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Hidden Iceland #2
The Island
Autumn of 1987 takes a young couple on a romantic trip in the Westfjords holiday - a trip that gets an unexpected ending and has catastrophic consequences.
Ten years later a small group of friends go for a weekend in an old hunting lodge in Elliðaey. A place completely cut off from the outside world, to reconnect. But one of them isn't going to make it make alive. And Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir is determined to find the truth in the darkness.
308 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2016
About the author
Ragnar Jónasson
62 books4,048 followersRagnar Jonasson is author of the award winning and international bestselling Dark Iceland series.
His debut Snowblind, first in the Dark Iceland series, went to number one in the Amazon Kindle charts shortly after publication. The book was also a no. 1 Amazon Kindle bestseller in Australia. Snowblind has been a paperback bestseller in France.
Nightblind won the Dead Good Reader Award 2016 for Most Captivating Crime in Translation.
Snowblind was called a "classically crafted whodunit" by THE NEW YORK TIMES, and it was selected by The Independent as one of the best crime novels of 2015 in the UK.
Rights to the Dark Iceland series have been sold to UK, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Poland, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Morocco, Portugal, Croatia, Armenia and Iceland.
Ragnar was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he works as a writer and a lawyer. He also teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University and has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV-news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
He is also the co-founder of the Reykjavik international crime writing festival Iceland Noir.
From the age of 17, Ragnar translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic.
Ragnar has also had short stories published internationally, including in the distinguished Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in the US, the first stories by an Icelandic author in that magazine.
He has appeared on festival panels worldwide, and lives in Reykjavik.
His debut Snowblind, first in the Dark Iceland series, went to number one in the Amazon Kindle charts shortly after publication. The book was also a no. 1 Amazon Kindle bestseller in Australia. Snowblind has been a paperback bestseller in France.
Nightblind won the Dead Good Reader Award 2016 for Most Captivating Crime in Translation.
Snowblind was called a "classically crafted whodunit" by THE NEW YORK TIMES, and it was selected by The Independent as one of the best crime novels of 2015 in the UK.
Rights to the Dark Iceland series have been sold to UK, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Poland, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Morocco, Portugal, Croatia, Armenia and Iceland.
Ragnar was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he works as a writer and a lawyer. He also teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University and has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV-news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
He is also the co-founder of the Reykjavik international crime writing festival Iceland Noir.
From the age of 17, Ragnar translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic.
Ragnar has also had short stories published internationally, including in the distinguished Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in the US, the first stories by an Icelandic author in that magazine.
He has appeared on festival panels worldwide, and lives in Reykjavik.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,288 reviews
June 23, 2019
This author has become my new Scandanavian noir author. This is the second in this new series. Hulda, in her fifties has suffered greatly from personal losses. She has also been passed over, because she is a woman, for promotions, yet she has never given anything but her best in solving crimes. This case will harken back to a murder that had been closed ten years previously, costing a family an almost total collapse.
This story is set in Iceland, a small island called Ellioacy, and in the Western fjords. It is darkly atmospheric and quietly suspenseful. A ghost story passed down adds a paranormal air, adding to the atmosphere. This is not, however, a paranormal story. Hulda, is instantly relatable, likeable and will not close this case as easily as the earlier case was. That case propelled a man who was once her colleague, to rapid promotions. He is now her boss. A situation not to her liking.
A good mix of story and the personal, this is a cleverly plotted, well written novel. The atmosphere and Hulda, are the things that pulled me into the story. Love when an author uses those two items rather than using blood and gore.
This story is set in Iceland, a small island called Ellioacy, and in the Western fjords. It is darkly atmospheric and quietly suspenseful. A ghost story passed down adds a paranormal air, adding to the atmosphere. This is not, however, a paranormal story. Hulda, is instantly relatable, likeable and will not close this case as easily as the earlier case was. That case propelled a man who was once her colleague, to rapid promotions. He is now her boss. A situation not to her liking.
A good mix of story and the personal, this is a cleverly plotted, well written novel. The atmosphere and Hulda, are the things that pulled me into the story. Love when an author uses those two items rather than using blood and gore.
March 28, 2019
This series has an interesting format in that it’s written in reverse order. Book #1 (The Darkness) gave us Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir at the end of her career with the Reykjavík police. In this outing we go back a bit to 1997 as she investigates a suspicious death on the island of Elliðaey.
Ten years ago, Dagur’s family was ripped apart when his sister was murdered in a rural cabin. (Thanks to a brief prologue we know what happened…sort of.) They used to hang with Benni, Alexandra & Klara, 3 other school mates who have since become estranged. So when Benni gets in touch it’s a bit of a surprise. He want to get the gang together & spend the weekend on an island to honour the anniversary of the death. Hmmm….remote island, just the four of them, no way to leave. Sure, sounds good.
It’s not long before Reykjavík police get a call. Seems a young woman has fallen to her death on Elliðaey. Hulda has been going through a tough spell & jumps at the chance to leave the city behind. Her subsequent interviews with the remaining friends only lead to more questions & the sneaking suspicion she’s not getting the whole story from any of them.
This is not a flashy fast paced thriller. It’s a quiet, reflective mystery that is almost more about the characters than the crimes. Not to say there aren’t any twists in the plot because there are. Secrets from the past & present are revealed. But it’s the background & relationships of these people that form the bulk of the story & help us understand how they ended up where they are.
