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Stop Dead: The dark, chilling new instalment in the addictive Iceland Mysteries series…
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 18, 2026
This is the second book in the Iceland Mysteries series, and although it can be enjoyed as a standalone, I do thoroughly recommend that you read Dead Sweet first.
Sigurdís is in Florida studying forensic psychology, when she receives a phone call from Iceland from her police colleague, Unnar.
He informs her that Garðar, their boss from Reykjavik CID, is on leave while being investigated for Agnar’s death. Agnar was Sigurdís’s father, and it appears that some discrepancies were found in his case.
Sigurdís rushes home to be with her mother and brother, but she soon gets involved in another case.
This time a ruthless journalist, Olga Einarsdóttir, is stabbed while running a marathon.
As Sigurdís investigates deeper, she discovers that Olga was deeply disliked by anyone she has encountered… But who would commit such a heinous crime in a country with such low crime rate?
Ooh, I just loved this book!
Sigurdís is such a complex character. She’s suffered massive trauma as a child and yet, she is trying to better herself by attending therapy and wanting to help others. I do have a lot of time and respect for her as a person.
I didn’t care much for Olga, even though she was the victim here. When Sigurdís interviewed people who knew Olga, no one has said anything nice about her – I suppose that was the sad part. When you die, you hope that people would miss you and reminisce about you, but no one was mourning Olga.
I really enjoyed the ending of this book! I cannot wait for another one.
Sigurdís is in Florida studying forensic psychology, when she receives a phone call from Iceland from her police colleague, Unnar.
He informs her that Garðar, their boss from Reykjavik CID, is on leave while being investigated for Agnar’s death. Agnar was Sigurdís’s father, and it appears that some discrepancies were found in his case.
Sigurdís rushes home to be with her mother and brother, but she soon gets involved in another case.
This time a ruthless journalist, Olga Einarsdóttir, is stabbed while running a marathon.
As Sigurdís investigates deeper, she discovers that Olga was deeply disliked by anyone she has encountered… But who would commit such a heinous crime in a country with such low crime rate?
Ooh, I just loved this book!
Sigurdís is such a complex character. She’s suffered massive trauma as a child and yet, she is trying to better herself by attending therapy and wanting to help others. I do have a lot of time and respect for her as a person.
I didn’t care much for Olga, even though she was the victim here. When Sigurdís interviewed people who knew Olga, no one has said anything nice about her – I suppose that was the sad part. When you die, you hope that people would miss you and reminisce about you, but no one was mourning Olga.
I really enjoyed the ending of this book! I cannot wait for another one.
May 18, 2026
This is the second book in the Iceland Mysteries series, and although it can be enjoyed as a standalone, I do thoroughly recommend that you read Dead Sweet first.
Sigurdís is in Florida studying forensic psychology, when she receives a phone call from Iceland from her police colleague, Unnar.
He informs her that Garðar, their boss from Reykjavik CID, is on leave while being investigated for Agnar’s death. Agnar was Sigurdís’s father, and it appears that some discrepancies were found in his case.
Sigurdís rushes home to be with her mother and brother, but she soon gets involved in another case.
This time a ruthless journalist, Olga Einarsdóttir, is stabbed while running a marathon.
As Sigurdís investigates deeper, she discovers that Olga was deeply disliked by anyone she has encountered… But who would commit such a heinous crime in a country with such low crime rate?
Ooh, I just loved this book!
Sigurdís is such a complex character. She’s suffered massive trauma as a child and yet, she is trying to better herself by attending therapy and wanting to help others. I do have a lot of time and respect for her as a person.
I didn’t care much for Olga, even though she was the victim here. When Sigurdís interviewed people who knew Olga, no one has said anything nice about her – I suppose that was the sad part. When you die, you hope that people would miss you and reminisce about you, but no one was mourning Olga.
I really enjoyed the ending of this book! I cannot wait for another one.
Sigurdís is in Florida studying forensic psychology, when she receives a phone call from Iceland from her police colleague, Unnar.
He informs her that Garðar, their boss from Reykjavik CID, is on leave while being investigated for Agnar’s death. Agnar was Sigurdís’s father, and it appears that some discrepancies were found in his case.
Sigurdís rushes home to be with her mother and brother, but she soon gets involved in another case.
This time a ruthless journalist, Olga Einarsdóttir, is stabbed while running a marathon.
