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An Áróra Investigation #1
Jääkylmä aurinko
Kun Áróran sisko katoaa, on hän pakotettu palaamaan synnyinsaarelleen Islantiin.
Vuoden parhaaksi rikosromaaniksi Islannissa valittu tarina kylmää ensi sivuilta lähtien. Sisarukset Áróra ja Ísafold asuvat eri maissa eivätkä ole puheväleissä, mutta kun heidän äitinsä ei saa yhteyttä Ísafoldiin, Áróra palaa vastahakoisesti Islantiin etsimään siskoaan. Pian hän tajuaa, ettei sisko välttele häntä... hän on kadonnut jäljettömiin.
Kun Áróra kohtaa Ísafoldin väkivaltaisen huumekauppiasmiesystävän Björnin hän ajautuu yhä synkempään juonittelun ja manipuloinnin verkkoon.
Sisarensa elämän ristiriitaisista yksityiskohdista ymmällään ja Islannin kesän keskiyön auringon sokaisema Áróra pyytää poliisi Daníelia apuun yrittäessään jäljittää sisarensa liikkeitä. Hän alkaa varjostaa Björnia - mutta hän ei ole ainut miehen perässä...
Taidokkaasti rakennettu, jännittävä ja tunnelmallinen Jääkylmä aurinko aloittaa koukuttavan sarjan yhdeltä Islannin suosituimmista rikoskirjailijoista.
Lilja Sigurðardóttir (s. 1972) on islantilainen dekkaristi ja näytelmäkirjailija, joka on palkittu kahdesti vuoden parhaasta dekkarista Islannissa. Hänen kirjojensa käännösoikeuksia on myyty yli 15 maahan.
Vuoden parhaaksi rikosromaaniksi Islannissa valittu tarina kylmää ensi sivuilta lähtien. Sisarukset Áróra ja Ísafold asuvat eri maissa eivätkä ole puheväleissä, mutta kun heidän äitinsä ei saa yhteyttä Ísafoldiin, Áróra palaa vastahakoisesti Islantiin etsimään siskoaan. Pian hän tajuaa, ettei sisko välttele häntä... hän on kadonnut jäljettömiin.
Kun Áróra kohtaa Ísafoldin väkivaltaisen huumekauppiasmiesystävän Björnin hän ajautuu yhä synkempään juonittelun ja manipuloinnin verkkoon.
Sisarensa elämän ristiriitaisista yksityiskohdista ymmällään ja Islannin kesän keskiyön auringon sokaisema Áróra pyytää poliisi Daníelia apuun yrittäessään jäljittää sisarensa liikkeitä. Hän alkaa varjostaa Björnia - mutta hän ei ole ainut miehen perässä...
Taidokkaasti rakennettu, jännittävä ja tunnelmallinen Jääkylmä aurinko aloittaa koukuttavan sarjan yhdeltä Islannin suosituimmista rikoskirjailijoista.
Lilja Sigurðardóttir (s. 1972) on islantilainen dekkaristi ja näytelmäkirjailija, joka on palkittu kahdesti vuoden parhaasta dekkarista Islannissa. Hänen kirjojensa käännösoikeuksia on myyty yli 15 maahan.
254 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
513 people are currently reading
1734 people want to read
About the author
Lilja Sigurðardóttir
19 books432 followersLilja´s newest book, Netið ((Tangle) was published by Forlagid publishing in October 2016 and is the second book in the Reykjavík Noir Trilogy.
Lilja started her writing career in 2008 when she sent a manuscript of a novel to a competition run by the publishing house Bjartur whose aim was to find the Icelandic Dan Brown. Lilja got a publishing deal out of the competition and in 2009 her first book, the crime novel Spor (Steps), came out, which she wrote in her spare time. Her second book, Fyrirgefning (Foregiveness) was published a year later but after that Lilja wrote mostly for theatre for the coming years. She won the Icelandic Theatre Awards for Best Play of the Year in 2014 for her staged debut Stóru börnin (Big Babies). But in 2015 she started a new crime series with Icelands biggest publisher Forlagid. The series has been called The Reykjavík Noir Trilogy, and the first book in series, Gildran (Snare) became an instant success.
Lilja started her writing career in 2008 when she sent a manuscript of a novel to a competition run by the publishing house Bjartur whose aim was to find the Icelandic Dan Brown. Lilja got a publishing deal out of the competition and in 2009 her first book, the crime novel Spor (Steps), came out, which she wrote in her spare time. Her second book, Fyrirgefning (Foregiveness) was published a year later but after that Lilja wrote mostly for theatre for the coming years. She won the Icelandic Theatre Awards for Best Play of the Year in 2014 for her staged debut Stóru börnin (Big Babies). But in 2015 she started a new crime series with Icelands biggest publisher Forlagid. The series has been called The Reykjavík Noir Trilogy, and the first book in series, Gildran (Snare) became an instant success.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 341 reviews
April 2, 2025
I found the book difficult to like. Arora has been asked by her mother to check up on her sister who has been living in Iceland. Mom hasn’t heard from the older sister in several weeks and Arora hasn’t been communicating with her sister in quite a while and seems ok with that. Arora, the “investigator” is professionally a financial investigator but that doesn’t really advance the missing sister part of the story.
Life in Iceland is interesting but I wasn’t interested in all the family disfunction and odd side characters. There is also more than one story here and they are stories that don’t contribute to the main story. The investigating sister is more interested in quick relationships than in finding her sister. It just didn’t gel for me.
Life in Iceland is interesting but I wasn’t interested in all the family disfunction and odd side characters. There is also more than one story here and they are stories that don’t contribute to the main story. The investigating sister is more interested in quick relationships than in finding her sister. It just didn’t gel for me.
October 14, 2021
COLD AS HELL is a Nordic Noir/Thriller, by Lilja Sigurdardottir, translated by Quentin Bates. COLD AS HELL, is the first in an addictive new series, and Winner of Best Icelandic Crime Novel of the Year.