At the centre of it all is Hulda. Her mother recently died & the death of the young woman has reminded her of the loss of her own daughter 10 years ago. She’s never known who her father was other than he was an American GI stationed in Reykjavík during the war. One side story deals with her search for him & I really enjoyed this part. You desperately want her to find some happiness in her small, colourless life.
I love it when a book opens with a creepy prologue. It’s always tucked in the back of my mind as I read, keeping an eye out for how/who it’s related to in the story. Here we get 2 that occur in the late 1980’s & you’ll have to pay attention as there are shifting time lines. Because of the pace & content, this one didn’t grab me as much as The Darkness. But I do enjoy spending time with Hulda. Books that feature a mature female detective are rare. Her life experience & dedication give her a different take on events & enable her to think outside the box (unlike Lýdur, her lazy pompous boss).
This hushed, atmospheric read perfectly mirrors the Icelandic landscape & serves as a reminder that wherever you go, your past travels with you.
3.5 stars
Ten years ago, Dagur’s family was ripped apart when his sister was murdered in a rural cabin. (Thanks to a brief prologue we know what happened…sort of.) They used to hang with Benni, Alexandra & Klara, 3 other school mates who have since become estranged. So when Benni gets in touch it’s a bit of a surprise. He want to get the gang together & spend the weekend on an island to honour the anniversary of the death. Hmmm….remote island, just the four of them, no way to leave. Sure, sounds good.
It’s not long before Reykjavík police get a call. Seems a young woman has fallen to her death on Elliðaey. Hulda has been going through a tough spell & jumps at the chance to leave the city behind. Her subsequent interviews with the remaining friends only lead to more questions & the sneaking suspicion she’s not getting the whole story from any of them.
This is not a flashy fast paced thriller. It’s a quiet, reflective mystery that is almost more about the characters than the crimes. Not to say there aren’t any twists in the plot because there are. Secrets from the past & present are revealed. But it’s the background & relationships of these people that form the bulk of the story & help us understand how they ended up where they are.
At the centre of it all is Hulda. Her mother recently died & the death of the young woman has reminded her of the loss of her own daughter 10 years ago. She’s never known who her father was other than he was an American GI stationed in Reykjavík during the war. One side story deals with her search for him & I really enjoyed this part. You desperately want her to find some happiness in her small, colourless life.
I love it when a book opens with a creepy prologue. It’s always tucked in the back of my mind as I read, keeping an eye out for how/who it’s related to in the story. Here we get 2 that occur in the late 1980’s & you’ll have to pay attention as there are shifting time lines. Because of the pace & content, this one didn’t grab me as much as The Darkness. But I do enjoy spending time with Hulda. Books that feature a mature female detective are rare. Her life experience & dedication give her a different take on events & enable her to think outside the box (unlike Lýdur, her lazy pompous boss).
This hushed, atmospheric read perfectly mirrors the Icelandic landscape & serves as a reminder that wherever you go, your past travels with you.
3.5 stars
August 17, 2019
This story is rife with deceit and sadness. 4 of 10 stars
April 26, 2019
5/5 stars for another stellar book from Ragnar Jonasson! This author's work just consistently works for me, and THE ISLAND is my favorite book of his yet. This is the 2nd book in his Hulda Hermannsdottir series - and it's definitely worth reading the series from the beginning. THE ISLAND blends the atmosphere of Nordic Noir with a layered mystery (involving a "locked room" style plot!). It's stylish and addictive, and I absolutely loved it!
Catch my full review on the CBTB blog! http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2019/4...
Catch my full review on the CBTB blog! http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2019/4...
October 18, 2020
Great storytelling! I thoroughly enjoyed the gradual unravelling of this sorry tale.
February 21, 2022
I was a big fan of The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson, so I was happy to find time to return to the series. Here, we find Hulda earlier in her career. It’s 1997 and she’s called to investigate a murder in the western fjords. A murder that bears a similarity to a murder 10 years earlier, that her boss investigated.
The book starts off slow and somewhat confusing. It’s ages before the murder she’s investigating is actually committed. The first part of the book focuses on the initial murder and Hulda’s search for her unknown father. We learn much more about her history. I continue to enjoy Hulda and find her a great MC.
It’s a dark, chilling story with hints of the supernatural. Jonasson excels at creating scenes that are easy to envision. I had figured out part of the mystery, but not all of it.
Amanda Redman (of New Tricks fame) is the narrator and does a great job.
The book starts off slow and somewhat confusing. It’s ages before the murder she’s investigating is actually committed. The first part of the book focuses on the initial murder and Hulda’s search for her unknown father. We learn much more about her history. I continue to enjoy Hulda and find her a great MC.
It’s a dark, chilling story with hints of the supernatural. Jonasson excels at creating scenes that are easy to envision. I had figured out part of the mystery, but not all of it.
Amanda Redman (of New Tricks fame) is the narrator and does a great job.
March 24, 2019
3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4
Hidden Island Series Book 2
Ellioaey is an isolated island off the coast of Iceland. It has a beautiful, unforgiving terrain and it's an easy place to vanish. This is the second book in the Hidden Island Series.
This book is set ten years before the first instalment. DI Hulda is fast approaching fifty. She has lost her husband, daughter and her mother. Hulda is on the isolated island of Ellioaey to investigate the unexplained death of a young woman. She was one of four friends who had visited the island. There are similarities to this case to another case that happened ten years ago. This trilogy is written in reverse order. It's well written and thought out. I would have liked to have read the first book in this trilogy, but it can be read as a standalone.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Ragnar Jonasson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hidden Island Series Book 2
Ellioaey is an isolated island off the coast of Iceland. It has a beautiful, unforgiving terrain and it's an easy place to vanish. This is the second book in the Hidden Island Series.