As Sigurdís investigates deeper, she discovers that Olga was deeply disliked by anyone she has encountered… But who would commit such a heinous crime in a country with such low crime rate?
Ooh, I just loved this book!
Sigurdís is such a complex character. She’s suffered massive trauma as a child and yet, she is trying to better herself by attending therapy and wanting to help others. I do have a lot of time and respect for her as a person.
I didn’t care much for Olga, even though she was the victim here. When Sigurdís interviewed people who knew Olga, no one has said anything nice about her – I suppose that was the sad part. When you die, you hope that people would miss you and reminisce about you, but no one was mourning Olga.
I really enjoyed the ending of this book! I cannot wait for another one.
June 5, 2026
Newly graduated from her criminal psychology studies in Florida, Icelandic detective-in-training Sigurdís is considering her options. It seems likely she will stay in the USA and apply to join the FBI, like her American boyfriend, Jeff, but then a phone call from back home changes everything. Sigurdís' boss, and mentor, Garðar, has been suspended after a recent audit of Reykjavík CID, and the investigation into the death of her father has been reopened.
Sigurdís returns to Iceland to rejoin Reykjavík's CID team, and be near her troubled family and friends. She is soon drawn into a high profile murder case. TV journalist Olga Einarsdóttir has been stabbed to death while taking part in the Reykjavík Marathon, seemingly by a fellow runner, but this one solid clue is shown to be far less useful than the police hope when they discover more than one competitor was wearing the number 1407.
The case becomes even more complicated when the CID team realise quite how unpopular Olga was. Many people had cause to dislike her, from her own family to those upset by her controversial programmes, and it is going to take time eliminating them all from the investigation. Meanwhile, someone is stalking Sigurdís from the shadows...
Sigurdís is back in her second gripping adventure, picking up the threads of Katrín Júlíusdóttir's delicious debut, Dead Sweet. Sigurdís has been following a new direction, but she finds herself right back in the turmoil of her past, when the case into her father's apparent suicide is reopened. Although therapy has given her a way to start coming to terms with the trauma associated with growing up in a house blighted by domestic abuse, it takes all her new-found control to wade through the questions and difficult memories this turn of affairs throws up - not to mention the disruption this brings to her relationships with her brother and mother, and her police career.
In parallel, Sigurdís and the CID team (hello again, handsome Unnar) have a very tricky investigation on their hands with the death of the very unpleasant Olga Einarsdóttir, whose murder opens up a whole can of bitter worms related to her present and her past. And the plot only thickens the more Sigurdís uncovers, opening up tangled lines of inquiry around past misdeeds, the lengths people will go to protect their secrets, legacy, and revenge - all classic Nordic Noir fare, with a chilling modern twist.
My favourite thing about Júlíusdóttir's writing is the way she blends the police procedural elements of her books with the personal lives of her characters. She uses themes of broken families and childhood trauma incredibly well, so the private lives of the characters complement her crime plots to perfection. It is psychologically fascinating to be in Sigurdís' head, especially when it comes to the strategies she is coming to rely on to bring light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. I loved the up-turn in her romantic life too - the chemistry between her and Unnar is a welcome addition the otherwise menacing mix (poor old Jeff, he never stood a chance).
This was a very satisfying second instalment of the series, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Sigurdís returns to Iceland to rejoin Reykjavík's CID team, and be near her troubled family and friends. She is soon drawn into a high profile murder case. TV journalist Olga Einarsdóttir has been stabbed to death while taking part in the Reykjavík Marathon, seemingly by a fellow runner, but this one solid clue is shown to be far less useful than the police hope when they discover more than one competitor was wearing the number 1407.
The case becomes even more complicated when the CID team realise quite how unpopular Olga was. Many people had cause to dislike her, from her own family to those upset by her controversial programmes, and it is going to take time eliminating them all from the investigation. Meanwhile, someone is stalking Sigurdís from the shadows...
Sigurdís is back in her second gripping adventure, picking up the threads of Katrín Júlíusdóttir's delicious debut, Dead Sweet. Sigurdís has been following a new direction, but she finds herself right back in the turmoil of her past, when the case into her father's apparent suicide is reopened. Although therapy has given her a way to start coming to terms with the trauma associated with growing up in a house blighted by domestic abuse, it takes all her new-found control to wade through the questions and difficult memories this turn of affairs throws up - not to mention the disruption this brings to her relationships with her brother and mother, and her police career.
