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Reykjavík Noir Trilogy #3
Der Käfig: Ein Reykjavík-Krimi
Búrið er æsispennandi lokaþáttur í þríleik Lilju Sigurðardóttur um eiturlyfjasmygl, efnahagsglæpi og eldheita ást í Reykjavík samtímans. Fyrri bækurnar, Gildran og Netið, hlutu frábærar viðtökur.Búrið gefur þeim ekkert eftir.Agla afplánar dóm í fangelsinu á Hólmsheiði. Ekkert bíður hennar utan múranna og Sonja ástkona hennar er horfin á braut. Agla er því fljót að grípa tækifærið þegar fulltrúi erlends stórfyrirtækis biður hana um aðstoð í máli sem ekki má fara hátt. Það snýst um flókið fjármálamisferliog þar er hún á heimavelli. Með aðstoð Maríu, sjálfstætt starfandi blaðamanns, ræðst Agla til atlögu við hákarlana.Álkóngurinn Ingimar á sér einskis ills von en þegar María fer að spyrja óþægilegra spurninga bregst hann snarlega við – og það er leikur kattarins að músinni. Í kjallaranum heima hjá honum liggja hins vegar dýnamítstangir sem hann veit ekki af og bíða réttu stundarinnar …
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2017
206 people are currently reading
598 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 110 reviews
December 10, 2023
This book is the third and final volume of the Reykjavik Noir trilogy. I read it several months after the first and second volume, which may be advantageous because some time has passed in the story line since the end of book 2. The problem is that some things have happened in the meantime which aren’t properly explained.
The first thing is that the happy lesbian couple Agla and Sonja are no couple anymore by now and there is no real, comprehensible explanation for it throughout the whole text. It’s quite odd anyway that Sonja, who used to be the main character in the first two volumes, is now only a minor character.
Even worse, Sonja’s desperate efforts to free herself from her involvement in drug smuggling to live happily ever after with her son always used to be the key issue before – but now there’s no sign of that here now anymore: Sonja has sent her son to boarding school because she’s now a big fish in the drug business who has no qualms about exploiting, humiliating and torturing other people. But why? The author remains silent about her motives.
What’s more, the plot contains some REALLY gross components. When Agla finds her new (younger, poorer, dependent) love Elísa raped under the influence of drugs, one of the rapists still present, she tries to save her, but doesn’t really act otherwise: She neither reports the offender and nor does she even tell Elísa about the rape. When the young woman is horrified afterwards to realize that she’s pregnant and doesn’t know how, Agla reacts by marrying her and planning to co-mother the child!?!
(And again, annoyingly enough, you need to ignore the flawed blurb of the German version!)
All in all, there are a lot of things in this final volume that aren’t really explained or brought to a conclusion, which is really a shame.
However, it’s still a suspenseful thriller with several surprising twists towards the end.
So 3.5 stars it is, rounded up.
The first thing is that the happy lesbian couple Agla and Sonja are no couple anymore by now and there is no real, comprehensible explanation for it throughout the whole text. It’s quite odd anyway that Sonja, who used to be the main character in the first two volumes, is now only a minor character.
Even worse, Sonja’s desperate efforts to free herself from her involvement in drug smuggling to live happily ever after with her son always used to be the key issue before – but now there’s no sign of that here now anymore: Sonja has sent her son to boarding school because she’s now a big fish in the drug business who has no qualms about exploiting, humiliating and torturing other people. But why? The author remains silent about her motives.
What’s more, the plot contains some REALLY gross components. When Agla finds her new (younger, poorer, dependent) love Elísa raped under the influence of drugs, one of the rapists still present, she tries to save her, but doesn’t really act otherwise: She neither reports the offender and nor does she even tell Elísa about the rape. When the young woman is horrified afterwards to realize that she’s pregnant and doesn’t know how, Agla reacts by marrying her and planning to co-mother the child!?!
(And again, annoyingly enough, you need to ignore the flawed blurb of the German version!)
All in all, there are a lot of things in this final volume that aren’t really explained or brought to a conclusion, which is really a shame.
However, it’s still a suspenseful thriller with several surprising twists towards the end.
So 3.5 stars it is, rounded up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2021
This is the third book in the Reykjavik Noir series set in Iceland.
The disappointment with book was the focus shifted from the central character in the first two books, Sonja, to another character Agla.
There are a lot of characters and I struggled to keep up with who was who. The books centres on high level fraud as well as drug trafficking. Still a well written story, but to me it didn't bring the first to books to a close in a satisfactory way.
The disappointment with book was the focus shifted from the central character in the first two books, Sonja, to another character Agla.
There are a lot of characters and I struggled to keep up with who was who. The books centres on high level fraud as well as drug trafficking. Still a well written story, but to me it didn't bring the first to books to a close in a satisfactory way.
July 26, 2019
I devoured this in just a few hours. If you’ve read the first 2 books in this series and loved them like I did, then you won’t be disappointed with this one! The evolution of the characters, the fast paced storyline and wonderful ending made for a fantastic read! And I’m left singing a favorite ABBA song as well! Lol
August 24, 2024
For the first time she was not only free of the fear of being released from the cage, but was actively looking forward to it. P112
Snare, Trap, Cage… you get the drift. Lilja Sigurðardóttir has firmly planted herself as a queen of Icelandic Noir with her trilogy, aptly entitled Reykjavík Noir. With each of the three instalments, you can feel the web tighten around characters, ensnared, entrapped and caged like wild animals, caught in a series of intertwined vortexes of drugs, smuggling, embezzlement, fraud, murder and betrayal. At times I have found this series quite claustrophobic, as characters are disempowered and caught in circumstances with no exit strategy.
