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Helgi Trilogy #3
The Body in the Bath
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26From the author of The Mysterious Case of The Missing Crime Writer comes the next mystery featuring detective Helgi Reykdal.
When Bergþóra Úlfsdóttir, Helgi’s ex-girlfriend, is found dead in her home just before Christmas, Helgi is brought onto the case—but this time, he’s a suspect of her murder, given his complicated relationship with Bergþóra. The timing is just before her own death, Bergþóra fatally hit Helgi’s new girlfriend, Anita, with her car, ruining the future he’d hoped to build with her.
Meanwhile, Helgi has also been looking into the disappearance of Hulda Hermannsdóttir; the woman who’d held his office before him supposedly died of suicide but Helgi remains unconvinced. As he digs into this old case, it begins to seem as though Hulda’s disappearance has more layers—layers that draw connections between Bergþóra’s and Anita’s deaths and Hulda’s disappearance.
When Bergþóra Úlfsdóttir, Helgi’s ex-girlfriend, is found dead in her home just before Christmas, Helgi is brought onto the case—but this time, he’s a suspect of her murder, given his complicated relationship with Bergþóra. The timing is just before her own death, Bergþóra fatally hit Helgi’s new girlfriend, Anita, with her car, ruining the future he’d hoped to build with her.
Meanwhile, Helgi has also been looking into the disappearance of Hulda Hermannsdóttir; the woman who’d held his office before him supposedly died of suicide but Helgi remains unconvinced. As he digs into this old case, it begins to seem as though Hulda’s disappearance has more layers—layers that draw connections between Bergþóra’s and Anita’s deaths and Hulda’s disappearance.
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 10, 2026
About the author
Ragnar Jónasson
75 books4,152 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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August 24, 2026I’d recommend this Icelandic mystery for fans of Agatha Christie and many of the authors Jonasson’s fictional policeman, Helgi, reads and rereads (including Dorthy Sayers and Ellery Queen). This series is very plot and dialogue driven, which makes each book a fast and entertaining read. I love Helgi and am sorry that he’s been dealt blow after blow in the last two books. It was very satisfying to know that his nemesis is finally dead, but things look pretty bleak for Helgi right now. I’m recommend starting with an earlier book in the series to get to know Helgi and the other characters for a more enhanced reading experience.
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August 10, 2026A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the early review copy!
I really enjoyed the Icelandic setting of this novel and the mystery had me hooked from the first few pages. While I did not realize that this is part of a series, I didn't feel lost or confused.
My main critique is that the writing is a bit stilted and choppy. Lots of short sentences are used and the dialogue comes across as brisk and unnatural. Even the descriptions of the emotional turmoil the main character is going through feel simplistic and detached, despite the immense hardship he is going through. I wonder if this is a product of it being translated, but it made the story less impactful to me.
While the twist was good and surprising, I didn't feel as impacted by it as I would've liked due to the writing style.
Aside from that, the story was well-done and the cliffhanger ending left me very intrigued for the next book. A perfect read for the wintertime.
I really enjoyed the Icelandic setting of this novel and the mystery had me hooked from the first few pages. While I did not realize that this is part of a series, I didn't feel lost or confused.
My main critique is that the writing is a bit stilted and choppy. Lots of short sentences are used and the dialogue comes across as brisk and unnatural. Even the descriptions of the emotional turmoil the main character is going through feel simplistic and detached, despite the immense hardship he is going through. I wonder if this is a product of it being translated, but it made the story less impactful to me.
While the twist was good and surprising, I didn't feel as impacted by it as I would've liked due to the writing style.
Aside from that, the story was well-done and the cliffhanger ending left me very intrigued for the next book. A perfect read for the wintertime.
August 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book picks up after the insane cliffhanger of the last book (but you do not have to read it to enjoy this one! I highly suggest you do though it’s a good book) but with a brand new mystery to solve.
There are multiple character POVs and plenty of guessing to be done
One of the mysteries IS solved before the end of this book while there is a cliff hanger leading to the next one (not as abrupt as the last one at least!)
This book picks up after the insane cliffhanger of the last book (but you do not have to read it to enjoy this one! I highly suggest you do though it’s a good book) but with a brand new mystery to solve.
There are multiple character POVs and plenty of guessing to be done
One of the mysteries IS solved before the end of this book while there is a cliff hanger leading to the next one (not as abrupt as the last one at least!)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Another great novel featuring Helgi. Although shorter than the previous books in the series, it packs a punch. In this one, Helgi is still reeling from the loss of his girlfriend Anita and he goes back to work to keep his mind off of her and get out of the house. Not really ready to work on fresh cases, he digs into the disappearance of his predecessor Hulda but he is waylaid when his ex is found dead in a bathtub and he becomes the main suspect. The plot is tight without any wasted passages which creates tension and keeps you flipping the pages to find out what happens next. While it is not completely necessary, I'd recommend reading the series from the beginning before jumping into this one. You could read it as a standalone but it would be far more enjoyable to start from the beginning. I highly recommend this and the other books in the series and I look forward to the next one.
Spoilers below:
Helgi is reviewing Hulda's old cases to see if he can find a connection to her disappearance. He is fascinated by an early case where she is called by a woman to say that she saw a dead woman in her bathtub that then disappeared. Hulda knows the woman through her mother so she originally believes her story. She starts researching missing persons cases to see if there is a woman matching the description of the body. As she does, the woman keeps calling Hulda saying that she is afraid of her partner, that he is abusive and that she thinks that he may be having an affair. She is worried that he killed the woman in the tub and that because she saw the body she is in danger too. Hulda goes to the woman's house to help her leave her partner and find a safe place to stay but she soon realizes that the woman knew about the affair and that she was the one to commit the murder and she was now trying to pin it on her partner. Before any sense can be made of how this case may or may not tie into Hulda's disappearance, Helgi is arrested for his ex-girlfriend's murder. It is not a secret that Helgi hates Bergbora since she abused him during their relationship, stalked him and his new girlfriend Anita, killed Anita by running her down in her car and got off by calling it an accident. So when Bergbora is found dead in her bathtub Helgi is the prime suspect, especially when they find Hulda's old case file in his flat. Two detectives, Alexander and Mani, interview and investigate Helgi. Mani is reluctant to believe that Helgi is guilty but Alexander is pushing his guilt, especially since Helgi was questioning his investigation, or lack thereof, into Hulda's disappearance. Alexander was the detective who had claimed that the disappearance of a young female migrant was suicide and Hulda questioned him about his investigation. Is Alexander dirty? Is he trying to stop Helgi from digging into both cases? Eventually Helgi is released when his mother admits that she killed Bergbora when she went to try to talk to her. Bergbora had called her drunk one night and admitted that she killed Anita and said that Helgi would be next so Helgi's mother tried to talk some sense into her but killed her when she would not listen to reason. She had to protect her son. The book ends on a cliffhanger when Helgi finds the place that Hulda went missing and makes a connection to someone from one of her cases. I hope that means that there will be another book in the series.
Spoilers below:
Helgi is reviewing Hulda's old cases to see if he can find a connection to her disappearance. He is fascinated by an early case where she is called by a woman to say that she saw a dead woman in her bathtub that then disappeared. Hulda knows the woman through her mother so she originally believes her story. She starts researching missing persons cases to see if there is a woman matching the description of the body. As she does, the woman keeps calling Hulda saying that she is afraid of her partner, that he is abusive and that she thinks that he may be having an affair. She is worried that he killed the woman in the tub and that because she saw the body she is in danger too. Hulda goes to the woman's house to help her leave her partner and find a safe place to stay but she soon realizes that the woman knew about the affair and that she was the one to commit the murder and she was now trying to pin it on her partner. Before any sense can be made of how this case may or may not tie into Hulda's disappearance, Helgi is arrested for his ex-girlfriend's murder. It is not a secret that Helgi hates Bergbora since she abused him during their relationship, stalked him and his new girlfriend Anita, killed Anita by running her down in her car and got off by calling it an accident. So when Bergbora is found dead in her bathtub Helgi is the prime suspect, especially when they find Hulda's old case file in his flat. Two detectives, Alexander and Mani, interview and investigate Helgi. Mani is reluctant to believe that Helgi is guilty but Alexander is pushing his guilt, especially since Helgi was questioning his investigation, or lack thereof, into Hulda's disappearance. Alexander was the detective who had claimed that the disappearance of a young female migrant was suicide and Hulda questioned him about his investigation. Is Alexander dirty? Is he trying to stop Helgi from digging into both cases? Eventually Helgi is released when his mother admits that she killed Bergbora when she went to try to talk to her. Bergbora had called her drunk one night and admitted that she killed Anita and said that Helgi would be next so Helgi's mother tried to talk some sense into her but killed her when she would not listen to reason. She had to protect her son. The book ends on a cliffhanger when Helgi finds the place that Hulda went missing and makes a connection to someone from one of her cases. I hope that means that there will be another book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Body in the Bath is the third novel in the Helgi Reykdal series and picks up one month after the end of the previous novel which saw Helgi’s girlfriend, Anita, murdered by his crazy ex. Bergþora has seemingly got away with this crime but when she is found dead in her flat, Helgi soon comes under suspicion.