Icelandic sisters Áróra and Ísafold live in different countries and are not on speaking terms. Áróra, the younger sister is the “Family Troll” taking after their deceased father with physical strength and lives in Britain. Árórawas a financial investigator, a private detective who tracked down missing cash. Ísafold, the elder sister by six years, is the “Family Elf” who was closer to the father and is more Icelandic.
When their mother loses contact with Ísafold, Áróra reluctantly returns to Iceland to find her sister. But she soon realizes that her sister isn’t avoiding her … she has disappeared, without trace.
Áróra confronts Ísafold’s abusive, drug-dealing boyfriend Björn, and begins to check out her sister’s secluded neighbours, which leads Áróra into a dark web of intrigue and manipulation.
With the search for her sister going nowhere, Áróra recruits the help of police officer/detective Daníel, to help track her sister’s movements, and begins to tail Björn. Daniel felt if Ísafold had disappeared it was because something was very wrong.
This is a well-developed book, from the clever title and front cover, to the ending. Characters come alive as you read each small detail unfolding. The imagery is vivid and enables you to sense the atmosphere of the various meeting places. The dialogue is so natural and well written and translated, you can imagine the voices. This is a tale of intrigue and suspense.
Many thanks to the author, Orenda Books and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Icelandic sisters Áróra and Ísafold live in different countries and are not on speaking terms. Áróra, the younger sister is the “Family Troll” taking after their deceased father with physical strength and lives in Britain. Árórawas a financial investigator, a private detective who tracked down missing cash. Ísafold, the elder sister by six years, is the “Family Elf” who was closer to the father and is more Icelandic.
When their mother loses contact with Ísafold, Áróra reluctantly returns to Iceland to find her sister. But she soon realizes that her sister isn’t avoiding her … she has disappeared, without trace.
Áróra confronts Ísafold’s abusive, drug-dealing boyfriend Björn, and begins to check out her sister’s secluded neighbours, which leads Áróra into a dark web of intrigue and manipulation.
With the search for her sister going nowhere, Áróra recruits the help of police officer/detective Daníel, to help track her sister’s movements, and begins to tail Björn. Daniel felt if Ísafold had disappeared it was because something was very wrong.
This is a well-developed book, from the clever title and front cover, to the ending. Characters come alive as you read each small detail unfolding. The imagery is vivid and enables you to sense the atmosphere of the various meeting places. The dialogue is so natural and well written and translated, you can imagine the voices. This is a tale of intrigue and suspense.
Many thanks to the author, Orenda Books and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
April 25, 2022
The plot of Cold as Hell was just about ok and jogged along at a readable pace but for me the writing style was truly awful. It resembled a serialised mystery being published in an adolescent magazine. The emotional and personal scenes were so corny I had to laugh in disbelief - several times!
Every aspect of the story was superficial with the characters having no depth or history and therefore totally lacking substance and credibility. As it was impossible to like or dislike any of them, caring or empathising just didn't happen. Improbable things like false passports, hacking computers and bugging apartments just happened without planning or explanation. Even the so called motive for the murder was so flimsy it beggared belief as was the police investigation which was virtually non-existent.
I think I deserved the one star for managing to persevere right to the bitter end.
Every aspect of the story was superficial with the characters having no depth or history and therefore totally lacking substance and credibility. As it was impossible to like or dislike any of them, caring or empathising just didn't happen. Improbable things like false passports, hacking computers and bugging apartments just happened without planning or explanation. Even the so called motive for the murder was so flimsy it beggared belief as was the police investigation which was virtually non-existent.
I think I deserved the one star for managing to persevere right to the bitter end.
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January 17, 2023إن " آيسافولد " جثة مُلقاة في حقيبة بين الصخور البركانية الايسلندية ، بينما أختها " أرورا " تحاول تعقب آثارها بعد اختفاءها ، ومن هنا تتعرف أنت على العلاقة المتوترة التي تجمع الأختين والتي يمكن بها تبرير إنسياق " أرورا " كمترصدة للأموال المفقودة وراء عملية تجني من وراءها المال بينما كانت في مسار موازٍ تبحث في حياة أختها لعلها تعثر على ما يدل على وجودها....
استطاعت الكاتبة أن ترسم الانفعالات التي تُخالج الأخت التي يفترض بها البحث عن أختها الكبرى ، فكانت يحاصرها طوق من مشاعر الغضب والحنق لأنها لم تكن تنصت إليها عندما تشير عليها بالانفصال عن شريك حياتها الذي يمارس عليها العنف الجسدي ، والإحساس بالذنب كان يطغى عليها عندما لا تتخلى عن مسار عملها....
بالتعرف على دائرة الجيران والأقارب ، أشرت بأصابع الاتهام على هذا وذاك ، ولكن سرعان ما أتذكر القاعدة بأن طالما كان الزوج متورطاً وهو المتهم الأول ولكن ثمة تفصيلة صغيرة في مفتتح الرواية تحاول بها الكاتبة أن تزعزع بها هذه القاعدة...أحببت مراوغتها وصياغة الأحداث باحترافية ودون تعقيد....
تتوالى الأحداث وتكشف عن مفاجآت ولكن لن يتم العثور على جثة " آيسافولد " ، هل تستطيع أختها مغادرة ايسلندا دون ان تعرف مكانها ...لن تستطيع المغادرة ولن تتخلى عنها......
وأخيراً..توقفت عند عقوبة القتل عادة ما تكون بالسجن لمدة لا تزيد عن ستة عشر عاماً وعادة ما تنتهي بعشر سنوات..!!
الجميل إنني تشاركت القراءة مع الصديقة العزيزة نسرين 😍
لا يمكن إنقاذ من لا يريدون أن يتم إنقاذهم....
استطاعت الكاتبة أن ترسم الانفعالات التي تُخالج الأخت التي يفترض بها البحث عن أختها الكبرى ، فكانت يحاصرها طوق من مشاعر الغضب والحنق لأنها لم تكن تنصت إليها عندما تشير عليها بالانفصال عن شريك حياتها الذي يمارس عليها العنف الجسدي ، والإحساس بالذنب كان يطغى عليها عندما لا تتخلى عن مسار عملها....
