees the narrative flows effortlessly. In an attempt to distract herself from her constant thoughts of Ísafold, Áróra immerses herself in Daniel's financial case, and this sub-plot is just as satisfyingly perplexing. Eventually, of course, this twisty, emotional rollercoaster reaches its sombre conclusion. We already know there can't be a happy ending of course but there is some resolution and perhaps even a little hope. Black as Death is an outstanding finale to a brilliant series but I hope Lilja Sigurdardóttir will forgive me when I say I'll always keep my fingers crossed for more from at least some of the wonderful characters she has touched my heart with here!
October 18, 2025
3.5 Stars
This is the fifth installment in the Áróra Investigation series. It is being marketed as the finale since it provides answers to what happened to Áróra’s sister Ísafold.
In the previous book, Dark as Night, Ísafold’s body was discovered as well as that of Björn, the man who was suspected of killing her. Of course the circumstances of her sister’s death continue to haunt Áróra, especially after she learns a detail the police have not made public. As the police continue to investigate the murders, Áróra works on a potential money-laundering case by Kaffikó, an Icelandic coffee chain. It does not take long for the reader to realize that there is a connection between the two cases.
Interspersed throughout the chapters set in the present are flashbacks from Ísafold’s point of view. She describes her life with Björn, her abusive boyfriend. Blinded by love, she finds herself trapped in a life of violence and abuse she chooses not to escape. These sections are very difficult to read because the reader knows her fate. She is offered help and opportunities to escape, but she doesn’t take them, believing that “Everyone had their selfish reasons for everything. Friendship was never just friendship.” It is difficult to comprehend that it takes her so long to see the truth about Björn: “What had been staring her in the face all along, and she’d half chosen to ignore, was now clear as day.” Unfortunately, the situation described is very realistic. Björn exhibits a 3-stage behavioral pattern typical of abusers: a honeymoon phase, tension building, and a violent incident. Then there’s remorse and a promise to change which instills hope.
I know little of the Icelandic justice system but was astonished that a man who admits to a mutilation is set free. Though an investigation continues, he is led to believe only minor charges will result. He knows that “In other countries he would be in prison, on remand, while the police took their time searching for evidence against him.” Is this true? As a Canadian, I was also disturbed to read that photos of people taken when they enter Canada are not used to compare them to their passport photograph but to “’compare them with a list of photographs of wanted people, to check whether the individual is a known terrorist or criminal.’” The CBSA site clearly states that identity confirmation is the purpose of airport photos.
At the end, the circumstances of Ísafold’s death are explained. There is a sense of closure for Áróra because she learns the truth: “for the first time since she received the fateful phone call when her mother told her that her sister had disappeared, Áróra felt able to breathe fully, deep down into the bottom of her lungs, so that the oxygen flowed through her veins, to her muscles and her heart. She was free.”
For the reader, however, the ending is somewhat open-ended. I’ve enjoyed the company of Helena, Sirri, Bisi, and Lady Gúgúlú, but their stories are just dropped. All make an appearance in the novel, but I found myself wanting more. And then, of course, there’s Daníel!?
Those who have followed the series will certainly want to read this book. Those who haven’t should begin with Cold as Hell, and continue with Red as Blood, White as Snow, and Dark as Night before reading Black as Death.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) or substack (https://doreenyakabuski.substack.com/) for over 1,200 of my book reviews.
This is the fifth installment in the Áróra Investigation series. It is being marketed as the finale since it provides answers to what happened to Áróra’s sister Ísafold.
In the previous book, Dark as Night, Ísafold’s body was discovered as well as that of Björn, the man who was suspected of killing her. Of course the circumstances of her sister’s death continue to haunt Áróra, especially after she learns a detail the police have not made public. As the police continue to investigate the murders, Áróra works on a potential money-laundering case by Kaffikó, an Icelandic coffee chain. It does not take long for the reader to realize that there is a connection between the two cases.
Interspersed throughout the chapters set in the present are flashbacks from Ísafold’s point of view. She describes her life with Björn, her abusive boyfriend. Blinded by love, she finds herself trapped in a life of violence and abuse she chooses not to escape. These sections are very difficult to read because the reader knows her fate. She is offered help and opportunities to escape, but she doesn’t take them, believing that “Everyone had their selfish reasons for everything. Friendship was never just friendship.” It is difficult to comprehend that it takes her so long to see the truth about Björn: “What had been staring her in the face all along, and she’d half chosen to ignore, was now clear as day.” Unfortunately, the situation described is very realistic. Björn exhibits a 3-stage behavioral pattern typical of abusers: a honeymoon phase, tension building, and a violent incident. Then there’s remorse and a promise to change which instills hope.