Cage is the final in the trilogy and is generally a fitting end to the series. I say generally, because, although I found the series very satisfying overall, something was amiss for me with this one. Only marginally, but in some ways I felt like the focus of the trilogy had changed and the main protagonist of books one and two was relegated to that of a secondary character in this one which almost made me think I was reading a stand-alone novel in some ways.
Sigurðardóttir has a wonderful taut and tight way of writing. Short, sharp chapters build anticipation and keep the reader across multiple parallel elements of the story in its entirety. Agla essentially becomes the chief character in this one and in some ways we gain further insight into aspects of her character introduced earlier on.
There is a heck of a lot of underbelly like action in this novel and the seedy side of life where corporate giants in a variety of forms create addiction and then bleed addicts dry to line corporate coffers. The Icelandic financial crisis is sits in the background of this trilogy and Sigurðardóttir makes no apologies for presenting in such a light.
A 4 star conclusion to a 4/5 star series.
Snare, Trap, Cage… you get the drift. Lilja Sigurðardóttir has firmly planted herself as a queen of Icelandic Noir with her trilogy, aptly entitled Reykjavík Noir. With each of the three instalments, you can feel the web tighten around characters, ensnared, entrapped and caged like wild animals, caught in a series of intertwined vortexes of drugs, smuggling, embezzlement, fraud, murder and betrayal. At times I have found this series quite claustrophobic, as characters are disempowered and caught in circumstances with no exit strategy.
Cage is the final in the trilogy and is generally a fitting end to the series. I say generally, because, although I found the series very satisfying overall, something was amiss for me with this one. Only marginally, but in some ways I felt like the focus of the trilogy had changed and the main protagonist of books one and two was relegated to that of a secondary character in this one which almost made me think I was reading a stand-alone novel in some ways.
Sigurðardóttir has a wonderful taut and tight way of writing. Short, sharp chapters build anticipation and keep the reader across multiple parallel elements of the story in its entirety. Agla essentially becomes the chief character in this one and in some ways we gain further insight into aspects of her character introduced earlier on.
There is a heck of a lot of underbelly like action in this novel and the seedy side of life where corporate giants in a variety of forms create addiction and then bleed addicts dry to line corporate coffers. The Icelandic financial crisis is sits in the background of this trilogy and Sigurðardóttir makes no apologies for presenting in such a light.
A 4 star conclusion to a 4/5 star series.
January 14, 2020
"This reminder was something he needed; the reminder that he was human. It was the same as the Roman Emperors who had a slave walking behind them, whispering "remember you are mortal" ". (6%-Kindle Edition)
I have to admit that I held higher expectations for this novel as I truly loved the previous two books in the trilogy, "Snare" and "Trap", but the final impressions are somehow mixed. One thing is for certain: "Cage" is a weaker novel than its two predecessors, though that cannot blemish my overall assessment of the fascinating "Reykjavik Noir" trilogy, one of the best coming from the land of fire and ice in the last few years. The author, Lilja Sigurðardóttir, is a young and talented individual who has a lot to deliver in the years to come. Unfortunately, in "Cage" it seems that she isn't in top form and I will try to explain why.
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/cage
I have to admit that I held higher expectations for this novel as I truly loved the previous two books in the trilogy, "Snare" and "Trap", but the final impressions are somehow mixed. One thing is for certain: "Cage" is a weaker novel than its two predecessors, though that cannot blemish my overall assessment of the fascinating "Reykjavik Noir" trilogy, one of the best coming from the land of fire and ice in the last few years. The author, Lilja Sigurðardóttir, is a young and talented individual who has a lot to deliver in the years to come. Unfortunately, in "Cage" it seems that she isn't in top form and I will try to explain why.
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/cage
October 7, 2019
Finished reading: October 1st 2019
"Life was like a game. Even with a handful of bad cards, it's better to be the one calling trumps."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Anne Cater and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
May 4, 2020
Spine tingling thriller set in ICELAND
Cage is the final book in Lilja’s acclaimed Reykjavík Noir trilogy. [Click here for our review of Snare, and here for our review of Trap]. It is every bit as exciting as the first two books… It can, however, be read as a standalone.
Agla is serving the last weeks of her prison sentence for financial fraud commited when she was an officer of a bank. Her former lover and drug dealing supremo, Sonja, is holed up in London. They have not spoken in months. Maria, currently an investigative journalist and formerly in the state prosecutor’s office, approaches Agla to help with a project she is working on. Agla is also approached by a consortium of aluminium users… The two approaches come together. Something very strange is happening with aluminium produced in Iceland and then shipped for storage at facilities in the States. It is not sold and world prices rise. But stock-piling is illegal – has a way been found around the regulations? Agla is involved because of her knowledge of financial fraud.
Sonja then returns to Iceland from London. She has been cut out of a major drug deal, and fears for her future (and here life). She and Agla inevitably meet. They, in fact, meet when Sonja visits a prisoner and mule in prison to ensure her ongoing co-operation with the drugs gang. She does not know that the prisoner, Elísa, is Agla’s new lover. She is an addict, very troubled, but hoping for a better life.
And there is one more strand to the story. Two teenage boys source explosives and bomb equipment with a view to making a very violent statement.
The strands, of course, all come together in the end. And it is a great finale.
If you like your thrillers full on, then Cage – and the rest of the Reykjavik Trilogy – are quite definitely for you.
Recommended.
Cage is the final book in Lilja’s acclaimed Reykjavík Noir trilogy. [Click here for our review of Snare, and here for our review of Trap]. It is every bit as exciting as the first two books… It can, however, be read as a standalone.