This book is set ten years before the first instalment. DI Hulda is fast approaching fifty. She has lost her husband, daughter and her mother. Hulda is on the isolated island of Ellioaey to investigate the unexplained death of a young woman. She was one of four friends who had visited the island. There are similarities to this case to another case that happened ten years ago. This trilogy is written in reverse order. It's well written and thought out. I would have liked to have read the first book in this trilogy, but it can be read as a standalone.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Ragnar Jonasson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2026
Hidden Iceland #2, The Island, takes place 15 years before Hidden Iceland #1, The Darkness, which means I know absolutely everything that is going happen to the protagonist in the next 15 years, and she will need to wait to learn it herself. The reverse-order chronology of the series made it a fascinating read for me, for the way the author both nods to the first book in the series, but also doesn't want to give anything away from that first book, in case people picked this novel up first.
I enjoyed reading The Island, but it isn’t nearly as tightly done as book 1. The detective-protagonist gets away with a ridiculous number of interviews with suspects and witnesses without taking them down to the station for questioning, for instance. She just saunters over to their homes, and when she knocks on their door they let her in for a long chat and conveniently confess all sorts of things to her. Even when she -does- take them down to the station for questioning, there is never a lawyer present. I didn’t read it for verisimilitude, though. And so I had a good time. I’m gung-ho about starting book 3.
I enjoyed reading The Island, but it isn’t nearly as tightly done as book 1. The detective-protagonist gets away with a ridiculous number of interviews with suspects and witnesses without taking them down to the station for questioning, for instance. She just saunters over to their homes, and when she knocks on their door they let her in for a long chat and conveniently confess all sorts of things to her. Even when she -does- take them down to the station for questioning, there is never a lawyer present. I didn’t read it for verisimilitude, though. And so I had a good time. I’m gung-ho about starting book 3.
September 22, 2021
It’s 2.5 stars but too morose, too repetitive of phrase and just too full of introverted loners. And the ones who are not (all of the above) have no luck in joy connections lasting more than a passing ale exchange. The case was hardly one either.
And I have to add this. I disagree with those who have said repeatedly that it is the author and not the translator when this same bland exact phrasing occurs. I much doubt it. I think it has to be in the translation skill, as well as the author's. For instance-most published authors would NEVER repeatedly say this or that or he or she "lacks drive" as a base descriptive for their workplace state over and over. They would phrase it differently in the Icelandic language with varying connotation. For instance, "she's not ambitious" or "he's wary of success and lacks the energy to excel" or "enthusiasm is alien to him" or some other English way to state it. This book especially was horrendous in sad, grief, void descriptions for the prime characters of exact same phrasings. Which started to feel and read like a "Dick and Jane" book. It has to be translator skills lacking- as much as the original author's language? I'd bet the translator reads more varied native language phrasings but doesn't know varying English synonyms or nuance of phrasing or degree for other than a rote translation.
And I have to add this. I disagree with those who have said repeatedly that it is the author and not the translator when this same bland exact phrasing occurs. I much doubt it. I think it has to be in the translation skill, as well as the author's. For instance-most published authors would NEVER repeatedly say this or that or he or she "lacks drive" as a base descriptive for their workplace state over and over. They would phrase it differently in the Icelandic language with varying connotation. For instance, "she's not ambitious" or "he's wary of success and lacks the energy to excel" or "enthusiasm is alien to him" or some other English way to state it. This book especially was horrendous in sad, grief, void descriptions for the prime characters of exact same phrasings. Which started to feel and read like a "Dick and Jane" book. It has to be translator skills lacking- as much as the original author's language? I'd bet the translator reads more varied native language phrasings but doesn't know varying English synonyms or nuance of phrasing or degree for other than a rote translation.
April 15, 2019
The Island is my introduction to Ragnar Jónasson books and I will definitely read more books by him. The book isn't especially thick, which was very nice for a change. Also, I felt that the size was perfect for the story. There was no need to fill it out with unnecessary dialogue or descriptions. The pacing is very good and I partly read and partly listened to the audiobook version (which I recommend). Storywise was the book interesting, especially since there aren't that many suspects in the case since there were only three people on the island. It's the connections to the case of the brutal murder of a girl ten years ago that makes this story extra interesting to read. Also, I love reading a book set in Iceland, need to read more books set in Iceland. Especially since I love books set on islands.
Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir is a great character and her family story is very tragic with the death of her husband and daughter years ago. In this book, is she trying to locate her father who she has never met since her mother never wanted to talk about him. I'm looking forward to reading the first book to find out more about Hulda. The island is a great thriller and I recommend the book warmly!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir is a great character and her family story is very tragic with the death of her husband and daughter years ago. In this book, is she trying to locate her father who she has never met since her mother never wanted to talk about him. I'm looking forward to reading the first book to find out more about Hulda. The island is a great thriller and I recommend the book warmly!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
December 25, 2018
This was my chosen Christmas Eve read (an Icelandic tradition) and I read it cover to cover in just over two hours, an utterly compelling and beautifully descriptive story that is impossible to put down.
This is the second in the Hidden Iceland series, the story of Hulga, but in reverse order so in The Island not only do we get a new and intriguing mystery, but also more hints about what leads Hulga to her ultimate fate in The Darkness.
It’s an interesting way of telling a story and in this case it is working brilliantly. Knowing what happens to Hulga in the future really informs how you read about her past.