Set once again in the brutal Icelandic winter, just before Christmas, Jonasson once again weaves his magic to bring the reader straight into the isolation of this part of the world, creating an atmosphere where you can practically feel the biting chill and ominous grey skies overhead.
The book starts with Helgi being held in suspicion of Bergþora’s murder and we are soon taken back to the days immediately prior to this where we learn Helgi has continued his investigation of Hulda’s disappearance (if you have read the previous two novels then this will make perfect sense) to give him something to do whilst mourning the death of his partner.
The grief doesn’t quite translate though, as it isn’t long before Helgi appears to be setting his sights on one of Anita’s friends. This doesn’t appear to be very believable. Jonasson states more than once that Anita was the love of Helgi’s life and he can’t imagine feeling that way again. Thinking of moving on to someone else a month after losing someone who means so much doesn’t quite make the emotional arc come across as well as it should and pretty much makes a mockery of the relationship.
A lot of the book is also spent trying to chase Hulda’s disappearance but once again we are left with no answers and another cliff hanger. I also saw Bergþora’s killer coming a mile off which meant that I wasn’t invested in this part of the plot as much as I wanted to be. Some of the investigative dead ends also felt more like narrative padding than actual plot progression.
The Body in the Bath is a solid, middle of the road procedural which is sometimes let down by the translation – the writing comes across as too simple for the subject matter making it feel more like a cosy crime book rather than an outright thriller.
Having said that, if you have read the previous books in the series, this is an enjoyable and quick read that doesn’t need a lot of concentration to follow. If you are into standard Nordic noir and fans of the author then this book is a worthy addition to the canon and I will most likely pick up the next in the series to see where Helgi goes next.
The Body in the Bath is the third novel in the Helgi Reykdal series and picks up one month after the end of the previous novel which saw Helgi’s girlfriend, Anita, murdered by his crazy ex. Bergþora has seemingly got away with this crime but when she is found dead in her flat, Helgi soon comes under suspicion.
Set once again in the brutal Icelandic winter, just before Christmas, Jonasson once again weaves his magic to bring the reader straight into the isolation of this part of the world, creating an atmosphere where you can practically feel the biting chill and ominous grey skies overhead.
The book starts with Helgi being held in suspicion of Bergþora’s murder and we are soon taken back to the days immediately prior to this where we learn Helgi has continued his investigation of Hulda’s disappearance (if you have read the previous two novels then this will make perfect sense) to give him something to do whilst mourning the death of his partner.
The grief doesn’t quite translate though, as it isn’t long before Helgi appears to be setting his sights on one of Anita’s friends. This doesn’t appear to be very believable. Jonasson states more than once that Anita was the love of Helgi’s life and he can’t imagine feeling that way again. Thinking of moving on to someone else a month after losing someone who means so much doesn’t quite make the emotional arc come across as well as it should and pretty much makes a mockery of the relationship.
A lot of the book is also spent trying to chase Hulda’s disappearance but once again we are left with no answers and another cliff hanger. I also saw Bergþora’s killer coming a mile off which meant that I wasn’t invested in this part of the plot as much as I wanted to be. Some of the investigative dead ends also felt more like narrative padding than actual plot progression.
The Body in the Bath is a solid, middle of the road procedural which is sometimes let down by the translation – the writing comes across as too simple for the subject matter making it feel more like a cosy crime book rather than an outright thriller.
Having said that, if you have read the previous books in the series, this is an enjoyable and quick read that doesn’t need a lot of concentration to follow. If you are into standard Nordic noir and fans of the author then this book is a worthy addition to the canon and I will most likely pick up the next in the series to see where Helgi goes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have been (IMPATIENTLY) EAGERLY awaiting THIS installment of the detective Helgi Reykdal series, since the moment I finished “The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer”, and it didn’t disappoint!
I don’t want to reveal *spoilers* for the previous book, or book # 1 of this series-Death At The Sanatorium-but this is what I can share…
A Few Day Before Christmas 2012:
When Bergþóra Úlfsdóttir, Helgi’s ex-girlfriend, is found dead in her home just before Christmas, Helgi is brought in for questioning-a suspect in her MURDER. He has just returned to work after the tragic events that occurred in the last book, and just when he didn’t think his World could get any darker-THIS! Not even his love of reading Golden Age Detective novels can distract him from his pain.
He can’t work on an active case while he is under investigation but Helgi can continue to look into the disappearance of Hulda Hermannsdóttir; the woman whose office he took over when he was hired. She was forced into early retirement and her colleagues are convinced that her disappearance was a Suicide and they have let her case go COLD-but Helgi has his doubts. He brings home the files from cases she worked on, to get a feel for his predecessor.
The story alternates between HELGI 2012 and HULDA 1980-when she was investigating the case of “THE BODY IN THE BATH”.🛀
Each suspenseful timeline had me riveted and I finished the book in one day!
When I first started reading this author, I was shocked when the book seemed to end abruptly, without tying up all of the loose ends. But now I UNDERSTAND that each book is like an episode of a favorite TV program where some storylines advance to their conclusion, while others are left open ended and will be continued in the next installment, so I am prepared for that. We got ONE answer in this one-and came VERY CLOSE to getting another but it looks like we will get a 4th book in this series-and I am all for it!
Just don’t keep me waiting too long, please!
In the meantime, I am going to circle back to the 3 book HIDDEN ICELAND series (Hulda’s cases) which also has a 4th book coming. That will hold me over until I can continue on here…I am definitely becoming addicted to Nordic Noir.
The author fills in the blanks of what happened in the earlier books nicely, so this CAN be read as a standalone but since the stories all build on one another, you probably want to read the others first. All are under 300 pages and are quick, entertaining reads.
This installment comes out on November 10, 2026
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
I don’t want to reveal *spoilers* for the previous book, or book # 1 of this series-Death At The Sanatorium-but this is what I can share…
A Few Day Before Christmas 2012:
When Bergþóra Úlfsdóttir, Helgi’s ex-girlfriend, is found dead in her home just before Christmas, Helgi is brought in for questioning-a suspect in her MURDER. He has just returned to work after the tragic events that occurred in the last book, and just when he didn’t think his World could get any darker-THIS! Not even his love of reading Golden Age Detective novels can distract him from his pain.
He can’t work on an active case while he is under investigation but Helgi can continue to look into the disappearance of Hulda Hermannsdóttir; the woman whose office he took over when he was hired. She was forced into early retirement and her colleagues are convinced that her disappearance was a Suicide and they have let her case go COLD-but Helgi has his doubts. He brings home the files from cases she worked on, to get a feel for his predecessor.
The story alternates between HELGI 2012 and HULDA 1980-when she was investigating the case of “THE BODY IN THE BATH”.🛀
Each suspenseful timeline had me riveted and I finished the book in one day!
When I first started reading this author, I was shocked when the book seemed to end abruptly, without tying up all of the loose ends. But now I UNDERSTAND that each book is like an episode of a favorite TV program where some storylines advance to their conclusion, while others are left open ended and will be continued in the next installment, so I am prepared for that. We got ONE answer in this one-and came VERY CLOSE to getting another but it looks like we will get a 4th book in this series-and I am all for it!
Just don’t keep me waiting too long, please!