Agla is serving the last weeks of her prison sentence for financial fraud commited when she was an officer of a bank. Her former lover and drug dealing supremo, Sonja, is holed up in London. They have not spoken in months. Maria, currently an investigative journalist and formerly in the state prosecutor’s office, approaches Agla to help with a project she is working on. Agla is also approached by a consortium of aluminium users… The two approaches come together. Something very strange is happening with aluminium produced in Iceland and then shipped for storage at facilities in the States. It is not sold and world prices rise. But stock-piling is illegal – has a way been found around the regulations? Agla is involved because of her knowledge of financial fraud.
Sonja then returns to Iceland from London. She has been cut out of a major drug deal, and fears for her future (and here life). She and Agla inevitably meet. They, in fact, meet when Sonja visits a prisoner and mule in prison to ensure her ongoing co-operation with the drugs gang. She does not know that the prisoner, Elísa, is Agla’s new lover. She is an addict, very troubled, but hoping for a better life.
And there is one more strand to the story. Two teenage boys source explosives and bomb equipment with a view to making a very violent statement.
The strands, of course, all come together in the end. And it is a great finale.
If you like your thrillers full on, then Cage – and the rest of the Reykjavik Trilogy – are quite definitely for you.
Recommended.
January 18, 2020
“Cage” is the third and final book in the ‘Reykjavik Noir Trilogy’ written by best seller Icelandic crime writer Lilja Sigurdardottir. As all three books arrive at a thrilling conclusion, drug smuggling, financial crime, political intrigue, love, murder and betrayal are brought together to keep the reader on their toes to a dramatic denouement.
Translated once again seamlessly into English by Quentin Bates, these books are so easy to become invested in and I personally enjoyed following Agla and Sonja through their troubles and escapades. This book is told mainly through the perspective of Agla but also from her former nemesis Maria, teenager Anton who’s planning on building a bomb and his dad Ingimar who’s worried about Agla’s potential release from prison. All characters are excellently portrayed and are very easy to become engaged with and apart from the political intrigue and less than salubrious activities going on, there’s a pleasant lesbian romance running through the books.
Although the tense and edgy plots are intricate, they are also exceedingly original, with twists and turns aplenty. It’s so easy to understand and follow what’s happening due to the quick, sharp and concise chapters written, which I am a huge fan of in my reading.
Although I do believe it would be best to read all three books in order, to see the characters developments, each can be read as a stand-alone quite easily. I am sad to see this series end but I was very happy with the way the author decided on each of the characters conclusion and it’s a series I’d more than happily recommend and will without doubt follow this author in the future. With film rights already been bought by a Californian picture company I now look forward to seeing this exciting, tough and gritty trilogy, unfold on the big screen!
4.5 stars
Translated once again seamlessly into English by Quentin Bates, these books are so easy to become invested in and I personally enjoyed following Agla and Sonja through their troubles and escapades. This book is told mainly through the perspective of Agla but also from her former nemesis Maria, teenager Anton who’s planning on building a bomb and his dad Ingimar who’s worried about Agla’s potential release from prison. All characters are excellently portrayed and are very easy to become engaged with and apart from the political intrigue and less than salubrious activities going on, there’s a pleasant lesbian romance running through the books.
Although the tense and edgy plots are intricate, they are also exceedingly original, with twists and turns aplenty. It’s so easy to understand and follow what’s happening due to the quick, sharp and concise chapters written, which I am a huge fan of in my reading.
Although I do believe it would be best to read all three books in order, to see the characters developments, each can be read as a stand-alone quite easily. I am sad to see this series end but I was very happy with the way the author decided on each of the characters conclusion and it’s a series I’d more than happily recommend and will without doubt follow this author in the future. With film rights already been bought by a Californian picture company I now look forward to seeing this exciting, tough and gritty trilogy, unfold on the big screen!
4.5 stars
July 16, 2019
Visit the locations in the novel
That was quite the ending to the Trilogy! A story which not only ends with a bang but which will reverberate in your ears for some time to come.
Constantly changing POVS, Agla's fight to find out the truth, a journalist's search for the truth about the aluminum and metal plants in both Iceland and the USA, international conspiracies, a boy with a misguided goal - living under the shadow of immigration. That's before the drugs baron and those under him come into play!
Very clever to see the different characters and their individual stories combine, bit by bit to a shocking conclusion. Agla leaves the cage of prison for another state of entrapment altogether. And where on earth was ex Sonja who she hoped would be there to meet her?
For a relatively short novel, there's a whole lot of Icelandic intrigue packed in! Get the other two installments and read in order for maximum effect.
That was quite the ending to the Trilogy! A story which not only ends with a bang but which will reverberate in your ears for some time to come.
Constantly changing POVS, Agla's fight to find out the truth, a journalist's search for the truth about the aluminum and metal plants in both Iceland and the USA, international conspiracies, a boy with a misguided goal - living under the shadow of immigration. That's before the drugs baron and those under him come into play!
Very clever to see the different characters and their individual stories combine, bit by bit to a shocking conclusion. Agla leaves the cage of prison for another state of entrapment altogether. And where on earth was ex Sonja who she hoped would be there to meet her?
For a relatively short novel, there's a whole lot of Icelandic intrigue packed in! Get the other two installments and read in order for maximum effect.