The mystery element is clever and as usual the author layers his characters beautifully. This is one of those books you sink into and was the perfect, chilly, winter read on the night before Christmas. Or at any time.
Highly Recommended.
This is the second in the Hidden Iceland series, the story of Hulga, but in reverse order so in The Island not only do we get a new and intriguing mystery, but also more hints about what leads Hulga to her ultimate fate in The Darkness.
It’s an interesting way of telling a story and in this case it is working brilliantly. Knowing what happens to Hulga in the future really informs how you read about her past.
The mystery element is clever and as usual the author layers his characters beautifully. This is one of those books you sink into and was the perfect, chilly, winter read on the night before Christmas. Or at any time.
Highly Recommended.
May 26, 2019
I have read all 5 of the Dark Iceland series which featured young policeman, Ari Thor in his first posting in an isolated village at the Northern tip of Iceland. The stories were set in a small fishing village and its gorgeous, breathtaking surrounding landscape. The mysteries were intriguing and atmospheric, but I must admit I was finding his on-again, off-again love life starting to become tiresome.
I liked the first book in the new Hidden Iceland series. Here we met 64-year-old detective, Hulda, just before her retirement. She is a dedicated policewoman and her work fills her life. She has no hobbies and few outside interests and is worried about a lonely and impoverished future upon retirement. Despite the misogyny of her workplace, she is relentless in closing a couple of related cases.
The Island is the second book in the Hidden Iceland series and goes back some 15 years in time when Hulda is nearing 50 years of age. Her mother has recently died, and she previously lost her young daughter and husband and is without family, alone in the world. Her father was an American GI stationed in Reykjavik and her mother never talked about him. She goes to the USA in a futile attempt to connect with him. She is stressed about her retirement 15 years in the future and resents how less experienced and dedicated younger men have been promoted to higher positions over her. She feels her competence has never been recognized nor rewarded in this all-male workforce. One is now her ambitious boss who gained the position through deceit and blackmail.
The crime she is investigating doesn’t occur until halfway through the book. Four young adults, ages 29 to 30 years in age, visit a desolate island on the 10th anniversary of a friend’s death. Attending are 2 men and 2 women who had been friends with a girl who had been killed 10 years previously in another remote spot. Her father was charged with her murder and died in prison. Her mother never recovered from the mental anguish, and her brother, now a stockbroker was filled with anger, never believing his father guilty. The brother is now one of the group of 4.
On the morning following their first night on the island the body of one of the two women attending is found at the bottom of a steep cliff. As only 3 individuals remain on the island they all become suspects. It is up to Hulda to determine if the young woman’s death was an accident, suicide or murder. As she interviews them she realizes that they are not telling everything which occurred the previous night, and that have long kept secrets.
I found the characters not well developed, and the names of the two dead women were so similar that it was confusing. One would understand Hulda’s gruff but withdrawn lifestyle and her effectiveness as an interviewer but found it difficult to elicit much empathy. I did come to admire her work ethic.
There were great descriptions of the remote, bleak landscapes, fjords, hot springs, volcanic fields, jutting cliffs facing the sea, puffins and other birds, treeless fields, volcanic soil. I often paused in reading to google photos of the places mentioned.
I regret that I did not find this as interesting as previous mysteries by Ragnar Jonasson, but will still read the 3rd book in the Hidden Iceland series.
I liked the first book in the new Hidden Iceland series. Here we met 64-year-old detective, Hulda, just before her retirement. She is a dedicated policewoman and her work fills her life. She has no hobbies and few outside interests and is worried about a lonely and impoverished future upon retirement. Despite the misogyny of her workplace, she is relentless in closing a couple of related cases.
The Island is the second book in the Hidden Iceland series and goes back some 15 years in time when Hulda is nearing 50 years of age. Her mother has recently died, and she previously lost her young daughter and husband and is without family, alone in the world. Her father was an American GI stationed in Reykjavik and her mother never talked about him. She goes to the USA in a futile attempt to connect with him. She is stressed about her retirement 15 years in the future and resents how less experienced and dedicated younger men have been promoted to higher positions over her. She feels her competence has never been recognized nor rewarded in this all-male workforce. One is now her ambitious boss who gained the position through deceit and blackmail.
The crime she is investigating doesn’t occur until halfway through the book. Four young adults, ages 29 to 30 years in age, visit a desolate island on the 10th anniversary of a friend’s death. Attending are 2 men and 2 women who had been friends with a girl who had been killed 10 years previously in another remote spot. Her father was charged with her murder and died in prison. Her mother never recovered from the mental anguish, and her brother, now a stockbroker was filled with anger, never believing his father guilty. The brother is now one of the group of 4.
On the morning following their first night on the island the body of one of the two women attending is found at the bottom of a steep cliff. As only 3 individuals remain on the island they all become suspects. It is up to Hulda to determine if the young woman’s death was an accident, suicide or murder. As she interviews them she realizes that they are not telling everything which occurred the previous night, and that have long kept secrets.
I found the characters not well developed, and the names of the two dead women were so similar that it was confusing. One would understand Hulda’s gruff but withdrawn lifestyle and her effectiveness as an interviewer but found it difficult to elicit much empathy. I did come to admire her work ethic.
There were great descriptions of the remote, bleak landscapes, fjords, hot springs, volcanic fields, jutting cliffs facing the sea, puffins and other birds, treeless fields, volcanic soil. I often paused in reading to google photos of the places mentioned.