بالتعرف على دائرة الجيران والأقارب ، أشرت بأصابع الاتهام على هذا وذاك ، ولكن سرعان ما أتذكر القاعدة بأن طالما كان الزوج متورطاً وهو المتهم الأول ولكن ثمة تفصيلة صغيرة في مفتتح الرواية تحاول بها الكاتبة أن تزعزع بها هذه القاعدة...أحببت مراوغتها وصياغة الأحداث باحترافية ودون تعقيد....
تتوالى الأحداث وتكشف عن مفاجآت ولكن لن يتم العثور على جثة " آيسافولد " ، هل تستطيع أختها مغادرة ايسلندا دون ان تعرف مكانها ...لن تستطيع المغادرة ولن تتخلى عنها......
وأخيراً..توقفت عند عقوبة القتل عادة ما تكون بالسجن لمدة لا تزيد عن ستة عشر عاماً وعادة ما تنتهي بعشر سنوات..!!
الجميل إنني تشاركت القراءة مع الصديقة العزيزة نسرين 😍
لا يمكن إنقاذ من لا يريدون أن يتم إنقاذهم....
December 22, 2022
A bit of a disappointing read for me. Although the author provides really vivid descriptions of Reykjavik and manages to establish a haunting and troubled atmosphere which set the scene for a great mystery, unfortunately, the plot is thin and the characters seem very one-dimensional and so the book just doesn't develop.
The story follows Arora's search for her missing sister, Isafold, who has supposedly left her abusive boyfriend to return to Britain. However, not a trace of her can be found and, at her mother's instigation, Arora travels to Iceland to look for her. She enlists the help of an 'uncle', a policeman currently on holiday and, together and separately, they start to ask around for news of Isafold.
The book is missing something; the pace is slow and ponderous. No proper police protocols are followed so Arora and her uncle seem to stumble across clues rather than search them out which is irritating in a crime novel. Also because Arora seems to have very little sympathy for her sister's plight and is totally unworried about the fact that she might have been abducted, or worse, (she even gets sidetracked into working a different and unrelated case at the same time as looking for Isafold) the tension keeps reducing rather than increasing as the book moves on. I'm not sure I'd bother with any more in the series.
The story follows Arora's search for her missing sister, Isafold, who has supposedly left her abusive boyfriend to return to Britain. However, not a trace of her can be found and, at her mother's instigation, Arora travels to Iceland to look for her. She enlists the help of an 'uncle', a policeman currently on holiday and, together and separately, they start to ask around for news of Isafold.
The book is missing something; the pace is slow and ponderous. No proper police protocols are followed so Arora and her uncle seem to stumble across clues rather than search them out which is irritating in a crime novel. Also because Arora seems to have very little sympathy for her sister's plight and is totally unworried about the fact that she might have been abducted, or worse, (she even gets sidetracked into working a different and unrelated case at the same time as looking for Isafold) the tension keeps reducing rather than increasing as the book moves on. I'm not sure I'd bother with any more in the series.
October 24, 2021
Sisters Arora and Isafold live miles apart, and considering they aren't on speaking terms, this works well for both of them.
Their mother contacts Arora has disappeared. Reluctantly, she returns to Iceland to help find her sister.
On her quest, she finds that she didn't know her sister as well as she thought. Her first person to question is Bjorn, the sister's drug-dealing boyfriend, soon followed by her neighbors, who claim to know nothing. She then contacts Daniel, her uncle who is there on vacation.
Someone is watching their efforts very closely.....
This is a complex story told with the use of flashbacks and Arora's thoughts. Character development shows the reader a believable and realistic protagonist with emotional depth. Filled with twists and turns, it's a solid atmospheric plot. This is the first of what seems to be a compelling new series. Quentin Bates has done a flawless job of translating.
Many thanks to the author(s) and translator for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 27, 2021
It is always such a joy to begin a new book from a favourite author, and when that book is the start of a whole new series, it's even better. Cold As Hell is book one in the Áróra Investigation series and it's an absolute belter of a read. I am so excited about this new series.
Áróra and Ísafold are sisters, they are of mixed heritage, their mother is English and their father is from Iceland. Áróra lives in Edinburgh and works in financial investigation whilst Ísaford, the eldest, spends most of her time in Iceland. She's been in a relationship with Bjorn for quite a while now but Áróra has had to rescue her from his fists on more than one occasion in the past.
When their mother calls to say that she's not heard from Ísaford for over two weeks, Áróra reluctantly agrees to fly to Iceland once more to see what has happened this time. The sisters have always had a fractious relationship, differing not only in appearance but also in temperament. In fact, Ísaford blocked Áróra on Facebook some time ago.
What follows is a complex but thrilling tale that combines the missing person mystery with up-to-date relevant social issues. There's a cast of characters who range from the man who is repulsed by his own hair to the elderly lady who is trying to recapture motherhood, and they all have a link to Ísaford. However, none of them are willing to give away any information willingly and this clever author keeps her readers guessing and anticipating with every page.
Told in short snappy chapters, along with snippets from the past, Cold As Hell is a book that screams Icelandic / Nordic Noir. Brilliantly translated by Quentin Bates, there's such a feel of Iceland about this one, from the sulphur smelling water that streams from the shower, to the dependency on the strongest coffee to get through the day, it's so authentic.
Whilst Iceland may only be a small country, it certainly has an interesting recent history, especially around financial crime and fraud and Áróra's career in financial investigation is a fascinating way to explain this, like most crime though, there are links to other things and these are slowly uncovered as the story develops.
Lilja Sigurdardóttir excels in character creation, especially strong female leads and Áróra is tremendous. She is quite enigmatic, not always pleasant, very focussed, but with a vulnerability that she does her best to hide. It is the little hints of her softer character that really endeared her to me, she's one of those people who have so much more to give and I think we readers are in for great things from this series.
I loved this one, it could be my favourite from this author yet. Highly recommended.