I know little of the Icelandic justice system but was astonished that a man who admits to a mutilation is set free. Though an investigation continues, he is led to believe only minor charges will result. He knows that “In other countries he would be in prison, on remand, while the police took their time searching for evidence against him.” Is this true? As a Canadian, I was also disturbed to read that photos of people taken when they enter Canada are not used to compare them to their passport photograph but to “’compare them with a list of photographs of wanted people, to check whether the individual is a known terrorist or criminal.’” The CBSA site clearly states that identity confirmation is the purpose of airport photos.
At the end, the circumstances of Ísafold’s death are explained. There is a sense of closure for Áróra because she learns the truth: “for the first time since she received the fateful phone call when her mother told her that her sister had disappeared, Áróra felt able to breathe fully, deep down into the bottom of her lungs, so that the oxygen flowed through her veins, to her muscles and her heart. She was free.”
For the reader, however, the ending is somewhat open-ended. I’ve enjoyed the company of Helena, Sirri, Bisi, and Lady Gúgúlú, but their stories are just dropped. All make an appearance in the novel, but I found myself wanting more. And then, of course, there’s Daníel!?
Those who have followed the series will certainly want to read this book. Those who haven’t should begin with Cold as Hell, and continue with Red as Blood, White as Snow, and Dark as Night before reading Black as Death.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) or substack (https://doreenyakabuski.substack.com/) for over 1,200 of my book reviews.
November 4, 2025
Black As Death is Book 5 and the final episode in the Áróra Investigation series. We have followed Áróra as she tries to discover what happened to her sister Ísafold, but we now know that she is dead, her body found in a suitcase inside a fissure on the Reykjanes peninsular. Believing that her boyfriend Björn killed her, it came as a surprise when his body was also found in the same place.
Their relationship was turbulent, Björn regularly beating her up, gaslighting her, and making her believe she was stupid. All the time Björn was dealing in drugs, eventually persuading Ísafold to steal tablets from the residents of the old people’s home where he made her get a job.
We are also introduced to other characters including Sturla, another drug dealer, one of his ‘boys’ called Felix, and the owners of a seemingly successful chain of coffee shops called Kaffiko Ltd. Except that the coffee shops are making too much money compared to their actual trade, and Áróra helps her now boyfriend police officer Daniel to investigate the irregularities. Then there is Grimur, whose strangeness has been discussed in previous books. He is Ísafold’s neighbour and is very protective of her.
The saddest part of the story is when we hear from Ísafold herself, as she tells us about Björn, her fear of being beaten and abused, how she has to hide in the bathroom when he’s been drinking, but how she still loves him. No matter how many times Áróra tells her to leave him, she can’t. Áróra gave up on her a long time ago, Ísafold tells us.
This whole series has been exceptional. There are always exciting stories – the supernatural element in Book 4 was my favourite – at the forefront of the books, but Ísafold’s disappearance simmers away in the background until we get the final resolution in Black As Death.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
Their relationship was turbulent, Björn regularly beating her up, gaslighting her, and making her believe she was stupid. All the time Björn was dealing in drugs, eventually persuading Ísafold to steal tablets from the residents of the old people’s home where he made her get a job.
We are also introduced to other characters including Sturla, another drug dealer, one of his ‘boys’ called Felix, and the owners of a seemingly successful chain of coffee shops called Kaffiko Ltd. Except that the coffee shops are making too much money compared to their actual trade, and Áróra helps her now boyfriend police officer Daniel to investigate the irregularities. Then there is Grimur, whose strangeness has been discussed in previous books. He is Ísafold’s neighbour and is very protective of her.
The saddest part of the story is when we hear from Ísafold herself, as she tells us about Björn, her fear of being beaten and abused, how she has to hide in the bathroom when he’s been drinking, but how she still loves him. No matter how many times Áróra tells her to leave him, she can’t. Áróra gave up on her a long time ago, Ísafold tells us.