March 13, 2021
Einige Jahre sind vergangen seit der Begegnung zwischen der Bankerin Agla, der Drogenschmugglerin Sonja und der Sonder-Ermittlerin María. Sonja hat Island verlassen und versucht in London noch immer, ihren Sohn Tómas vor ihren Verfolgern aus dem 2. Band zu schützen. Sonja vertraut niemandem mehr. Agla sitzt „im Käfig“ eine Gefängnisstrafe für Wirtschaftsbetrug ab und María krebst gemeinsam mit einem psychisch kranken Kollegen als Investigativermittlerin am Rande des Existenzminimums herum. Nur an Ingimar, mit dem Sonja damals einen erbitterten Kampf ausgetragen hatte, scheinen die vorhergehenden Ereignisse spurlos abgeprallt zu sein. Aglas Kenntnisse und Beziehungen als Bankerin führen in diesem Band einen Besucher zu ihr ins Gefängnis, der in Island verdächtige Beobachtungen im Handel mit Aluminium untersucht haben möchte. Agla beauftragt María mit Ermittlungen zum Meteorite-Metal-Konzern, deren Zwei-Personen-Agentur durch den Fall endlich neue Auftraggeber aquirieren könnte. Internationale Konzerne, die für ihre Produktion im Land kostbares Wasser verschwenden, die Gewinne jedoch nicht versteuern, machen sich wenige Jahre nach der Wirtschaftskrise sicherlich keine Freunde - und wären für Islands Presse ein gefundenes Fressen. An einem anderen Ort plant ein 16-Jähriger ein ganz großes Ding, um seine Freundin damit zu beeindrucken.
Der Abschlussband der Reykjavik-Trilogie wirkte auf mich zunächst nur schwach mit den Vorgängerbänden verknüpft, weil Bragi und Sonja sich offenbar aus ihrem jeweiligen Tagesgeschäft zurückgezogen haben. Könnte ein Generationswechsel anstehen im Drogenhandel Islands, in dem Sonja damals als Kurierin arbeitete? Bald drängte sich jedoch Struktur der Reihe wieder in den Vordergrund, in der mehrere Figuren Ziele verfolgen, deren Motive sich Sigurðardóttirs Lesern jedoch erst in letzter Minute erschließen. Welche Verbindungen könnten zwischen Agla, Ingimar und dem Jugendlichen bestehen – und wie passt die ausgewanderte Sonja in dieses Bild, fragt man sich. Ein privates Foto erst führt María auf die richtige Spur, nachdem sie sich zuvor in lebensgefährliche Situationen gestürzt hat.
Nach eher gemächlichem Anfang findet Sigurðardóttir im Abschlussband zu ihrem gewohnten Tempo zurück und bringt in extrem kurzen Kapiteln diesen Band und die Reihe zu einem befriedigenden Abschluss.
Der Abschlussband der Reykjavik-Trilogie wirkte auf mich zunächst nur schwach mit den Vorgängerbänden verknüpft, weil Bragi und Sonja sich offenbar aus ihrem jeweiligen Tagesgeschäft zurückgezogen haben. Könnte ein Generationswechsel anstehen im Drogenhandel Islands, in dem Sonja damals als Kurierin arbeitete? Bald drängte sich jedoch Struktur der Reihe wieder in den Vordergrund, in der mehrere Figuren Ziele verfolgen, deren Motive sich Sigurðardóttirs Lesern jedoch erst in letzter Minute erschließen. Welche Verbindungen könnten zwischen Agla, Ingimar und dem Jugendlichen bestehen – und wie passt die ausgewanderte Sonja in dieses Bild, fragt man sich. Ein privates Foto erst führt María auf die richtige Spur, nachdem sie sich zuvor in lebensgefährliche Situationen gestürzt hat.
Nach eher gemächlichem Anfang findet Sigurðardóttir im Abschlussband zu ihrem gewohnten Tempo zurück und bringt in extrem kurzen Kapiteln diesen Band und die Reihe zu einem befriedigenden Abschluss.
May 29, 2020
Cage – The end of a trilogy
Cage is the final instalment of Lilja Siguardardottir’s Icelandic noir series, which has been highly addictive. There are shocks, revelations and surprises throughout, with an almost satisfactory ending. Cage is everything you want from a thriller, and it is delivered in spade loads.
Agla is finally serving her sentence for her financial misdeeds, when she made lots of money while breaking the Icelandic economy. When she received a visitor in prison, she is offered an opportunity to strike back at some of those who put her behind bars.
Agla whilst now with a purpose she still has lost her lover Sonja and is feeling lonely and unloved. Little did she realise a new love interest would happen in prison with possibly the least likely person she would have ever thought. While protecting her new love, she learns something deeply shocking about Sonja, whom she will have to make a deal with.
The lives of Ingimar, Agla and Sonya will collide and only one will walk out as the winner and take everything they can. One will be broken. The other will have regrets and move on. This really is a clash of the titans and winner takes all.
This Icelandic thriller crackles and pops throughout, with a sense of fear in the pit of your stomach, with the rising emotional tension and violence. The reader is kept on edge through out and it is with regret that you reach the end. The emotional rollercoaster of emotions and then sadness that this is the last in the series.
Once again Orenda books has found an excellent thriller and released it on the English-speaking world. Translated by Quentin Bates, who manages to keep all the drama and atmosphere from the original.
An excellent book, one worth reading now.
Cage is the final instalment of Lilja Siguardardottir’s Icelandic noir series, which has been highly addictive. There are shocks, revelations and surprises throughout, with an almost satisfactory ending. Cage is everything you want from a thriller, and it is delivered in spade loads.
Agla is finally serving her sentence for her financial misdeeds, when she made lots of money while breaking the Icelandic economy. When she received a visitor in prison, she is offered an opportunity to strike back at some of those who put her behind bars.
Agla whilst now with a purpose she still has lost her lover Sonja and is feeling lonely and unloved. Little did she realise a new love interest would happen in prison with possibly the least likely person she would have ever thought. While protecting her new love, she learns something deeply shocking about Sonja, whom she will have to make a deal with.