In parallel, Sigurdís and the CID team (hello again, handsome Unnar) have a very tricky investigation on their hands with the death of the very unpleasant Olga Einarsdóttir, whose murder opens up a whole can of bitter worms related to her present and her past. And the plot only thickens the more Sigurdís uncovers, opening up tangled lines of inquiry around past misdeeds, the lengths people will go to protect their secrets, legacy, and revenge - all classic Nordic Noir fare, with a chilling modern twist.
My favourite thing about Júlíusdóttir's writing is the way she blends the police procedural elements of her books with the personal lives of her characters. She uses themes of broken families and childhood trauma incredibly well, so the private lives of the characters complement her crime plots to perfection. It is psychologically fascinating to be in Sigurdís' head, especially when it comes to the strategies she is coming to rely on to bring light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. I loved the up-turn in her romantic life too - the chemistry between her and Unnar is a welcome addition the otherwise menacing mix (poor old Jeff, he never stood a chance).
This was a very satisfying second instalment of the series, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The world owes a huge debt of gratitude to Katrín Júlíusdóttir for abdicating a thriving political career and instead assume the profession of penning mystery novels. Since leaving politics in 2016, the former Minister of Finance and Economy in Iceland, has admirably reinvented herself as an author of prominence. Her latest book, Stop Dead is not exception to the norm. A racy thriller set in some of the bleak and windswept remote corners of Iceland, Stop Dead is a one sitting breathless read.
At the heart of the plot is the inexplicable and clinical murder of outspoken and irascible journalist, Olga Einars. At one moment participating in the Reykjavík marathon, and in another moment lying dead after being pierced through the heart with surgical precision, the murder sends shockwaves through the otherwise calm and low-profile Iceland. The Icelandic police force has its nose set out of joint when public camera footage reveals multiple runners wearing the same number 1407 in the eventful marathon.
Sigurdís, a police officer from Iceland, who is pursuing an academic course in forensics in the United States is forced to return to Iceland, not because of the Olga tragedy, but because she is in the middle of battling her own demons in the form of an ambivalent bereavement in the family. When her former superior requests Sigurdís’ assistance with the murder investigation, she is extremely glad to assist.
What was initially a pure avenue for distraction, soon transforms into a perilous journey where an agglomeration of human emotions rules the roost. Anger, angst, anguish, revenge, and remorse all contrive together in a chaotic frenzy to throw sand in the gears of the investigation, every step of the way. Unperturbed and unrelenting, Sigurdís ploughs on with single minded determination to unmask the wily murderer. From the murky digital depths of the dark web to the isolated and unlikely setting of Husavik, Sigurdís’ investigation takes her on paths unexplored and reveals outcomes unimagined.
Stop Dead is an invigorating and ingenious book that weaves together a tapestry of human emotions. There is as much rationale for being wicked as there is for turning wise. However, Katrín Júlíusdóttir, never misses an opportunity to drive home the point in the heads of her readers that impulsive and ill-justified actions can never double up as synonyms for justice. Each character in the book is created with a fierce sense of purpose and not a single paragraph or passage in the book outlives or undermines its utility. There is free and unhinged expression of the paradoxes. The profound locks horns with the petty as rage stares calm in the eye. The plot is breezy and the narrative, matter of fact, which makes it a veritable joy to read.
Stop Dead – Sigurdís’ deserved fame under the sun, or rather under the unpredictable volcanic ash of Iceland!
This review is part of the Stop Dead virtual book tour organised by Orenda Books. While a digital copy of the book was shared for the sole purposes of review, no monetary emoluments were part of the entire process.
At the heart of the plot is the inexplicable and clinical murder of outspoken and irascible journalist, Olga Einars. At one moment participating in the Reykjavík marathon, and in another moment lying dead after being pierced through the heart with surgical precision, the murder sends shockwaves through the otherwise calm and low-profile Iceland. The Icelandic police force has its nose set out of joint when public camera footage reveals multiple runners wearing the same number 1407 in the eventful marathon.
Sigurdís, a police officer from Iceland, who is pursuing an academic course in forensics in the United States is forced to return to Iceland, not because of the Olga tragedy, but because she is in the middle of battling her own demons in the form of an ambivalent bereavement in the family. When her former superior requests Sigurdís’ assistance with the murder investigation, she is extremely glad to assist.
