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Thirty Days of Darkness
A Danish literary author is challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days, travelling to a small village in Iceland for inspiration, and then a body appears ... an atmospheric, darkly funny, twisty debut thriller, first in an addictive new series.
Copenhagen author Hannah is the darling of the literary community and her novels have achieved massive critical acclaim. But nobody actually reads them, and frustrated by writer' s block, Hannah has the feeling that she' s doing something wrong.
When she expresses her contempt for genre fiction, Hanna is publicly challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days. Scared that she will lose face, she accepts, and her editor sends her to Hú safjö ð ur – a quiet, tight-knit village in Iceland, filled with colorful local characters – for inspiration.
But two days after her arrival, the body of a fisherman' s young son is pulled from the water ... and what begins as a search for plot material quickly turns into a messy and dangerous investigation that threatens to uncover secrets that put everything at risk ... including Hannah.
Atmospheric, dramatic and full of nerve-jangling twists and turns, Thirty Days of Darkness is a darkly funny, unsettling debut thriller that marks the start of a breathtaking new series.
Copenhagen author Hannah is the darling of the literary community and her novels have achieved massive critical acclaim. But nobody actually reads them, and frustrated by writer' s block, Hannah has the feeling that she' s doing something wrong.
When she expresses her contempt for genre fiction, Hanna is publicly challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days. Scared that she will lose face, she accepts, and her editor sends her to Hú safjö ð ur – a quiet, tight-knit village in Iceland, filled with colorful local characters – for inspiration.
But two days after her arrival, the body of a fisherman' s young son is pulled from the water ... and what begins as a search for plot material quickly turns into a messy and dangerous investigation that threatens to uncover secrets that put everything at risk ... including Hannah.
Atmospheric, dramatic and full of nerve-jangling twists and turns, Thirty Days of Darkness is a darkly funny, unsettling debut thriller that marks the start of a breathtaking new series.
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2020
162 people are currently reading
1225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
December 24, 2025
It has some issues but overall an enjoyable amateur investigator. Some GR reviewers don’t like the book because of the disagreeable main character, but for me that wasn’t a flaw. It’s Nordic (Iceland and Denmark) but not noir. Too much humor (snarky) for noir.
The main character is a Danish literary writer who gets into a very public dispute with a popular crime writer. The upshot, she accepts a challenge to write a crime novel in one month. Her agent sends her to someone he knows in remote Iceland and surprisingly a murder happens. Then two.
She is ridiculously inept with people, acerbic and on top of all an alcoholic. In spite of these drawbacks she has the instincts of an investigator. Action builds. It’s more than 30 days of physical darkness (November in Iceland). There are dark characters. The investigator is in the dark as not everyone speaks her languages.
Her interactions with the town’s policeman are pretty unbelievable. The man is too open and a real walkover. She inserts herself into dangerous situations that make little sense. Still fun and recommendable.
The main character is a Danish literary writer who gets into a very public dispute with a popular crime writer. The upshot, she accepts a challenge to write a crime novel in one month. Her agent sends her to someone he knows in remote Iceland and surprisingly a murder happens. Then two.
She is ridiculously inept with people, acerbic and on top of all an alcoholic. In spite of these drawbacks she has the instincts of an investigator. Action builds. It’s more than 30 days of physical darkness (November in Iceland). There are dark characters. The investigator is in the dark as not everyone speaks her languages.
Her interactions with the town’s policeman are pretty unbelievable. The man is too open and a real walkover. She inserts herself into dangerous situations that make little sense. Still fun and recommendable.
December 2, 2023
I thought I would enjoy Thirty Days of Darkness based on the description. And I believe I would have if it wasn't for the abrasive main character, Hannah. I hated her from the get-go. And it started at the beginning when she got belligerent when asked not to smoke in front of a group of children. If the intent was to create a snarky character, it didn't work. It was pretty difficult to continue after that incident. But there was more to come. It turns out that Hannah is an alcoholic. And after a night of binge drinking, Hannah was so hungover that she ended up vomiting on her host's dining table. Yikes!
The narrative continues on the same path as abrasive Hannah, a wannabe Jessica Fletcher inserts herself into a murder investigation, hoping to find the inspiration for her crime novel. As it turns out, Hannah just becomes a nuisance to the detective assigned to the case. And it doesn't stop there. Hannah starts a sapphic relationship with the detective's wife! That was the last straw. Needless to say, I gave up at 33%. An unfortunate one star DNF.
I received a DRC from Orenda Books through Edelweiss The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
The narrative continues on the same path as abrasive Hannah, a wannabe Jessica Fletcher inserts herself into a murder investigation, hoping to find the inspiration for her crime novel. As it turns out, Hannah just becomes a nuisance to the detective assigned to the case. And it doesn't stop there. Hannah starts a sapphic relationship with the detective's wife! That was the last straw. Needless to say, I gave up at 33%. An unfortunate one star DNF.
I received a DRC from Orenda Books through Edelweiss The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
November 3, 2023
This book was originally published in 2020, I gathered from the date of some of the reviews. I must admit that I liked the cover on EW a lot better than this one here - but, never judge a book by its cover!
I enjoyed the book mainly for the character of Hannah, who needs to write a crime novel in 30 days, in a challenge that she proposes after a rather dreadful conversation with a successful author of crime novels. She herself knows that she's on her way down, because her literary novels do not sell too well and now she's suffering from writers' block. Although this may have to do something with the fact that she's an alcoholic.
Her agent Bastian ships her off to Iceland to go and stay for a month with an elderly relative of him, Ella. Ella doesn't speak Danish or English but she can understand it and write a little in those languages, so when necessary she writes down her answers to Hannah's questions.
Hannah is not a day on the island or a murder takes place and the whole small village is in shock. Except for the murderer of course - which Hannah thinks must be easy to find because that's what happens in all crime novels. She decides to interfere with the local police, consisting of one man, and try and solve the case.
Needless to say she's in for a surprise. Several of them actually.
I loved the beautiful writing and the characters of Hannah and Ella. Besides describing the beauty of the Icelandic nature, there is also room for a lot of emotions. And even a little love.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Orenda Books for this review copy.
I enjoyed the book mainly for the character of Hannah, who needs to write a crime novel in 30 days, in a challenge that she proposes after a rather dreadful conversation with a successful author of crime novels. She herself knows that she's on her way down, because her literary novels do not sell too well and now she's suffering from writers' block. Although this may have to do something with the fact that she's an alcoholic.
Her agent Bastian ships her off to Iceland to go and stay for a month with an elderly relative of him, Ella. Ella doesn't speak Danish or English but she can understand it and write a little in those languages, so when necessary she writes down her answers to Hannah's questions.
Hannah is not a day on the island or a murder takes place and the whole small village is in shock. Except for the murderer of course - which Hannah thinks must be easy to find because that's what happens in all crime novels. She decides to interfere with the local police, consisting of one man, and try and solve the case.
Needless to say she's in for a surprise. Several of them actually.
I loved the beautiful writing and the characters of Hannah and Ella. Besides describing the beauty of the Icelandic nature, there is also room for a lot of emotions. And even a little love.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Orenda Books for this review copy.
May 30, 2023
Dreadful.When I read this kind of bad book,trying to be charitable,I sometimes wonder if they're not intended as a (badly done) parody,but no, it's just plain awful.
Absurd plot, cardboard characters,and the already tired trope of a middle aged woman being aggressive,socially inept, and finding the light.
Absurd plot, cardboard characters,and the already tired trope of a middle aged woman being aggressive,socially inept, and finding the light.
May 24, 2023
4.5 rounded up.
Hannah Krause-Bendix is a 45-year-old acclaimed Danish novelist, but she’s been suffering from the writer’s block and self medicating with alcohol.
Her editor, Bastian, persuades her to attend a book fair, where she encounters her literary nemesis: a successful (and rich) crime writer, Jørn Jensen. A verbal argument ensues, where Hannah tells the whole crowd that any idiot can write a crime book and she could do it in thirty days. Jørn challenges her to do it and she begrudgingly accepts.