The lives of Ingimar, Agla and Sonya will collide and only one will walk out as the winner and take everything they can. One will be broken. The other will have regrets and move on. This really is a clash of the titans and winner takes all.
This Icelandic thriller crackles and pops throughout, with a sense of fear in the pit of your stomach, with the rising emotional tension and violence. The reader is kept on edge through out and it is with regret that you reach the end. The emotional rollercoaster of emotions and then sadness that this is the last in the series.
Once again Orenda books has found an excellent thriller and released it on the English-speaking world. Translated by Quentin Bates, who manages to keep all the drama and atmosphere from the original.
An excellent book, one worth reading now.
October 11, 2019
This is one lively, all-action, and shocking ending to this superb trilogy. Even before Agla is released from prison she already has her sleeves rolled up and delving into a new venture with the outside help of a surprising accomplice from her past. Alga is the central character in this story so it takes more of an industrial and commercial avenue than drugs. It is more the devastation and life-destroying elements of victims that are focused on through addiction this time, as Alga feels the direct effect of helplessness as someone she has grown to care for falls foul of the drug trade.
The chapters are quite short bouncing around different avenues that all lead back to Alga in one way or another. I loved how her character came back to life, expelling the staleness of prison as she breathed the air of freedom. It felt like she grew inches, got younger and her brain sharper once again. Even people whose side she is on underestimate her because in business she is her own person. The nearest thing to a crack in her armor is the need for love at least for someone to care about her.
One of my favourite characters has to be Maria, I love her jump in with both feet first, then run like hell way to tackle situations, boy does she get herself into some scrapes. Seven years have passed since Alga has had direct contact with these characters so their lives have changed and moved on. There are surprising appearances of characters and explosive declarations for misguided love.
I loved the ending which left my mind whirling with what-ifs and maybes.
Many thanks to the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
The chapters are quite short bouncing around different avenues that all lead back to Alga in one way or another. I loved how her character came back to life, expelling the staleness of prison as she breathed the air of freedom. It felt like she grew inches, got younger and her brain sharper once again. Even people whose side she is on underestimate her because in business she is her own person. The nearest thing to a crack in her armor is the need for love at least for someone to care about her.
One of my favourite characters has to be Maria, I love her jump in with both feet first, then run like hell way to tackle situations, boy does she get herself into some scrapes. Seven years have passed since Alga has had direct contact with these characters so their lives have changed and moved on. There are surprising appearances of characters and explosive declarations for misguided love.
I loved the ending which left my mind whirling with what-ifs and maybes.
Many thanks to the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
September 2, 2020
4 stars.
Cage is third book in Lilja Sigurðardóttir’s Reykjavik Noir triology. While it’s written in a very different way to the first two books, it’s still an absolutely cracking book that is a must read.
Cage focuses on Agla as the primary character. It begins with her in jail after the fallout from the financial scandal in Trap. Not wanting to leave prison now that Sonja has ended their relationship; Agla is struggling until a stranger comes to her with a proposal that is too good to pass up. Stuck in prison, she needs help on the outside and we see the return of her former prosecutor, Maria, now journalist.
Previous enemies, Agla and Maria begin working on a coverup that is said to rock the world financial markets and metals industry. What comes next is a tale of shocking discoveries, attempted murdered, thrills, spills, drug smuggling and the revelation of just who Sonja has really become.
Cage is written in a very different way to the first two books; Snare and Trap. There’s contemporaneous story lines going on, the chapters are very short, and we don’t hear much from a lot of the earlier characters. Whilst very different, it had the same on the edge of your seat thrills, plot twists and rising levels of tension that I’ve come to expect from one of the best Nordic Noir writers there is.
Whilst I was originally a bit annoyed we didn’t hear more from Sonja, it eventually become obvious as to why. This was very clever. However, as is the case with the entire trilogy, all of the writing is clever and the plot builds with suspense and twists and turns in all the right places. Although originally written in Icelandic, the translation is flawless and you would never guess it wasn’t originally written in English.
Cage has excellent characters. They are well developed, interesting, easy to visualise and are easy to like and love to hate when they are villainous.
Whilst Cage is written well enough to be written as a stand alone book; I highly recommend the trilogy in order. It’s a must read for lovers of Nordic Noir, thrillers, suspense and damn good reads. I highly recommend Cage, just as I highly recommend Snare and Trap before it.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
Cage is third book in Lilja Sigurðardóttir’s Reykjavik Noir triology. While it’s written in a very different way to the first two books, it’s still an absolutely cracking book that is a must read.
Cage focuses on Agla as the primary character. It begins with her in jail after the fallout from the financial scandal in Trap. Not wanting to leave prison now that Sonja has ended their relationship; Agla is struggling until a stranger comes to her with a proposal that is too good to pass up. Stuck in prison, she needs help on the outside and we see the return of her former prosecutor, Maria, now journalist.
Previous enemies, Agla and Maria begin working on a coverup that is said to rock the world financial markets and metals industry. What comes next is a tale of shocking discoveries, attempted murdered, thrills, spills, drug smuggling and the revelation of just who Sonja has really become.
Cage is written in a very different way to the first two books; Snare and Trap. There’s contemporaneous story lines going on, the chapters are very short, and we don’t hear much from a lot of the earlier characters. Whilst very different, it had the same on the edge of your seat thrills, plot twists and rising levels of tension that I’ve come to expect from one of the best Nordic Noir writers there is.
