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Vinningshafi Svartfuglsins 2020.
Þegar virtur og dáður embættismaður finnst myrtur stendur lögreglan ráðþrota. Það er ekki fyrr en hin unga lögreglukona Sigurdís finnur falið öryggishólf í íbúð hans að vísbendingar hrannast upp. Rannsókn málsins tekur óvænta stefnu og samhliða því að vinna að lausn morðgátunnar þarf Sigurdís að takast á við erfiðleika sem eiga sér rætur í brotinni æsku hennar.
Katrín Júlíusdóttir, fyrrverandi alþingismaður og ráðherra, sýnir hér á sér óvænta hlið. Hún hlaut glæpasagnaverðlaunin Svartfuglinn fyrir þessa mögnuðu sögu sem rígheldur lesandanum allt til óvæntra endalokanna.
Þegar virtur og dáður embættismaður finnst myrtur stendur lögreglan ráðþrota. Það er ekki fyrr en hin unga lögreglukona Sigurdís finnur falið öryggishólf í íbúð hans að vísbendingar hrannast upp. Rannsókn málsins tekur óvænta stefnu og samhliða því að vinna að lausn morðgátunnar þarf Sigurdís að takast á við erfiðleika sem eiga sér rætur í brotinni æsku hennar.
Katrín Júlíusdóttir, fyrrverandi alþingismaður og ráðherra, sýnir hér á sér óvænta hlið. Hún hlaut glæpasagnaverðlaunin Svartfuglinn fyrir þessa mögnuðu sögu sem rígheldur lesandanum allt til óvæntra endalokanna.
246 pages, Hardcover
Published October 5, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
May 4, 2024
Poprilično sam sigurna da policajka koja radi na slučaju ubistva ne sme svojoj najboljoj drugarici da prepričava šta je sve pronašla dok je razgovarala s rodbinom, i to u prepunom restoranu da stvar bude gora. Msm možda je i prevodilac zeznuo, neću da grešim dušu, al that's gonna be a no from me.
November 12, 2023
There is nothing nicer than reading the first book in a series and finding yourself faced with characters who intrigue, a story which captures your imagination, and an author whose style of prose rally draws you in. I love a bit of Icelandic noir too, and in Dead Sweet, I get all of this and more, author Katrín Júlíusdóttir sucking me into the story right from the very start and keeping me hooked to the very final page.
I read this book in just a day, found myself loving our protagonist, police officer Sigurdís, and rooting for her to come good. She's not a natural fit for the investigation and, to be fair, when we meet her her career is on very unstable ground, for reasons that become clearer the more we learn of her past. But there was something about her, her certainty about the case, and her unending enthusiasm and determination to have her voice heard that made her a very endearing character, one I'm looking forward to reading more about as the series progresses.
This is the story of a murder, a fairly brutal one as it turns out, although when we meet the 'victim' they haven't quite breathed their last breath just yet. It increased the interest there, wondering not only who they were, but why they were in the predicament they found themselves. We find out the who fairly quickly, the police recognising them as well they should, but the why takes a little longer to uncover. To be honest, the more we learn, the harder it is to pin down suspects as the possibilities seem endless, especially when you consider that, as readers, we are privy to far more information than the police are. This was perhaps the one moment that gave me pause, in that this context, and one other seemingly off the cuff remark set my mind whirring, wondering whether or not I may just have spotted the motive. It didn't change my enjoyment of the book, in fact it perhaps made me more determined to read on to see if I might be right. There are certainly plenty of moments which gave rise to suspicion and which lessened my sympathy for the victim exponentially.
There are some very dark themes explored in this book, although none in a gratuitous way. It is actually very topical and has a kind of ripped from the headlines feel about elements of the story. The way in which the author has developed her characters, especially Sigurdís, as really effective, making me feel a series of emotions, from anger, to sympathy to disgust. I love it when a book can create that range of reactions as I read and I think I perhaps felt every possible mix with this book. I really liked the way in which the author explored the relationship between Sigurdís and her colleagues, from her boss, Garðar, who takes on quite a paternalistic role at times, through to her fellow Detective, Unnar. It´s fair to say that Sigudïs is not one to be open with her emotions, despite the urging of her friends, with good reason as it turns out, but there is a real chemistry there which is fun to watch develop.
This was a really promising start to the series and a huge amount of praise for Quentin Bates who has once again made the story fly in English, giving me the chance to get to know Sigurdís and her family and friends. And as for that ending ... well. That's left open a whole world of possibilities and left me with more than the off question about what might come next. Talk about your cliffhanger! Not for this particular case, that is neatly wrapped up by the end of the book. But I'm certainly hungry for the next instalment.
Another fabulous piece of Icelandic noir, with a fabulous cast of characters and a truly absorbing story. Fans of the genre will love it.
I read this book in just a day, found myself loving our protagonist, police officer Sigurdís, and rooting for her to come good. She's not a natural fit for the investigation and, to be fair, when we meet her her career is on very unstable ground, for reasons that become clearer the more we learn of her past. But there was something about her, her certainty about the case, and her unending enthusiasm and determination to have her voice heard that made her a very endearing character, one I'm looking forward to reading more about as the series progresses.
This is the story of a murder, a fairly brutal one as it turns out, although when we meet the 'victim' they haven't quite breathed their last breath just yet. It increased the interest there, wondering not only who they were, but why they were in the predicament they found themselves. We find out the who fairly quickly, the police recognising them as well they should, but the why takes a little longer to uncover. To be honest, the more we learn, the harder it is to pin down suspects as the possibilities seem endless, especially when you consider that, as readers, we are privy to far more information than the police are. This was perhaps the one moment that gave me pause, in that this context, and one other seemingly off the cuff remark set my mind whirring, wondering whether or not I may just have spotted the motive. It didn't change my enjoyment of the book, in fact it perhaps made me more determined to read on to see if I might be right. There are certainly plenty of moments which gave rise to suspicion and which lessened my sympathy for the victim exponentially.