Bastian sends her up to Iceland to a small town of Húsafjörður, where she stays with a local woman, Ella.
Soon, things take a darker turn. Ella’s teenage nephew, Thor, is found drowned. Hannah starts to probe into Thor’s death, walking around the town and asking questions.
It’s obvious that the lone policeman, Viktor, isn’t up to the task and Hannah’s actions may put her life in danger.
After all, the killer is watching…
Ooh, this was such an excellent introduction to the series. I loved the dynamic between Hannah and Jørn, they made a great investigative duo. Hannah was so rigid and stuck in her ways, her attitude and remarks towards Jørn were witty and comical.
I enjoyed the inclusion of the Icelandic sagas that Hannah was reading – I grew up reading Scandinavian sagas as a child; this resonated with me and it was almost like a throwback to my childhood.
Overall, it is another deliciously dark read from the Team Orenda! I definitely recommend it.
Hannah Krause-Bendix is a 45-year-old acclaimed Danish novelist, but she’s been suffering from the writer’s block and self medicating with alcohol.
Her editor, Bastian, persuades her to attend a book fair, where she encounters her literary nemesis: a successful (and rich) crime writer, Jørn Jensen. A verbal argument ensues, where Hannah tells the whole crowd that any idiot can write a crime book and she could do it in thirty days. Jørn challenges her to do it and she begrudgingly accepts.
Bastian sends her up to Iceland to a small town of Húsafjörður, where she stays with a local woman, Ella.
Soon, things take a darker turn. Ella’s teenage nephew, Thor, is found drowned. Hannah starts to probe into Thor’s death, walking around the town and asking questions.
It’s obvious that the lone policeman, Viktor, isn’t up to the task and Hannah’s actions may put her life in danger.
After all, the killer is watching…
Ooh, this was such an excellent introduction to the series. I loved the dynamic between Hannah and Jørn, they made a great investigative duo. Hannah was so rigid and stuck in her ways, her attitude and remarks towards Jørn were witty and comical.
I enjoyed the inclusion of the Icelandic sagas that Hannah was reading – I grew up reading Scandinavian sagas as a child; this resonated with me and it was almost like a throwback to my childhood.
Overall, it is another deliciously dark read from the Team Orenda! I definitely recommend it.
September 26, 2021
30 дни и няколко жертви, за да се напише един трилър: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/3...
Колкото повече скандинавски трилъри, толкоз по-добре, тези хора просто знаят как се пише забавна литература. За разлика от Хана, главната героиня в “30 дни мрак” на Джени Лунд Мадсен, която отдадено пише “висока” литература и приема, че все така ще си остане почти непозната за читателите и ще зависи от благоволението на своя редактор, който благосклонно продължава да издава книгите ѝ. И както повечето автори на по-сериозна литература, тя презира успелите автори на бестселъри – и особено противния Йорн Йенсен, който редува хит след хит в трилъровия жанр.
Lemur Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/3...
Колкото повече скандинавски трилъри, толкоз по-добре, тези хора просто знаят как се пише забавна литература. За разлика от Хана, главната героиня в “30 дни мрак” на Джени Лунд Мадсен, която отдадено пише “висока” литература и приема, че все така ще си остане почти непозната за читателите и ще зависи от благоволението на своя редактор, който благосклонно продължава да издава книгите ѝ. И както повечето автори на по-сериозна литература, тя презира успелите автори на бестселъри – и особено противния Йорн Йенсен, който редува хит след хит в трилъровия жанр.
Lemur Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/3...
August 2, 2023
The protagonist (a raging alcoholic author) is terribly obnoxious and immature, she was so annoying it became comical. Not sure if this is what was intended as such.
The story itself was mediocre, quite cliched (apart from a little lgtb lovin’ which we don’t often see in Nordic crimes) and the whodunnit reveal was just lame.
The story itself was mediocre, quite cliched (apart from a little lgtb lovin’ which we don’t often see in Nordic crimes) and the whodunnit reveal was just lame.
January 10, 2022
De flap had me al meteen mee. Hannah, een auteur die wel erg zeker is van zichzelf, moet in dertig dagen een thriller schrijven - wat helemaal buiten haar comfort zone is maar ze sloot een weddenschap af met een collega auteur, Jorn, die ze verfoeid - en hoe kan het ook anders, stuit tijdens het schrijfproces op enkele geheimen.
Dat is het verhaal in korte lijnen en dat blijft de eigenlijk zo doorheen het boek. Sommige dingen leken mij echt absoluut te ver gezocht of onmogelijk, al leek het wel alsof de auteur overtuigd was van wel, bv de gastvrouw van Hannah - die een andere taal beheerst als haar - de taal dus niet spreekt maar wel kan schrijven. Details hadden dan misschien geholpen om te begrijpen waarom dat ‘logisch’ is.
Zo zijn er doorheen het verhaal nog wel enkele dingetjes die gewoon niet realistisch leken. Al is de schrijfstijl van deze auteur enorm vlot te noemen. Het tempo ligt hoog en ik ben echt door het boek gevlogen. Het leest echt erg prettig weg. Deze auteur schrijft ook scenario’s en misschien is dat wat ervoor zorgt dat dit boek zo vlot leest. Het verhaal voelt ook echt als een moordaflevering van een of ander Scandinavisch programma.
Ongeacht al deze dingetjes, wou ik echt wel weten hoe het verhaal nu in elkaar zat, want eerlijk is eerlijk, ik had het niet uitgedokterd. Pluspunt. Nog een pluspunt, voor mij persoonlijk dan, is het hoofdpersonage Hannah. Zij is zo vol van zichzelf, zo arrogant, zo niet likable, dat ze dat nu net wel is voor mij als lezer. (En naarmate het verhaal zijn vorm krijgt, blijkt ze wel wat zachter te zijn)
Dus, het verhaal heeft me niet helemaal kunnen overtuigen (Jorn, waar kom je toch steeds vandaan?!) maar dat maakte Hannah het hoofdpersonage dan weer goed waardoor ik deze thriller, met veel plezier, op een dag heb uitgelezen.
Dat is het verhaal in korte lijnen en dat blijft de eigenlijk zo doorheen het boek. Sommige dingen leken mij echt absoluut te ver gezocht of onmogelijk, al leek het wel alsof de auteur overtuigd was van wel, bv de gastvrouw van Hannah - die een andere taal beheerst als haar - de taal dus niet spreekt maar wel kan schrijven. Details hadden dan misschien geholpen om te begrijpen waarom dat ‘logisch’ is.
Zo zijn er doorheen het verhaal nog wel enkele dingetjes die gewoon niet realistisch leken. Al is de schrijfstijl van deze auteur enorm vlot te noemen. Het tempo ligt hoog en ik ben echt door het boek gevlogen. Het leest echt erg prettig weg. Deze auteur schrijft ook scenario’s en misschien is dat wat ervoor zorgt dat dit boek zo vlot leest. Het verhaal voelt ook echt als een moordaflevering van een of ander Scandinavisch programma.
Ongeacht al deze dingetjes, wou ik echt wel weten hoe het verhaal nu in elkaar zat, want eerlijk is eerlijk, ik had het niet uitgedokterd. Pluspunt. Nog een pluspunt, voor mij persoonlijk dan, is het hoofdpersonage Hannah. Zij is zo vol van zichzelf, zo arrogant, zo niet likable, dat ze dat nu net wel is voor mij als lezer. (En naarmate het verhaal zijn vorm krijgt, blijkt ze wel wat zachter te zijn)
Dus, het verhaal heeft me niet helemaal kunnen overtuigen (Jorn, waar kom je toch steeds vandaan?!) maar dat maakte Hannah het hoofdpersonage dan weer goed waardoor ik deze thriller, met veel plezier, op een dag heb uitgelezen.