Whilst I was originally a bit annoyed we didn’t hear more from Sonja, it eventually become obvious as to why. This was very clever. However, as is the case with the entire trilogy, all of the writing is clever and the plot builds with suspense and twists and turns in all the right places. Although originally written in Icelandic, the translation is flawless and you would never guess it wasn’t originally written in English.
Cage has excellent characters. They are well developed, interesting, easy to visualise and are easy to like and love to hate when they are villainous.
Whilst Cage is written well enough to be written as a stand alone book; I highly recommend the trilogy in order. It’s a must read for lovers of Nordic Noir, thrillers, suspense and damn good reads. I highly recommend Cage, just as I highly recommend Snare and Trap before it.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
January 19, 2023
podczas czytania myślałam, że dam jej 3 gwiazdki i że ten tom będzie najsłabszym w całej trylogii, ale ostatnie 80? 70? stron zdecydowanie wyprowadziło mnie z tego błędu
April 24, 2021
I respect this trilogy highly, but I'm not sure I 'like' it very much. I would have LOVED Snare (book 1) to have been given a stronger and conclusive ending. I would have held it in higher regard that way. Instead, I'll remember the trilogy for becoming gradually more convoluted and distant from what made the first book so good. I didn't dislike this trilogy, it just didn't know when to stop. This talented author should really have used these ideas in a new project, rather than dragging Snare's characters out this long.
The problem is this - Snare was compact, tense and intriguing. By the end of the trilogy, the look/feel/flow/style/story had overseen SO much change that it became unrecognisable. The end of Cage doesn't feel like an ending to the trilogy, because most of it is all recent additions. Too many important characters arrive too late within the story arc and don't earn the reader's warmth. Conversely, Sonja (the main character of the first two books) has been relegated to a minor cameo, although not to the same extent as Bragi (also from the first two books) who literally only returns for two lines of dialogue - not much reward for his major influence on the trilogy up until now. Sonja in the first two books was basically incompetent, fumbling her way along and desperate to get out of the life she was caught in. Suddenly in book three she's a smart, ruthless, successful drug smuggler, allegedly. How this makes sense is beyond me, and how any fans of the whole trilogy could accept this is something I find a mystery. It appears the series has sold itself out for new readers, abandoning the readers who have been loyal from the start.
The problem is this - Snare was compact, tense and intriguing. By the end of the trilogy, the look/feel/flow/style/story had overseen SO much change that it became unrecognisable. The end of Cage doesn't feel like an ending to the trilogy, because most of it is all recent additions. Too many important characters arrive too late within the story arc and don't earn the reader's warmth. Conversely, Sonja (the main character of the first two books) has been relegated to a minor cameo, although not to the same extent as Bragi (also from the first two books) who literally only returns for two lines of dialogue - not much reward for his major influence on the trilogy up until now. Sonja in the first two books was basically incompetent, fumbling her way along and desperate to get out of the life she was caught in. Suddenly in book three she's a smart, ruthless, successful drug smuggler, allegedly. How this makes sense is beyond me, and how any fans of the whole trilogy could accept this is something I find a mystery. It appears the series has sold itself out for new readers, abandoning the readers who have been loyal from the start.
March 13, 2025
I liked the way Lilja kept all the people not knowing what was about to happen. It left me feeling that way also. It was an interesting story and touch on a lot of current events happening in the world at this time. I liked that Agla's incarceration was for financial manipulation not some other typical drug related charge like Elísa's, who was to become her lover. This took the story the whole book to become a reality. Sonya, Anton, Ingimar, and Maria were the other people which had several other potential things happening to them in the story. Sonya was Agla's past squeeze and now the Boss in drug's. Anton was Ingmar's son and had a fetish for a Syrian girl and planned to surprise her on her birthday. Ingimar was the local financial wizard that put everyone in their place. And Maria was a journalist who found that the aluminum industry was stockpiling aluminum in America. These are only the tip of the iceberg for Lilja's story and much more happens to everyone. You'll have to read it to see everything that happens.
July 30, 2019
Let me just say it's a 10 star triology. Lilja is a master of keeping you in the dark just long enough to sweeten the enlightenment when it comes. She is also a master puzzle maker and of dropping little clues everywhere.
There was a great main storyline and great tributaries of little ones which all flowed into the main story.
My only problem is that my mind, body, and soul, are just not done with Sonja and Agla.
There was a great main storyline and great tributaries of little ones which all flowed into the main story.
My only problem is that my mind, body, and soul, are just not done with Sonja and Agla.
March 27, 2021
The last in the Reykjavik Noir Trilogy was a highly enjoyable read. Characters were developed to a high level whilst also introducing new characters. Despite not having a very large role in the story, I was happy that my favourite character in the trilogy at least made an appearance. There were several plots running around too, on themes such as drug smuggling, terrorism, lesbian relationships, and all were dealt with exceptionally well, moving the plot forward in an extremely enjoyable way.
March 26, 2020
Cage completes a trilogy – Snare and Trap are the first two books. Reading Trap and Snare will provide character back-story and set a scene but Cage is very much a title which could be enjoyed as a stand-alone read.
Both Snare and Trap focus on Sonya, she is the mother of a young boy who will do anything to keep her son safe, however, she is also one of the most effective drug smugglers in Iceland and lives a dangerous life. Those books are both wonderfully tense, unexpectedly shocking and Sonya is a great lead character. Cage shifts focus from Sonya to her sometime partner Agla. I was not expecting Sonya to be moved out of the limelight to the extent she was, but Agla is such a fascinating character and I was fully on-board with the change.
As Cage opens Agla is in prison but her release date looms. It is a daunting prospect for her and returning readers see how different this once confident individual has been changed as a consequence of her incarceration. Agla had expected to leave prison and be met by Sonya, but their relationship changed suddenly when Sonya had fled – seemingly unable to commit to a life with Agla. The rejection hurt Agla badly and her recovery and new reality are explored through the story.