This whole series has been exceptional. There are always exciting stories – the supernatural element in Book 4 was my favourite – at the forefront of the books, but Ísafold’s disappearance simmers away in the background until we get the final resolution in Black As Death.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
October 23, 2025
This novel is the final episode in an Icelandic CriFi saga and, as ever, I am late to the party. Long story short, An Áróra’s sister Ísafold was being abused by her partner Björn, and when Ísafold went missing, with her body found much later, it was assumed that Björn was the killer. When his body is then found at the same site, the investigation is blown wide apart. An Áróra is in a relationship with Daníel, a detective, and when he finally reveals the chilling fact that Ísafold’s body has had the heart ripped from it, this grisly twist sets the stage for a thrilling and addictive narrative.
For series newcomers like me it takes a page or three to discover what An Áróra actually does for a living. She is a freelance forensic accountant, employed by various agencies – some government owned, some private – to mine down into the financial affairs of companies who seem to be doing rather too well.
Flashbacks tell us about Ísafold’s relationship with Björn, and they make painful reading, typifying everything we think we know about women who are dependent on abusive boyfriends or husbands. Björn was a minor cog in a drug empire run by a man called Sturla Larsen. Daníel has asked An Áróra to investigate the affairs of a coffee house chain called Kaffikó. They seem small and insignificant compared to the big international players, so why are they making a huge profit? An Áróra learns that Kaffikó have an influential private investor who owns half of the company stock.
It is then ‘answers on a postcard’ time as it appears that someone is using Kaffikó as money laundering scheme, and there are no prizes for anyone making the connection between the two apparently unconnected cases. It is easy to see why the five book series has been an outstanding success. The writing has tremendous pace, and verve, with An Áróra a striking and convincing central character. LIke most English readers my knowledge of the original language is absolute zero, but the translation by Lorenza Garcia seems both fluid and fluent.
My only criticism is that the ending was rather downbeat, but then who I am I to expect happy endings from the Icelandic Noir genre! Black as Death is ingeniously plotted, taut, and, occasionally, very bloodthirsty. It is out today, 23rd October, and published by Orenda Books.
For series newcomers like me it takes a page or three to discover what An Áróra actually does for a living. She is a freelance forensic accountant, employed by various agencies – some government owned, some private – to mine down into the financial affairs of companies who seem to be doing rather too well.
Flashbacks tell us about Ísafold’s relationship with Björn, and they make painful reading, typifying everything we think we know about women who are dependent on abusive boyfriends or husbands. Björn was a minor cog in a drug empire run by a man called Sturla Larsen. Daníel has asked An Áróra to investigate the affairs of a coffee house chain called Kaffikó. They seem small and insignificant compared to the big international players, so why are they making a huge profit? An Áróra learns that Kaffikó have an influential private investor who owns half of the company stock.
It is then ‘answers on a postcard’ time as it appears that someone is using Kaffikó as money laundering scheme, and there are no prizes for anyone making the connection between the two apparently unconnected cases. It is easy to see why the five book series has been an outstanding success. The writing has tremendous pace, and verve, with An Áróra a striking and convincing central character. LIke most English readers my knowledge of the original language is absolute zero, but the translation by Lorenza Garcia seems both fluid and fluent.
My only criticism is that the ending was rather downbeat, but then who I am I to expect happy endings from the Icelandic Noir genre! Black as Death is ingeniously plotted, taut, and, occasionally, very bloodthirsty. It is out today, 23rd October, and published by Orenda Books.
November 7, 2025
My thoughts
This is the last instalment in a suspenseful, heartbreaking series.
All through the series we’ve had a desperate search for a missing sister. And the reason why as well as how.
This was a truly shocking story. It was believable that someone like Bjorn would act as he did.
I have enjoyed this whole series and it shows the way domestic violence works. This is so well written. It shows the drip effect used by abusers and the way victims stop believing in themselves. There are many other elements to the story.
There is guilt, other peoples relationships and the way some people assume others can’t cope with certain facts. I’d suggest that you start at the beginning and work your way through this series. Although it can be read alone, you will get the full picture by reading the whole series. It’s definitely a series I recommend and found unable to put down. It’s realistic relationships will have you hooked. To the point I had to take a few days after reading to decompress after reading as it feels so claustrophobic and real.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
This is the last instalment in a suspenseful, heartbreaking series.
All through the series we’ve had a desperate search for a missing sister. And the reason why as well as how.
This was a truly shocking story. It was believable that someone like Bjorn would act as he did.