There are some very dark themes explored in this book, although none in a gratuitous way. It is actually very topical and has a kind of ripped from the headlines feel about elements of the story. The way in which the author has developed her characters, especially Sigurdís, as really effective, making me feel a series of emotions, from anger, to sympathy to disgust. I love it when a book can create that range of reactions as I read and I think I perhaps felt every possible mix with this book. I really liked the way in which the author explored the relationship between Sigurdís and her colleagues, from her boss, Garðar, who takes on quite a paternalistic role at times, through to her fellow Detective, Unnar. It´s fair to say that Sigudïs is not one to be open with her emotions, despite the urging of her friends, with good reason as it turns out, but there is a real chemistry there which is fun to watch develop.
This was a really promising start to the series and a huge amount of praise for Quentin Bates who has once again made the story fly in English, giving me the chance to get to know Sigurdís and her family and friends. And as for that ending ... well. That's left open a whole world of possibilities and left me with more than the off question about what might come next. Talk about your cliffhanger! Not for this particular case, that is neatly wrapped up by the end of the book. But I'm certainly hungry for the next instalment.
Another fabulous piece of Icelandic noir, with a fabulous cast of characters and a truly absorbing story. Fans of the genre will love it.
December 18, 2023
Dead Sweet by Katrín Júlíusdóttir published with Orenda Books on December 7th and is described as the ‘first in a breath-taking series…' Translated by Quentin Bates, Dead Sweet is a dark Icelandic tale introducing Sigurdís, an ambitious young police officer with a disconcerting past.
When the body of Óttar Karlsson, a local business man, is discovered on a beach, it is clear that foul play is involved. The police force are under budgetary pressures but Karlsson’s murder has taken precedence, whatever the cost, as he was also a well-known and successful government official. His murder sends shockwaves throughout parliament, and beyond. Initially the investigation points to a possible business connection. Karlsson would have had many enemies, as his decisions were not always agreeable to everyone, but murder?
Sigurdís is very much aware that she is a junior officer in this case. She has to prove her worth following a disciplinary action that resulted in a few weeks suspension from work. Her superior, Garðar, is limiting her involvement in the case and she is frustrated. He knows her personal history and is mindful of her mental health, but she doesn’t want to be bubble wrapped and her exasperation drives her forward. With little evidence to go on, the team is flummoxed, until Sigurdís discovers a hidden safe in Karlsson’s home, with unexpected information relating to more sinister activities. Who was Óttar Karlsson and what secrets was he hiding? Did anyone know the real Óttar Karlsson?
Sigurdís opened this Pandora’s Box and now wishes to see where the trail leads, so she takes an unauthorised trip to the US, where she makes a shocking discovery. Sigurdís grew up in a household of fear and trauma. Now she must yet again face her past, while at the same time rooting out a killer. With strength and courage, she persists with her search, but there is an underlying shadow threatening to weigh her down at every turn.
I did find the dialogue a little stilted in places and didn’t warm to any particular character but I’m sure, as the series develops and more insights are revealed, these bumps will iron themselves out. Sigurdís is a feisty young woman, dependable and determined, but her troubled past is a crutch that impacts her every decision. She is establishing herself as a trustworthy and courageous police officer but she is quite radical in some of her decisions, which ruffles the feathers of her superiors.
There are multiple layers to this tale with some very disturbing reveals, but Katrín Júlíusdóttir handles the emotional impact very sensitively and tactfully. Sigurdís is a strong female lead with a distressing personal history conquering her fears to do something good with her life. She’s an interesting and energetic protagonist. Dead Sweet is a strong launch pad for this new Icelandic series with a believable backstory and developing characters. A solid debut!
When the body of Óttar Karlsson, a local business man, is discovered on a beach, it is clear that foul play is involved. The police force are under budgetary pressures but Karlsson’s murder has taken precedence, whatever the cost, as he was also a well-known and successful government official. His murder sends shockwaves throughout parliament, and beyond. Initially the investigation points to a possible business connection. Karlsson would have had many enemies, as his decisions were not always agreeable to everyone, but murder?
Sigurdís is very much aware that she is a junior officer in this case. She has to prove her worth following a disciplinary action that resulted in a few weeks suspension from work. Her superior, Garðar, is limiting her involvement in the case and she is frustrated. He knows her personal history and is mindful of her mental health, but she doesn’t want to be bubble wrapped and her exasperation drives her forward. With little evidence to go on, the team is flummoxed, until Sigurdís discovers a hidden safe in Karlsson’s home, with unexpected information relating to more sinister activities. Who was Óttar Karlsson and what secrets was he hiding? Did anyone know the real Óttar Karlsson?
Sigurdís opened this Pandora’s Box and now wishes to see where the trail leads, so she takes an unauthorised trip to the US, where she makes a shocking discovery. Sigurdís grew up in a household of fear and trauma. Now she must yet again face her past, while at the same time rooting out a killer. With strength and courage, she persists with her search, but there is an underlying shadow threatening to weigh her down at every turn.
I did find the dialogue a little stilted in places and didn’t warm to any particular character but I’m sure, as the series develops and more insights are revealed, these bumps will iron themselves out. Sigurdís is a feisty young woman, dependable and determined, but her troubled past is a crutch that impacts her every decision. She is establishing herself as a trustworthy and courageous police officer but she is quite radical in some of her decisions, which ruffles the feathers of her superiors.