In the meantime, I am going to circle back to the 3 book HIDDEN ICELAND series (Hulda’s cases) which also has a 4th book coming. That will hold me over until I can continue on here…I am definitely becoming addicted to Nordic Noir.
The author fills in the blanks of what happened in the earlier books nicely, so this CAN be read as a standalone but since the stories all build on one another, you probably want to read the others first. All are under 300 pages and are quick, entertaining reads.
This installment comes out on November 10, 2026
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of The Body in the Bath, which I had been eagerly anticipating. Its author is Ragnar Jónasson, my favourite writer of books in the Nordic Noir category. He is Icelandic, and his books are written in Icelandic and have been translated into English. I have read and enjoyed all his translated books, which are set in Iceland. There have been two award-winning/best-selling series: Dark Iceland and Hidden Iceland. This is the third book by Jonasson featuring Detective Helgi, a dedicated, competent, and likeable crime investigator.
In the past, Helgi's home life was toxic. He lived with Bergpora, who was a heavy drinker and abused him both mentally and physically. He was ashamed to be a male victim of domestic violence caused by a woman and kept quiet about it. He escaped the situation, fell in love, and planned for a future with Anita, who brought him peace and affection.Bergpora killed Anita by hitting her with an automobile, but was never charged with this deliberate act. Helgi was left devastated.
Christmas was approaching, and he planned to spend the holiday season with his mother, who helps calm his nerves. He also finds solace in his collection of Golden Age Detective books that distract and inspire him. He has been too upset to return to active duty, but when he does, he is unable to work on active cases. He chooses to investigate the cold case of Detective Hulda. He now has her work office. She was forced to retire and disappeared. Her body was never found, and the police believe she committed suicide. Helgi concentrates on Hulda's fate, suspecting she may have been murdered.
Helgi is accused of killing Bergpora, whose body was found in a bathtub. He had a motive for revenge and is charged with her murder. This is a short, straightforward, concise book, without unnecessary fillers and packed with tension and suspense, and plenty of cliffhangers. There was less vivid Icelandic atmosphere described than in previous books, and I found myself having to remind myself of the setting. There are two timelines: 1980 and 2012. The story is multi-layered.
I was very surprised to learn about Bergpora's actual killer at the book's conclusion, but some threads were left open-ended and inconclusive. The ending is a cliffhanger, and I am hoping for a further book in the Detective Helgi series.
In the past, Helgi's home life was toxic. He lived with Bergpora, who was a heavy drinker and abused him both mentally and physically. He was ashamed to be a male victim of domestic violence caused by a woman and kept quiet about it. He escaped the situation, fell in love, and planned for a future with Anita, who brought him peace and affection.Bergpora killed Anita by hitting her with an automobile, but was never charged with this deliberate act. Helgi was left devastated.
Christmas was approaching, and he planned to spend the holiday season with his mother, who helps calm his nerves. He also finds solace in his collection of Golden Age Detective books that distract and inspire him. He has been too upset to return to active duty, but when he does, he is unable to work on active cases. He chooses to investigate the cold case of Detective Hulda. He now has her work office. She was forced to retire and disappeared. Her body was never found, and the police believe she committed suicide. Helgi concentrates on Hulda's fate, suspecting she may have been murdered.
Helgi is accused of killing Bergpora, whose body was found in a bathtub. He had a motive for revenge and is charged with her murder. This is a short, straightforward, concise book, without unnecessary fillers and packed with tension and suspense, and plenty of cliffhangers. There was less vivid Icelandic atmosphere described than in previous books, and I found myself having to remind myself of the setting. There are two timelines: 1980 and 2012. The story is multi-layered.
I was very surprised to learn about Bergpora's actual killer at the book's conclusion, but some threads were left open-ended and inconclusive. The ending is a cliffhanger, and I am hoping for a further book in the Detective Helgi series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2026
My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review 'The Body in the Bath' by Ragnar Jónasson.
My review contains spoilers.
This was my first time reading a book written by Ragnar Jónasson. I wasn't aware going into it that this is the third instalment in a series so my review may not resonate with those who have read previous instalments.
As a new to the series reader I didn't connect with the main character Helgi. Suffering the horrific loss of his girlfriend (previous book) Helgi is depressed and struggling to come to terms with his grief. Deciding to return to work sooner than he should have, he decides to casually investigate the disappearance of his office predecessor - Hulda. One day, he receives a visit from two police officers who ask him to go with them, he does without really asking any questions, and then he finds himself in prison on suspicion of the murder. The book is split between Hulda's investigation of the disappearance of a dead body in a bathtub (which was a much more intriguing side story) and Helgi's own arrest for the apparent murder of his ex-girlfriend (the one who hit his current, now deceased, girlfriend with her car in the last book.)
A lot of time in the book is given to introspective chapters which were dull and highly repetitive. The case built up against Helgi seemed suspiciously personal but I am not sure if this was on purpose - if the lead detective, Alexander, had some beef with Helgi from a previous book - or if he was just an awful human being.
I skimmed most of the book and only really got into it at the very end when Helgi "potentially" found where Hulda was buried. And of course as soon as things got interesting, the book ended on a cliffhanger.
I think one of the key issues with the book was at the start you think you are reading a noir style murder but as the book progressed it became more of a lazy murder mystery. The pacing was off throughout which led to a clunky and disjointed read.
Not a series I would personally return to. I think a lot was lost in translation.
My review contains spoilers.
This was my first time reading a book written by Ragnar Jónasson. I wasn't aware going into it that this is the third instalment in a series so my review may not resonate with those who have read previous instalments.
As a new to the series reader I didn't connect with the main character Helgi. Suffering the horrific loss of his girlfriend (previous book) Helgi is depressed and struggling to come to terms with his grief. Deciding to return to work sooner than he should have, he decides to casually investigate the disappearance of his office predecessor - Hulda. One day, he receives a visit from two police officers who ask him to go with them, he does without really asking any questions, and then he finds himself in prison on suspicion of the murder. The book is split between Hulda's investigation of the disappearance of a dead body in a bathtub (which was a much more intriguing side story) and Helgi's own arrest for the apparent murder of his ex-girlfriend (the one who hit his current, now deceased, girlfriend with her car in the last book.)
A lot of time in the book is given to introspective chapters which were dull and highly repetitive. The case built up against Helgi seemed suspiciously personal but I am not sure if this was on purpose - if the lead detective, Alexander, had some beef with Helgi from a previous book - or if he was just an awful human being.
I skimmed most of the book and only really got into it at the very end when Helgi "potentially" found where Hulda was buried. And of course as soon as things got interesting, the book ended on a cliffhanger.
I think one of the key issues with the book was at the start you think you are reading a noir style murder but as the book progressed it became more of a lazy murder mystery. The pacing was off throughout which led to a clunky and disjointed read.
Not a series I would personally return to. I think a lot was lost in translation.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I know in the eyes of the people, a mystery is not considered to be fun, but it’s hard to describe how I feel when I read a mystery any other way. The Body in the Bathtub was no different; it is a fun read. It’s so easy to immerse yourself in the story and take on that detective role!
So, you bet I put on my detective cap when Helgi, a young investigator, is suspected of being responsible for the death of his abusive ex-girlfriend!
First of all, the author gives you no other option than to immediately feel for Helgi. The story takes place shortly after his girlfriend was tragically killed in a car accident, and, of course, it’s Christmas time, a time to spend with family and friends. And to make matters worse, Helgi’s ex-girlfriend was behind the wheel, and she claims it was an accident and walks free. So, when Bergþóra is found lifeless in her bath, Helgi is the prime suspect.
Honestly, a whirlwind of emotions in the beginning of this story, but I was 100% on Helgi’s side, ready to defend him to the bitter end. But, of course, he wants to prove his innocence, but that never goes as planned when suspects take matters into their own hands, so… did he have something to do with his ex-girlfriend's death? He has motive. He's acting quite suspicious. All odds are against him! I had whiplash from being 100% confident to maybe a bit suspicious.
While I was tackling the detective work, Helgi was keeping himself busy and not out of trouble with an unsolved disappearance of his predecessor, Hulda, a retired officer long presumed dead.