I have enjoyed this whole series and it shows the way domestic violence works. This is so well written. It shows the drip effect used by abusers and the way victims stop believing in themselves. There are many other elements to the story.
There is guilt, other peoples relationships and the way some people assume others can’t cope with certain facts. I’d suggest that you start at the beginning and work your way through this series. Although it can be read alone, you will get the full picture by reading the whole series. It’s definitely a series I recommend and found unable to put down. It’s realistic relationships will have you hooked. To the point I had to take a few days after reading to decompress after reading as it feels so claustrophobic and real.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
October 24, 2025
‘Black as Death’ is the stunning finale to the ‘Áróra Mysteries’ and it was a poignant, difficult read, that is both shocking and beautiful simultaneously. This is the culmination of the previous four books and you really would benefit from reading them to fully understand the plot and the characters. ‘Black as Death’ brings us full circle to ‘Cold as Hell’ with Áróra trying to solve what has happened to her sister Ísafold. It is the perfect end to this series!
This is a tale of two sisters and we finally get to see the story from Ísafold’s perspective. We know what the inevitable conclusion is going to be…her death, but the slow, horrific crawl through her last days is painful to read. She is a woman who still loves her abuser. A man who emotionally and physically abuses her, but yet she believes he will still change and become the man he was when they first met. The narrative from her POV was harrowing and extremely difficult for me personally to read.
I like Áróra had to make the decision to ‘give up’ on my sister who was in the same situation. Thankfully, she is still here but there are times I check to see if she is still alive. The grief that Lilja has poured into this book is authentic, raw and utterly believable. As she is being kept away from the investigation into her sister, she throws herself into a money laundering case, mainly as a distraction tactic. After she provides the information needed by Daniel, she should stop and let the authorities carry on. But Áróra carries on, needling her way down to the truth and puts herself in danger.
This is a dark book, full of evil and scenes that are shocking and provocative. But this is a dark tale and one that the author has woven beautifully. As a reader, you instantly become engrossed in these characters’ stories and lives. I am going to miss being a part of this world. Did I hope for a different ending, maybe, but that is the eternal optimist in me? But this was the right ending, one that leaves the possibility that we might one day return, but alas, I think this is it.
February 22, 2025
Islantilaisen Lilja Sigurdardóttirin Sysimusta kuilu on viides osa Áróran tutkimuksia-dekkarisarjassa. Kirjan tapahtumat sijoittuivat Reykjavikiin, missä Áróra asui, ja missä hänen miesystävänsä Daniel oli poliisina. Áróra tuli alunperin Islantiin Englannista, sillä hänen siskonsa oli kadonnut. Aróra oli varma, että siskon mies Björn oli tappanut hänet. Sitten katosi Björn. Edellisessä kirjassa heidät molemmat löydettiin.
Lilja Sigurdardóttirin dekkari Sysimusta kuilu kertoi päähenkilön sisaren tarinan ja päätti samalla viisiosaisen dekkarisarjan. Kirjan sivuilla juotiin paljon kahvia ja setvittiin huumemaailman ikävyyksiä. Tiivistunnelmainen dekkari, jossa pääosa on lähisuhdeväkivallalla. Ei sovi herkemmille lukijoille.
Lilja Sigurdardóttirin dekkari Sysimusta kuilu kertoi päähenkilön sisaren tarinan ja päätti samalla viisiosaisen dekkarisarjan. Kirjan sivuilla juotiin paljon kahvia ja setvittiin huumemaailman ikävyyksiä. Tiivistunnelmainen dekkari, jossa pääosa on lähisuhdeväkivallalla. Ei sovi herkemmille lukijoille.
October 19, 2025
It is hard to believe that we are now at the end of the An Áróra Investigation series, but Black as Death pulls all the loose strands together in an epic finale as Áróra finally finds out what happened to her murdered sister, Ísafold. Lilja Sigurðardóttir is an expert at leaving her books on a cliffhanger, which has always made me desperate to read the next book in this series as soon as possible. After the ending of the last book, I couldn’t wait to read Black as Death. Over the course of this series, we have felt the pain Áróra and her family have gone through following the strange disappearance of her sister years earlier. Like Áróra, I have been desperate to find out the truth myself, and now it seems that the truth might be far darker than Áróra ever imagined.