Prior to her release, Agla had been approached by a senior executive of a large firm who wanted to recruit Agla (off radar) for her talent at financial manipulation and her ability to devise solutions around tough regulations. The challenge? To investigate unusual market practices in the aluminium markets.
Agla recruits an old adversary – Maria – to assist. Maria had once poured her energies into exposing Agla as a criminal but now her life has also been turned upside down. She is making a living as a journalist exposing corruption and bad practices. She reluctantly helps Agla and soon finds herself alone and imprisoned at the mercy of unknown agents.
Can Agla and Maria uncover the elaborate financial market manipulations? Will Sonya finally get the respite she seeks? And how does a young teen with a crate of dynamite and a desire to change the world fit into the story?
An explosive and powerful book which I utterly adored. The audiobook is brilliantly narrated (best recording of the trilogy) and the hours flew by as I listened.
Highly recommended.
Both Snare and Trap focus on Sonya, she is the mother of a young boy who will do anything to keep her son safe, however, she is also one of the most effective drug smugglers in Iceland and lives a dangerous life. Those books are both wonderfully tense, unexpectedly shocking and Sonya is a great lead character. Cage shifts focus from Sonya to her sometime partner Agla. I was not expecting Sonya to be moved out of the limelight to the extent she was, but Agla is such a fascinating character and I was fully on-board with the change.
As Cage opens Agla is in prison but her release date looms. It is a daunting prospect for her and returning readers see how different this once confident individual has been changed as a consequence of her incarceration. Agla had expected to leave prison and be met by Sonya, but their relationship changed suddenly when Sonya had fled – seemingly unable to commit to a life with Agla. The rejection hurt Agla badly and her recovery and new reality are explored through the story.
Prior to her release, Agla had been approached by a senior executive of a large firm who wanted to recruit Agla (off radar) for her talent at financial manipulation and her ability to devise solutions around tough regulations. The challenge? To investigate unusual market practices in the aluminium markets.
Agla recruits an old adversary – Maria – to assist. Maria had once poured her energies into exposing Agla as a criminal but now her life has also been turned upside down. She is making a living as a journalist exposing corruption and bad practices. She reluctantly helps Agla and soon finds herself alone and imprisoned at the mercy of unknown agents.
Can Agla and Maria uncover the elaborate financial market manipulations? Will Sonya finally get the respite she seeks? And how does a young teen with a crate of dynamite and a desire to change the world fit into the story?
An explosive and powerful book which I utterly adored. The audiobook is brilliantly narrated (best recording of the trilogy) and the hours flew by as I listened.
Highly recommended.
April 27, 2023
The lesser of two evils was always to be in the driving seat, even on a road leading straight to hell; it was better than drifting without knowing where you would end up.
2.5 stars. Sadly, this kinda did the opposite of sticking the landing. Fumbled quite a bit. I mean, that opinion is very much based on the fact that I didn't really like a lot of the plot points, and I sorta lost interest in some of the things happening, and the characters I liked most didn't play quite the part I expected.
It just felt so jarring. The mystery aspect of this has been seeded in previous books, and we're seeing a lot of minor characters come to the fore, which is cool. But it still felt so jarring, so have such a tone shift and plot shift, from the drugs and finance stuff to this aluminium, journalism and terrorism stuff. Yes, it's all connected in the end, but it was so unexpected and I didn't really like it. Especially the fact that we had such a relatively big time skip. Relationships and friendships have drastically changed, and we only get a little insight, through a few flashbacks, as to how and why that happened. After the way the last book ended, this one started so abruptly. I guess it was interesting to see the journey that Sonja has taken and where she is now, but I hated that she wasn't as involved as I expected. Agla's storyline was a little better for me; even though she's still not a great person, there's been some growth there, and I was really rooting for her to find happiness. I liked María as a character but I was so bored with everything she was doing. And the Anton thing did not hit as poignantly as I think it was meant to.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Susannah Hampton; great once again. This book had a lot more different accents, and her renditions weren't my favourite, but they were good. I don't regret taking a chance on this series; I like discovering more mysteries. I never really have faith that I'll be into crime dramas like this, but the first book did pique my interest quite a bit. I also really loved the Icelandic setting and culture. Unfortunately, as the books progressed, they kinda lost their way imo. Not a bad experience overall.
Content warnings:
December 26, 2021
Po trylogii Lilji Sigurðardóttir nie spodziewałam się cudów i słusznie, bo nie są to wyżyny kunsztu kryminalnego, co dotkliwie pokazał mi tom trzeci, który z braku dostępu do audiobooka, przeczytałam. Już nie raz się przekonałam, że to co bezrefleksyjnie wchłaniam podczas słuchania, nie zawsze jest strawne, gdy się tę książkę czyta. Zacznę może jednak od pozytywów.