This was a short, fast-paced mystery packed with surprises and great characters. My emotions were all over the place. As much as I love to put on my detective cap, I don’t have a great record of solving these mysteries. But, I am proud to say, even though my thoughts were tossed in all directions, I solved the crime. Yes, it was a heartbreaking end to the tale but worth every second.
If you love a good short mystery, add The Body in the Bathtub to your TBR!
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Reader's Copy.
Publication Date: November 10, 2026
So, you bet I put on my detective cap when Helgi, a young investigator, is suspected of being responsible for the death of his abusive ex-girlfriend!
First of all, the author gives you no other option than to immediately feel for Helgi. The story takes place shortly after his girlfriend was tragically killed in a car accident, and, of course, it’s Christmas time, a time to spend with family and friends. And to make matters worse, Helgi’s ex-girlfriend was behind the wheel, and she claims it was an accident and walks free. So, when Bergþóra is found lifeless in her bath, Helgi is the prime suspect.
Honestly, a whirlwind of emotions in the beginning of this story, but I was 100% on Helgi’s side, ready to defend him to the bitter end. But, of course, he wants to prove his innocence, but that never goes as planned when suspects take matters into their own hands, so… did he have something to do with his ex-girlfriend's death? He has motive. He's acting quite suspicious. All odds are against him! I had whiplash from being 100% confident to maybe a bit suspicious.
While I was tackling the detective work, Helgi was keeping himself busy and not out of trouble with an unsolved disappearance of his predecessor, Hulda, a retired officer long presumed dead.
This was a short, fast-paced mystery packed with surprises and great characters. My emotions were all over the place. As much as I love to put on my detective cap, I don’t have a great record of solving these mysteries. But, I am proud to say, even though my thoughts were tossed in all directions, I solved the crime. Yes, it was a heartbreaking end to the tale but worth every second.
If you love a good short mystery, add The Body in the Bathtub to your TBR!
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Reader's Copy.
Publication Date: November 10, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Received an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley!!
This book was absolutely unputdownable. With every page, my curiosity grew stronger, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next.
A compelling blend of detective fiction, police procedural, and suspense, the story places Detective Helgi at the centre of a murder investigation while he is still struggling to process Anita's death. Helgi is an unusual protagonist: reserved, introspective, and happiest when reading mystery novels. At several points, I genuinely wondered if he might have harmed Bergþóra out of anger and grief. Yet the author keeps you guessing until the very end. Helgi may not be as sweet and straightforward as he appears, but that's what makes him such an intriguing character.
Set during the Christmas season, this is the perfect winter mystery to curl up with alongside a cup of hot chocolate. The author vividly captures the atmosphere of southern Iceland in the weeks leading up to Christmas, creating a setting that feels both cosy and haunting.
While trying to rebuild his life after Anita's death, Helgi uncovers details about Hulda's disappearance and the cases she investigated during her career. Through these discoveries, we learn about Hulda's determination, resilience, and the devastating personal losses she endured after the deaths of her husband and daughter.
What I particularly enjoyed was the nostalgic undertone woven throughout the story. As Helgi reflects on his childhood and the future he had imagined with Anita, the emotional depth beautifully balances the tension of the investigation.
The writing is direct, engaging, and fast-paced. Multiple perspectives provide insight into the lives of various characters without slowing the plot's momentum. While the story occasionally ventures into heavier emotional territory, it never loses its grip on the reader.
A cozy mystery with emotional depth, strong character development, and enough twists to keep you hooked from start to finish.
I will definitely be picking up more of Ragnar Jónasson's work.
This book was absolutely unputdownable. With every page, my curiosity grew stronger, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next.
A compelling blend of detective fiction, police procedural, and suspense, the story places Detective Helgi at the centre of a murder investigation while he is still struggling to process Anita's death. Helgi is an unusual protagonist: reserved, introspective, and happiest when reading mystery novels. At several points, I genuinely wondered if he might have harmed Bergþóra out of anger and grief. Yet the author keeps you guessing until the very end. Helgi may not be as sweet and straightforward as he appears, but that's what makes him such an intriguing character.
Set during the Christmas season, this is the perfect winter mystery to curl up with alongside a cup of hot chocolate. The author vividly captures the atmosphere of southern Iceland in the weeks leading up to Christmas, creating a setting that feels both cosy and haunting.
While trying to rebuild his life after Anita's death, Helgi uncovers details about Hulda's disappearance and the cases she investigated during her career. Through these discoveries, we learn about Hulda's determination, resilience, and the devastating personal losses she endured after the deaths of her husband and daughter.
What I particularly enjoyed was the nostalgic undertone woven throughout the story. As Helgi reflects on his childhood and the future he had imagined with Anita, the emotional depth beautifully balances the tension of the investigation.
The writing is direct, engaging, and fast-paced. Multiple perspectives provide insight into the lives of various characters without slowing the plot's momentum. While the story occasionally ventures into heavier emotional territory, it never loses its grip on the reader.
A cozy mystery with emotional depth, strong character development, and enough twists to keep you hooked from start to finish.
I will definitely be picking up more of Ragnar Jónasson's work.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Like most Americans, when it comes to mysteries and thrillers, I’m more familiar with the top selling writers in the U.S. Sure, we know and love Agatha Christie and a few more golden age writers and a few writers outside the States that have made their way on The New York Times Bestselling list. But mostly, we have stayed with those from our homeland.
Man, have we been missing out!
Over the last year, I have been consuming mysteries and thrillers from the UK. I have found some of the best mysteries I have ever read and have started working my way through their back catalog. This summer, I have been checking out some Icelandic thrillers. These have been so good.
“The Body in the Bath” is my introduction to Icelandic writer Ragnar Jonasson’s work and his series featuring detective Helgi Reykdal. This won’t be my last. This series is Jonasson’s nod to the golden age of mysteries. However, to me, it feels a little too dark to be classified truly in the same vein.
Don’t read that wrong. It isn’t really dark, but it just felt darker than the writings of Christie, Wentworth, Sayers, or Marsh.
Helgi is grieving the loss of his girlfriend. To complicate things, she was killed by his ex-girlfriend. The police have deemed it an accident and the ex has walked free. That is until she is found dead in a bathtub. His peers are not showing favoritism to Helgi. Quite the opposite. They think he did it.
This not only interrupts his grieving and his celebration of Christmas, it also halts his investigation into what happened to his predecessor.
Both mysteries are really good. There have been some Icelandic writers that there is an issue with translation, and the sentences don’t always flow. This is not one of those novels. Everything was smooth for me.
Branch out and join me in checking out this series. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Man, have we been missing out!
Over the last year, I have been consuming mysteries and thrillers from the UK. I have found some of the best mysteries I have ever read and have started working my way through their back catalog. This summer, I have been checking out some Icelandic thrillers. These have been so good.
“The Body in the Bath” is my introduction to Icelandic writer Ragnar Jonasson’s work and his series featuring detective Helgi Reykdal. This won’t be my last. This series is Jonasson’s nod to the golden age of mysteries. However, to me, it feels a little too dark to be classified truly in the same vein.
Don’t read that wrong. It isn’t really dark, but it just felt darker than the writings of Christie, Wentworth, Sayers, or Marsh.
Helgi is grieving the loss of his girlfriend. To complicate things, she was killed by his ex-girlfriend. The police have deemed it an accident and the ex has walked free. That is until she is found dead in a bathtub. His peers are not showing favoritism to Helgi. Quite the opposite. They think he did it.
This not only interrupts his grieving and his celebration of Christmas, it also halts his investigation into what happened to his predecessor.
Both mysteries are really good. There have been some Icelandic writers that there is an issue with translation, and the sentences don’t always flow. This is not one of those novels. Everything was smooth for me.
Branch out and join me in checking out this series. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Classic 20th century whodunnit nerd and Reykjavik CID detective Helgi Reykdal finds himself embroiled in an all too personal murder drama when his abusive ex-girlfriend, Bergþora, is found dead in her bathtub, shortly after she has gotten away with murdering Helgi’s true love, Anita. Stunned by his grief after Anita’s death and unable to cope with his new reality, Helgi is trying to distract himself by investigating the unsolved disappearance of his police predecessor, Hildur, who went missing several months previously, a few days before she was due to retire from the police force. And then suddenly, when on what seems like a routine visit to Litla Hraun prison, Helgi is arrested and accused of Bergþora’s murder and his quiet, book-loving life implodes around him.