There are some shocking revelations about Ísafold’s disappearance which come to light at the start of this book. These shake Áróra to her core, and I did wonder, if perhaps, if it was safer for her not to know what happened. But like many people who have friends or relatives I also really liked that we get to hear from Ísafold’s point of view, which is something we’ve not seen before in this series. This really added depth to the relationship between each sister, and hearing from Ísafold’s point of view, makes this book even more heartbreaking. I could see just how vulnerable Ísafold was in these scenes, and the tension really picks up when she is with her partner. Ísafold is torn between her feelings for him and for her own safety, which is something that frustrates Áróra at the time, who is desperate for Ísafold to leave him.
Áróra’s relationship with her partner, Daníel, is one of the real strengths of this book and this series as a whole. Although there is some tension between them at the start of the book, I could really understand why Áróra was behaving like this. She is a character who has been through so much, and it’s what made me really care about her.
Black as Death is a brilliant final instalment to this series, and I am sure the characters will live long in the minds of readers after they have turned the final page. If you have not yet read this series, you are really missing out.
There are some shocking revelations about Ísafold’s disappearance which come to light at the start of this book. These shake Áróra to her core, and I did wonder, if perhaps, if it was safer for her not to know what happened. But like many people who have friends or relatives I also really liked that we get to hear from Ísafold’s point of view, which is something we’ve not seen before in this series. This really added depth to the relationship between each sister, and hearing from Ísafold’s point of view, makes this book even more heartbreaking. I could see just how vulnerable Ísafold was in these scenes, and the tension really picks up when she is with her partner. Ísafold is torn between her feelings for him and for her own safety, which is something that frustrates Áróra at the time, who is desperate for Ísafold to leave him.
Áróra’s relationship with her partner, Daníel, is one of the real strengths of this book and this series as a whole. Although there is some tension between them at the start of the book, I could really understand why Áróra was behaving like this. She is a character who has been through so much, and it’s what made me really care about her.
Black as Death is a brilliant final instalment to this series, and I am sure the characters will live long in the minds of readers after they have turned the final page. If you have not yet read this series, you are really missing out.
October 22, 2025
This is the fifth (and the last) book in Áróra Investigation Series. It can be read as standalone, but I urge you to read the previous books in this series to get a feel for the characters and their motivations.
Throughout the series, Áróra has been searching for her missing sister, Ísafold. In Dark as Night, the fourth book, Ísafold’s body has been found and the action of Black as Death follows from that event.
It is fair to say that Áróra blames herself for her sister’s disappearance. Ísafold was in an abusive relationship with Björn, a low-level drug dealer, and many times she’s called for her sister’s help. Áróra always encouraged Ísafold to leave Björn, a plea that has always fallen on deaf ears. As you may imagine, this infuriated Áróra, and as a result, she would make quip remarks about the situation, and in the end Ísafold stopped calling her sister.
In this book, Áróra is grieving and she’s bereft about the whole situation. She has always suspected that Björn killed Ísafold and then left the country. However, his body is found near Ísafold’s and to top it all off, she receives some shocking post-mortem results from her sister’s autopsy (no spoilers here!).
Áróra begins her own investigation into her sister’s death, but she also helps her boyfriend, Daníel, who is looking into a chain of “too” successful coffee shops. He suspects money laundering, and Áróra offers her services to take her mind off her sister’s case.
That’s all I will say about the plot of this book. I found it gripping and captivating from the beginning to the end. I am truly sorry that it’s the final book in this series. I just love Áróra as a character.
This book contains some shocking scenes of domestic violence and coercive control. I truly felt for Ísafold, as she’s found herself in a vicious circle. Björn’s hold over Ísafold resulted in her believing that she wasn’t worthy of anyone else.
I definitely recommend this book and the whole series.
Throughout the series, Áróra has been searching for her missing sister, Ísafold. In Dark as Night, the fourth book, Ísafold’s body has been found and the action of Black as Death follows from that event.
It is fair to say that Áróra blames herself for her sister’s disappearance. Ísafold was in an abusive relationship with Björn, a low-level drug dealer, and many times she’s called for her sister’s help. Áróra always encouraged Ísafold to leave Björn, a plea that has always fallen on deaf ears. As you may imagine, this infuriated Áróra, and as a result, she would make quip remarks about the situation, and in the end Ísafold stopped calling her sister.
In this book, Áróra is grieving and she’s bereft about the whole situation. She has always suspected that Björn killed Ísafold and then left the country. However, his body is found near Ísafold’s and to top it all off, she receives some shocking post-mortem results from her sister’s autopsy (no spoilers here!).