October 19, 2021
Обичам лятото и жегата, не понасям зимата и студа, за това ми е напълно непонятно как може въобще хора да живеят в северната част на нашата планета. Дори преди години искарах една седмица в северен Сибир, при -40 и неприязанта ми към севера и студа стана дори по-силна. От по-предните ми думи вероятно става ясно, че Исландия не ми я от мечтаните за посещение дестинации. Малкото впечатление, което съм си изградил от документални филми за района, напълно се припокри от романа на Джени Лунд Мадсен. Толкова добре е описала колко депресиращо, мрачно и студено е това място и жителите му, че сякаш ме пренесе там, сблъсквайки ме с доста некомфортна за мен фантазия. Освен това имам особен афинитет към истории, които имат за главен герой - писател. Значи, представете си, че сте писател, който отива за един месец в село в дълбокия исландски север, трудно се разбирате с местните, там винаги е мрачно и студено, кухнята е ужасна, а вие търсите вдъхновение за криминален роман (като всъщност мразите този жанр, като го смятате за твърде лековат и лесен за писане). Ами аз си се представих. Първите 2/3 от книгата са страшно динамични и увлекателни, с поредица от обрати, които ме държаха залепен за книгата. В последните 50 страници, където всъщност напрежението трябваше да ескалира и мистерията да се разплете по-зашеметяващ начин, малко повествованието ме изтърва като читател. Финалният мотив е оригинален, но малко скалъпен, според мен. Беше удоволствие да се сблъскам с творчеството на Мадсен и определено бих прочел и друга нейна книга. Постепено се завръщам към скандинавските кримки и наситените със студ истории - подходящо за сезона.
April 28, 2024
3.5 stars. After reading a book set in a place where it doesn’t get dark I could only read this book of course. The story was good if a bit far-fetched. Some original details though.
April 30, 2022
Scandinavische thriller met veel sneeuw, klinkt bekend he. Maar deze is toch anders, Hannah gaat naar IJsland om een nieuw soort boek te schrijven. Ondertussen wordt er iemand vermoord en gebruikt ze de moord als inspiratie, wat de moordenaar dan weer geen goed idee vindt... Hoofdpersonage had sommige aspecten wel erg laat door, maar de spanning op het einde maakte het wel een goed boek!
September 26, 2020
Rigtig god bog - men halvgod krimi
Jenny Lund Madsens ‘Tredive dages mørke’ formår på en meget veloplagt og underholdende måde at lave tykt grin med den skandinaviske krimigenre. Samtidig ryger romanens krimiplot selv lige på halen ned i nogle af alle de klicheer, som hovedpersonen, forfatteren Hannah, raser imod. Bogen er rigtig godt skrevet og spændende. Den indeholder dog samtidig alle de der “jeg kunne ringe efter hjælp, men i stedet tror jeg bare, jeg går ubevæbnet ind til en bevæbnet morder”-klicheer, som efter min mening er lidt for letkøbte til at skabe spænding. Men da forfatteren (både bogens forfatter og den fiktive forfatterhovedperson) tydeligvis er meget opmærksom på genrens små og store faldgruber, må det næsten være med vilje, at de bliver brugt i bogens rigtige krimiplot. Det ødelægger bare lidt krimi-delen af romanen efter min mening.
Jeg både elskede og hadede hovedpersonen, Hannah, der selvfølgelig er introvert alkoholiker med rod i privatlivet, fordi sådan en er der jo også næsten altid i skandinaviske krimier. Og jeg grinede ofte højt undervejs i min læsning. Som tog forbløffende kort tid, fordi bogen vitterligt er spændende skruet sammen. Blot synes jeg, at genrebetegnelsen ‘Krimi’, som står trykt på forsiden, risikerer at skuffe nogle læsere. I pressematerialet om bogen fra forlaget Grønningen 1, som også har været så venlige at stille et anmeldereksemplar til rådighed, står der, at romanen “byder på både krimi, komedie og drama”. Og det er meget mere rigtigt end blot ordet ‘Krimi’.
Den britiske kriminallitteratur har de seneste år budt på en del bøger, der leger med genren og på en gang skriver en krimi og laver sjov med hele krimitraditionen. Det er nok mere den tendens, Jenny Lund Madsen skriver sig ind i. Og det er til gengæld også både sjovt og godt set. For nu, hvor hele verden synes at elske “Nordic Noir”, er det da også ret oplagt, at de vil elske parodien herpå, som ‘Tredive dages mørke’ i bund og grund er. Romanen foregår endda i mørket og sneen i en lille islandsk by. Det bliver ikke meget mere Nordic Noir end det.
Så hvis ikke det allerede er sket, så synes jeg Grønningen 1 skulle skynde sig at sælge rettighederne til udenlandske forlag. Og ellers markedsføre ‘Tredive dages mørke’ som den krimi-pastiche, den nu engang er. Så er jeg sikker på, at alle med et had/kærligheds-forhold til Nordic Noir, vil grine sig igennem romanen, ligesom jeg gjorde. Men dedikerede krimilæsere, der forventer et godt krimiplot og måske starten på en ny, dansk krimiserie, risikerer at blive skuffede, hvis ikke de lige er i stødet til en humoristisk vinkel på sagen.
Og nå ja, det fornægter sig ikke i skrivestilen, at Jenny Lund Madsen er vant til at arbejde med manuskripter til film og tv-serier, så forhandlingerne om filmrettighederne ligger da også lige for. Jeg kan sagtens se Hannah som hovedperson i en tv-serie.
Jeg håber ikke, dette bliver Jenny Lund Madsens sidste bog, for jeg var rigtig godt underholdt igennem hele bogen. Men måske den næste skulle være en anden genre end krimien.
Jenny Lund Madsens ‘Tredive dages mørke’ formår på en meget veloplagt og underholdende måde at lave tykt grin med den skandinaviske krimigenre. Samtidig ryger romanens krimiplot selv lige på halen ned i nogle af alle de klicheer, som hovedpersonen, forfatteren Hannah, raser imod. Bogen er rigtig godt skrevet og spændende. Den indeholder dog samtidig alle de der “jeg kunne ringe efter hjælp, men i stedet tror jeg bare, jeg går ubevæbnet ind til en bevæbnet morder”-klicheer, som efter min mening er lidt for letkøbte til at skabe spænding. Men da forfatteren (både bogens forfatter og den fiktive forfatterhovedperson) tydeligvis er meget opmærksom på genrens små og store faldgruber, må det næsten være med vilje, at de bliver brugt i bogens rigtige krimiplot. Det ødelægger bare lidt krimi-delen af romanen efter min mening.
Jeg både elskede og hadede hovedpersonen, Hannah, der selvfølgelig er introvert alkoholiker med rod i privatlivet, fordi sådan en er der jo også næsten altid i skandinaviske krimier. Og jeg grinede ofte højt undervejs i min læsning. Som tog forbløffende kort tid, fordi bogen vitterligt er spændende skruet sammen. Blot synes jeg, at genrebetegnelsen ‘Krimi’, som står trykt på forsiden, risikerer at skuffe nogle læsere. I pressematerialet om bogen fra forlaget Grønningen 1, som også har været så venlige at stille et anmeldereksemplar til rådighed, står der, at romanen “byder på både krimi, komedie og drama”. Og det er meget mere rigtigt end blot ordet ‘Krimi’.
Den britiske kriminallitteratur har de seneste år budt på en del bøger, der leger med genren og på en gang skriver en krimi og laver sjov med hele krimitraditionen. Det er nok mere den tendens, Jenny Lund Madsen skriver sig ind i. Og det er til gengæld også både sjovt og godt set. For nu, hvor hele verden synes at elske “Nordic Noir”, er det da også ret oplagt, at de vil elske parodien herpå, som ‘Tredive dages mørke’ i bund og grund er. Romanen foregår endda i mørket og sneen i en lille islandsk by. Det bliver ikke meget mere Nordic Noir end det.
Så hvis ikke det allerede er sket, så synes jeg Grønningen 1 skulle skynde sig at sælge rettighederne til udenlandske forlag. Og ellers markedsføre ‘Tredive dages mørke’ som den krimi-pastiche, den nu engang er. Så er jeg sikker på, at alle med et had/kærligheds-forhold til Nordic Noir, vil grine sig igennem romanen, ligesom jeg gjorde. Men dedikerede krimilæsere, der forventer et godt krimiplot og måske starten på en ny, dansk krimiserie, risikerer at blive skuffede, hvis ikke de lige er i stødet til en humoristisk vinkel på sagen.