What was initially a pure avenue for distraction, soon transforms into a perilous journey where an agglomeration of human emotions rules the roost. Anger, angst, anguish, revenge, and remorse all contrive together in a chaotic frenzy to throw sand in the gears of the investigation, every step of the way. Unperturbed and unrelenting, Sigurdís ploughs on with single minded determination to unmask the wily murderer. From the murky digital depths of the dark web to the isolated and unlikely setting of Husavik, Sigurdís’ investigation takes her on paths unexplored and reveals outcomes unimagined.
Stop Dead is an invigorating and ingenious book that weaves together a tapestry of human emotions. There is as much rationale for being wicked as there is for turning wise. However, Katrín Júlíusdóttir, never misses an opportunity to drive home the point in the heads of her readers that impulsive and ill-justified actions can never double up as synonyms for justice. Each character in the book is created with a fierce sense of purpose and not a single paragraph or passage in the book outlives or undermines its utility. There is free and unhinged expression of the paradoxes. The profound locks horns with the petty as rage stares calm in the eye. The plot is breezy and the narrative, matter of fact, which makes it a veritable joy to read.
Stop Dead – Sigurdís’ deserved fame under the sun, or rather under the unpredictable volcanic ash of Iceland!
This review is part of the Stop Dead virtual book tour organised by Orenda Books. While a digital copy of the book was shared for the sole purposes of review, no monetary emoluments were part of the entire process.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sigurdis is studying criminal psychology in the US when she receives a call informing her old boss and mentor, Garðar, has been put on leave from the Reykjavík CID after a standard review called his work into her violent father’s death into question. Sigurdis immediately returns to Iceland and begins to ask questions she’s never considered before about the night her father died. And she is soon pulled into the investigation into the disturbing murder of controversial TV personality Olga Einarsdóttir, who was stabbed to death during the Reykjavik Marathon. It is soon clear that Olga was unpopular with many people, including her business partner and her own son. And questions are being asked about her ex-husband’s death that make Sigurdis and fellow detective, Unnar, wonder if Olga was involved.
Propulsive, tense, twisty and totally addictive, the second instalment in Katrín Júlíusdóttir’s Iceland Mysteries is Nordic noir at its best. Skillfully written, acutely observed, cleverly plotted and fast-paced, Katrín shows that her sensational debut was not a fluke with this thrilling follow up. I was in her thrall and unable to stop reading once I’d started and was again taken on a turbulent ride filled with dark secrets and traumatic pasts that come back to haunt you. With multiple timelines, two different crime investigations, a vast array of characters and numerous suspects, it is a testament to Katrín’s skill that none of this ever feels confusing. I had so many predictions and loved that I was never sure which were right and which were wrong, keeping me on a knife-edge of suspense and anticipation right up until the last page.
The book is filled with a cast of characters who are richly drawn, relatable and real. Sigurdis is a great protagonist and I loved being back with her. She’s likeable and easy to root for, but also flawed and complex, her dark and traumatic past causing CPTSD. That past plagues her this time around as questions are asked about her violent father’s death. Could her mother have killed him or did he take his own life as Sigurdis has always believed? Katrín writes about these topics with authenticity, honesty and sensitivity, really making you feel the characters’ emotions at every step. But it isn’t all dark, and one aspect of the story that provided some light was Sigurdis’ relationship with fellow detective, Unnar. The chemistry sizzles between them from the start and I was rooting for them to give into it and finally get together. But did they? You’ll have to read to find out.
An addictive thriller that keeps you on your toes, I highly recommend this one.
Propulsive, tense, twisty and totally addictive, the second instalment in Katrín Júlíusdóttir’s Iceland Mysteries is Nordic noir at its best. Skillfully written, acutely observed, cleverly plotted and fast-paced, Katrín shows that her sensational debut was not a fluke with this thrilling follow up. I was in her thrall and unable to stop reading once I’d started and was again taken on a turbulent ride filled with dark secrets and traumatic pasts that come back to haunt you. With multiple timelines, two different crime investigations, a vast array of characters and numerous suspects, it is a testament to Katrín’s skill that none of this ever feels confusing. I had so many predictions and loved that I was never sure which were right and which were wrong, keeping me on a knife-edge of suspense and anticipation right up until the last page.