Who murdered Bergþora and how can Helgi prove his innocence when even his colleagues on the CID don’t believe him? And who will find closure for Hildur if he is serving a life sentence for a crime he did not commit? The Body in the Bath answers some of the questions but there are still many loose strings hanging at the end and so, hopefully, we will be looking forward to another Helgi novel in the near future - in the meantime I am going to reacquaint myself with the previous two books in the series to see if I can find some hidden clues.
I really enjoyed The Body in the Bath, the atmospheric Icelandic Christmas timescale and the prevailing dark tension of the narrative made it a great reading experience for any fans of Ragnar Jonasson. I wouldn’t recommend it for a one-off read, however - it needs to be read in conjunction with the other books in the series to really get the most of the story, so 4 stars for this book, 5 stars for the Helgi Reykdal series.
Many thanks to all concerned for allowing me to read and review this terrific novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
A chilling mystery that blends classic Christie charm with Jónasson’s signature Icelandic noir, delivering a clever, atmospheric puzzle fans will devour.
Ragnar Jónasson continues to prove why he’s one of the most reliably compelling voices in modern crime fiction. The Body in the Bath delivers his signature blend of crisp plotting, quiet tension, and that unmistakable Icelandic atmosphere...but what really delighted me as a longtime fan were the clever nods to Agatha Christie woven throughout the narrative. They’re never heavy‑handed; instead, they feel like affectionate winks to readers who appreciate classic mystery structure and the elegance of a well‑constructed puzzle.
There’s also a subtle thrill in how Jónasson ties this book into another of his series (I won’t spoil which one!) but fans will recognize the crossover threads immediately. It’s done with restraint and respect, adding depth without distracting from the central mystery. The story itself is brisk, layered, and satisfying. Jónasson balances the investigative tension with emotional undercurrents, including a thoughtful exploration of a mother’s love, though it’s more of a quiet motif than a dominant theme. It adds warmth to the otherwise icy landscape of the crime.
If you’re already a Jónasson devotee, this one is absolutely worth picking up. And if you’re new to him, The Body in the Bath is a smart, atmospheric entry point that showcases his talent for blending classic mystery sensibilities with modern Nordic noir.
A chilling mystery that blends classic Christie charm with Jónasson’s signature Icelandic noir, delivering a clever, atmospheric puzzle fans will devour.
Ragnar Jónasson continues to prove why he’s one of the most reliably compelling voices in modern crime fiction. The Body in the Bath delivers his signature blend of crisp plotting, quiet tension, and that unmistakable Icelandic atmosphere...but what really delighted me as a longtime fan were the clever nods to Agatha Christie woven throughout the narrative. They’re never heavy‑handed; instead, they feel like affectionate winks to readers who appreciate classic mystery structure and the elegance of a well‑constructed puzzle.
There’s also a subtle thrill in how Jónasson ties this book into another of his series (I won’t spoil which one!) but fans will recognize the crossover threads immediately. It’s done with restraint and respect, adding depth without distracting from the central mystery. The story itself is brisk, layered, and satisfying. Jónasson balances the investigative tension with emotional undercurrents, including a thoughtful exploration of a mother’s love, though it’s more of a quiet motif than a dominant theme. It adds warmth to the otherwise icy landscape of the crime.
If you’re already a Jónasson devotee, this one is absolutely worth picking up. And if you’re new to him, The Body in the Bath is a smart, atmospheric entry point that showcases his talent for blending classic mystery sensibilities with modern Nordic noir.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free advance copy for review.
This is a strong conclusion to the Icelandic Helgi trilogy, and well worth investing your time in.
Police Detective Helgi Reykdal is in mourning for his girlfriend, killed by his previous partner just before Christmas. Helgi tries to occupy himself by investigating what happened to his missing predecessor, Detective Hulda (the main character in the earlier series Hidden Iceland), and looks into her old cases. But the present day keeps intruding, and Helgi cannot hide from it. Strange parallels appear between the current and the past.
Ragnar Jónasson writes with a beautiful light touch that cunningly misdirects you away from the underlying darkness of the story. And this is indeed dark in places, with themes of grief and domestic abuse. But at the heart of it is a good man trying to find a way through. Helgi is a strong, believable character, and I love his appreciation for golden age crime fiction such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers.
Although this can be enjoyed as a standalone, I do recommend reading the other two books on the trilogy first - Death at the Sanatorium and especially The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer. Both those books ended in cliffhangers and the major plot points of this book link directly to these. Essentially the three books form a single story when it comes to Helgi’s personal life.
Overall, this is ideal for anybody who likes Scandi Noir such as Jo Nesbo. All three in the series are recommended for a satisfying read.
This is a strong conclusion to the Icelandic Helgi trilogy, and well worth investing your time in.
Police Detective Helgi Reykdal is in mourning for his girlfriend, killed by his previous partner just before Christmas. Helgi tries to occupy himself by investigating what happened to his missing predecessor, Detective Hulda (the main character in the earlier series Hidden Iceland), and looks into her old cases. But the present day keeps intruding, and Helgi cannot hide from it. Strange parallels appear between the current and the past.
Ragnar Jónasson writes with a beautiful light touch that cunningly misdirects you away from the underlying darkness of the story. And this is indeed dark in places, with themes of grief and domestic abuse. But at the heart of it is a good man trying to find a way through. Helgi is a strong, believable character, and I love his appreciation for golden age crime fiction such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers.
Although this can be enjoyed as a standalone, I do recommend reading the other two books on the trilogy first - Death at the Sanatorium and especially The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer. Both those books ended in cliffhangers and the major plot points of this book link directly to these. Essentially the three books form a single story when it comes to Helgi’s personal life.
Overall, this is ideal for anybody who likes Scandi Noir such as Jo Nesbo. All three in the series are recommended for a satisfying read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the advanced review copy of The Body in the Bath, another Helgi Reykdal mystery by Ragnar Jónasson.
The Body in the Bath earns ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me and is my favorite of the Helgi trilogy. I love that the story picks up right where The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer left off. While Helgi faces his own grief and an unexpected struggle for personal justice, he continues to seek answers for the missing Hulda Hermannsdottir. One of the reasons I enjoyed The Body in the Bath is its alternating timeline as Helgi uses his detective skills and love of classic (and seasonal) whodunnits to review some of Hilda’s past cases.
I’ve always appreciated how Helgi and Hulda’s story’s have intertwined. I was sad when her story came to end, but I’m pleased Helgi is still interested in finding out the truth of her disappearance.
Ragnar Jonasson’s stories are always compelling and provide satisfying conclusions while leaving you looking forward to the next book.
I’m an avid Ragnar Jonasson fan having read all of his books (those translated into English). His Dark Iceland series actually inspired my trip to Iceland last summer and I visited Haelid, the great white plague center, in Akureyri. The museum includes stories and artifacts from the hospital that inspired Helgi’s first book, Death at the Sanatorium. Having been to Iceland, it makes reading Jonasson’s books even more fun.
The Body in the Bath earns ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me and is my favorite of the Helgi trilogy. I love that the story picks up right where The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer left off. While Helgi faces his own grief and an unexpected struggle for personal justice, he continues to seek answers for the missing Hulda Hermannsdottir. One of the reasons I enjoyed The Body in the Bath is its alternating timeline as Helgi uses his detective skills and love of classic (and seasonal) whodunnits to review some of Hilda’s past cases.
I’ve always appreciated how Helgi and Hulda’s story’s have intertwined. I was sad when her story came to end, but I’m pleased Helgi is still interested in finding out the truth of her disappearance.
Ragnar Jonasson’s stories are always compelling and provide satisfying conclusions while leaving you looking forward to the next book.
I’m an avid Ragnar Jonasson fan having read all of his books (those translated into English). His Dark Iceland series actually inspired my trip to Iceland last summer and I visited Haelid, the great white plague center, in Akureyri. The museum includes stories and artifacts from the hospital that inspired Helgi’s first book, Death at the Sanatorium. Having been to Iceland, it makes reading Jonasson’s books even more fun.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
This is book three of the Detective Helgi series from one of my favorite Nordic noir writers, Ragnar Jonasson.