Og nå ja, det fornægter sig ikke i skrivestilen, at Jenny Lund Madsen er vant til at arbejde med manuskripter til film og tv-serier, så forhandlingerne om filmrettighederne ligger da også lige for. Jeg kan sagtens se Hannah som hovedperson i en tv-serie.
Jeg håber ikke, dette bliver Jenny Lund Madsens sidste bog, for jeg var rigtig godt underholdt igennem hele bogen. Men måske den næste skulle være en anden genre end krimien.
February 16, 2022
Hannah is een literaire schrijfster. Haar boeken krijgen goede recensies, maar de verkoop ervan valt tegen. Dan gaat ze een weddenschap aan met een schrijver. Hannah beweert namelijk dat ze in dertig dagen een goede misdaadroman kan schrijven. Maar gaat dit haar ook echt lukken?
Om inspiratie op te doen reist ze naar Húsafjörður, een klein dorp in IJsland. Kort na haar aankomst wordt er een lichaam uit de zee gehaald. Het blijkt om een visserszoon te gaan. Het slachtoffer leed aan watervrees en het lijkt alsof er opzet in het spel is. Hannah wil dit als inspiratie gebruiken voor haar boek.
Tijdens haar onderzoek naar de moordenaar stuit Hannah op duistere geheimen en zaken die ze beter met rust had kunnen laten. Zal het haar lukken om de dader te vinden? En lukt het haar om ondertussen de weddenschap te winnen?
Toen ik aan 'Dertig dagen duisternis' begon moest ik heel erg wennen aan de schrijfstijl. Ook had ik niet meteen een connectie met het hoofdpersonage Hannah. Ze kwam bij mij over als een stugge en pessimistische vrouw. Echter, naarmate het verhaal vorderde, zat ik iets lekkerder in het verhaal.
De spanning wordt langzaam opgebouwd en de IJslandse sfeer is goed te voelen. Verschillende personages zijn verdacht en je wordt als lezer dan ook een aantal keren op het verkeerde been gezet. Tot het einde zitten er plotwendingen in het verhaal. Toch viel het mij een heel klein beetje tegen. Misschien omdat ik heel lang geen sympathie voor het hoofdpersonage had, of misschien toch door de schrijfstijl en sommige ongeloofwaardige stukken. Het is geen slecht verhaal, maar ik had er waarschijnlijk meer van verwacht.
Beoordeling: 3,5 ⭐️
Om inspiratie op te doen reist ze naar Húsafjörður, een klein dorp in IJsland. Kort na haar aankomst wordt er een lichaam uit de zee gehaald. Het blijkt om een visserszoon te gaan. Het slachtoffer leed aan watervrees en het lijkt alsof er opzet in het spel is. Hannah wil dit als inspiratie gebruiken voor haar boek.
Tijdens haar onderzoek naar de moordenaar stuit Hannah op duistere geheimen en zaken die ze beter met rust had kunnen laten. Zal het haar lukken om de dader te vinden? En lukt het haar om ondertussen de weddenschap te winnen?
Toen ik aan 'Dertig dagen duisternis' begon moest ik heel erg wennen aan de schrijfstijl. Ook had ik niet meteen een connectie met het hoofdpersonage Hannah. Ze kwam bij mij over als een stugge en pessimistische vrouw. Echter, naarmate het verhaal vorderde, zat ik iets lekkerder in het verhaal.
De spanning wordt langzaam opgebouwd en de IJslandse sfeer is goed te voelen. Verschillende personages zijn verdacht en je wordt als lezer dan ook een aantal keren op het verkeerde been gezet. Tot het einde zitten er plotwendingen in het verhaal. Toch viel het mij een heel klein beetje tegen. Misschien omdat ik heel lang geen sympathie voor het hoofdpersonage had, of misschien toch door de schrijfstijl en sommige ongeloofwaardige stukken. Het is geen slecht verhaal, maar ik had er waarschijnlijk meer van verwacht.
Beoordeling: 3,5 ⭐️
September 8, 2021
Jag läste den här i två sittningar, ville inte lägga ifrån mig den. Det är en bra bok och en bra deckare. Välskriven, med ett driv. Spännande, men inte blodig. Lite karg, men inte utan känslor. Och en hel del cynism och humor.
March 9, 2023
I do love to discover new authors and Orenda Books are bringing us so many treats this year I'm like a kid in a sweet shop. with Thirty Days of Darkness we get a kind of two for one deal as not only did I get an introduction to the work of Jenny Lund Madsen, but I also got to meet her protagonist, Hannah Krause-Bendix who is also an author. Hannah writes literary fiction. Hannah thinks commercial fiction is superficial and pointless. Hannah thinks that anyone can write a crime novel as they are very easy and, due to her extraordinary talent, could just bang one out in 30 days.
Hannah is an idiot and also suffering from writers block. Her bet with fellow author, Jørn Jensen, bears all the hallmarks of a disaster waiting to happen. But as idiot's go, Hannah really did grow on me, and the impending disaster turns out to be far more intense than anyone could have imagined. Travelling to Iceland to gain peace and perspective, Hannah finds herself inspired by the death of a local teenager, a boy whose murder investigation she finds herself caught up in - with potentially deadly results.
I really enjoyed this book. There's a kind of 'Murder She Wrote' vibe to it all, with the author turned amateur detective angle, albeit that Hannah, whilst quite observant, is far more inept than Jessica Fletcher. She's just as big a magnet for trouble though and when trouble finds her, it likes to play a merry game. Fun for us as readers, a bit less fun for our protagonist. This is a classic murder mystery case, perhaps slightly too atmospheric and dark to be cost crime, but blending the suspense and intrigue with a good dose of humour, often at Hannah's expense.
Whilst Hannah's initial snobbery about commercial fiction, and her temporary home in Iceland, is a little off putting, and she is not always the most likeable of characters, there is something about her that is compelling, and the banter between her and Jørn really does make for some great scenes. She is believable (and we've probably all seen similar literature snobs on social media) and Jenny Lund Madsen has done a brilliant job of creating a character who can infuriate and amuse within a few short lines. In spite of everything, there is a heart lurking (somewhere) under her cool exterior and, the occasional (frequent) misjudgement aside, she's actually the kind of person I enjoyed spending time with, and her enthusiasm for the mystery really came through in the narrative, drawing me deeper into the story. In fact, characters as a whole are brought to life brilliantly, painting a picture of the community and the various personalities that inhabit it, be they in heightened states of madness or grief.
The case itself is perplexing, the author pulling countless suspects into our path, including Hannah's host, and the victims Aunt, Ella. The clues are slowly and carefully revealed, but in a small, close-knit, town like Húsafjöður, nothing stays a quiet for long, and it's fair to say that conflict has a way of finding Hannah. I loved the way on which Jenny Lund Madsen brings the whole story to life. Setting is key and the town's short days and very long nights add to the sense of unease that ebbs and flows like the tide. The author keeps the action and the story flowing, and the tension high, especially towards the end which is as filled with emotion as it is high drama. It's a fitting conclusion to a story that is underpinned by loss. But as to whether Hannah is able to win her bet with Jørn, you'll only know if you read the book.
A big thank you to translator Megan Turney who has brought the author's words to life, capturing all subtle touches and the the highs, lows, laughter and grief that infuse the story. Without you, I wouldn't know what a fabulous book this is.
If you like a classic mystery with characters who will get your dander up just as quickly as they entertain, that is packed with tension, surprises and atmospheric setting, then this books is highly recommended.
Hannah is an idiot and also suffering from writers block. Her bet with fellow author, Jørn Jensen, bears all the hallmarks of a disaster waiting to happen. But as idiot's go, Hannah really did grow on me, and the impending disaster turns out to be far more intense than anyone could have imagined. Travelling to Iceland to gain peace and perspective, Hannah finds herself inspired by the death of a local teenager, a boy whose murder investigation she finds herself caught up in - with potentially deadly results.