I regret that I did not find this as interesting as previous mysteries by Ragnar Jonasson, but will still read the 3rd book in the Hidden Iceland series.
May 21, 2019
rounded up to 4.5 Stars
Last fall I read The Darkness, book one in Ragnar Jónasson’s Hidden Iceland trilogy, and I loved it, so I knew I had to get my hands on The Island as soon as I could. Not only is Jónasson’s writing simply superb, but he’s masterfully created a character in Detective Inspector Hulda Hermansdóttir who I thought after reading book one, and believe even more now after reading The Island, is one of the best fictional detectives I’ve encountered; she’s high-spirited, gruff, driven to succeed and we find out more of why she is that way!
The Island, like his previous book, is hauntingly atmospheric and bone-chillingly suspenseful. The novel starts out slowly but is perfectly paced. It’s obvious that Jónasson is a master at pacing, atmosphere, plots, and his characters as he writes this story.
The novel begins in 1987, in the past, when a romantic getaway goes horribly wrong leaving a young woman murdered. Ten years later in the present day, four old friends travel together on the anniversary of her death to a cabin on a remote island off the coast of Iceland called Ellidaey. It can only be reached by boat—no phones, no escape.
Nothing about the trip seems like a good idea as the desolate scene provides the setting for a tragedy—of the four friends, only three come home alive. Was it an accident? Was it murder? How is the death ten years ago tied to the one in the present day?
Jónasson expertly ties together the plot from the past and the present with Hulda investigating both the tragedy that happened on Ellidaey and what happened a decade ago. The story is multilayered, rich, and complex, and any lover of mysteries, suspense, and nordic noir will be sure to love this one. The reveal is slow, teasing, and not given away early; in fact, I was shocked, pleasantly, since I always figure out early the whodunit!
As far as nordic noir goes, Jonasson is a master of the genre; if you haven’t dipped into nordic noir yet, then I highly recommend starting with this series. Although you can read The Island first, I would recommend reading them in order as they are extraordinarily and brilliantly structured in reverse chronological order. The Darkness takes place at Hulda’s retirement while The Island picks up 15 years earlier in the middle of her career.
It seems like a challenging structure for a trilogy, but Jonasson has pulled it off fabulously. I can’t wait to read book 3 in the series and learn more about Hulda and finally know all the missing pieces of her life.
The Island was unputdownable. It is cleverly written and original without being overly dramatic like some thrillers, which I LOVED!
**Thank you, Joseph Brosnan, at Minotaur Books for my gifted review copy to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
Last fall I read The Darkness, book one in Ragnar Jónasson’s Hidden Iceland trilogy, and I loved it, so I knew I had to get my hands on The Island as soon as I could. Not only is Jónasson’s writing simply superb, but he’s masterfully created a character in Detective Inspector Hulda Hermansdóttir who I thought after reading book one, and believe even more now after reading The Island, is one of the best fictional detectives I’ve encountered; she’s high-spirited, gruff, driven to succeed and we find out more of why she is that way!
The Island, like his previous book, is hauntingly atmospheric and bone-chillingly suspenseful. The novel starts out slowly but is perfectly paced. It’s obvious that Jónasson is a master at pacing, atmosphere, plots, and his characters as he writes this story.
The novel begins in 1987, in the past, when a romantic getaway goes horribly wrong leaving a young woman murdered. Ten years later in the present day, four old friends travel together on the anniversary of her death to a cabin on a remote island off the coast of Iceland called Ellidaey. It can only be reached by boat—no phones, no escape.
Nothing about the trip seems like a good idea as the desolate scene provides the setting for a tragedy—of the four friends, only three come home alive. Was it an accident? Was it murder? How is the death ten years ago tied to the one in the present day?
Jónasson expertly ties together the plot from the past and the present with Hulda investigating both the tragedy that happened on Ellidaey and what happened a decade ago. The story is multilayered, rich, and complex, and any lover of mysteries, suspense, and nordic noir will be sure to love this one. The reveal is slow, teasing, and not given away early; in fact, I was shocked, pleasantly, since I always figure out early the whodunit!
As far as nordic noir goes, Jonasson is a master of the genre; if you haven’t dipped into nordic noir yet, then I highly recommend starting with this series. Although you can read The Island first, I would recommend reading them in order as they are extraordinarily and brilliantly structured in reverse chronological order. The Darkness takes place at Hulda’s retirement while The Island picks up 15 years earlier in the middle of her career.
It seems like a challenging structure for a trilogy, but Jonasson has pulled it off fabulously. I can’t wait to read book 3 in the series and learn more about Hulda and finally know all the missing pieces of her life.
The Island was unputdownable. It is cleverly written and original without being overly dramatic like some thrillers, which I LOVED!
**Thank you, Joseph Brosnan, at Minotaur Books for my gifted review copy to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
March 19, 2019
Wow really loved this one. Read in a day(which is unheard for this snail pace reader) it’s atmospheric, very well written, well structured, easy to keep track of all the characters and most importantly of all, a hell of a lot of fun to read.
Our main character is Detective Hulda. The story is told in the narratives present day(the 90s) and a decade earlier, jumping back and forth between the two as she investigates the rather seemingly mundane accidental death of one of a group of four friends on a weekend away on an island off the coast of where this story is set - Iceland.
Of course not all is as it seems and and as Hulda investigates more she realizes that the group may be connected to the murder of a girl 10 years previous and that maybe she is not looking at an accidental death but another murder, a murder with its embers born 10 years earlier.