The book is filled with a cast of characters who are richly drawn, relatable and real. Sigurdis is a great protagonist and I loved being back with her. She’s likeable and easy to root for, but also flawed and complex, her dark and traumatic past causing CPTSD. That past plagues her this time around as questions are asked about her violent father’s death. Could her mother have killed him or did he take his own life as Sigurdis has always believed? Katrín writes about these topics with authenticity, honesty and sensitivity, really making you feel the characters’ emotions at every step. But it isn’t all dark, and one aspect of the story that provided some light was Sigurdis’ relationship with fellow detective, Unnar. The chemistry sizzles between them from the start and I was rooting for them to give into it and finally get together. But did they? You’ll have to read to find out.
An addictive thriller that keeps you on your toes, I highly recommend this one.
May 21, 2026
I've really grown addicted to Icelandic fiction and so finding a new series to immerse myself in is always a win in my book. Katrín Júlíusdóttir's Iceland Mysteries series delivers everything I love about this fabulous northern noir genre, with great characters, puzzling mysteries and more than a little bit of threat. There's also the off smattering of romance this time around too, but you'll need to read the book to learn more about that - no spoilers here.
This book is your classic murder mystery. a death at the very beginning, this time around one which is certain to make the headlines, as the victim used to deliver those headlines herself. Famed local TV presenter Olga Einars is murdered right in the middle of the Reykjavík marathon, a feat that seems almost impossible to have pulled off given the sheer number of witnesses along the streets cheering people on. And yet, the case proves to be the ultimate of puzzles and it will take everything that Sigurdis and her colleagues in the Reykjavík CID have got to give in order to solve it.
Freshly back from studying in the USA, Sigurdís has her own demons to battle too, and coming to the attention of a potential killer was not on her homecoming bingo card, but that is what makes this book such a joy to read, and what really did draw me into the story. As well as the focus on the Detectives and the investigation, we readers are privy to the thoughts of the killer, or at least someone who appears to be very close to the investigation, and that creeping sensation the author evokes through these scenes just adds to the tension that underpins the book.
This book is beautifully layered, mixing the personal aspects of Sigurdís's life and the reopening of the investigation into her father's death, with the intense investigation into Olga and the every growing number of suspects who may have had cause to do her harm. we are led up and down several paths, some more or less relevant to what has happened, with Katrín Júlíusdóttir keeping us on the hook by introducing several different possibilities. I actually really enjoyed the path this story took, and whilst I made a few assumptions on the who and why, my thoughts kept bouncing around and my theories proved only partially correct.
Olga is not the most endearing of victims, but that didn't make me any less invested in seeing a positive outcome for the team, or wanting to know exactly what did happen. It takes a real skill to keep readers interested when they don't particularly like the victims, but I was hooked on the investigation, the mystery and the brilliant dynamics of the investigative team, so never once felt like stepping away.
I do like that the story leads Sigurdís away from the city, and by default we as readers too. Taking us into new environments allowed the author to explore other aspects of Sigurdís' personal life, as well as giving us a quick tour of more of the wonderfully varied Icelandic communities, and introducing a whole raft of new characters and personalities to helped drive the story on and give context to the investigation. Another really intriguing and mystery laden story that I thoroughly enjoyed. And then, that ending ... Well, if that doesn't imply there is more to come, I don't know what does, and I am totally there for it. If you love a great Icelandic police led Icelandic murder mystery, this is heartily recommended.
This book is your classic murder mystery. a death at the very beginning, this time around one which is certain to make the headlines, as the victim used to deliver those headlines herself. Famed local TV presenter Olga Einars is murdered right in the middle of the Reykjavík marathon, a feat that seems almost impossible to have pulled off given the sheer number of witnesses along the streets cheering people on. And yet, the case proves to be the ultimate of puzzles and it will take everything that Sigurdis and her colleagues in the Reykjavík CID have got to give in order to solve it.
Freshly back from studying in the USA, Sigurdís has her own demons to battle too, and coming to the attention of a potential killer was not on her homecoming bingo card, but that is what makes this book such a joy to read, and what really did draw me into the story. As well as the focus on the Detectives and the investigation, we readers are privy to the thoughts of the killer, or at least someone who appears to be very close to the investigation, and that creeping sensation the author evokes through these scenes just adds to the tension that underpins the book.
This book is beautifully layered, mixing the personal aspects of Sigurdís's life and the reopening of the investigation into her father's death, with the intense investigation into Olga and the every growing number of suspects who may have had cause to do her harm. we are led up and down several paths, some more or less relevant to what has happened, with Katrín Júlíusdóttir keeping us on the hook by introducing several different possibilities. I actually really enjoyed the path this story took, and whilst I made a few assumptions on the who and why, my thoughts kept bouncing around and my theories proved only partially correct.