I really enjoyed this book. There's a kind of 'Murder She Wrote' vibe to it all, with the author turned amateur detective angle, albeit that Hannah, whilst quite observant, is far more inept than Jessica Fletcher. She's just as big a magnet for trouble though and when trouble finds her, it likes to play a merry game. Fun for us as readers, a bit less fun for our protagonist. This is a classic murder mystery case, perhaps slightly too atmospheric and dark to be cost crime, but blending the suspense and intrigue with a good dose of humour, often at Hannah's expense.
Whilst Hannah's initial snobbery about commercial fiction, and her temporary home in Iceland, is a little off putting, and she is not always the most likeable of characters, there is something about her that is compelling, and the banter between her and Jørn really does make for some great scenes. She is believable (and we've probably all seen similar literature snobs on social media) and Jenny Lund Madsen has done a brilliant job of creating a character who can infuriate and amuse within a few short lines. In spite of everything, there is a heart lurking (somewhere) under her cool exterior and, the occasional (frequent) misjudgement aside, she's actually the kind of person I enjoyed spending time with, and her enthusiasm for the mystery really came through in the narrative, drawing me deeper into the story. In fact, characters as a whole are brought to life brilliantly, painting a picture of the community and the various personalities that inhabit it, be they in heightened states of madness or grief.
The case itself is perplexing, the author pulling countless suspects into our path, including Hannah's host, and the victims Aunt, Ella. The clues are slowly and carefully revealed, but in a small, close-knit, town like Húsafjöður, nothing stays a quiet for long, and it's fair to say that conflict has a way of finding Hannah. I loved the way on which Jenny Lund Madsen brings the whole story to life. Setting is key and the town's short days and very long nights add to the sense of unease that ebbs and flows like the tide. The author keeps the action and the story flowing, and the tension high, especially towards the end which is as filled with emotion as it is high drama. It's a fitting conclusion to a story that is underpinned by loss. But as to whether Hannah is able to win her bet with Jørn, you'll only know if you read the book.
A big thank you to translator Megan Turney who has brought the author's words to life, capturing all subtle touches and the the highs, lows, laughter and grief that infuse the story. Without you, I wouldn't know what a fabulous book this is.
If you like a classic mystery with characters who will get your dander up just as quickly as they entertain, that is packed with tension, surprises and atmospheric setting, then this books is highly recommended.
May 1, 2023
„30 дни мрак” – Джени Лунд Мансен
Поръчах я заедно с няколко други произволно избрани книги от онлайн книжарницата на прекрасните Лемури. Имаше опция да е с твърди корици, а винаги когато я има се възползвам от нея.
Това е една от малкото книги, с които в началото не сме започнали никак добре, а впоследствие сме си станали много близки. Нямам спомен дали и кога съм чела история пресъздадена от разказвач в сегашно историческо време. Може би това беше едно от нещата, които спомогнаха, затова с книгата да не се харесаме от пръв поглед. Така разказана историята звучи по-безлично и повече като сценарий за филм или пиеса. С четенето и упоритостта ми обаче, защото знам, че издателството няма слабо заглавие, нещата започнаха да стават много интересни.
Накратко: Писателка, която е високо оценена от критиката, но не и от масовия читател, бива изпратена на едно много интересно пътешествие, за да се докаже след поето предизвикателство, което самата тя без да иска си отправя. Именно, че „всеки идиот може да напише криминале за 30 дни”. Това приключение, което привидно я отдалечава от същността ѝ всъщност ще се окаже най-отрезвяващото преживяване, заради което ще се озове по-близо до себе си от когато и да било. Цинична, с пристрастия към алкохола, самотна и неудовлетворена, Хана ще открие и други свои лица и то благодарение на малко населено място, в което както често се става в сюжетите на книгите и не само – не се случва нищо интересно, докато всъщност се случва всичко и то най-неочакваното. Там не само ще намери вдъхновение за криминален роман, но и ще стане част от него. Ще разбере и любимата на всички ни максима, че „не всичко е каквото изглежда”. А „убиецът идва на погребението” и рядко е този, който изглежда най-очевиден избор. Исландската хладна шир крие своите дългогодишни тайни зад привидно спокойната ледена фасада и красива природа. Мракът не е само климатичен елемент от времето на годината, в което Хана попада на мястото, а е дълбоко загнезден в душите и миналото на жителите.
Истината е, че в началото не бях особено впечатлена, но в последствие започнах да поглъщам жадно всеки елемент и детайл от историята. Имах подозрения през цялото време и вярвах, че романът е предсказуем, но се оказа, че греша за някои от догадките си и за предсказуемия му характер. Написан е с доза хумор, чете се много лесно и бързо. Книгата следва градация в динамиката и започва да се развива напрегнато и с много действие, като остава такава до самия финал, който пък е взривоопасен. Както често се случва в „живия” живот и тук Хана ще открие подкрепа и човещина където най-малко ги очаква, а „лошите” герои са онези с най-миловидни и дори безизразни излъчвания. Освен това ще разбере себе си по-искрено и дълбоко. Ще открие свои качества, които вярва, че не съществуват или са забравени отдавна. Както във всички книги на издателството, които прочетох до момента и в тази се сблъскваме с човека във всичките му пластове и измерения. От добронамереност до склонност да убива. Тайните се разкриват, за да покажат истинските лица на всеки заподозрян и на тези, които дори не бихте забелязали между редовете.
Вие чели ли сте книгата и допадна ли ви?
Поръчах я заедно с няколко други произволно избрани книги от онлайн книжарницата на прекрасните Лемури. Имаше опция да е с твърди корици, а винаги когато я има се възползвам от нея.
Това е една от малкото книги, с които в началото не сме започнали никак добре, а впоследствие сме си станали много близки. Нямам спомен дали и кога съм чела история пресъздадена от разказвач в сегашно историческо време. Може би това беше едно от нещата, които спомогнаха, затова с книгата да не се харесаме от пръв поглед. Така разказана историята звучи по-безлично и повече като сценарий за филм или пиеса. С четенето и упоритостта ми обаче, защото знам, че издателството няма слабо заглавие, нещата започнаха да стават много интересни.
Накратко: Писателка, която е високо оценена от критиката, но не и от масовия читател, бива изпратена на едно много интересно пътешествие, за да се докаже след поето предизвикателство, което самата тя без да иска си отправя. Именно, че „всеки идиот може да напише криминале за 30 дни”. Това приключение, което привидно я отдалечава от същността ѝ всъщност ще се окаже най-отрезвяващото преживяване, заради което ще се озове по-близо до себе си от когато и да било. Цинична, с пристрастия към алкохола, самотна и неудовлетворена, Хана ще открие и други свои лица и то благодарение на малко населено място, в което както често се става в сюжетите на книгите и не само – не се случва нищо интересно, докато всъщност се случва всичко и то най-неочакваното. Там не само ще намери вдъхновение за криминален роман, но и ще стане част от него. Ще разбере и любимата на всички ни максима, че „не всичко е каквото изглежда”. А „убиецът идва на погребението” и рядко е този, който изглежда най-очевиден избор. Исландската хладна шир крие своите дългогодишни тайни зад привидно спокойната ледена фасада и красива природа. Мракът не е само климатичен елемент от времето на годината, в което Хана попада на мястото, а е дълбоко загнезден в душите и миналото на жителите.
Истината е, че в началото не бях особено впечатлена, но в последствие започнах да поглъщам жадно всеки елемент и детайл от историята. Имах подозрения през цялото време и вярвах, че романът е предсказуем, но се оказа, че греша за някои от догадките си и за предсказуемия му характер. Написан е с доза хумор, чете се много лесно и бързо. Книгата следва градация в динамиката и започва да се развива напрегнато и с много действие, като остава такава до самия финал, който пък е взривоопасен. Както често се случва в „живия” живот и тук Хана ще открие подкрепа и човещина където най-малко ги очаква, а „лошите” герои са онези с най-миловидни и дори безизразни излъчвания. Освен това ще разбере себе си по-искрено и дълбоко. Ще открие свои качества, които вярва, че не съществуват или са забравени отдавна. Както във всички книги на издателството, които прочетох до момента и в тази се сблъскваме с човека във всичките му пластове и измерения. От добронамереност до склонност да убива. Тайните се разкриват, за да покажат истинските лица на всеки заподозрян и на тези, които дори не бихте забелязали между редовете.