Áróra begins her own investigation into her sister’s death, but she also helps her boyfriend, Daníel, who is looking into a chain of “too” successful coffee shops. He suspects money laundering, and Áróra offers her services to take her mind off her sister’s case.
That’s all I will say about the plot of this book. I found it gripping and captivating from the beginning to the end. I am truly sorry that it’s the final book in this series. I just love Áróra as a character.
This book contains some shocking scenes of domestic violence and coercive control. I truly felt for Ísafold, as she’s found herself in a vicious circle. Björn’s hold over Ísafold resulted in her believing that she wasn’t worthy of anyone else.
I definitely recommend this book and the whole series.
January 22, 2026
I didn't realize that this was book #5 - so spoiler alert for the other books in the series. Arora is a freelance financial forensic analyzer. She's dating a man on the police force. And her sister's body has been found along with her partner's body - now to figure out what happened. The story bounces between the sister's narrative and Arora's experiences as she tries to figure out what happened. This is dark and violent. Well written and when I have time, I might return to this author and the series.
December 6, 2025
This is storytelling at its finest and is no less than we have come to expect from Lilja Sigurdardóttir’s wonderful books.
I will sorely miss this series but look forward to whatever comes next from this wonderful author.
Beautifully translated by Lorenza Garcia. Where would we be if wonderful publishers with such excellent translators didn’t exist? We would be missing out on some of the best stories in the world and what a tragedy that would be.
I will sorely miss this series but look forward to whatever comes next from this wonderful author.
Beautifully translated by Lorenza Garcia. Where would we be if wonderful publishers with such excellent translators didn’t exist? We would be missing out on some of the best stories in the world and what a tragedy that would be.
May 30, 2025
Sarjan päätösosa oli ehkä vähän yllätyksetön, mutta sitoi hyvin aiemmat tapahtumat yhteen. Lähisuhdeväkivalta oli aika suuressa osassa ja teki kirjan tunnelman raskaaksi, vaikka oli sinänsä hyvä, että tässä osassa palattiin edellisen kirjan "henkimaailmasta" lähemmäs realiteettejä. Kokonaisuudessaan hyvä sarja, jonka suosittelen lukemaan kirjojen ilmestymisjärjestyksessä.
December 18, 2025
Just an average read, a bit of a disappointment. I am not fond of books that have every other chapter a different time frame. The ending left a lot of unanswered questions and considering that this is the final book in this series we will never know if Daniel and Aroua have broken their relationship for good.
February 25, 2026
Sysimusta kuilu liikkuu synkissä sävyissä ja moraalisesti harmaalla alueella. Teos lupaa paljon: petoksia, vallankäyttöä, kylmää pohjoista miljöötä ja monimutkaisia ihmissuhteita. Lopputulos on kuitenkin hieman epätasainen kokonaisuus, joka jää hyvistä aineksistaan huolimatta keskinkertaiseksi. Juonessa käsitellään talousrikollisuutta, petosta ja henkilökohtaisia salaisuuksia, jotka kietoutuvat toisiinsa vähitellen. Ongelmaksi muodostuu kuitenkin rytmitys. Paikoin tarina junnaa, ja osa käänteistä tuntuu ennalta arvattavilta. Vaikka asetelma on kiinnostava, se ei täysin lunasta lupaustaan yllätyksellisyydestä. Hyvä perusdekkari, joka tarjoaa lukukokemuksen, mutta ei jää pitkäksi aikaa mieleen.
January 19, 2025
Helmet-lukuhaaste 2025 42. Kirjan päähenkilö tekee huonoja valintoja
February 27, 2025
Sarjan viimeinen osa oli parempi kuin edeltävä neljäs osa, ei mennyt ihan niin paljon henkimaailman hommiksi.
March 10, 2025
It’s a bit bittersweet to say goodbye to a consistently high-quality and intriguing crime series.
In the final book of the series, the mystery of Arora’s missing sister is solved.
In the final book of the series, the mystery of Arora’s missing sister is solved.
April 18, 2025
Hieno päätös hyvälle sarjalle
August 6, 2025
5-osaisen sarjan päätös. Vähän laimea. Totuus paljastuu takaumien kautta. Kuolleet eivät oikeasti voi kertoa eivätkä muistella. Se on halpa ratkaisu.
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