It’s almost Christmas and Helgi is pushing through his grief, following the loss of his girlfriend, Anita. To pass the time, he takes on a cold case involving the disappearance of his predecessor at the police station, Hulga. Everyone believes she just vanished, perhaps taking her own life. Helgi isn’t buying that theory.
And just when things couldn’t get worse, his ex-girlfriend Bergpora, is discovered dead in her bathtub. The police immediately look to Helgi as suspect #1. After all, he had many reasons to want her dead. But is he guilty?
I love Detective Helgi’s character. A quiet man, very much a loner, just searching desperately for love. He always seems to find himself on the outside looking in, whether it’s in his professional or personal life. And his best quality (at least for me) is that he spends his time in a house filled with books. (Sounds like a keeper.)😉
This is a perfect series for readers who enjoy Nordic noir, quiet contemplative characters surrounded by mystery.
I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.
✍️ Ragnar Jonasson
📄 288 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: November 10, 2026
📈 4.5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
👉 Mystery, Nordic Noir, Book Three of the Helgi series
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, SMP Early Readers, Minotaur Books, via NetGalley
This is book three of the Detective Helgi series from one of my favorite Nordic noir writers, Ragnar Jonasson.
It’s almost Christmas and Helgi is pushing through his grief, following the loss of his girlfriend, Anita. To pass the time, he takes on a cold case involving the disappearance of his predecessor at the police station, Hulga. Everyone believes she just vanished, perhaps taking her own life. Helgi isn’t buying that theory.
And just when things couldn’t get worse, his ex-girlfriend Bergpora, is discovered dead in her bathtub. The police immediately look to Helgi as suspect #1. After all, he had many reasons to want her dead. But is he guilty?
I love Detective Helgi’s character. A quiet man, very much a loner, just searching desperately for love. He always seems to find himself on the outside looking in, whether it’s in his professional or personal life. And his best quality (at least for me) is that he spends his time in a house filled with books. (Sounds like a keeper.)😉
This is a perfect series for readers who enjoy Nordic noir, quiet contemplative characters surrounded by mystery.
I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.
✍️ Ragnar Jonasson
📄 288 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: November 10, 2026
📈 4.5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
👉 Mystery, Nordic Noir, Book Three of the Helgi series
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, SMP Early Readers, Minotaur Books, via NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In this third book of the series, Detective Helgi Reykdal unexpectedly finds himself in a world of trouble. After finally getting out of an abusive relationship, his ex-girlfriend murders his current love interest; then, when the ex is murdered in her bathtub….Helgi becomes the main suspect. Worse yet, the chief investigative detective is not only lazy and incompetent, but he believes it is an open-and-shut case. In a dual storyline, the novel also follows the disappearance of Hulda, a former detective who went missing some years earlier. While I’m not generally a fan to alternative stories told at the same time, Ragnar Jónasson (the author) was able to accomplish this feat in a seamless manner.
Jónasson’s gift for taking unexpected sharp turns in his novels was evident throughout much of the book. For that matter, the author’s three-dimensional characters throughout the novel created a familiarity that added a great deal to the overall plot. In this regard, I found myself feeling a great deal of empathy for both Hulda and Helgi, who struggled at the hands of lackadaisical and uninvolved colleagues. Even though the bulk of the book fully held my interest, I felt that the last few chapters lacked the “punch” of earlier passages. Thus, while this is definitely a book I’d recommend, I have rated it with four-stars.
My thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
Jónasson’s gift for taking unexpected sharp turns in his novels was evident throughout much of the book. For that matter, the author’s three-dimensional characters throughout the novel created a familiarity that added a great deal to the overall plot. In this regard, I found myself feeling a great deal of empathy for both Hulda and Helgi, who struggled at the hands of lackadaisical and uninvolved colleagues. Even though the bulk of the book fully held my interest, I felt that the last few chapters lacked the “punch” of earlier passages. Thus, while this is definitely a book I’d recommend, I have rated it with four-stars.
My thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley
Still suffering from the loss of his girlfriend, Aníta, Detective Helgi Reykdal returns to work, hoping that work will keep him from constantly thinking of her. But when his ex-girlfriend, Bergþóra Úlfsdóttir is found dead in her flat, Helgi is suspected of her murder.
Who murdered Bergþóra? Can Helgi prove his innocence?
=========
Third in the author’s Helgi series, there is sufficient backstory for readers new to the series and the book works as a standalone. [But reading the earlier books in the series will give the reader a more complete understanding of the characters, the events, and the overarching storylines.]
A strong sense of place and the Icelandic Christmas serve as anchors for the telling of the tale; the story alternates between the cold case concerning Hildur Halldórsdóttir that Helgi is investigating, and the current case concerning Bergþóra’s murder. Well-developed characters populate this police procedural; the mystery is both unsettling and clever.
Readers who have enjoyed the previous books in the series as well as those who enjoy Icelandic tales will find much to appreciate here. But readers should be aware that there is a cliffhanger ending . . . perhaps another installment in the series will be coming soon!
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#TheBodyintheBath #NetGalley
Still suffering from the loss of his girlfriend, Aníta, Detective Helgi Reykdal returns to work, hoping that work will keep him from constantly thinking of her. But when his ex-girlfriend, Bergþóra Úlfsdóttir is found dead in her flat, Helgi is suspected of her murder.
Who murdered Bergþóra? Can Helgi prove his innocence?
=========
Third in the author’s Helgi series, there is sufficient backstory for readers new to the series and the book works as a standalone. [But reading the earlier books in the series will give the reader a more complete understanding of the characters, the events, and the overarching storylines.]
A strong sense of place and the Icelandic Christmas serve as anchors for the telling of the tale; the story alternates between the cold case concerning Hildur Halldórsdóttir that Helgi is investigating, and the current case concerning Bergþóra’s murder. Well-developed characters populate this police procedural; the mystery is both unsettling and clever.
Readers who have enjoyed the previous books in the series as well as those who enjoy Icelandic tales will find much to appreciate here. But readers should be aware that there is a cliffhanger ending . . . perhaps another installment in the series will be coming soon!
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#TheBodyintheBath #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Full disclosure, I did not read the Hulda books, but MAN am I invested in Helgi figuring out what happened to her. So much so, that her chapters were very much missed in "Part 2" of The Body in the Bath.
Jónasson structured the book in 2 parts, part 1 was finding out what happened to Bergþóra and Hulda's story and part 2 was really the present day investigation.
As for part 2, aside from missing Hulda, plots where the main character is the suspect aren't always my favorite. Often times we KNOW they didn't do it, and it's a struggle to get to the part where everyone is on the same page and we can get down to business to sort out the real criminal. However the way Jónasson structured the book, I didn't notice it as much.
I did not really see the reveal coming. I had a completely different person in mind, and I'm not sure how I feel about what this does to our poor investigator. Hopefully future books will get him some good days, lord knows Helgi earned them.
My ONE nitpick on this book: I don't think it was translated as well as the previous one, and it did take me out of the story a bit. Now, I'm not a translator, I'm sure it's a very nuanced job, but there were just words or phrases or end of sentences where my thought was "wait, what"? I guess I just need to go and learn Icelandic!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for this book.
Jónasson structured the book in 2 parts, part 1 was finding out what happened to Bergþóra and Hulda's story and part 2 was really the present day investigation.
As for part 2, aside from missing Hulda, plots where the main character is the suspect aren't always my favorite. Often times we KNOW they didn't do it, and it's a struggle to get to the part where everyone is on the same page and we can get down to business to sort out the real criminal. However the way Jónasson structured the book, I didn't notice it as much.
I did not really see the reveal coming. I had a completely different person in mind, and I'm not sure how I feel about what this does to our poor investigator. Hopefully future books will get him some good days, lord knows Helgi earned them.