There are multiple layers to this tale with some very disturbing reveals, but Katrín Júlíusdóttir handles the emotional impact very sensitively and tactfully. Sigurdís is a strong female lead with a distressing personal history conquering her fears to do something good with her life. She’s an interesting and energetic protagonist. Dead Sweet is a strong launch pad for this new Icelandic series with a believable backstory and developing characters. A solid debut!
December 19, 2023
This is a tense multi-layered mystery.
This atmospheric debut novel is set in Iceland. Police Officer Sigurdis becomes involved in an investigation of the murder of a popular government official. She has moved from Reykjavik to a regional Police station and her interactions with the chief and her team add an interesting layer to the story.
The plot covers financial crime, sinister cults, secret lives, and broken families. This book kept me reading and guessing with many twists and turns. I liked the way plot elements and backstory were drip-fed into the story and we eventually learn of an unexpected darker element. The murder victim was not what he seemed and Sigurdis follows her intuition to discover the whole story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and given it is the first of a series, I look forward to reading more from this author.
This atmospheric debut novel is set in Iceland. Police Officer Sigurdis becomes involved in an investigation of the murder of a popular government official. She has moved from Reykjavik to a regional Police station and her interactions with the chief and her team add an interesting layer to the story.
The plot covers financial crime, sinister cults, secret lives, and broken families. This book kept me reading and guessing with many twists and turns. I liked the way plot elements and backstory were drip-fed into the story and we eventually learn of an unexpected darker element. The murder victim was not what he seemed and Sigurdis follows her intuition to discover the whole story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and given it is the first of a series, I look forward to reading more from this author.
December 14, 2023
What a brilliant debut novel from a new Icelandic writer. Definitely one to watch and the first novel in a cracking new series.
Police officer Sigurdís nearly lost her job after losing her temper with a suspect. She couldn’t hold back. It was a domestic violence incident and we discover that Sigurdís herself was also a victim when she was a child. Her father, a respected senior officer in the police force beat her mother and then one day became so violent he nearly killed them all – Sigurdís, her brother Einar and their mother. He was arrested and sent to prison and Sigurdís and Einar went to live with their mother’s sister Halla.
In her first case back at work, Sigurdís is called upon to help investigate the murder of Óttar Karlsson, a wealthy and respected government official and businessman, who was found dead on the beach. Who would have killed him? It was a brutal attack. He didn’t die straight away. He was left to suffer first.
The police has no leads, until Sigurdís finds a hidden safe in Óttar’s house, which contains evidence of shady business dealings, a mysterious phone number, and papers showing regular money transfers to an American account.
Head of department Garðar, is certain that someone wanted revenge for being cheated out of their livelihood, but Sigurdís has other ideas. She believes it’s more personal and linked to a woman in America who knew Óttar when he was at Univeristy in Minnesota.
It’s fascinating and exciting, but little did I know how it would pan out. When Sigurdís digs deeper and even travels to America to investigate further, it becomes darker and darker, with some shocking revelations. And that’s all I can say! And there’s even a hint at a possible romance for Sigurdís in the books to come.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
Police officer Sigurdís nearly lost her job after losing her temper with a suspect. She couldn’t hold back. It was a domestic violence incident and we discover that Sigurdís herself was also a victim when she was a child. Her father, a respected senior officer in the police force beat her mother and then one day became so violent he nearly killed them all – Sigurdís, her brother Einar and their mother. He was arrested and sent to prison and Sigurdís and Einar went to live with their mother’s sister Halla.
In her first case back at work, Sigurdís is called upon to help investigate the murder of Óttar Karlsson, a wealthy and respected government official and businessman, who was found dead on the beach. Who would have killed him? It was a brutal attack. He didn’t die straight away. He was left to suffer first.
The police has no leads, until Sigurdís finds a hidden safe in Óttar’s house, which contains evidence of shady business dealings, a mysterious phone number, and papers showing regular money transfers to an American account.
Head of department Garðar, is certain that someone wanted revenge for being cheated out of their livelihood, but Sigurdís has other ideas. She believes it’s more personal and linked to a woman in America who knew Óttar when he was at Univeristy in Minnesota.
It’s fascinating and exciting, but little did I know how it would pan out. When Sigurdís digs deeper and even travels to America to investigate further, it becomes darker and darker, with some shocking revelations. And that’s all I can say! And there’s even a hint at a possible romance for Sigurdís in the books to come.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
August 8, 2025
I thought this was such a great debut book from this author! Being an avid Scandinavian crime fiction fan, I was desperate to enjoy this one, it's it's safe to say I definitely did!
Like most Scandinavian noir, there are some heavy themes and topics that I would read up on if you're not necessarily a fan of crime fiction! However, the darkness and almost melancholic feeling throughout the book just add to its tense nature! I always found myself wanting to come back to this book, and despite its short length, I could've quite happily read on more!
I loved Sigurdís as a character and protagonist! Dealing with her own demons and heavy personal issues, she is trying to reinvent herself within the police force, trying to make a difference in a career that was not there for her when she needed them most. She goes on a journey of self-discovery, having various ups and downs, but ultimately succeeding in playing a massive part in the case!
It only doesn't get 5 stars because I found some of the financial crime elements that the victim and other characters were involved in a little confusing!
I can't wait to hear what's next for this author, and I can't wait to see what Sigurdís and the rest of the team get up to in the next book, which seems highly likely given the way this one ended!
Rating: 8/10
Like most Scandinavian noir, there are some heavy themes and topics that I would read up on if you're not necessarily a fan of crime fiction! However, the darkness and almost melancholic feeling throughout the book just add to its tense nature! I always found myself wanting to come back to this book, and despite its short length, I could've quite happily read on more!