I absolutely loved this one. The second in a trilogy that runs backwards, I haven’t read the first one that I think is set 10 years later but intend to get my hands on it somehow. I literally couldn’t put this book down. Loved the setting, loved the descriptive writing and the story and characters as a whole. I went in totally blind and felt the read was all the better for it. I read this in no time, one day, which is unheard of for me. I was totally engrossed in it.
As easy a five star review as they come. I really want to read the first in the series now straight away and look forward to the final in the series due next year. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Penguin and Ragnar Jónasson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Our main character is Detective Hulda. The story is told in the narratives present day(the 90s) and a decade earlier, jumping back and forth between the two as she investigates the rather seemingly mundane accidental death of one of a group of four friends on a weekend away on an island off the coast of where this story is set - Iceland.
Of course not all is as it seems and and as Hulda investigates more she realizes that the group may be connected to the murder of a girl 10 years previous and that maybe she is not looking at an accidental death but another murder, a murder with its embers born 10 years earlier.
I absolutely loved this one. The second in a trilogy that runs backwards, I haven’t read the first one that I think is set 10 years later but intend to get my hands on it somehow. I literally couldn’t put this book down. Loved the setting, loved the descriptive writing and the story and characters as a whole. I went in totally blind and felt the read was all the better for it. I read this in no time, one day, which is unheard of for me. I was totally engrossed in it.
As easy a five star review as they come. I really want to read the first in the series now straight away and look forward to the final in the series due next year. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Penguin and Ragnar Jónasson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2020
This story had a lot of potentials but I found the plot to be somewhat "loose". I am hoping it was lost in the translation more than anything else. The three stars are for the setup and the general plot. It loses the two stars because things moved a little to fast in places and there were some rather large assumptions made at times.
A group of friends visit an island together off the Icelandic Coast to celebrate a rather strange anniversary. It is the anniversary of events that happened when they, as a group, were still in college. the only difference now is that the group used to be of five, now there are just four after a tragic death.
The island is remote, can only be accessed by boat and that by leaping onto the rocky shoreline as there are no jetties or airstrips. The group gather in the island's only residence, owned by the family of one of them. With clean air around, nobody else to hassle them and plenty of food and alcohol this seems the best way to celebrate, but off course there is talk about the one that is missing. The four have not been together since leaving college as they have all taken different jobs, different life paths and have some diversity in morals and understandings.
These differences lead to some tensions but all up the group has a decent stay and catchup until the four become three but how does that happen on such a remote island?
If you are looking to extend your Scandanavian crime reading, this one isn't bad and is definitely a quick read. However, if you are buying a book in this genre there are betters titles to purchase.
A group of friends visit an island together off the Icelandic Coast to celebrate a rather strange anniversary. It is the anniversary of events that happened when they, as a group, were still in college. the only difference now is that the group used to be of five, now there are just four after a tragic death.
The island is remote, can only be accessed by boat and that by leaping onto the rocky shoreline as there are no jetties or airstrips. The group gather in the island's only residence, owned by the family of one of them. With clean air around, nobody else to hassle them and plenty of food and alcohol this seems the best way to celebrate, but off course there is talk about the one that is missing. The four have not been together since leaving college as they have all taken different jobs, different life paths and have some diversity in morals and understandings.
These differences lead to some tensions but all up the group has a decent stay and catchup until the four become three but how does that happen on such a remote island?
If you are looking to extend your Scandanavian crime reading, this one isn't bad and is definitely a quick read. However, if you are buying a book in this genre there are betters titles to purchase.
March 5, 2024
Trying really hard not to dislike this book. i was hoping for some sort of conclusion as to how the first book ended, but no! Instead we are going backwards.....im in deep guys, now i have to read the last one as im holding on to some sort of hope 😒.
We go back in time in Hulda's life as she solves a murder of a girl in a summer home that may be connected to a murder 10 years previously..
Solid 3 stars!!!!
We go back in time in Hulda's life as she solves a murder of a girl in a summer home that may be connected to a murder 10 years previously..
Solid 3 stars!!!!
June 29, 2022
Good plot
This is my second time around with author Ragnar Jonasson and his female detective. Interesting characters and plot with a good twist at the end. Highly recommend.
This is my second time around with author Ragnar Jonasson and his female detective. Interesting characters and plot with a good twist at the end. Highly recommend.
August 23, 2021
Πολυ ατμοσφαιρικο, πολυ δυνατο θριλερ. Γρηγορο με φοβερες περιγραφες απο τα εκπληκτικα τοπια της Ισλανδιας.
Σαν μειον θα πω οτι καποιες απο τις πολυ σημαντικες αποκαλυψεις γινονταν πολυ "αθορυβα". Ειπαμε, δε θελουμε υπερβολες, αλλα απο την αλλη δε θες και το "α παρεμπιπτοντως, ξεχασα να πω οτι ο ταδε ηταν ο δολοφονος" 😜😂
Σαν μειον θα πω οτι καποιες απο τις πολυ σημαντικες αποκαλυψεις γινονταν πολυ "αθορυβα". Ειπαμε, δε θελουμε υπερβολες, αλλα απο την αλλη δε θες και το "α παρεμπιπτοντως, ξεχασα να πω οτι ο ταδε ηταν ο δολοφονος" 😜😂
December 29, 2020
4.5 Stars for The Island: Hidden Iceland #2 (audiobook) by Ragnar Jónasson translated by Victoria Cribb read by Amanda Redman. Another great mystery set in this wonderful land.