Áróra and Ísafold are sisters, they are of mixed heritage, their mother is English and their father is from Iceland. Áróra lives in Edinburgh and works in financial investigation whilst Ísaford, the eldest, spends most of her time in Iceland. She's been in a relationship with Bjorn for quite a while now but Áróra has had to rescue her from his fists on more than one occasion in the past.
When their mother calls to say that she's not heard from Ísaford for over two weeks, Áróra reluctantly agrees to fly to Iceland once more to see what has happened this time. The sisters have always had a fractious relationship, differing not only in appearance but also in temperament. In fact, Ísaford blocked Áróra on Facebook some time ago.
What follows is a complex but thrilling tale that combines the missing person mystery with up-to-date relevant social issues. There's a cast of characters who range from the man who is repulsed by his own hair to the elderly lady who is trying to recapture motherhood, and they all have a link to Ísaford. However, none of them are willing to give away any information willingly and this clever author keeps her readers guessing and anticipating with every page.
Told in short snappy chapters, along with snippets from the past, Cold As Hell is a book that screams Icelandic / Nordic Noir. Brilliantly translated by Quentin Bates, there's such a feel of Iceland about this one, from the sulphur smelling water that streams from the shower, to the dependency on the strongest coffee to get through the day, it's so authentic.
Whilst Iceland may only be a small country, it certainly has an interesting recent history, especially around financial crime and fraud and Áróra's career in financial investigation is a fascinating way to explain this, like most crime though, there are links to other things and these are slowly uncovered as the story develops.
Lilja Sigurdardóttir excels in character creation, especially strong female leads and Áróra is tremendous. She is quite enigmatic, not always pleasant, very focussed, but with a vulnerability that she does her best to hide. It is the little hints of her softer character that really endeared her to me, she's one of those people who have so much more to give and I think we readers are in for great things from this series.
I loved this one, it could be my favourite from this author yet. Highly recommended.
January 13, 2024
Es ist toll mal eine Schwester zu begleiten, die auf der Suche nach ihrer verschwundenen Schwester ist. Kein Ermittlerteam oder viel Polizeiarbeit. Island kommt als Schauplatz der Handlung sehr gut raus! Ich würd am liebsten direkt einen Flug buchen! 🤩
Leider war mir sehr schnell klar, was passiert ist und ein fieser Cliffhanger lässt mich unbefriedigt zurück.
Leider war mir sehr schnell klar, was passiert ist und ein fieser Cliffhanger lässt mich unbefriedigt zurück.
August 10, 2022
This is one of those thrillers where you know who did it early on, so it becomes a question of whether or not the police will figure it out. Did they? Or didn't they? I'm not telling. This book has plenty of suspense and the MC has an interesting side story which I enjoyed. The book was good, I really liked it, and I can't wait for the next one in the series. Would recommend for suspense/thriller enthusiasts.
February 22, 2022
Wow! What a ride! This is my first book by this author, and the beginning of a new series. Needless to say, this is a series I will be following with alacrity.
Throughout the novel, I was a bit torn as to whether I liked Áróra or not. It took me the entire novel to decide that yes, yes I do. She is a 'badass'. She is tall, strong, and knows her own place in her world. Sometimes her moral compass seems a bit off, but she resonates as a 'good' person.
The Icelandic settings were well described, though the author seems to have a love/hate relationship with the country - as does her protagonist, Áróra.
This novel would make a great movie. With themes of corporate fraud, domestic abuse, illegal aliens, and missing persons, this book has a lot going on. When you add in the potential romance, then you have a winning combination.
Throughout the novel, I was a bit torn as to whether I liked Áróra or not. It took me the entire novel to decide that yes, yes I do. She is a 'badass'. She is tall, strong, and knows her own place in her world. Sometimes her moral compass seems a bit off, but she resonates as a 'good' person.
The Icelandic settings were well described, though the author seems to have a love/hate relationship with the country - as does her protagonist, Áróra.
This novel would make a great movie. With themes of corporate fraud, domestic abuse, illegal aliens, and missing persons, this book has a lot going on. When you add in the potential romance, then you have a winning combination.
October 17, 2023
Ihan oikeasti. Seuraavan kerran kun sanon, että pitäiskö lukea dekkari, niin voisiko joku vain sanoa, että ei?!
Mulla on edelleen, kaikista pettymyksistäni huolimatta, sellainen romantisoitu ajatus itsestäni mökillä ahmimassa dekkareita. Samaan tapaan kuin rikossarjoja telkkarista tai true crime -podia. Mutta kun ei lähde niin ei lähde. Fiktiiviset rikoskirjat ei vain ole juttuni.
Tässä kirjassa hyvää oli: Islanti miljöönä, kiinnostavat ja erilaiset hahmot, yllättävähkö käänne pääjuonen rinnalla.
Mutta kokonaisuutena kirja oli jotenkin aika köpöinen, pinnallinen ja epäuskottava. Naiskuva oli kapea ja inhottava. En myöskään lämmennyt sille, miten monen välille tässä viriteltiin jotain jännitettä.
Dekkareista pitävä varmaan pitää tästäkin.
Mulla on edelleen, kaikista pettymyksistäni huolimatta, sellainen romantisoitu ajatus itsestäni mökillä ahmimassa dekkareita. Samaan tapaan kuin rikossarjoja telkkarista tai true crime -podia. Mutta kun ei lähde niin ei lähde. Fiktiiviset rikoskirjat ei vain ole juttuni.
Tässä kirjassa hyvää oli: Islanti miljöönä, kiinnostavat ja erilaiset hahmot, yllättävähkö käänne pääjuonen rinnalla.
Mutta kokonaisuutena kirja oli jotenkin aika köpöinen, pinnallinen ja epäuskottava. Naiskuva oli kapea ja inhottava. En myöskään lämmennyt sille, miten monen välille tässä viriteltiin jotain jännitettä.
Dekkareista pitävä varmaan pitää tästäkin.