I loved Sigurdís as a character and protagonist! Dealing with her own demons and heavy personal issues, she is trying to reinvent herself within the police force, trying to make a difference in a career that was not there for her when she needed them most. She goes on a journey of self-discovery, having various ups and downs, but ultimately succeeding in playing a massive part in the case!
It only doesn't get 5 stars because I found some of the financial crime elements that the victim and other characters were involved in a little confusing!
I can't wait to hear what's next for this author, and I can't wait to see what Sigurdís and the rest of the team get up to in the next book, which seems highly likely given the way this one ended!
Rating: 8/10
April 16, 2024
This was pretty boring. The mystery wasn't compelling and the story was so short, it almost read like novella, which is not the format I prefer for a mystery. There has to be a little meat to the narrative, where the investigator has to follow leads, get to dead ends, just do something. Here, she immediately had the right hunch and the investigation followed exactly two leads before there was a solution. here was just no intrigue whatsoever.
The main character's backstory made her not a total drag, even though it was a bit of a cliché.
I'm also not a fan of the writing, even though I can't say whether it's the translation or the original text. Lots of repetitions of words and very descriptive, unneccessary narration like "I opened the door. I grabbed the handle and turned it. The door swung open..." (not an exact quote, but the writing is like that)
Bit of a disappointment.
The main character's backstory made her not a total drag, even though it was a bit of a cliché.
I'm also not a fan of the writing, even though I can't say whether it's the translation or the original text. Lots of repetitions of words and very descriptive, unneccessary narration like "I opened the door. I grabbed the handle and turned it. The door swung open..." (not an exact quote, but the writing is like that)
Bit of a disappointment.
December 23, 2023
Dead Sweet was a revelation. I knew it had won awards in Iceland for best debut so I knew it was special but it was such a slow burn I wondered at times whether it was just a short first novel in a series. The central character, Sigurdis, is such an interesting character. Not close to being a qualified detective and with a horribly damaging childhood, she is desperate to lean yet terrified of being unable to cope. The plot works itself through without signs of resolution apparently, yet with the cleverest sleight of hand, the solution is there all along. The most accomplished thriller I have read for a long time, not racy or heart stopping, but built around a central character I know I’m going to want to follow over many books and a very clever plot.
February 19, 2021
Fín frumraun og bókin byrjaði með miklum krafti. Því miður þegar fór að líða á bókina var fléttan okkur Íslendingum fjarri og missti ég tengsl við bókina - en fínasta frumraun! Hlakka til að lesa næstu bók, höfundur á nóg inni 👏🏻
July 8, 2025
Wow! What a great debut novel, totally engrossing and complex, drawing on the author's knowledge of finance and politics (She was Finance Minister). Can't wait to read more in the series.
January 10, 2024
‘Dead Sweet’ is dry, slow, and dull. The plot is rambling, tedious and unconvincing, and its characters are dimensionless.
With respect to the plaudits published on the book’s cover. It is not a ‘... masterful narrative...’. nor is it ‘... [a]tmospheric, deeply unsettling and full of breakneck twists and turns.’ It did not ‘... hook [me] from the very first page...’ – or at any stage thereafter. All I felt when I finished the book was a sense of relief, coupled with dread at the prospect that ‘Dead Sweet’ is the first book in a series.
With respect to the plaudits published on the book’s cover. It is not a ‘... masterful narrative...’. nor is it ‘... [a]tmospheric, deeply unsettling and full of breakneck twists and turns.’ It did not ‘... hook [me] from the very first page...’ – or at any stage thereafter. All I felt when I finished the book was a sense of relief, coupled with dread at the prospect that ‘Dead Sweet’ is the first book in a series.
September 25, 2024
The only good thing was that it was a quick read. I found the writing was the opposite of compelling (bad translation?) & the plot was not clever. Characters were bland & ultimately didn’t develop enough for me to care about them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2024
Dead Sweet is the debut novel by Katrín Júlíusdóttir, translated into English by Quentin Bates.
The story follows the investigation into the murder of a well known Reykjavík citizen. Delving into the private and business life of the victim, the investigation team soon learn that all is not as it seemed.
There is a subplot relating to Sigurdís, one of the members of the investigation team. We learn of events from her past that had a knock on affect on her future.
The themes throughout the book are dark; namely abuse, both sexual and domestic. Dead Sweet is page turner nonetheless, with likeable characters and plenty of twists and turns. The final reveal was ingenious.
The story follows the investigation into the murder of a well known Reykjavík citizen. Delving into the private and business life of the victim, the investigation team soon learn that all is not as it seemed.
There is a subplot relating to Sigurdís, one of the members of the investigation team. We learn of events from her past that had a knock on affect on her future.
The themes throughout the book are dark; namely abuse, both sexual and domestic. Dead Sweet is page turner nonetheless, with likeable characters and plenty of twists and turns. The final reveal was ingenious.
January 31, 2024
Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for this one.
Was thoroughly enjoyable and readable but parts of the dialogue felt quite unnatural and stilted yet I think the storyline was enjoyable and quite addictive to read. Maybe I haven’t read enough crime or thriller novels but I enjoyed reading this one and will definitely pick up the next in the series!
Was thoroughly enjoyable and readable but parts of the dialogue felt quite unnatural and stilted yet I think the storyline was enjoyable and quite addictive to read. Maybe I haven’t read enough crime or thriller novels but I enjoyed reading this one and will definitely pick up the next in the series!
June 15, 2024
I enjoyed the setting --Iceland--and rooting for the young female officer as she earned the respect of her colleagues. I finished it in 2 days of gardening--it kept my attention. I look forward to a sequel!