June 18, 2020
I wanted to try an Icelandic mystery when I picked up this book. It adds so much to the atmosphere when the set up is a cold, remote location. And, the writer achieved to pass on this feeling very well in this book.
The beginning of the book is a bit confusing because the writer gives you snips of some events that you don't understand. It all comes together in the end, but takes some time.
The story is about 2 murders, one happens 10 years after the other. A group of friends, go on a remote island to get together after 10 years and things happen there.
I don't want to get into the blurb a lot as I like to get into thrillers blind myself.
This mystery was a slow burner with a lot of description of the setting and also a lot of detailed look into the investigator Hulda's life. As it's usual in detective series, the investigator & her character development becomes a part of the story.
I really enjoyed the writing, how mysterious it was. Although I can't necessarily say it was a fast-paced thriller, it definitely kept my attention because of the detached information given at the beginning. I was constantly wondering how it will all tie up together. And, I'm happy to say the writer brought everything together quite neatly.
I can only say the book was a bit too long, too dragging about Hulda's life and feelings. But, after the 60% mark, it became more and more interesting.
I'd recommend it if you like detective series with a cold, remote setting.
The beginning of the book is a bit confusing because the writer gives you snips of some events that you don't understand. It all comes together in the end, but takes some time.
The story is about 2 murders, one happens 10 years after the other. A group of friends, go on a remote island to get together after 10 years and things happen there.
I don't want to get into the blurb a lot as I like to get into thrillers blind myself.
This mystery was a slow burner with a lot of description of the setting and also a lot of detailed look into the investigator Hulda's life. As it's usual in detective series, the investigator & her character development becomes a part of the story.
I really enjoyed the writing, how mysterious it was. Although I can't necessarily say it was a fast-paced thriller, it definitely kept my attention because of the detached information given at the beginning. I was constantly wondering how it will all tie up together. And, I'm happy to say the writer brought everything together quite neatly.
I can only say the book was a bit too long, too dragging about Hulda's life and feelings. But, after the 60% mark, it became more and more interesting.
I'd recommend it if you like detective series with a cold, remote setting.
July 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
December 5, 2019
On the face of it this is a standard closed-room murder mystery...but as with the previous book in this series there is so much more to it than that.
The setting and the character exploration bring this story to life.
Our main character is Hulda Hermannsdóttir who is approaching her fiftieth birthday and fiercely pursuing her career in the police force. Her personal life is a mess and there are hints as to what has happened to her family (this was revealed in the first book of the series and although i would recommend knowing this going into it, it's not essential as it's not a huge part of the book) but her deepest thoughts are revealed to us which I enjoyed.
These books are short, sharp and direct...which I enjoy, especially in the audio format.
Looking forward to the next Hulda installment.
The setting and the character exploration bring this story to life.
Our main character is Hulda Hermannsdóttir who is approaching her fiftieth birthday and fiercely pursuing her career in the police force. Her personal life is a mess and there are hints as to what has happened to her family (this was revealed in the first book of the series and although i would recommend knowing this going into it, it's not essential as it's not a huge part of the book) but her deepest thoughts are revealed to us which I enjoyed.
These books are short, sharp and direct...which I enjoy, especially in the audio format.
Looking forward to the next Hulda installment.
April 4, 2019
The Island is the second novel in the Scandinavian noir series Hidden Iceland, set in the stunning, isolated Icelandic landscape. The descriptions are evocative and really set the scene with the scenery being beautiful but very unforgiving, and it's intelligently plotted, however, it takes a while to adapt to the ever-changing timeline and perspective, but once you have this is a gripping, immersive reading experience. Our protagonist Hulda is rather enigmatic and we know little about her. She can be quite spiky but her stubbornness comes in handy in the investigative pursuit of justice.
There are a good few twists in the tale and the continuing plot line exploring the police wrongdoing is an interesting additive. Hulda will need her wits about her as the three friends who survived their remote island adventure are clearly lying through their teeth about their friend's untimely demise, but Hulda must get to the bottom of what happened to achieve justice for the victims family. The author creates an oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere continued from book one, which was probably my favourite aspect of this story and once again was impressive. Because of the lack of character development, this reads perfectly as a standalone. I look forward to the third instalment.
Many thanks to Michael Joseph for an ARC.
There are a good few twists in the tale and the continuing plot line exploring the police wrongdoing is an interesting additive. Hulda will need her wits about her as the three friends who survived their remote island adventure are clearly lying through their teeth about their friend's untimely demise, but Hulda must get to the bottom of what happened to achieve justice for the victims family. The author creates an oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere continued from book one, which was probably my favourite aspect of this story and once again was impressive. Because of the lack of character development, this reads perfectly as a standalone. I look forward to the third instalment.
Many thanks to Michael Joseph for an ARC.
May 7, 2022
Ένα υπέροχο καλογραμμένο βιβλίο με μια δύσκολη υπόθεση.
Η αστυνομικος Χούλντα θα διελευκάνει τους δυο φόνους που συνδέονται άμεσα.
Αυτό που μου αρέσει ιδιαίτερα είναι ότι μέχρι το τέλος δεν διακρίνεις τον δράστη!!!!
Σίγουρα θα σας αρέσει.
Θέλω να διαβάσω και άλλα του Γιονασον.
Η αστυνομικος Χούλντα θα διελευκάνει τους δυο φόνους που συνδέονται άμεσα.
Αυτό που μου αρέσει ιδιαίτερα είναι ότι μέχρι το τέλος δεν διακρίνεις τον δράστη!!!!