October 14, 2021
Opening with a chilling prologue, the book alternates between the point of view of Áróra and several other characters, some of whom this reader immediately suspected were not who they claimed to be and whose true nature was probably quite different from that presented. Ah, but of course Lilja Sigurðardóttir is too clever and skilful a writer not to trip the reader up; she certainly did this one! The fact that events unfold over the space of a few weeks and the chapters are short kept the pace high and led to that ‘just one more chapter’ feeling, although this is a book that could easily be read in one sitting.
In Áróra the author hasn’t given us a straightforward heroine. She’s a complex character who has come to resent the frequent need to rescue her sister from situations Áróra feels are of her sister’s own making. It’s only at the urging of Violet, with perhaps a mother’s instinct that the cause of Ísafold’s disappearance is something sinister, that persuades Áróra to travel to Iceland in search of answers. Áróra’s occupation as a financial investigator provides the opportunity for the introduction of a subplot which delves into the murky world of financial crime. Finding money which others have tried to hide away is something of a drug for Áróra, who thinks of herself as a kind of ‘avenging angel’. It leads to her taking personal risks which on occasion threaten her safety. Brought up in Britain but with an Icelandic father, I liked the way we see Áróra having to acclimatise to the more open and trusting Icelandic society whose population is seemingly fuelled largely on coffee!
Áróra is persuaded by her mother to enlist the help of Daníel, a relative by marriage and serving police officer. His involvement opens doors that would otherwise be closed to Áróra and they make an effective team, with hints of the possibility of something more in future. I liked Daníel as a character even if he does have somewhat of an obsession with maintaining an immaculate lawn! And I particularly liked his neighbour Lady Gúgúlú, an unlikely combination of drag artist and physicist. As she observes to Daníel, ‘Well, I have many different selves, darling. Just the same as you do. Just like everyone else. Most people only let one of these show.’
The author lays down plenty of false trails that are impossible to resist following and which distract you from what’s really going on. Does everyone get what they deserve? You’ll have to read the book to find out. Cold As Hell is a taut, atmospheric and skilfully crafted crime thriller, and a great introduction to what promises to be an addictive new series for fans of Icelandic noir.
In Áróra the author hasn’t given us a straightforward heroine. She’s a complex character who has come to resent the frequent need to rescue her sister from situations Áróra feels are of her sister’s own making. It’s only at the urging of Violet, with perhaps a mother’s instinct that the cause of Ísafold’s disappearance is something sinister, that persuades Áróra to travel to Iceland in search of answers. Áróra’s occupation as a financial investigator provides the opportunity for the introduction of a subplot which delves into the murky world of financial crime. Finding money which others have tried to hide away is something of a drug for Áróra, who thinks of herself as a kind of ‘avenging angel’. It leads to her taking personal risks which on occasion threaten her safety. Brought up in Britain but with an Icelandic father, I liked the way we see Áróra having to acclimatise to the more open and trusting Icelandic society whose population is seemingly fuelled largely on coffee!
Áróra is persuaded by her mother to enlist the help of Daníel, a relative by marriage and serving police officer. His involvement opens doors that would otherwise be closed to Áróra and they make an effective team, with hints of the possibility of something more in future. I liked Daníel as a character even if he does have somewhat of an obsession with maintaining an immaculate lawn! And I particularly liked his neighbour Lady Gúgúlú, an unlikely combination of drag artist and physicist. As she observes to Daníel, ‘Well, I have many different selves, darling. Just the same as you do. Just like everyone else. Most people only let one of these show.’
The author lays down plenty of false trails that are impossible to resist following and which distract you from what’s really going on. Does everyone get what they deserve? You’ll have to read the book to find out. Cold As Hell is a taut, atmospheric and skilfully crafted crime thriller, and a great introduction to what promises to be an addictive new series for fans of Icelandic noir.
August 23, 2023
2.5 stars.
The sentence-level writing here was fine, but there were so many unnecessary subplots going on! You think the focus should be the investigation into Isafold's disappearance, but just as much time is spent on Arora's fling and her financial interests, Daniel's yard work, and Olga and Omar's breakfast. This makes the book overall seem to move at a snail's pace.
Oddly, the book comes across as written by someone who hates Iceland. Also, it's very difficult to tell if it's the characters or the author who holds unflattering stereotypes of foreigners (e.g. "Brown people had to need more sun than white people" is just one example of a super cringey line). There seem to be a few minor translation issues as well.
Some details of the story just lack much credibility. Like the sneaky financial investigator being shocked to have found apparently the single person in this world who bothers to password protect their computer, then just going to an electronics store to ask a teenager for help picking out a camera she plans on using to bug someone's hotel room with, then setting it up perfectly on the first attempt without ever having any experience with doing something like that.
I liked the main character well enough (even if I wasn't buying her skills or her handy dandy Spyware that can do anything and everything she never knew she would want from it), but although I thought I would like Daniel when he was first introduced in the story, dude was the worst.
The crime that this book is supposedly about seems to be the last plot point it feels the need to address or resolve.
The sentence-level writing here was fine, but there were so many unnecessary subplots going on! You think the focus should be the investigation into Isafold's disappearance, but just as much time is spent on Arora's fling and her financial interests, Daniel's yard work, and Olga and Omar's breakfast. This makes the book overall seem to move at a snail's pace.
Oddly, the book comes across as written by someone who hates Iceland. Also, it's very difficult to tell if it's the characters or the author who holds unflattering stereotypes of foreigners (e.g. "Brown people had to need more sun than white people" is just one example of a super cringey line). There seem to be a few minor translation issues as well.
Some details of the story just lack much credibility. Like the sneaky financial investigator being shocked to have found apparently the single person in this world who bothers to password protect their computer, then just going to an electronics store to ask a teenager for help picking out a camera she plans on using to bug someone's hotel room with, then setting it up perfectly on the first attempt without ever having any experience with doing something like that.
I liked the main character well enough (even if I wasn't buying her skills or her handy dandy Spyware that can do anything and everything she never knew she would want from it), but although I thought I would like Daniel when he was first introduced in the story, dude was the worst.