Olga is not the most endearing of victims, but that didn't make me any less invested in seeing a positive outcome for the team, or wanting to know exactly what did happen. It takes a real skill to keep readers interested when they don't particularly like the victims, but I was hooked on the investigation, the mystery and the brilliant dynamics of the investigative team, so never once felt like stepping away.
I do like that the story leads Sigurdís away from the city, and by default we as readers too. Taking us into new environments allowed the author to explore other aspects of Sigurdís' personal life, as well as giving us a quick tour of more of the wonderfully varied Icelandic communities, and introducing a whole raft of new characters and personalities to helped drive the story on and give context to the investigation. Another really intriguing and mystery laden story that I thoroughly enjoyed. And then, that ending ... Well, if that doesn't imply there is more to come, I don't know what does, and I am totally there for it. If you love a great Icelandic police led Icelandic murder mystery, this is heartily recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sigurðís is back from the States and thrown straight into the twin turmoils of the murder case of Olga, a TV personality during the Reykjavik marathon, and the reopening of the case of her dad's alleged suicide, under an allegation of possible mishandling at the time. She's reunited to work beneath Unnar, and the tension still fizzes between them, making her wonder what to do about boyfriend Jeff left behind in the States.
There's not much to go on in the murder case, but as Sigurðís travels around putting together a bigger picture of Olga's life, it transpires that her glossy image hides a somewhat murkier underside. Interspersed are chapters where it becomes apparent that someone is following Sigurðís, and eventually this spills over into the main text as a clear threat is delivered.
As the book progressed I was wolfing down the chapters, the tension was really hotting up, and I was suspecting anybody and everybody, but the number of pages left looked worryingly insufficient to wrap everything up (and I do know the Icelander's penchant for leaving stories open-ended!) although you'll be as relieved to hear as I was to discover that Katrín delivers us there in the end with aplomb, but with also the Icelandic trademark doorway left open for future possibilities...
Not the least of which is what her mum has to say about the reopened case, which did feel a little rushed in the conclusion, but again, perhaps this is simply sowing seeds for book 3.
There is a change of translator from book one, but I feel the author's voice still comes across recognisably, for which Larissa Kyzer must be applauded.
An enjoyable follow up to Dead Sweet, and I will look forward to what Katrín (& Sigurðís!) brings us next time.
There's not much to go on in the murder case, but as Sigurðís travels around putting together a bigger picture of Olga's life, it transpires that her glossy image hides a somewhat murkier underside. Interspersed are chapters where it becomes apparent that someone is following Sigurðís, and eventually this spills over into the main text as a clear threat is delivered.
As the book progressed I was wolfing down the chapters, the tension was really hotting up, and I was suspecting anybody and everybody, but the number of pages left looked worryingly insufficient to wrap everything up (and I do know the Icelander's penchant for leaving stories open-ended!) although you'll be as relieved to hear as I was to discover that Katrín delivers us there in the end with aplomb, but with also the Icelandic trademark doorway left open for future possibilities...
Not the least of which is what her mum has to say about the reopened case, which did feel a little rushed in the conclusion, but again, perhaps this is simply sowing seeds for book 3.
There is a change of translator from book one, but I feel the author's voice still comes across recognisably, for which Larissa Kyzer must be applauded.
An enjoyable follow up to Dead Sweet, and I will look forward to what Katrín (& Sigurðís!) brings us next time.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Stop Dead, the new novel by Katrín Júlíusdóttir, is a real page-turner, and I loved reconnecting with her main character, Sigurdís, who has recently relocated from Iceland to Miami, where she is studying criminology. But in the opening pages of this book, she’s faced with a devastating blow when it’s revealed that the police are reinvestigating what happened to her father, prompting her to return home to Iceland. And upon her return, she finds herself investigating a strange case following the murder of a runner, Olga, during a local marathon.
The murder of Olga is really intriguing, particularly as it creates thousands of possible suspects who were also taking part in the same event. It seems like an almost impossible task for Sigurdís and her team to narrow down who the culprit could be. The fact that the runner is also a local television presenter creates even more tension and pressure on the police to solve the crime quickly. I wanted to know what motive the killer had and how they could be so brazen to kill Olga in broad daylight and in front of thousands of potential witnesses.