January 9, 2024
Þetta var góð bók…… mæli með… vil ekki segja meira þvi eg vil ekki spoila… en sma cringe á köflum og svona aðalpersóna sem hefur ENGA galla🤣🤣🤣🤣 but still love
December 16, 2024
And another great Icelandic noir series is born. I love being part of a new series from the beginning and this one has set expectations high. I really enjoyed the build of all the characters in this story as we start getting to know who the main leads will be and their stories. This debut has set the scene well for future books. The story in this book is quite dark as you would expect from noir but it is handled sensitively and well. The book ends with a beginning I think for the next instalment and I can’t wait…Definitely a recommended read for fans of this genre.
January 31, 2024
It almost seems to me as the if the center of Nordic Noir is shifting to Iceland at the moment - certainly I am seeing more and more books from Icelandic authors on the scene. Dead Sweet is a curious take on it - we have the typical damaged female cop as the MC, but there is a distinctly political twist to this one (which make sense considering the author's background), but Icelandic politics is a bit of niche subject and this book does require at least a working knowledge in recent Icelandic politics.
This book also goes in some pretty dark directions, including child abuse and sexual grooming. Dark and gritty subjects which definitely build into the atmosphere of the novel.
I happen to really quite enjoy Nordic Noir, so I found this a fun read. It is not reinventing the wheel on any of its thriller topics - playing into tropes. But it does enough to be engaging through its characters and believable motivations for the protagonists. A solid entry into the oeuvre and I am curious to discover more.
This book also goes in some pretty dark directions, including child abuse and sexual grooming. Dark and gritty subjects which definitely build into the atmosphere of the novel.
I happen to really quite enjoy Nordic Noir, so I found this a fun read. It is not reinventing the wheel on any of its thriller topics - playing into tropes. But it does enough to be engaging through its characters and believable motivations for the protagonists. A solid entry into the oeuvre and I am curious to discover more.
January 25, 2024
:: she was relieved to see that Unnar shut his eyes before the aircraft had even manouvered out onto the runway, allowing her to do what she needed to do, without him noticing. She crossed herself as the plane lifted into the air. She put on her headphones, selected Dikta's 'Thank you' and cranked the volume up as high as it would go, clenched her fists and muttered a prayer under her breath.
" Dear God, I'm asking you with all my heart to keep us safe on this flight all the way to Brussels" ::
Sigurdis didn't have the best start in life but deep withing the trauma of her childhood lay bloom to the emotional and spark of an ever growing instinct that she needed, to be able to join the police force with.
She was not following in her father's footsteps. She was going to make a difference in this world and be a voice for those who could not speak in a room where shouting is the norm.
As a murder inquiry lands in her lap she begins to get to know the charming, suave, respected and popular member of government, Ottar Karlsson, as she tries to determine what, why and who could have the motive to murder him.
Secrets don't stay buried for long.
Can Sigurdis solve the case, when her colleagues doubt and baby her every step of the way? And as her own life begins to pull apart strand by strand?
" Dear God, I'm asking you with all my heart to keep us safe on this flight all the way to Brussels" ::
Sigurdis didn't have the best start in life but deep withing the trauma of her childhood lay bloom to the emotional and spark of an ever growing instinct that she needed, to be able to join the police force with.
She was not following in her father's footsteps. She was going to make a difference in this world and be a voice for those who could not speak in a room where shouting is the norm.
As a murder inquiry lands in her lap she begins to get to know the charming, suave, respected and popular member of government, Ottar Karlsson, as she tries to determine what, why and who could have the motive to murder him.
Secrets don't stay buried for long.
Can Sigurdis solve the case, when her colleagues doubt and baby her every step of the way? And as her own life begins to pull apart strand by strand?
January 14, 2024
3.5 stars to Dead Sweet and Icelandic noir debut. Although it was good, I didn't find it breathtaking, as the headline quote stated. There are terrific twists and good character-building. I found the writing to get better towards the end of the book, because of that I think this would be a great read in one setting.
March 27, 2024
Maybe 2.5, just never felt in the story, bland characters, hardly any atmosphere and the police don't really solve the overall case but more luck into the final pages conclusion. Main character keeps going on about one little thing that doesn't feel right to her but does nothing about it until very late on when conveniently it leads to the solution which is dealt with in between chapters. Terrible.
Quite a few errors that the proof reader should have caught which always take me out of whatever paragraph they're in because I end up re-reading it to make sure it is indeed an error or my mistake.
Quite a few errors that the proof reader should have caught which always take me out of whatever paragraph they're in because I end up re-reading it to make sure it is indeed an error or my mistake.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2021
Lögreglukona glímir við morðgátu! Ég er vanalega ekki hrifin af sakamálasögum en var forvitin að lesa þessa frumraun Katrínar Júlíusdóttur. Ég var mjög ánægð með bókina og mæli með henni. Langt síðan ég hef lesið sakamálasögu sem ég er ánægð með. Gef henni þó bara 3 stjörnur út af sakamálasögufordómum mínum hahaha!
October 11, 2020
Ljómandi fín frumraun. Áhugaverðar fjölskyldusögur sem fléttast saman og djúp dýnamík móður og sonar. Hefði mátt grafa dýpra og vera lengri en náði mér ágætlega.
December 22, 2023
The ending was just plain lazy. Any detective would have picked up on the killer much earlier. They simply didn't check the killer's alibi.
January 22, 2024
I have absolutely no clue what happened in this book. How it won any awards is beyond me. Totally disappointing
February 19, 2025
Badly written, badly plotted.