The crime that this book is supposedly about seems to be the last plot point it feels the need to address or resolve.
August 12, 2021
/Visit locations in the novel
Lilja Sigurdardóttir has really nailed that Icelandic Noir vibe. Her other novels have gradually ramped up those icy shadows and dark stains on the Icelandic snow but this is a disturbing, uncomfortable read that ramps that up and more.
There’s a lot of sinister threads which interweave to create that special story of sisterhood. One sister returns home to try and find the other. Simple enough you might think. Ah well, this is Lilja moving these poor puppets around and she has a quick hand and a dark mind. Likes to fray the outer edges of those family and sibling relationships doesn’t she?
Seriously, there are some VERY creepy people in this book. The sister's boyfriend is bad enough but that neighbour? We also meet a woman who is living with a man she later finds out is not who or what he says he is. Just what kind of apartment block is this? Not one I would like to live in, that's for sure. Each character is well developed and uniquely chilling and I loved the way the POV switched from one to another with the jerky twitch of a hangman's noose - a very effective way of getting all of these dubious people flashing through your mind as you read.
There are quite a few threads weaving their way around your neck as you read. A policeman with a family tie, a girl oblivious to the new man in her life, a computer hacker and that neighbourhood watch unlike any other. There's even a little time for romance despite everything. For such a small novel, this packs a punch!
Kudos as ever to translator Quentin. He creates Iceland off the page and gets the nuances, the chilly layers and all the unexpected shadows as perfectly pitched as a choir at their best. Oh but that ending! This is of course, the first in the series, but that was a bit of a cliffhanger! Aargh! There are enough loose ends to hang someone....but there's more in the series and I HAVE to know what on earth is going on! I feel I've left these people and some are still watching me, waiting. I can feel someone's eyes on my face as I close the final page. That cover is only a little protection until the next book comes along.
One thing that is going to calm my nerves...Lilja's now introduced me to 'ten drops of coffee' and a Married Bliss biscuit. Think I'm going to need a good supply for book two though...
August 2, 2023
رواية جميلة جدا وإنسانية.. أحببتها واستمتعت بها
تعرفت من خلالها على آيسلندا وعادات سكانها بصورة أكبر من الروايات السابقة لكتاب آيسلنديين وأعجبني ذلك..
تدور الرواية حول أورورا التي تترك انجلترا وتذهب إلى آيسلندا بحثا عن أختها آيسافولد التي اختفت فجأة..
تعرفت من خلالها على آيسلندا وعادات سكانها بصورة أكبر من الروايات السابقة لكتاب آيسلنديين وأعجبني ذلك..
تدور الرواية حول أورورا التي تترك انجلترا وتذهب إلى آيسلندا بحثا عن أختها آيسافولد التي اختفت فجأة..
January 16, 2023
Yes! Really liked this one. I enjoyed the big cast of characters and how they all interwove throughout the story. The relationship between the sisters was the main crux of this book and I found it really interesting how Arora looking for the missing Isafold played out. She has a sort of cold detachment for most of the search until she realises that her sister may actually be in real trouble. Not sure ultimately if I liked Arora, but as a main character she was great. He relationship with Daniel was quite unsettling and her attitude to Iceland was quite strange, but overall she was interesting and I enjoyed reading about her.
Will definitely have a look into the next in the series.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
Will definitely have a look into the next in the series.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
October 4, 2023
Das Buch war mal wieder super. Lilja Sigurđardóttir hat immer tolle weibliche Charaktere und ich finde es wahnsinnig spannend, auf Island "hinter die Kulissen" zu schauen. Fesselnd und unbedingt empfehlenswert!
December 12, 2022
Cold As Hell has all the essential Nordic noir ingredients - cold setting, a striking protagonist, a dark mystery, and a cast of suspicious characters. I liked the portrayal of a complicated family relationship, and how Aurora is constantly having to clean up her sister's mess. The domestic storyline is sad and relevant, especially in how victims feel stuck in their situation. The supporting characters are interesting, with their own secrets and motivations.
However, I thought the execution of the plot could be better. It's fairly straightforward where the turns happened as expected. The side storylines don't actually relate to the main mystery. I also thought the characters seem juvenile at times - there's a bit of instalove going on and the entitlement of a particular male character is not really addressed. In a sea of excellent Nordic noir, this book didn't stand out to me. Hopefully, the following ones are better!
book blog | twitter | instagram
However, I thought the execution of the plot could be better. It's fairly straightforward where the turns happened as expected. The side storylines don't actually relate to the main mystery. I also thought the characters seem juvenile at times - there's a bit of instalove going on and the entitlement of a particular male character is not really addressed. In a sea of excellent Nordic noir, this book didn't stand out to me. Hopefully, the following ones are better!
book blog | twitter | instagram
October 31, 2021
Scandinavian noir set in Iceland, this story has a number of plot lines told alternately, all revolving around the main one.
Aurora, who is a financial private eye, reluctantly comes to Iceland to search for her sister Isaford at the insistence of their mother who is worried at not hearing from her. Aurora is tired of rescuing her sister from her abusive partner, only to have her return to him again and again. This time, though, her sister seems to have disappeared and no one knows to where.
Searching for her sister with the help of a police relative, Aurora also becomes involved with a rich hotelier who has shady business deals that she investigates on the side. There are also an illegal refugee Omar and Olga, the woman who is sheltering him and Grimur, their neighbour, all living in the same building as Isaford used to.
The narrative brings together all the different characters and stories in a way that makes the book a fast paced read.
Aurora, who is a financial private eye, reluctantly comes to Iceland to search for her sister Isaford at the insistence of their mother who is worried at not hearing from her. Aurora is tired of rescuing her sister from her abusive partner, only to have her return to him again and again. This time, though, her sister seems to have disappeared and no one knows to where.
Searching for her sister with the help of a police relative, Aurora also becomes involved with a rich hotelier who has shady business deals that she investigates on the side. There are also an illegal refugee Omar and Olga, the woman who is sheltering him and Grimur, their neighbour, all living in the same building as Isaford used to.