My ONE nitpick on this book: I don't think it was translated as well as the previous one, and it did take me out of the story a bit. Now, I'm not a translator, I'm sure it's a very nuanced job, but there were just words or phrases or end of sentences where my thought was "wait, what"? I guess I just need to go and learn Icelandic!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a reasonably fun book. We're dealing with a young policeman, Helgi Reykdal, who is facing a Christmas season in rather a blue funk. His girlfriend, Aníta, had recently been killed by his abusive ex, Bergþóra Úlfsdóttir. But then, Bergþóra herself is murdered, found drowned in her bath tub, and the rather lazy senior cop, Alexander, fits Helgi up for the murder.
Helgi tries to keep busy by looking into the disappearance of his predecessor, Hulda Hermannsdóttir, who went missing just as she was about to be forced off the police force. He starts looking into her old cases, and finds one rather old one to be quite interesting, one about a woman who claims to have found a body in here bath tub, but then, the body disappeared when she next checked. Was her abusive boyfriend playing tricks on her.
But one of the things that really caught my fancy was that Helgi is an ardent reader of crime fiction, particularly by the masters (or mistresses?) of the genre, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Ellery Queen, and so forth. The book he is currently reading is Green for Danger, by Christina Brand. While I've read deeply among the others on Helgi's list, I'd never come across Brand. So, naturally, I had to check her out as soon as I'd put this book to bed, so to speak.
#NetGalley #TheBodyInTheBath
Helgi tries to keep busy by looking into the disappearance of his predecessor, Hulda Hermannsdóttir, who went missing just as she was about to be forced off the police force. He starts looking into her old cases, and finds one rather old one to be quite interesting, one about a woman who claims to have found a body in here bath tub, but then, the body disappeared when she next checked. Was her abusive boyfriend playing tricks on her.
But one of the things that really caught my fancy was that Helgi is an ardent reader of crime fiction, particularly by the masters (or mistresses?) of the genre, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Ellery Queen, and so forth. The book he is currently reading is Green for Danger, by Christina Brand. While I've read deeply among the others on Helgi's list, I'd never come across Brand. So, naturally, I had to check her out as soon as I'd put this book to bed, so to speak.
#NetGalley #TheBodyInTheBath
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jonasson’s third Helgi story is an intriguing mystery that puts the beloved Golden Age genre under a fresh light. It kicks off shortly after the previous adventure, with Helgi still feeling the pain of losing his girlfriend, who was tragically run down by his ex. Hoping to find some normalcy again, he re-enters the police force and begins investigating the mysterious disappearance of Hulda Hermansdottir, a character from Jonasson’s Hidden Iceland trilogy. When Bergthóra, his ex, is found murdered, Helgi quickly becomes the main suspect, adding tension and intrigue. This book is a quick, thoroughly enjoyable read. Unlike in earlier books where Helgi’s obsession with Golden Age mysteries helped uncover clues, here it adds layers of complexity, giving the police more reasons to suspect him and making the reader question everything—especially since fans of Golden Age mysteries know that anyone could be the killer. While some readers have guessed the culprit early on, I was surprised, though looking back, perhaps I shouldn’t have been. I love how Jonasson weaves together characters from both series, including an early case involving Hulda that ties in seamlessly. The story concludes with Hulda’s disappearance still a mystery, which has me eagerly looking forward to the next book. I’ve also heard rumors that there might be another Hulda adventure coming up, which I can’t wait to see.Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Body in the Bath is the third book in the series to feature Helgi, a tenacious young police officer in Iceland. Helgi is looking through old cases to find leads in the case of his missing predecessor, Hulda, who disappeared after her retirement. He is also struggling to cope with his grief after the murder of Anita, his girlfriend, at the hands of his ex-partner. Much to Helgi’s shock and dismay, the body of Bergþóra, his ex-partner, is found drowned in her bathtub with evidence of a struggle in the apartment. With all the clues unfortunately pointing to Helgi, he is suspect number one on his colleagues’ list and must attempt to clear his name.
Difficult times continue for Helgi in this third novel in the series. While he tries to deal with his loneliness and sadness, things become even worse for him when the dead body of his ex is found in her bath. All the circumstantial evidence points to him, leading his own colleagues to believe he killed her. Helgi is no quitter, however; he holds on to his hope and perseverance, believing proof of his innocence will come to light.
This is a great series written in sparse but evocative prose, with a likeable protagonist and plenty of twists. I am a confirmed fan.
Difficult times continue for Helgi in this third novel in the series. While he tries to deal with his loneliness and sadness, things become even worse for him when the dead body of his ex is found in her bath. All the circumstantial evidence points to him, leading his own colleagues to believe he killed her. Helgi is no quitter, however; he holds on to his hope and perseverance, believing proof of his innocence will come to light.
This is a great series written in sparse but evocative prose, with a likeable protagonist and plenty of twists. I am a confirmed fan.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Helgi gets his revenge. After the traumatic end to his last story, Detective Helgi mourns the death of his girlfriend and the police believe he has ruthlessly murdered her killer. Their case is circumstantial but growing, and every new discovery seems to push Helgi closer to a cell. If he is locked up, no one will be left to solve the murder of his ex or the disappearance of Detective Hulda.
The bleakness of an Icelandic winter settles over the entire book. Jónasson leans into the cold atmosphere and the emotional weight pressing down on Helgi as he tries to navigate suspicion, grief and the possibility that his career is ending. The tension builds quietly, creating a sense of isolation that mirrors the frozen landscape.
In the background is Hulda’s story. She vanished while working a case, and Helgi is the only one who seems to care enough to look for her. He studies her old files and follows the last clue she left behind, determined to find answers even as his own life unravels.
The Body in the Bath is a stark and atmospheric Icelandic noir that blends personal loss with a compelling mystery. Helgi’s desperation gives the story its drive, and Jónasson’s wintry setting makes every moment feel sharp and unforgiving.
The bleakness of an Icelandic winter settles over the entire book. Jónasson leans into the cold atmosphere and the emotional weight pressing down on Helgi as he tries to navigate suspicion, grief and the possibility that his career is ending. The tension builds quietly, creating a sense of isolation that mirrors the frozen landscape.
In the background is Hulda’s story. She vanished while working a case, and Helgi is the only one who seems to care enough to look for her. He studies her old files and follows the last clue she left behind, determined to find answers even as his own life unravels.
The Body in the Bath is a stark and atmospheric Icelandic noir that blends personal loss with a compelling mystery. Helgi’s desperation gives the story its drive, and Jónasson’s wintry setting makes every moment feel sharp and unforgiving.
Review of advance copy
As Christmas approaches, it is a cold, snowy time in Reykjavík. Detective Helgi is feeling particularly morose as the woman he thought was the love of his life has been killed by his abusive ex-girlfriend, Bergpóra. He has returned to work after a leave and devotes himself to investigating the disappearance of Hulda, the detective whose office he now occupies. He is particularly focused on her last case, which involved a body in a bathtub. When Bergpóra is found dead, suspicion falls on Helgi, and he becomes the prime suspect.
This is the fourth book that I have read by Jónasson, the third featuring Helgi, and I have enjoyed all of them. This darkly complex story is told in two timelines, alternating between Hulda’s investigation of her final case and Helgi’s present-day life in 2012. It is fast-paced, atmospheric, and intriguing; a delight for fans of Nordic Noir. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, setting up the next installment.
Jónasson provides a comprehensive background to the story, so readers don’t need to have read the prior installments. However, I highly recommend them.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress and @Minotaur_Books for the DRC.
This is the fourth book that I have read by Jónasson, the third featuring Helgi, and I have enjoyed all of them. This darkly complex story is told in two timelines, alternating between Hulda’s investigation of her final case and Helgi’s present-day life in 2012. It is fast-paced, atmospheric, and intriguing; a delight for fans of Nordic Noir. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, setting up the next installment.
Jónasson provides a comprehensive background to the story, so readers don’t need to have read the prior installments. However, I highly recommend them.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress and @Minotaur_Books for the DRC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh my goodness, I devoured this book in one sitting it is just so good. This is the first book that I have read by Ragnar Jonasson and it definitely won’t be the last.
Detective Helgi Reykdal has just returned to work following the death of his girlfriend who was knocked down and killed by his previous partner. When she in turn is found dead under suspicious circumstances Helgi finds himself a suspect. Mixed with this is Helgi’s mission to discover what has happened to his predecessor who disappeared with no trace.