Вие чели ли сте книгата и допадна ли ви?
January 8, 2022
Danska deckare brukar passa mig väldigt bra och jag är alltid nyfiken på debuter. Trettio dagars mörker är både dansk, deckare och debut (ha, de tre D:na!), så den blev jag omedelbart intresserad av. Plötsligt en dag i juli så dök den upp i posten och nu (när det faktiskt är rätt årstid) var det till slut dags att läsa.
Jag tror mig förstå vad författaren vill med den här boken. Detta är en parodi på deckargenren och jag tror att varenda deckarkliché dyker upp. Det som är viktigt, för mig, när det gäller parodier är att jag kan tolka om den är positiv eller negativ till det den driver med. Det kan jag inte till 100% göra här, eftersom den faktiskt driver med båda "sidorna" och då vet jag inte riktigt om jag ska skratta eller bli irriterad. Kanske hade detta funkat bättre som film.
Som deckare betraktat är Trettio dagars mörker inte speciellt bra, tycker jag. Det kan vara så att deckarparodi helt enkelt inte passar mig, som läser deckare för problemlösningen.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
Jag tror mig förstå vad författaren vill med den här boken. Detta är en parodi på deckargenren och jag tror att varenda deckarkliché dyker upp. Det som är viktigt, för mig, när det gäller parodier är att jag kan tolka om den är positiv eller negativ till det den driver med. Det kan jag inte till 100% göra här, eftersom den faktiskt driver med båda "sidorna" och då vet jag inte riktigt om jag ska skratta eller bli irriterad. Kanske hade detta funkat bättre som film.
Som deckare betraktat är Trettio dagars mörker inte speciellt bra, tycker jag. Det kan vara så att deckarparodi helt enkelt inte passar mig, som läser deckare för problemlösningen.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
March 15, 2021
Действието на този роман се развива в Исландия, където мракът се слива с деня и властва зимата. Писателката Хана заминава за малко исландско градче (имената им са трудно произносими), където да напише на спокойствие първия си криминален роман. Предизвикана е от криминалния автор Йорн, който продава книгите си като топъл хляб. Хана е предпочела да заложи на прозата, изпълнена с послания, затова за нея ще е неприятно да напише такава посредствена книга, но е готова на всичко, за да не се предаде. Точно тогава един убиец решава да извърши своето пъклено дело, а Хана ще тръгне по петите му, като същевременно черпи идеи за романа си. В малките градчета винаги има тайни! Тя ще срещне любовта (в образа на жена, за съжаление има такъв елемент), като същевременно ще преживее много приключения, за да намери убиеца на младежа и ще разкрие дълго пазени семейни тайни.
Не мога да определя дали ми хареса, но си имаше обрати и действие, само че хората и обстановката бяха доста странни. Мракът в Исландия допълнително нагнетяваше атмосферата.
Не мога да определя дали ми хареса, но си имаше обрати и действие, само че хората и обстановката бяха доста странни. Мракът в Исландия допълнително нагнетяваше атмосферата.
February 10, 2022
"30 дни мрак" ме впечатли със завръзката, динамиката на действието и изненадващия финал!
Имаше моменти, в които напълно разбирах главната героиня и какво поражда действията й! Но имаше и моменти, в които случващото се беше някак прибързано за мен!
Хареса ми как макар и след много трудности и премеждия, криминалния роман беше написан и целта на героинята беше изпълнена! Смятам, че отиването й в Исландия постигна желания резултат!
Имаше моменти, в които напълно разбирах главната героиня и какво поражда действията й! Но имаше и моменти, в които случващото се беше някак прибързано за мен!
Хареса ми как макар и след много трудности и премеждия, криминалния роман беше написан и целта на героинята беше изпълнена! Смятам, че отиването й в Исландия постигна желания резултат!
March 17, 2022
2,5 ☆
May 16, 2024
I was attracted to this book by its premise, and I have to say it lived up to the expectations, but it also positively surprised me.
Hannah is a revered author, but of a genre that doesn't really sell much, so her fan base is pretty slim. When at a literary event she voices her frustration at the more famous crime genre and at how similar the books in that genre are and how easy it is to write them, she unexpectedly finds herself accepting a bet. She needs to write a crime novel in 30 days.
To find her inspiration she is flown to a small fishing village in Iceland, where the days are characterised by darkness and cold. When a few days after a body is discovered on the shore, she can't believe her luck, could this be her inspiration?
What she thinks is only curiosity to solve the case to use in her book, soon becomes her mission and she gets entangled with the village's people's lives deeper than she expected. What started as a mere bet and a way to prove something to the literary world, also becomes a way to discover herself. All through the twists and turns in her pursuit to find the murderer, more than once risking losing everything.
I sucked in the atmosphere of this book with the bitter and pure Icelandic background, together with the unfiltered, cynical and self-centered character of Hannah. And although to her own admission in the book, she is changed by the events (who wouldn't?), I was pleased to see she retained her humour and cynicism.
I enjoyed this modernisation of Jessica Fletcher (one of my favourite TV shows growing up) and I found the actual murder case and the motives behind it refreshing and credible. As stated in the book this genre is so widespread that the themes are often the same and each book is a regurgitation of the previous ones. So, I will look out for this author's next books.
If you like a different take on the crime genre with a clumsy self-appointed investigator (who doesn't do a really great job to be honest), but that is highly entertaining, then I recommend this one!
Thanks to the author, Orenda Books and Random Things Tours for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
Hannah is a revered author, but of a genre that doesn't really sell much, so her fan base is pretty slim. When at a literary event she voices her frustration at the more famous crime genre and at how similar the books in that genre are and how easy it is to write them, she unexpectedly finds herself accepting a bet. She needs to write a crime novel in 30 days.
To find her inspiration she is flown to a small fishing village in Iceland, where the days are characterised by darkness and cold. When a few days after a body is discovered on the shore, she can't believe her luck, could this be her inspiration?
What she thinks is only curiosity to solve the case to use in her book, soon becomes her mission and she gets entangled with the village's people's lives deeper than she expected. What started as a mere bet and a way to prove something to the literary world, also becomes a way to discover herself. All through the twists and turns in her pursuit to find the murderer, more than once risking losing everything.
I sucked in the atmosphere of this book with the bitter and pure Icelandic background, together with the unfiltered, cynical and self-centered character of Hannah. And although to her own admission in the book, she is changed by the events (who wouldn't?), I was pleased to see she retained her humour and cynicism.
I enjoyed this modernisation of Jessica Fletcher (one of my favourite TV shows growing up) and I found the actual murder case and the motives behind it refreshing and credible. As stated in the book this genre is so widespread that the themes are often the same and each book is a regurgitation of the previous ones. So, I will look out for this author's next books.
If you like a different take on the crime genre with a clumsy self-appointed investigator (who doesn't do a really great job to be honest), but that is highly entertaining, then I recommend this one!
Thanks to the author, Orenda Books and Random Things Tours for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
August 8, 2023
Trettio dagars mörker är en lättläst dansk deckare. Vad jag förstått så ska Trettio dagars mörker vara en drift med deckargenren, men jag tycker inte att den når ända fram, vilket gör att den blir mer av en vanlig deckare som har alla tänkbara deckarschabloner inkluderade.
Att Trettio dagars mörker utspelas i författar- och förlagsvärlden tycker jag ger visst underhållningsvärde, det blir lite meta över det, i synnerhet eftersom författaren ska skriva just en schablonfylld deckare. Det känns också som något unikt i genren. Jag gillar den ironiska tonen i berättandet. Ett plus är också att den utspelar sig på Island, men jag önskar att det hade utnyttjats mer i utformningen av mysteriet, och inte bara varit en fond av dåligt väder.