The investigation into Olga’s murder and the reinvestigation into what happened to her father do take Sigurdís down some dark paths, including delving deep into the dark web, which brings to light some horrifying facts she has to deal with. The different avenues Sigurdís and the police explore really do make Stop Dead such a propulsive and gripping read. I also loved the added romance in the book, which I found surprising, and I could really feel the chemistry between the characters on the page.
I really, really enjoyed Stop Dead and found it to be a pacy and addictive read. If you haven’t yet started this series, I highly recommend that you do.
The murder of Olga is really intriguing, particularly as it creates thousands of possible suspects who were also taking part in the same event. It seems like an almost impossible task for Sigurdís and her team to narrow down who the culprit could be. The fact that the runner is also a local television presenter creates even more tension and pressure on the police to solve the crime quickly. I wanted to know what motive the killer had and how they could be so brazen to kill Olga in broad daylight and in front of thousands of potential witnesses.
The investigation into Olga’s murder and the reinvestigation into what happened to her father do take Sigurdís down some dark paths, including delving deep into the dark web, which brings to light some horrifying facts she has to deal with. The different avenues Sigurdís and the police explore really do make Stop Dead such a propulsive and gripping read. I also loved the added romance in the book, which I found surprising, and I could really feel the chemistry between the characters on the page.
I really, really enjoyed Stop Dead and found it to be a pacy and addictive read. If you haven’t yet started this series, I highly recommend that you do.
Review of advance copy
The second book in the Iceland Mysteries series, I loved the first book and I’m pleased to report this is equally as good. Told from multiple POVs this could be read as a standalone but I recommend reading book one first just for background. The main protagonist Sigurðís is a police officer who has been on a forensics course in Florida but has returned after a phone call from her colleague Unnar.
Briefly, Sigurðís has become part of the investigating team into the murder of journalist Olga Einarsdóttir who was stabbed whilst running the Reykjavik marathon. It soon becomes clear that Olga was involved in something much darker than just reporting local news and in a popularity contest she would be way down the list! Meanwhile the case into Sigurðís’s father’s apparent suicide has been reopened due to some concerns over the handling of the case.
Sigurðís is a great character, despite her own traumas she still wants to help others. I really like her. The descriptions of Iceland and the environs and its community make me want to go back there again. The plot is excellent and the tension really ramps up as the book progresses, and yes I know it’s an annoying sentence but I really couldn’t put this book down! Plenty of red herrings to keep you on your toes and a satisfying ending with the door ajar for book 3, and I can’t wait.
Briefly, Sigurðís has become part of the investigating team into the murder of journalist Olga Einarsdóttir who was stabbed whilst running the Reykjavik marathon. It soon becomes clear that Olga was involved in something much darker than just reporting local news and in a popularity contest she would be way down the list! Meanwhile the case into Sigurðís’s father’s apparent suicide has been reopened due to some concerns over the handling of the case.
Sigurðís is a great character, despite her own traumas she still wants to help others. I really like her. The descriptions of Iceland and the environs and its community make me want to go back there again. The plot is excellent and the tension really ramps up as the book progresses, and yes I know it’s an annoying sentence but I really couldn’t put this book down! Plenty of red herrings to keep you on your toes and a satisfying ending with the door ajar for book 3, and I can’t wait.
May 30, 2026
Stop Dead is about two murders. One sososo personal to my protagonist Sigurdís but also one her former boss asked her to support on. One that is seriously high profile individual, Olga.
Olga ruffled a fair few feathers in her timeso it’s no surprise finding legitimate suspects was hard. Sigurdís is back from the states and helping out this investigation. Its film of dead ends and possibilities which frustrated me as a reader.
My choice of culprit was diverse but Júlíusdóttir tried to keep me on the straight and narrow but my amateur crime solving mind wanted to go its alternate routes, rightly or wrongly…. I was desperate to play detective and solve both crimes before it was revealed to me.
Stop Dead is a slow burner of a read but well worth it. I felt invested in the characters, particularly Sigurdìs. She was a beacon in this read. One of determination and tenacity. I’m not a biggest Scandi fan however Júlíusdóttir’s writing might convert me… a cracking police procedural kind of read, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Olga ruffled a fair few feathers in her timeso it’s no surprise finding legitimate suspects was hard. Sigurdís is back from the states and helping out this investigation. Its film of dead ends and possibilities which frustrated me as a reader.