The narrative brings together all the different characters and stories in a way that makes the book a fast paced read.
October 20, 2024
Jag är så fruktansvärt trött på kvinnliga (huvud)karaktärer som beskrivs som avvikande från kvinnoidealet men på något outgrundligt, oförståeligt, överraskande, etc., sätt ändå är sååå vackra.
Utöver det var jag inte heller särskilt underhållen av handlingen, men slutet knöts i alla fall ihop väldigt, väldigt bra med början.
Utöver det var jag inte heller särskilt underhållen av handlingen, men slutet knöts i alla fall ihop väldigt, väldigt bra med början.
November 17, 2025
Lilja Sigurðardottir’s “Cold as Hell” accompanied me on the flight all the way from Brisbane to Brussels, and turned what is a very long and at times tedious experience into a thoroughly enjoyable one. When I wasn’t sleeping I was devouring this first book in the Áróra Investigations series. Sigurðardottir is quite masterful in her storytelling and weaves a number of intersecting and interrelated plot lines that work together to create an overall awesome installment of Icelandic Noir that is quick, easy to read and definitely page-turning.
January 24, 2024
När det fortfarande var för många dagar kvar för att börja läsa den inplanerade boken för Göteborgsturen så kände jag att det kanske var dags för något isländskt. Det var ju ett bra tag sedan, tror jag. Då hittade jag Iskall sol i hyllan. Jag började läsa helt förutsättningslöst, för jag kom faktiskt inte ihåg att jag hade läst vare sig något positivt eller negativt om den.
Det finns nog inte mycket som går upp mot den isländska miljön, jag bara älskar den. Jag har ju varit i både Reykjavik och ute på lavafälten så det var inga större problem att se saker framför sig. Även om nu staden måste ha växt en del sedan jag var där. Det isländska lynnet är också något jag uppskattar, men det kan nog vara obegripligt för en amerikan. Tack vare att Áróra är halvbritt så får vi intressanta reflektioner över det isländska.
Iskall sol överraskade mig, på ett mycket positivt sätt. Det här var så mycket bättre än jag hade förväntat mig. Den har framför allt en snygg och smart intrig. Nu ser jag verkligen fram emot att läsa andra delen, som redan står i hyllan.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
Det finns nog inte mycket som går upp mot den isländska miljön, jag bara älskar den. Jag har ju varit i både Reykjavik och ute på lavafälten så det var inga större problem att se saker framför sig. Även om nu staden måste ha växt en del sedan jag var där. Det isländska lynnet är också något jag uppskattar, men det kan nog vara obegripligt för en amerikan. Tack vare att Áróra är halvbritt så får vi intressanta reflektioner över det isländska.
Iskall sol överraskade mig, på ett mycket positivt sätt. Det här var så mycket bättre än jag hade förväntat mig. Den har framför allt en snygg och smart intrig. Nu ser jag verkligen fram emot att läsa andra delen, som redan står i hyllan.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
February 26, 2023
Island levererar igen! Lilja Sigurdardottir sällar sig till den rätt långa rad av riktigt läsvärda spänningsförfattare från ön och jag tyckte verkligen om att läsa Iskall sol. Tempot är en av de saker som nog fångar mig mest. Det finns något stadigt och stabilt över det. Inget överdrivet åt något håll. Sedan finns här karaktärer jag får en känsla för, familjerelationer som skaver, märkliga grannar och en påbörjad flirt. Jo, men det här funkar och det funkar väl!
April 10, 2023
What began slow for me became a really engrossing read, full of quirky characters and an interesting insight into Iceland, it's people, and landscape.
The icing on the cake is that this is the first book in a series, that I want to continue reading. I am not ready to say goodbye to Áróra for a long time yet!
The icing on the cake is that this is the first book in a series, that I want to continue reading. I am not ready to say goodbye to Áróra for a long time yet!
May 31, 2024
Som spaghetti och köttfärssås, det är ganska gott och man blir mätt men inte överraskad.
October 26, 2021
You can also find my review on my blog: https://rebekahreads.ca/cold-as-hell-...
And on my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CVgOKp1L-wk/
Thanks so much to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours and Orenda Books for gifting me a digital copy of Cold As Hell by Lilja Sigurðardóttir, translated by Don Bartlett, in exchange for an honest review, and for asking me to take part in the blog tour this month.
Cold As Hell was published on August 28, 2021 – OUT NOW!
Where do I even begin with this book?! Cold As Hell is a refreshing crime book that had me completely HOOKED from the beginning with its cold and creepy, yet gripping prologue, and kept my attention right until the end. I seriously could not stop reading it.
First in a new Nordic noir series, Cold As Hell is a chilling read about Áróra, a half Icelandic, half English Financial Investigator, and her search for her missing elder sister, Ísafold. Estranged sisters Áróra and Ísafold live in different countries, and are not on speaking terms. When their mother loses contact with Ísafold, Áróra reluctantly returns to Iceland to look for her. But she soon realizes that her sister isn’t avoiding her… she has disappeared, without a trace.
From the very first page, the reader is privy to what will come in the ensuing pages, even if the full ‘who,’ ‘why,’ and ‘how’ are unknown. The ‘who’ becomes clear almost immediately, but the discovery of the ‘why’ and the ‘how’—what becomes the sole purpose of Áróra’s return to Iceland—are revealed very slowly to both the reader and Áróra.
I absolutely devoured this book. It’s a slower-paced and contemplative read that is well crafted, well-written, and beautifully translated. It’s filled with short chapters (2-3 pages each—my favourite!) told through alternating character perspectives, each revealing tiny details of the puzzle surrounding Ísafold’s disappearance. The characters are extremely unique (and strange!), each with their own peculiar quirks that make them completely unforgettable. The characters are not all entirely likeable, but there’s something about Sigurðardóttir’s writing that has you completely invested in who they are and what happens to them.