Told in short chapters from various viewpoints and a duel timeline Helgi tries to unravel both past and present. He is a man after my own heart with his love for vintage crime novels several of which are mentioned in the story. The book is fast paced, the characters well written and I definitely didn’t predict the outcome. It takes place in Reykjavik in the run up to Christmas and the cold and dark days really add to the atmosphere of the book. A brilliant story that unfolds in a way that drew me in from the first chapter. I now want to sit down and read it again.
Detective Helgi Reykdal has just returned to work following the death of his girlfriend who was knocked down and killed by his previous partner. When she in turn is found dead under suspicious circumstances Helgi finds himself a suspect. Mixed with this is Helgi’s mission to discover what has happened to his predecessor who disappeared with no trace.
Told in short chapters from various viewpoints and a duel timeline Helgi tries to unravel both past and present. He is a man after my own heart with his love for vintage crime novels several of which are mentioned in the story. The book is fast paced, the characters well written and I definitely didn’t predict the outcome. It takes place in Reykjavik in the run up to Christmas and the cold and dark days really add to the atmosphere of the book. A brilliant story that unfolds in a way that drew me in from the first chapter. I now want to sit down and read it again.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have read the two previous books in this Helgi series so was thrilled to read this ARC.
This book has two timelines, the current follows immediately from book 2. Helgi is suffering after his new girlfriend's death and is taking time off work but needs to do something to occupy his mind so is still looking into the disappearance of Hulder Hermannsdotir. We read about her first case set in 1980 about a body in a bath.
Helgi's girlfriend was killed by his ex-girlfriend who managed to escape being prosecuted and then, very soon afterwards she is found dead in her flat. Helgi is accused and so the main focus of the book is the police building up their case against Helgi.
This is a fast-paced and gripping story with some good twists. The Hulda storyline is very enjoyable for me too as she was in her own series and I want to know more about her. Really hoping this series will continue in some way.
Massive thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, appreciated so much!
This book has two timelines, the current follows immediately from book 2. Helgi is suffering after his new girlfriend's death and is taking time off work but needs to do something to occupy his mind so is still looking into the disappearance of Hulder Hermannsdotir. We read about her first case set in 1980 about a body in a bath.
Helgi's girlfriend was killed by his ex-girlfriend who managed to escape being prosecuted and then, very soon afterwards she is found dead in her flat. Helgi is accused and so the main focus of the book is the police building up their case against Helgi.
This is a fast-paced and gripping story with some good twists. The Hulda storyline is very enjoyable for me too as she was in her own series and I want to know more about her. Really hoping this series will continue in some way.
Massive thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, appreciated so much!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I did not enjoy this book just as much as the previous ones. Perhaps because Helgi was grieving the loss of his girlfriend Anita , there were more long introspective monologues from Helgi. To a degree this has been part of the attraction in this series but I felt it makes the action very slow here.
Helgi is suspected of the murder of his abusive former partner Bergþóra and the detective in charge of the case, Alexander, seems determined to find him guilty of the crime. This seems a very old fashioned view of the police force and did not seem a very likely situation.
Half of the book deals with Helgi’s investigation into the disappearance of his predecessor as a means of Helgi trying to remain sane while the threat of imprisonment hangs over him. This was a more straightforward type of investigation more in keeping with the previous books but unfortunately finished with Helgi knowing the name of the killer but this information is not passed on to the reader. A bit of a cheap trick I thought.
Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC
Helgi is suspected of the murder of his abusive former partner Bergþóra and the detective in charge of the case, Alexander, seems determined to find him guilty of the crime. This seems a very old fashioned view of the police force and did not seem a very likely situation.
Half of the book deals with Helgi’s investigation into the disappearance of his predecessor as a means of Helgi trying to remain sane while the threat of imprisonment hangs over him. This was a more straightforward type of investigation more in keeping with the previous books but unfortunately finished with Helgi knowing the name of the killer but this information is not passed on to the reader. A bit of a cheap trick I thought.
Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've really enjoyed Ragnar Jónasson's Helgi Reykdal series, so I was delighted to receive an advance copy of The Body in the Bath. Although I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the previous book, it's still an absorbing and well-crafted Nordic noir.
Helgi is still dealing with the devastating events of the last novel, and his grief makes this a more reflective, character-driven story. The pace is a little slower as a result, but I was still drawn into both the murder investigation and Helgi's continued search for answers about Hulda's disappearance.
As always, Jónasson creates a wonderfully atmospheric Icelandic setting, and the mystery kept me guessing until the closing chapters. There were several twists along the way, and the ending was both satisfying and surprising.
While I preferred the pace of the earlier books, this is still a strong addition to the series and one I'd happily recommend to fans of intelligent, atmospheric crime fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Helgi is still dealing with the devastating events of the last novel, and his grief makes this a more reflective, character-driven story. The pace is a little slower as a result, but I was still drawn into both the murder investigation and Helgi's continued search for answers about Hulda's disappearance.
As always, Jónasson creates a wonderfully atmospheric Icelandic setting, and the mystery kept me guessing until the closing chapters. There were several twists along the way, and the ending was both satisfying and surprising.
While I preferred the pace of the earlier books, this is still a strong addition to the series and one I'd happily recommend to fans of intelligent, atmospheric crime fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Body in the Bath is a fast paced mystery novel set in Iceland. There is a light hearted, Agatha Christie inspired element to the writing, however Jonasson will have a way to go to match the Queen of Crime.
I liked the book, the main character Helgi is an interesting character that is dealing with grief, albeit there are times when I would say that he is too stoic and potentially well adjusted to the events that have unfolded. There are chapters that jump between Helgi and his predecessor with a case that she worked on in the 1970s, which feels disjointed. Throughout the book the parallels stories were there but really didn't seem to go anywhere within the overall plot that I am not too sure what the point was.
The story unfolds around Helgi, which increasingly puts him in the frame for murder that was cleverly written. However, I would say that the outcome of the case, made sense but was also slightly lazy. The end of the book felt rushed and there was not a satisfying conclusion.
It is a good book, but it could be better.
I liked the book, the main character Helgi is an interesting character that is dealing with grief, albeit there are times when I would say that he is too stoic and potentially well adjusted to the events that have unfolded. There are chapters that jump between Helgi and his predecessor with a case that she worked on in the 1970s, which feels disjointed. Throughout the book the parallels stories were there but really didn't seem to go anywhere within the overall plot that I am not too sure what the point was.
The story unfolds around Helgi, which increasingly puts him in the frame for murder that was cleverly written. However, I would say that the outcome of the case, made sense but was also slightly lazy. The end of the book felt rushed and there was not a satisfying conclusion.
It is a good book, but it could be better.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Body in the Bath (Kindle Edition) book 3 of 3 of Helgi Reykdal series an exciting mystery thriller by Ragnar Jonasson. This is my first book I have read by Ragnar.
Detective Helgi Reykdal returns to work after a month of mourning his girlfriend Anita who had been involved in a hit and run accident caused deliberately by his ex-girlfriend Bergbora a violent alcoholic, whom the police decide was an accident and Bergbora was set free.
Helgi takes on a cold case of retired detective Hulda, whom the police department deems she died by suicide, but Helgi is not convinced of this and is delving deeper into her death.
Bergbora has been found dead in her bath and the police suspect Helgi, as he may have killed her in revenge for the death of his girlfriend Anita.
Helgi needs to find her murderer before time runs out for him. Helgi is feeling very stressed out and he does not even have time to chill out and read his beloved books which is his form of escaping reality and relaxes him too.
Detective Helgi Reykdal returns to work after a month of mourning his girlfriend Anita who had been involved in a hit and run accident caused deliberately by his ex-girlfriend Bergbora a violent alcoholic, whom the police decide was an accident and Bergbora was set free.
Helgi takes on a cold case of retired detective Hulda, whom the police department deems she died by suicide, but Helgi is not convinced of this and is delving deeper into her death.
Bergbora has been found dead in her bath and the police suspect Helgi, as he may have killed her in revenge for the death of his girlfriend Anita.
Helgi needs to find her murderer before time runs out for him. Helgi is feeling very stressed out and he does not even have time to chill out and read his beloved books which is his form of escaping reality and relaxes him too.
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