My choice of culprit was diverse but Júlíusdóttir tried to keep me on the straight and narrow but my amateur crime solving mind wanted to go its alternate routes, rightly or wrongly…. I was desperate to play detective and solve both crimes before it was revealed to me.
Stop Dead is a slow burner of a read but well worth it. I felt invested in the characters, particularly Sigurdìs. She was a beacon in this read. One of determination and tenacity. I’m not a biggest Scandi fan however Júlíusdóttir’s writing might convert me… a cracking police procedural kind of read, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I've been reading more and more Icelandic fiction over the last few years, and after reading the previous book, Dead Sweet, I couldn't wait to get into this and let me tell you, it certainly did not disappoint.
Stop Dead can definitely be read as a standalone, but for me, I always like to read books in order, so I'd recommend reading Dead Sweet for some background.
So what we have here is Nordic Noir of the very highest order. It's classic, good old fashioned murder mystery for the modern reader with death early on when a TV presenter is killed during the Reykjavik marathon and the investigation by Sigurdis and her colleagues in the Reykjavík CID, in addition to the re opening of her Father's sucide case. And what follows is a rich, descriptive tale of twist after twist and turns after turn, with some great, interesting characters, each of which being well fleshed out and believable.
Katrín Júlíusdóttir is fast becomming one of my favouite authors.
A big 5 stars from me.
Stop Dead can definitely be read as a standalone, but for me, I always like to read books in order, so I'd recommend reading Dead Sweet for some background.
So what we have here is Nordic Noir of the very highest order. It's classic, good old fashioned murder mystery for the modern reader with death early on when a TV presenter is killed during the Reykjavik marathon and the investigation by Sigurdis and her colleagues in the Reykjavík CID, in addition to the re opening of her Father's sucide case. And what follows is a rich, descriptive tale of twist after twist and turns after turn, with some great, interesting characters, each of which being well fleshed out and believable.
Katrín Júlíusdóttir is fast becomming one of my favouite authors.
A big 5 stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What can I say about this book other than it was simply sublime. This is the second book in a series but I read as a standalone and it works perfectly as such (although I loved it so much I need to read the first in the series now).
It's a perfectly paced plot that leaves you completely addicted and wanting more. It's totally immersive and so well researched, you just feel like you're there solving the crimes in Iceland.
It's a translated book but the translation is so smooth you wouldn't even notice, it's been so excellently done.
Cannot recommend this book enough. It really is fantastic
It's a perfectly paced plot that leaves you completely addicted and wanting more. It's totally immersive and so well researched, you just feel like you're there solving the crimes in Iceland.
It's a translated book but the translation is so smooth you wouldn't even notice, it's been so excellently done.
Cannot recommend this book enough. It really is fantastic
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is my first read by this author but I was so gripped by this story I’ve bought the first book to learn more about the characters.
This was a great story with characters both I could get behind and also dislike (I always like that in a thriller), I found it atmospheric and set in Iceland gave a brilliant insight into the police procedures and setting.
A really great plot with a brilliant delivery and ending.
Highly recommend this series and author
This was a great story with characters both I could get behind and also dislike (I always like that in a thriller), I found it atmospheric and set in Iceland gave a brilliant insight into the police procedures and setting.
A really great plot with a brilliant delivery and ending.
Highly recommend this series and author
Review of advance copy
This is a really good enjoyable read. It is very cleverly written and well placed. There are several storylines some of which interlink and bring the story together. As this is the second book in the series you can feel the characters start to evolve as their personalities and back stories develop. It can be read as a standalone but the first book is good too so I would recommend giving it a read first.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Stop Dead is a gripping Nordic noir that combines a compelling murder mystery with strong character development and an atmospheric Icelandic setting. The story is fast-paced, full of tension, and keeps readers engaged throughout, while the protagonist, Sigurdís, brings emotional depth to the investigation.
With its intriguing plot, vivid sense of place, and well-crafted suspense, Stop Dead is an excellent choice for fans of intelligent, character-driven crime fiction.
With its intriguing plot, vivid sense of place, and well-crafted suspense, Stop Dead is an excellent choice for fans of intelligent, character-driven crime fiction.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A pacy slick thriller that perhaps was little too rushed to help build up the drama - I suspect readers of prior books though may get more out of it
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