Σίγουρα θα σας αρέσει.
Θέλω να διαβάσω και άλλα του Γιονασον.
March 11, 2019
As soon as I saw this book I just knew I had to read it as I am an avid fan of Scandi/ Icelandic crime so I then did something I never do and plunged headlong into book two without reading the book one of the series. and although this can be read as a standalone its was a shame to miss the the first in the series. So because I just loved this book and it is everything you would want in a thriller it’s dark, atmospheric and the settings are to die for plus the writing is just superb and I will go back and read book one while I am impatiently waiting for book three!! The book is written in a backwards timeline and this may seem strange but no it’s works fantastically well and in fact enhances the book all the more. The mystery part is gripping, DI Hulda will I’m sure become a firm favourite of mine, the backstory is really cleverly done and there is one hell of a lot going on but it’s done so damn well you just can’t put the book down.
So a beautifully and uniquely constructed book this is a joy of a read and that I would highly recommend and I thank Ragnar Jónasson for a wonderful read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Michael Joseph- Penguin UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
So a beautifully and uniquely constructed book this is a joy of a read and that I would highly recommend and I thank Ragnar Jónasson for a wonderful read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Michael Joseph- Penguin UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 15, 2019
I'm a little bit confused by this book. I've read the first in the series and it covers Hulda's retirement from the police force. She now seems to have lost 15 years in age and is now 50 and an Inspector. I've gone back over the reviews of the first book and found someone mention that this is a trilogy and would cover her earlier life. So I guess we are doing her history in reverse. Not sure how I feel about that and I did find it off-putting knowing how some of the information on her husband and daughter plays out in the first book.
The story itself I enjoyed. As before I like the idea of an older female protagonist and like many women in certain occupations Hulda has been overlooked in her job simply for being female so it's an interesting viewpoint to follow.
I gave the first book 5 stars but while this is also a fast read and an interesting premise the modern day murder (there's a decade old murder as a prologue) doesn't happen until 60% into the book and the first suspect isn't arrested until after 70%. Then it's a really fast pace rush to the conclusion. The book isn't long so that first 60% really flies by. I do like Hulda but this time I was left feeling like I needed a little bit more.
The story itself I enjoyed. As before I like the idea of an older female protagonist and like many women in certain occupations Hulda has been overlooked in her job simply for being female so it's an interesting viewpoint to follow.
I gave the first book 5 stars but while this is also a fast read and an interesting premise the modern day murder (there's a decade old murder as a prologue) doesn't happen until 60% into the book and the first suspect isn't arrested until after 70%. Then it's a really fast pace rush to the conclusion. The book isn't long so that first 60% really flies by. I do like Hulda but this time I was left feeling like I needed a little bit more.
March 3, 2021
4,5 Sterne Ein sehr spannender zweiter Teil. Ich mag auch die Hörbuchsprecherin sehr. Die Kommissarin Hülda ist ja sehr vom Schicksal gebeutelt. Das muss man erstmal verdauen. Ich freue mich schon auf Teil 3.
July 27, 2020
2,5 stars
Not as good as the first book
Not as good as the first book
March 21, 2019
I couldn’t get on at all with The Island. It sounded intriguing and I like the idea of a mystery set in “Hidden Iceland” but I found it very hard going indeed.
The story is OK, but I found it swamped by plodding descriptions and rather unconvincing characterisation. Hulda is a potentially interesting protagonist, but beset by cliché and overdone Personal Issues. My main problem, though, is the writing, which I found turgid, ridiculously padded with unnecessary detail and plagued by insultingly unnecessary explanation the whole time. The tone is set by a tediously and unnecessarily over-described little incident as a prelude which just felt...well, amateurish to me. Or take this little exchange, early on:
“ ‘I don’t believe in...” He didn’t finish.
‘That’s because you don’t know the whole story, Benni,’ she said softly, her tone hinting at something chilling left unsaid.
‘The whole story?’ he repeated helplessly. “
Every time someone speaks we have to be told more; really good dialogue speaks for itself without incessant explanation. The internal monologues didn’t convince me at all…
Enough. I didn’t like it. I’m sorry to be critical, but The Island didn’t engage or convince me at all and I can’t recommend it.
(My thanks to Penguin Books for an ARC via NetGalley.)
The story is OK, but I found it swamped by plodding descriptions and rather unconvincing characterisation. Hulda is a potentially interesting protagonist, but beset by cliché and overdone Personal Issues. My main problem, though, is the writing, which I found turgid, ridiculously padded with unnecessary detail and plagued by insultingly unnecessary explanation the whole time. The tone is set by a tediously and unnecessarily over-described little incident as a prelude which just felt...well, amateurish to me. Or take this little exchange, early on:
“ ‘I don’t believe in...” He didn’t finish.
‘That’s because you don’t know the whole story, Benni,’ she said softly, her tone hinting at something chilling left unsaid.
‘The whole story?’ he repeated helplessly. “
Every time someone speaks we have to be told more; really good dialogue speaks for itself without incessant explanation. The internal monologues didn’t convince me at all…
Enough. I didn’t like it. I’m sorry to be critical, but The Island didn’t engage or convince me at all and I can’t recommend it.
(My thanks to Penguin Books for an ARC via NetGalley.)
February 14, 2020
Very good and surprising mystery.the main character seems to be Iceland its self with the dramatic stark landscape the cliffs the rocks the wild sea. good characters that seemed benign but weren`t at all secret loves carried in hearts for years.good winters read.
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