December 5, 2023
The body of wealthy civil servant and businessman Óttar Karlsson is found on a beach, after he failed to arrive at his surprise birthday party. The signs point to him having been murdered, but why anyone would want to harm such a respected member of Reykjavik's political set is a mystery.
Young police officer Sigurdís is keen to get involved in her first major case, but having only just returned to active duty after assaulting a member of the public (albeit with good reason), her boss is reluctant to assign her more than administrative tasks. However, when her observational skills bring about the important discovery of a hidden safe in the victim's luxury apartment, she finds herself involved in the thick of an unusual murder investigation.
As the enquiry develops, it becomes clear that Óttar Karlsson's reputation for transparency and integrity was nothing but a sham. The sheer scale of his shady business dealings leads the police to the conclusion that this must be the reason for his murder... but Sigurdís is not so sure. The discovery of an American phone number among Karlsson's paperwork, and a series of payments to a bank account in Minnesota, whisper of an even darker side to Óttar Karlsson, and Sigurdís' own experiences of trauma make her the ideal person to uncover the disturbing truth about the man so many held in high regard...
Dead Sweet is the first in an intriguing new series by debut author Katrin Juliusdottir. At first sight, this is a tale of financial misconduct in the wake of the Icelandic economic collapse, which thrums with the weight of Juliusdottir's political and tech company backgrounds, but it soon becomes clear that she has something much more sinister in mind. Building on a cleverly wrought framework that combines far-reaching domestic and international plotlines, Juliusdottir sows the seeds of an unsettling Nordic noir crime yarn, and before you know it she has subverted the story into one rife with themes of manipulation and abuse that burgeon to encompass, not just the present police investigation, but also Sigurdís' personal life.
Juliusdottir takes great care with her characters in this story, doing an excellent job of introducing you to their strengths and weaknesses, and all the little shades of grey that make them who they are. This is especially true of the police team and family members surrounding Sigurdís, who I look forward to getting to know and love over the course of this series. Sigurdís is written with lots of depth, and insight, and she discovers a lot about herself as the story progresses. She carries many burdens from the domestic abuse she lived through as a child, and Juliusdottir uses this nicely to explore facets of fear, control, insecurity, and guilt that are also reflected through the lives of many of the other characters - particularly those connected to the 'real' Óttar Karlsson, who she strips back beautifully to their bare bones, as the twists come thick and fast towards the end of the book.
For a debut, this novel shows a lot of promise. Juliusdottir's writing flows well, and she knows how to bring her obvious knowledge to bear to flesh out slick plotlines with authenticity and atmosphere. There is nothing lacking in thrills, spills and suspense, and I love, love, love the way Juliusdottir plays with the aspects of 'Dead Sweet' throughout. I would have liked a touch more bite given the subject matter, but I have no doubt this is something that will come as Juliusdottir hones her craft. Quentin Bates does a great job, as always, keeping the pace and intensity going, which is impressive given the breadth of this story.
It is always such a joy to be in at the beginning of an author's journey, particularly one writing in one of my absolute favourite genres. I predict great things Katrin Juliusdottir, and am really looking forward to book two!
Young police officer Sigurdís is keen to get involved in her first major case, but having only just returned to active duty after assaulting a member of the public (albeit with good reason), her boss is reluctant to assign her more than administrative tasks. However, when her observational skills bring about the important discovery of a hidden safe in the victim's luxury apartment, she finds herself involved in the thick of an unusual murder investigation.
As the enquiry develops, it becomes clear that Óttar Karlsson's reputation for transparency and integrity was nothing but a sham. The sheer scale of his shady business dealings leads the police to the conclusion that this must be the reason for his murder... but Sigurdís is not so sure. The discovery of an American phone number among Karlsson's paperwork, and a series of payments to a bank account in Minnesota, whisper of an even darker side to Óttar Karlsson, and Sigurdís' own experiences of trauma make her the ideal person to uncover the disturbing truth about the man so many held in high regard...
Dead Sweet is the first in an intriguing new series by debut author Katrin Juliusdottir. At first sight, this is a tale of financial misconduct in the wake of the Icelandic economic collapse, which thrums with the weight of Juliusdottir's political and tech company backgrounds, but it soon becomes clear that she has something much more sinister in mind. Building on a cleverly wrought framework that combines far-reaching domestic and international plotlines, Juliusdottir sows the seeds of an unsettling Nordic noir crime yarn, and before you know it she has subverted the story into one rife with themes of manipulation and abuse that burgeon to encompass, not just the present police investigation, but also Sigurdís' personal life.
Juliusdottir takes great care with her characters in this story, doing an excellent job of introducing you to their strengths and weaknesses, and all the little shades of grey that make them who they are. This is especially true of the police team and family members surrounding Sigurdís, who I look forward to getting to know and love over the course of this series. Sigurdís is written with lots of depth, and insight, and she discovers a lot about herself as the story progresses. She carries many burdens from the domestic abuse she lived through as a child, and Juliusdottir uses this nicely to explore facets of fear, control, insecurity, and guilt that are also reflected through the lives of many of the other characters - particularly those connected to the 'real' Óttar Karlsson, who she strips back beautifully to their bare bones, as the twists come thick and fast towards the end of the book.
For a debut, this novel shows a lot of promise. Juliusdottir's writing flows well, and she knows how to bring her obvious knowledge to bear to flesh out slick plotlines with authenticity and atmosphere. There is nothing lacking in thrills, spills and suspense, and I love, love, love the way Juliusdottir plays with the aspects of 'Dead Sweet' throughout. I would have liked a touch more bite given the subject matter, but I have no doubt this is something that will come as Juliusdottir hones her craft. Quentin Bates does a great job, as always, keeping the pace and intensity going, which is impressive given the breadth of this story.