This is a very strong beginning to a new crime series. I absolutely loved Áróra’s strength and intelligence, and I cannot wait to see how the rest of her story unfolds in the next four books of the series.
And on my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CVgOKp1L-wk/
Thanks so much to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours and Orenda Books for gifting me a digital copy of Cold As Hell by Lilja Sigurðardóttir, translated by Don Bartlett, in exchange for an honest review, and for asking me to take part in the blog tour this month.
Cold As Hell was published on August 28, 2021 – OUT NOW!
Where do I even begin with this book?! Cold As Hell is a refreshing crime book that had me completely HOOKED from the beginning with its cold and creepy, yet gripping prologue, and kept my attention right until the end. I seriously could not stop reading it.
First in a new Nordic noir series, Cold As Hell is a chilling read about Áróra, a half Icelandic, half English Financial Investigator, and her search for her missing elder sister, Ísafold. Estranged sisters Áróra and Ísafold live in different countries, and are not on speaking terms. When their mother loses contact with Ísafold, Áróra reluctantly returns to Iceland to look for her. But she soon realizes that her sister isn’t avoiding her… she has disappeared, without a trace.
From the very first page, the reader is privy to what will come in the ensuing pages, even if the full ‘who,’ ‘why,’ and ‘how’ are unknown. The ‘who’ becomes clear almost immediately, but the discovery of the ‘why’ and the ‘how’—what becomes the sole purpose of Áróra’s return to Iceland—are revealed very slowly to both the reader and Áróra.
I absolutely devoured this book. It’s a slower-paced and contemplative read that is well crafted, well-written, and beautifully translated. It’s filled with short chapters (2-3 pages each—my favourite!) told through alternating character perspectives, each revealing tiny details of the puzzle surrounding Ísafold’s disappearance. The characters are extremely unique (and strange!), each with their own peculiar quirks that make them completely unforgettable. The characters are not all entirely likeable, but there’s something about Sigurðardóttir’s writing that has you completely invested in who they are and what happens to them.
This is a very strong beginning to a new crime series. I absolutely loved Áróra’s strength and intelligence, and I cannot wait to see how the rest of her story unfolds in the next four books of the series.
April 6, 2022
This is my first book by Lilja Sigurdardóttir but it certainly won't be my last!! Áróra and Ísafold are sisters but they aren't on speaking terms. Their mother calls Áróra one day to let her know that she hasn't heard from Ísafold in awhile and she is concerned that something has happened. Áróra is forced to go to Iceland to try and track her sister down. It doesn't take long for Áróra to realize that something is wrong and her sister really did disappear.
Along with looking for her sister, Áróra also stumbles upon another fun mystery that she is determined to uncover. Cold as hell had A LOT going on, we had missing persons case, corporate fraud, Domestic Abuse, Murder, all with a little side of romance. Which was fun! I really enjoyed all of those things, however at times it just seemed like certain parts kinda dragged out. For there being a lot going on, sometimes there was absolutely nothing going on and I found myself skimming. All in all this was a great read.
Along with looking for her sister, Áróra also stumbles upon another fun mystery that she is determined to uncover. Cold as hell had A LOT going on, we had missing persons case, corporate fraud, Domestic Abuse, Murder, all with a little side of romance. Which was fun! I really enjoyed all of those things, however at times it just seemed like certain parts kinda dragged out. For there being a lot going on, sometimes there was absolutely nothing going on and I found myself skimming. All in all this was a great read.
September 4, 2022
This thriller, set during the 24 hour daylight days of summer in Iceland, reached out and grabbed me right from the start and I couldn't put it down. Áróra is a fascinatingly intense and flawed main character, but the story is also told thru a myriad of other interesting characters, normally a structure I am not keen on but in this case, it is done well and all the characters are interesting and fully fleshed out. I can't wait to read more in the series.
Áróra is sent, once again, to try and rescue her sister in Iceland, which Áróra herself has left behind. We get introduced to Iceland and Reykjavík by a semi-native with no love for the place but who grudgingly begins to understand it. There were a myriad of story lines, but they were all brought together nicely in the end.
And what an ending it was! While not necessarily full of red herrings, the reader sure was pushed and pulled in a number of different and very clever ways. And I never saw the ending, which was very unusual and very satisfying. Well done!
Áróra is sent, once again, to try and rescue her sister in Iceland, which Áróra herself has left behind. We get introduced to Iceland and Reykjavík by a semi-native with no love for the place but who grudgingly begins to understand it. There were a myriad of story lines, but they were all brought together nicely in the end.
And what an ending it was! While not necessarily full of red herrings, the reader sure was pushed and pulled in a number of different and very clever ways. And I never saw the ending, which was very unusual and very satisfying. Well done!
December 7, 2025
Någon här på Goodreads beskrev den här spänningsromanen som spaghetti med köttfärssås: man blir mätt, men det är inte så mycket mer med det. Jag kan skriva under på det.
Jag drogs till den här romanen på grund av att den utspelar sig på Island, men hade nog hellre läst en annan isländsk roman. Spännande, mestadels korta kapitel men inte så mycket nytt under solen. Jag var också lite obekväm med hur huvudpersonens kropp beskrevs.
Jag drogs till den här romanen på grund av att den utspelar sig på Island, men hade nog hellre läst en annan isländsk roman. Spännande, mestadels korta kapitel men inte så mycket nytt under solen. Jag var också lite obekväm med hur huvudpersonens kropp beskrevs.
September 17, 2021
Lilja Sigurðardóttir became known to the global readership after the publication of her groundbreaking "Reykjavik Noir" trilogy which established her as one of the most imaginative new Icelandic crime authors. Her recent participation as a co-screenwriter in Baltasar Kormakur's television series Katla further boosted her reputation among the audiences and the critics and made her a respected member of the Nordic crime fiction's elite. Her simple, yet not simplistic, writing style renders her work easily readable while her unique use of setting and characters highlights both the unbridled Icelandic scenery as well as her capacity to draft three-dimensional personalities who think and act like real human beings.
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/cold-a...
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/cold-a...
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