Huvudpersonen är av den typen som finns i en hel del deckare, dvs en privatperson som ständigt lägger näsan i blöt, tar korkade och riskfyllda beslut men som ändå är omtyckt. Och som bidrar till lösningen av brottet som begåtts. Jag irriterar mig mest på henne, och tycker hon helt saknar förlåtande drag. Hon behandlar alla runtomkring som skit, och det har jag svårt för. Men hennes cynism är i vissa bitar rätt underhållande rent formuleringsmässigt. De isländska karaktärerna, i synnerhet Ella, tycker jag är intressanta, och hade gärna lärt känna mer.
Mysteriet är förutsägbart, vilket det stämmer med att det ska vara en drift med genren. Det finns en del outnyttjade trådar som stör mig, exempelvis en som har koppling till det isländska arvet. Där hade det kunnat bli lite mer originellt.
Betyg: 3
https://lottensbokblogg.wordpress.com...
Att Trettio dagars mörker utspelas i författar- och förlagsvärlden tycker jag ger visst underhållningsvärde, det blir lite meta över det, i synnerhet eftersom författaren ska skriva just en schablonfylld deckare. Det känns också som något unikt i genren. Jag gillar den ironiska tonen i berättandet. Ett plus är också att den utspelar sig på Island, men jag önskar att det hade utnyttjats mer i utformningen av mysteriet, och inte bara varit en fond av dåligt väder.
Huvudpersonen är av den typen som finns i en hel del deckare, dvs en privatperson som ständigt lägger näsan i blöt, tar korkade och riskfyllda beslut men som ändå är omtyckt. Och som bidrar till lösningen av brottet som begåtts. Jag irriterar mig mest på henne, och tycker hon helt saknar förlåtande drag. Hon behandlar alla runtomkring som skit, och det har jag svårt för. Men hennes cynism är i vissa bitar rätt underhållande rent formuleringsmässigt. De isländska karaktärerna, i synnerhet Ella, tycker jag är intressanta, och hade gärna lärt känna mer.
Mysteriet är förutsägbart, vilket det stämmer med att det ska vara en drift med genren. Det finns en del outnyttjade trådar som stör mig, exempelvis en som har koppling till det isländska arvet. Där hade det kunnat bli lite mer originellt.
Betyg: 3
https://lottensbokblogg.wordpress.com...
June 19, 2022
‘Dertig dagen duisternis’ is een thriller waarbij je wel even mag doorzetten, vooral het middenstuk is taai. Eerst had ik wat moeite met Hannah, maar toen bedacht ik me dat dit haar karakter was. Haar ongedurige gedrag, wat te maken heeft met een drang naar alcohol. Maar aan de andere kant vond ik haar gedachtegang en opmerkingen over bestsellers ook wel vermakelijk om te lezen. Ze stipt nogal wat clichés aan. Uiteindelijk was ik ook wel benieuwd of Hannah gelijk had. Echter gaat niks van een leien dakje, alles wat Hannah wil ondernemen is onlosmakelijk verbonden met obstakels. In plaats van spannend, wordt het verhaal hierdoor bij vlagen vermoeiend.
Lees verder op mijn blog :)
Lees verder op mijn blog :)
August 21, 2023
3 sterren omdat de plot twisten me geboeid hielden
July 9, 2023
2.75 stars, rounded up to 3. The first half just didn't work for me, but I found more enjoyment in the second half as the plot developed.
October 6, 2023
4.5 rounded up
I felt drawn to Thirty Days of Darkness from the start. I loved the cover (did you spot Hannah in the window?) and of course the premise, which made me expect a Nordic crime story a little off the beaten path. I started it one evening, trying it on for size, and found I was already 21% in when I first came up for air. Safe to say I found it a compelling read from the get-go and it definitely lived up to my expectations.
Thirty Days of Darkness is told from the POV of Hannah, a literary author struggling with writer’s block. At a book fair, Hannah gets into a shouting match with a popular crime writer and somehow this turns into a challenge: can she write a crime novel in thirty days? Well of course she can! Any idiot could! Before it fully sinks in what she’s committed herself to, her editor puts her on a plane to Iceland, where she is to stay with an older woman in a remote fishing village, a sort of impromptu writing retreat.
Surely, a place as atmospheric as small-town Iceland will make inspiration bubble up like the geysers the country is known for and she will have a silly little crime story written in no time. Except that she didn’t expect to become part of an actual crime story, and that in lieu of writing, she’d be sleuthing.
At first, I didn’t get along very well with Hannah. She seemed to have both low self esteem and a superiority complex. She writes Literature, don’t you know. Which is infinitely better than popular genres for the masses, obviously. Hate is too strong a word but it was definitely dislike at first sight. However, as the story progressed, I warmed to her, and I also feel like she makes a huge character arc throughout the book.
A bit tongue-in-cheekily, the reader is also informed, straight from the mouth of the massively popular crime author Hannah hates so much, that the main character in crime fiction shouldn’t be likeable because no one likes a likeable protagonist in crime. Which made me grin, as it felt like a little nudge from the author, telling me: you don’t like her very much, do you, no worries, you’re not meant to!”
There are more elements like that woven into the story. To me, it felt like Thirty Days of Darkness is both honouring and mocking the crime genre a little bit. Like, although it raises some serious issues and valid points, it doesn’t want to take itself too seriously, unlike its main character. Which is actually quite charming.
Regulars of the blog will know that I’m quite the Nordic Noir fan, and while Thirty Days of Darkness is certainly that, there is something about this book that makes it stand out in the genre. Maybe it’s the fact that the POV is an author’s, a not entirely likeable one at that, which gives the story a bit of self-reflective feel. Or it could be the humour. I can’t really put my finger on it but whatever it is, it works, and it makes for a very accomplished debut!
Here is where I thank Megan Turney profusely for another fantastic translation, bringing this little Danish gem to an English-speaking audience while still clearly conveying this author’s unique voice.
I had a brilliant time with Thirty Days of Darkness. It is just such an entertaining and compelling read. I had no idea what was going on or who could be the culprit but I had fun trying to figure it out. I would definitely recommend it to fans of (Nordic) crime fiction with a twist (in the genre as well as in the plot).
I felt drawn to Thirty Days of Darkness from the start. I loved the cover (did you spot Hannah in the window?) and of course the premise, which made me expect a Nordic crime story a little off the beaten path. I started it one evening, trying it on for size, and found I was already 21% in when I first came up for air. Safe to say I found it a compelling read from the get-go and it definitely lived up to my expectations.
Thirty Days of Darkness is told from the POV of Hannah, a literary author struggling with writer’s block. At a book fair, Hannah gets into a shouting match with a popular crime writer and somehow this turns into a challenge: can she write a crime novel in thirty days? Well of course she can! Any idiot could! Before it fully sinks in what she’s committed herself to, her editor puts her on a plane to Iceland, where she is to stay with an older woman in a remote fishing village, a sort of impromptu writing retreat.
Surely, a place as atmospheric as small-town Iceland will make inspiration bubble up like the geysers the country is known for and she will have a silly little crime story written in no time. Except that she didn’t expect to become part of an actual crime story, and that in lieu of writing, she’d be sleuthing.
At first, I didn’t get along very well with Hannah. She seemed to have both low self esteem and a superiority complex. She writes Literature, don’t you know. Which is infinitely better than popular genres for the masses, obviously. Hate is too strong a word but it was definitely dislike at first sight. However, as the story progressed, I warmed to her, and I also feel like she makes a huge character arc throughout the book.
A bit tongue-in-cheekily, the reader is also informed, straight from the mouth of the massively popular crime author Hannah hates so much, that the main character in crime fiction shouldn’t be likeable because no one likes a likeable protagonist in crime. Which made me grin, as it felt like a little nudge from the author, telling me: you don’t like her very much, do you, no worries, you’re not meant to!”
There are more elements like that woven into the story. To me, it felt like Thirty Days of Darkness is both honouring and mocking the crime genre a little bit. Like, although it raises some serious issues and valid points, it doesn’t want to take itself too seriously, unlike its main character. Which is actually quite charming.