It is always such a joy to be in at the beginning of an author's journey, particularly one writing in one of my absolute favourite genres. I predict great things Katrin Juliusdottir, and am really looking forward to book two!
February 9, 2024
This is the first installment of a new Icelandic crime series.
Óttar Karlsson, a charismatic and well-respected government official, is found murdered on a beach after not turning up for his 50th birthday party organized by his girlfriend Erla. Sigurdís Hölludóttir, a young police officer, finds a well-hidden home safe in Óttar’s apartment. The documents inside suggest that Óttar was involved in dubious business dealings. It seems that the murder victim’s public persona was a sham because he led a double life. Garðar, in charge of the investigation, thinks that Óttar’s killer will be linked to these financial crimes, but Sigurdís believes strongly that the perpetrator will be found connected to Óttar’s personal life. She follows her intuition and investigates on her own, even taking an unapproved trip.
Sigurdís is a likeable protagonist, both intelligent and intuitive. She had a traumatic childhood because of an abusive father; as a result, she and her younger brother Einar lived with their aunt Halla. It is these relationships that show her soft side; for instance, she’s very loving and protective of Einar. With others she has trust issues; certainly, her relationship with her mother is very complex, full of both anger and guilt. Her experiences are an advantage in that they make her particularly perceptive to abuse victims. Professionally, she is ambitious; she wants to prove herself a capable detective. She starts at a disadvantage because a physical altercation with a young man resulted in her being confined to desk duty and having to see a psychologist. Garðar, concerned about Sigurdís’ mental health, tries to restrict her to administrative tasks, but she perseveres and makes crucial contributions to the case. When convinced that she is correct, it’s obvious that she will not always comply with the rules.
Sigurdís’ relationships with colleagues show that others like her as well. Garðar, for reasons that gradually become clear, is definitely protective of her, but he also has affection for the young woman. Elín, a member of the financial-crime unit, makes a point of thanking Sigurdís for her contributions. Unnar, another detective, works with her closely and comes to have a high regard for her abilities. Of course, it doesn’t take much intuition to imagine that a romance will develop between Sigurdís and Unnar!
As expected, there are some twists, but I appreciated that there are clues throughout to Óttar’s personality. The prologue, an interior monologue from his perspective, is revealing. Then there’s the repeated description of him as someone who always managed to get his way. The diary entries periodically interspersed between chapters also work well in suggesting his true nature, as well as creating suspense.
Regular readers of my reviews expect that I will find flaws, and, yes, there are some irritations. What’s with everyone sliding to the floor? Thrúður, Erla, and Sigurdís all react in this way!? Does Sigurdís actually wear her police uniform when visiting someone outside her jurisdiction? Sigurdís has a fear of flying but after just a few flights, “she’d mastered the art of travelling”? Would police really install security systems in someone’s home?
Despite these very minor annoyances, I certainly enjoyed this book. I really like Sigurdís, and my interest was maintained throughout. The case is solved at the end, but the book ends with a cliffhanger as well. I am already anxious to read the next book in this very promising series.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DCYakabuski).
Óttar Karlsson, a charismatic and well-respected government official, is found murdered on a beach after not turning up for his 50th birthday party organized by his girlfriend Erla. Sigurdís Hölludóttir, a young police officer, finds a well-hidden home safe in Óttar’s apartment. The documents inside suggest that Óttar was involved in dubious business dealings. It seems that the murder victim’s public persona was a sham because he led a double life. Garðar, in charge of the investigation, thinks that Óttar’s killer will be linked to these financial crimes, but Sigurdís believes strongly that the perpetrator will be found connected to Óttar’s personal life. She follows her intuition and investigates on her own, even taking an unapproved trip.
Sigurdís is a likeable protagonist, both intelligent and intuitive. She had a traumatic childhood because of an abusive father; as a result, she and her younger brother Einar lived with their aunt Halla. It is these relationships that show her soft side; for instance, she’s very loving and protective of Einar. With others she has trust issues; certainly, her relationship with her mother is very complex, full of both anger and guilt. Her experiences are an advantage in that they make her particularly perceptive to abuse victims. Professionally, she is ambitious; she wants to prove herself a capable detective. She starts at a disadvantage because a physical altercation with a young man resulted in her being confined to desk duty and having to see a psychologist. Garðar, concerned about Sigurdís’ mental health, tries to restrict her to administrative tasks, but she perseveres and makes crucial contributions to the case. When convinced that she is correct, it’s obvious that she will not always comply with the rules.
Sigurdís’ relationships with colleagues show that others like her as well. Garðar, for reasons that gradually become clear, is definitely protective of her, but he also has affection for the young woman. Elín, a member of the financial-crime unit, makes a point of thanking Sigurdís for her contributions. Unnar, another detective, works with her closely and comes to have a high regard for her abilities. Of course, it doesn’t take much intuition to imagine that a romance will develop between Sigurdís and Unnar!
As expected, there are some twists, but I appreciated that there are clues throughout to Óttar’s personality. The prologue, an interior monologue from his perspective, is revealing. Then there’s the repeated description of him as someone who always managed to get his way. The diary entries periodically interspersed between chapters also work well in suggesting his true nature, as well as creating suspense.
Regular readers of my reviews expect that I will find flaws, and, yes, there are some irritations. What’s with everyone sliding to the floor? Thrúður, Erla, and Sigurdís all react in this way!? Does Sigurdís actually wear her police uniform when visiting someone outside her jurisdiction? Sigurdís has a fear of flying but after just a few flights, “she’d mastered the art of travelling”? Would police really install security systems in someone’s home?
Despite these very minor annoyances, I certainly enjoyed this book. I really like Sigurdís, and my interest was maintained throughout. The case is solved at the end, but the book ends with a cliffhanger as well. I am already anxious to read the next book in this very promising series.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DCYakabuski).
December 14, 2023
A brand new Icelandic crime author is so exciting. I love that a small country that has (thankfully) an incredibly small number of murders – just 3 this year, yet the country is punching well above its weight in atmospheric, chilling, fictional homicides.
From the evidence of her debut novel, Dead Sweet, Katrín Júlíusdóttir is going to be such a welcome addition to this gang of supremely talented writers.
Dead Sweet does not pull any punches. There is violence in this book – serious, impactful violence that comes swiftly and is entirely appropriate, but which made me wince and which I’d describe as ‘crunchy’.
Highly respected civil servant Óttar Karlsson has gained respect from both politicians and the public for his work after the financial crash – something that has affected every Icelander and has made them alert to the need for transparency and accountability – both of which were championed by Óttar before he became a civil servant. There were those who thought he should have gone into politics, but Ottar eschewed the limelight for working in the background, helping to clear up the financial mess caused by so many firms going into liquidation.
On the day of his 50th birthday, his girlfriend, Erla, has arranged a very special party for Óttar, but he simply doesn’t show up. That’s because his dead body is lying on an isolated beach with his skull caved in.
Sigurdís has anger issues. She was suspended for a while after an altercation with a member of the public, but now she’s back at work and eager to prove her skills so that she can attain her goal of being a detective. Sigurdis’ boss, Garðar. is no-one’s pushover, but he does feel some responsibility towards Sigurdis, which buys her some slack.
Interspersed throughout this story we are given short first person narratives in the form of journal entries from an unknown narrator which gives this down to earth investigation more of a chill factor than it already has.
Sigurdis makes a significant discovery early on which gives the team a working thesis and their efforts concentrate of financial crimes and analysing the victim’s business dealings. But for Sigurdis, who has a lot going on in her personal life, there is an angle that the police should be looking at, but aren’t. She can’t get her boss to agree, so she takes matters into her own hands. What she discovers turns this investigation in a whole new direction.
Katrín Júlíusdóttir has delivered a brilliant, tense, intelligent and atmospheric thriller that introduces us to a fascinating new detective in Sigurdis and which examines the fall-out from one of the most recent cataclysmic events in Iceland’s history.
Sigurdis own backstory is a troubled one and she’s not one to share her personal life readily with the team, though she does have a good circle of girlfriends. I can see that there is a lot of scope for a lot more of Sigurdis, her backstory and her family to come. There’s a real sense of team work too in this police procedural, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of this tight police team in action.
Verdict: Twisty, with a strong plot and a good focus on investigative techniques, Dead Sweet is nicely layered with good plotting and nice complexity to the characters. As the layers peel back, you can really see what a putrid presence the antagonist really was. I really enjoyed meeting Sigurdis who I really want to get to know better. I really enjoyed this unnerving debut novel and am thoroughly looking forward to the next instalment.
From the evidence of her debut novel, Dead Sweet, Katrín Júlíusdóttir is going to be such a welcome addition to this gang of supremely talented writers.
Dead Sweet does not pull any punches. There is violence in this book – serious, impactful violence that comes swiftly and is entirely appropriate, but which made me wince and which I’d describe as ‘crunchy’.
Highly respected civil servant Óttar Karlsson has gained respect from both politicians and the public for his work after the financial crash – something that has affected every Icelander and has made them alert to the need for transparency and accountability – both of which were championed by Óttar before he became a civil servant. There were those who thought he should have gone into politics, but Ottar eschewed the limelight for working in the background, helping to clear up the financial mess caused by so many firms going into liquidation.
On the day of his 50th birthday, his girlfriend, Erla, has arranged a very special party for Óttar, but he simply doesn’t show up. That’s because his dead body is lying on an isolated beach with his skull caved in.
Sigurdís has anger issues. She was suspended for a while after an altercation with a member of the public, but now she’s back at work and eager to prove her skills so that she can attain her goal of being a detective. Sigurdis’ boss, Garðar. is no-one’s pushover, but he does feel some responsibility towards Sigurdis, which buys her some slack.
Interspersed throughout this story we are given short first person narratives in the form of journal entries from an unknown narrator which gives this down to earth investigation more of a chill factor than it already has.
Sigurdis makes a significant discovery early on which gives the team a working thesis and their efforts concentrate of financial crimes and analysing the victim’s business dealings. But for Sigurdis, who has a lot going on in her personal life, there is an angle that the police should be looking at, but aren’t. She can’t get her boss to agree, so she takes matters into her own hands. What she discovers turns this investigation in a whole new direction.
Katrín Júlíusdóttir has delivered a brilliant, tense, intelligent and atmospheric thriller that introduces us to a fascinating new detective in Sigurdis and which examines the fall-out from one of the most recent cataclysmic events in Iceland’s history.
Sigurdis own backstory is a troubled one and she’s not one to share her personal life readily with the team, though she does have a good circle of girlfriends. I can see that there is a lot of scope for a lot more of Sigurdis, her backstory and her family to come. There’s a real sense of team work too in this police procedural, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of this tight police team in action.
Verdict: Twisty, with a strong plot and a good focus on investigative techniques, Dead Sweet is nicely layered with good plotting and nice complexity to the characters. As the layers peel back, you can really see what a putrid presence the antagonist really was. I really enjoyed meeting Sigurdis who I really want to get to know better. I really enjoyed this unnerving debut novel and am thoroughly looking forward to the next instalment.
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