Regulars of the blog will know that I’m quite the Nordic Noir fan, and while Thirty Days of Darkness is certainly that, there is something about this book that makes it stand out in the genre. Maybe it’s the fact that the POV is an author’s, a not entirely likeable one at that, which gives the story a bit of self-reflective feel. Or it could be the humour. I can’t really put my finger on it but whatever it is, it works, and it makes for a very accomplished debut!
Here is where I thank Megan Turney profusely for another fantastic translation, bringing this little Danish gem to an English-speaking audience while still clearly conveying this author’s unique voice.
I had a brilliant time with Thirty Days of Darkness. It is just such an entertaining and compelling read. I had no idea what was going on or who could be the culprit but I had fun trying to figure it out. I would definitely recommend it to fans of (Nordic) crime fiction with a twist (in the genre as well as in the plot).
November 26, 2023
What an unusual and quirky protagonist! At first I didn't know what to make of Hannah. She seemed narcissistic, haughty, and supercilious. Oh and funny, did I mention funny?
Then as the pages flew by, I realized that over the course of this book, she evolved. She found some true friends, learned to empathize with others, and became a better person. But yes, she was still funny.
Hannah Krause-Bendix is a literary author who has won awards for her writing and is disdainful of other authors who write mere 'genre fiction'. The trouble is, no one reads her books. She is a lonely, middle-aged woman who has no real friends (with the exception of her editor), and she drinks far too much. When an altercation at a book fair finds her challenged to a dare that she cannot write a crime novel in thirty days, she accepts. Her editor sends her off to Iceland, hoping that the change of scene will spur her to write and give her inspiration. Hannah is a keen observer who abhors incompetence in others and thinks that the challenge will be easy. How wrong can she be???
She travels to a remote town in Iceland and rooms with a local, elderly woman named Ella. Ella understands Danish, but speaks only Icelandic, so Hannah's conversations with her are hampered by a language block. Ella can only write Hannah notes as a means of communication. Shortly after Hannah's arrival, Ella's teenage nephew is found dead. When it appears that his death is not a straight-forward drowning, Hannah begins to see that the young man's death could be the basis for her crime novel. She involves herself in the investigation, much to the displeasure of the town's only policeman, Viktor. What ensues proves dangerous to Hannah, and presents as a cross between an Agatha Raisin novel and an episode of "Murder She Wrote". The scenes fluctuate between tension and hilarity.
With a quirky and spunky protagonist, more than one death, an insular and very atmospheric setting, and plenty of tense moments, this novel will appeal to many. After several red herrings, and plot twists, the denouement was a surprise for me. It is the first in a series featuring author Hannah Krause-Bendix, and I look forward to what she might get up to next.
Then as the pages flew by, I realized that over the course of this book, she evolved. She found some true friends, learned to empathize with others, and became a better person. But yes, she was still funny.
Hannah Krause-Bendix is a literary author who has won awards for her writing and is disdainful of other authors who write mere 'genre fiction'. The trouble is, no one reads her books. She is a lonely, middle-aged woman who has no real friends (with the exception of her editor), and she drinks far too much. When an altercation at a book fair finds her challenged to a dare that she cannot write a crime novel in thirty days, she accepts. Her editor sends her off to Iceland, hoping that the change of scene will spur her to write and give her inspiration. Hannah is a keen observer who abhors incompetence in others and thinks that the challenge will be easy. How wrong can she be???
She travels to a remote town in Iceland and rooms with a local, elderly woman named Ella. Ella understands Danish, but speaks only Icelandic, so Hannah's conversations with her are hampered by a language block. Ella can only write Hannah notes as a means of communication. Shortly after Hannah's arrival, Ella's teenage nephew is found dead. When it appears that his death is not a straight-forward drowning, Hannah begins to see that the young man's death could be the basis for her crime novel. She involves herself in the investigation, much to the displeasure of the town's only policeman, Viktor. What ensues proves dangerous to Hannah, and presents as a cross between an Agatha Raisin novel and an episode of "Murder She Wrote". The scenes fluctuate between tension and hilarity.
With a quirky and spunky protagonist, more than one death, an insular and very atmospheric setting, and plenty of tense moments, this novel will appeal to many. After several red herrings, and plot twists, the denouement was a surprise for me. It is the first in a series featuring author Hannah Krause-Bendix, and I look forward to what she might get up to next.
April 24, 2023
Ein ruhiger, flott lesbarer, nicht ernstzunehmender Kriminalroman. Origineller Einstieg, spannungsarmer Mittelteil, überraschendes Ende. Insgesamt okay, wird mir aber nicht in Erinnerung bleiben.
June 21, 2023
One of the most readily anticipated debut novels of 2023, Jenny Lund Madsen's Thirty Days of Darkness is another Orenda Books hit that will most definitely become a bestseller and a personal favorite for plenty of diehard Nordic, and more specifically Danish, crime fiction fans around the globe. Madsen is known to the Danish television audience as she was involved in writing the screenplay for the third season of the popular show Follow the Money (original title: Bedrag), delivering a monumental script, one that we -sadly- tend to encounter less and less in the genre's productions. Moreover, the Danish debut author also wrote 5 episodes of Rita, a dramedy following the tempestuous life of the protagonist, a recalcitrant schoolteacher who struggles both in her professional and personal circadian existence. Thus, even though this is the author's first-ever completed manuscript, the non-negligible achievements as a screenwriter deem Madsen a rather experienced storyteller and that becomes evident in her inaugural writing attempt. Thirty Days of Darkness narrates an engaging murder story that involves all the elements often associated with the genre (red herrings, plot twists, quirky characters), but also incorporates a meta-aspect as it is a narrative centered around the struggles of an author who is fighting to write a crime novel within a limited period of time.
To read my full review, please visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/thirty...
To read my full review, please visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/thirty...
May 19, 2021
Det er ikke så tit, kriminalromaner er morsomme. Måske et lille fnis i ny og næ, men sjældent grineren gennem en hel bog.
Hovedpersonen Hanne er en midaldrende, alkoholiseret biseksuel forfatter med anmeldersucces men uden publikumstække. Hun smider en bog i hovedet på Jønke, en kendt krimiforfatter, som folk flokkes om i forbindelse med bogmessen. Her indgår hun også et væddemål om, at hun kan skrive en krimi på 30. dage. Hendes forlægger Bastian sender hende til Island. Kort efter findes en ung mand myrdet, og så tager begivenhederne fart.
Hannah involverer sig i efterforskningen, samtidig med at hun skriver på sin krimi. Inden længe dukker succesforfatteren Jønke også op, der er lidt af en fætter Højben type. En ugelang snestorm hærger, den vilde jagt går og mistænkte og dramatiske begivenheder fletter sig ind og ud ad hinanden. Hannah opklarer begivenhederne, får skrevet sin krimi, modtager folkets hyldest og i kulissen venter hendes nye veninde.
Komedie eller krimi? Det er sjældent publikum og anmeldere belønner én for at blande genrene. Men der er heldigvis undtagelser. Tredive dages mørke er et eksempel på undtagelsen fra regelen.
Hovedpersonen Hanne er en midaldrende, alkoholiseret biseksuel forfatter med anmeldersucces men uden publikumstække. Hun smider en bog i hovedet på Jønke, en kendt krimiforfatter, som folk flokkes om i forbindelse med bogmessen. Her indgår hun også et væddemål om, at hun kan skrive en krimi på 30. dage. Hendes forlægger Bastian sender hende til Island. Kort efter findes en ung mand myrdet, og så tager begivenhederne fart.
Hannah involverer sig i efterforskningen, samtidig med at hun skriver på sin krimi. Inden længe dukker succesforfatteren Jønke også op, der er lidt af en fætter Højben type. En ugelang snestorm hærger, den vilde jagt går og mistænkte og dramatiske begivenheder fletter sig ind og ud ad hinanden. Hannah opklarer begivenhederne, får skrevet sin krimi, modtager folkets hyldest og i kulissen venter hendes nye veninde.
Komedie eller krimi? Det er sjældent publikum og anmeldere belønner én for at blande genrene. Men der er heldigvis undtagelser. Tredive dages mørke er et eksempel på undtagelsen fra regelen.
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