Akcja tego cyklu ma miejsce tuż po krachu finansowym, podczas którego bardzo ucierpiała Islandia. Okazało się, że dynamiczny rozwój banków był tylko wielką bańką pełną spekulacji. Teraz tzw banksterzy podlegają prawu i ich kombinacje i machlojki są stopniowo rozpracowywane przez specjalną policyjną komórkę. Jedną z banksterek jest Agla - nieprzytomnie bogata, niezwykle elegancka, lwica jeśli chodzi o finanse i zupełnie nieśmiała w kwestii związku. Agla prowadzi bowiem niecałkiem oficjalny związek z Sonją - ładną, zgrabną matką kilkuletniego chłopca. To ich tête-à-tête doprowadziło do rozpadu małżeństwa Sonji. Adam, jej ex, to sprytny zawodnik, również bankster. Tak ustawił całą sprawę, że dziecko mieszka u niego, a spragniona kontaktów z synem matka musi o nie walczyć. To właśnie ta sytuacja wplątała je w szemrane interesy i teraz pracuje jako kurierka narkotyków. Niewykształcona i w zasadzie niezbyt rozgarnięta Sonja dobrze odnalazła się w tej czynności i może poszczycić się najlepszą skutecznością wśród islandzkich kurierów. W pierwszym tomie dowiadujemy się więc, jak doszło do tego, że Sonja działa w świecie narkotyków oraz kto stoi za wielkim handlem. Autorka wprowadzi też postać Bragiego - celnika, który zbliża się do emerytury i bardzo potrzebuje pieniędzy. Miałam zacząć od pozytywów, więc podkreślę na plus wprowadzenie wątku lesbijskiego, a także dość szczegółowe (aczkolwiek mogą ono być nużące) wyjaśnienie tła islandzkiego krachu finansowego.
Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot....
Akcja tego cyklu ma miejsce tuż po krachu finansowym, podczas którego bardzo ucierpiała Islandia. Okazało się, że dynamiczny rozwój banków był tylko wielką bańką pełną spekulacji. Teraz tzw banksterzy podlegają prawu i ich kombinacje i machlojki są stopniowo rozpracowywane przez specjalną policyjną komórkę. Jedną z banksterek jest Agla - nieprzytomnie bogata, niezwykle elegancka, lwica jeśli chodzi o finanse i zupełnie nieśmiała w kwestii związku. Agla prowadzi bowiem niecałkiem oficjalny związek z Sonją - ładną, zgrabną matką kilkuletniego chłopca. To ich tête-à-tête doprowadziło do rozpadu małżeństwa Sonji. Adam, jej ex, to sprytny zawodnik, również bankster. Tak ustawił całą sprawę, że dziecko mieszka u niego, a spragniona kontaktów z synem matka musi o nie walczyć. To właśnie ta sytuacja wplątała je w szemrane interesy i teraz pracuje jako kurierka narkotyków. Niewykształcona i w zasadzie niezbyt rozgarnięta Sonja dobrze odnalazła się w tej czynności i może poszczycić się najlepszą skutecznością wśród islandzkich kurierów. W pierwszym tomie dowiadujemy się więc, jak doszło do tego, że Sonja działa w świecie narkotyków oraz kto stoi za wielkim handlem. Autorka wprowadzi też postać Bragiego - celnika, który zbliża się do emerytury i bardzo potrzebuje pieniędzy. Miałam zacząć od pozytywów, więc podkreślę na plus wprowadzenie wątku lesbijskiego, a także dość szczegółowe (aczkolwiek mogą ono być nużące) wyjaśnienie tła islandzkiego krachu finansowego.
Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot....
December 15, 2021
Finally read the last book in this trilogy. I wasn't in the mood last year but it remained in my TBR pile. Lilja Sigurdardottir is a skilled writer, bringing a story along to what I hope is not the last we shall hear of Agla and Sonja. And all the rest of the cast of characters. This is a romp and gently ties up the story began two books ago. If you're a fan of Icelandic literature, you must read this author.
March 27, 2021
Hugely enjoyed this series and very much enjoyed the last book also, which had a little change of focus, in the characters, but served up plenty surprises. Really enjoyable stuff.
March 8, 2022
Tres bon thriller avec une fin inattendue.
August 9, 2025
This one is much more about Agla, Sonja is hardly in this one.
November 18, 2023
2,5 - kannski 3 ⭐️ Fannst vanta almennileg endalok fyrir Sonju, maður er búinn að fylgja henni að mestu fyrstu tvær bækurnar og hefði viljað sjá hana fá meiri tíma í þessari.
February 22, 2022
Fairly entertaining reading, but if you're going to do a trilogy your characters should, ideally, develop in some way.
October 15, 2019
Many Thanks to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for my copy of the book and my spot on the blog tour. All thoughts are my own.
Wow another killer read from Orenda Books. This is my second blog tour in the Nordic Noir genre this week and wow wow wow. This genre is relatively new to me, but I am quite simply loving it. The intrigue, the mystery and the amazing landscape make it the perfect ingredients for a five-star read. This really was the perfect series to binge read on those cold autumn nights, I read it and loved it. Let’s just take a moment to appreciate that moment when the book cover is as kick ass as the actual story. The cover is what instantly made me sign up for the blog tour plus the added bonus was that it was published by ORENDA which I knew would be an instant winner. The cover emits a sense of mystery that pushes you forward to find out just what the story is behind it. You should read this series in order otherwise the character arcs and development won’t be as clear as it should be.
The book was definitely set up differently but, in my opinion, it certainly added to its uniqueness. The road travelled had a few bumps along the way, but the journey wasn’t any less enjoyable. We are reintroduced to Agla – serving a jail sentence for playing her part in the crash of the financial crisis in Iceland. The dodgy financier had to do her time. Life is getting her down and she really doesn’t know if she can keep going on the way she is. She attempts something quite drastic…the bottom line is she fails in her attempt but is given a new lease of life when she is tasked with investigating certain deceptions in the aluminium sector. The only snag is that she can’t do this alone. Insert, Maria – ex prosecutor turned investigative journalist with The Squirrel. The history between these two characters is difficult and strained to say the least. Can the two characters trust and work with each other or will they double cross the first chance they get? Has Alga’s stint in prison actually changed her or is there still the undercurrent of criminality still lurking in her psyche? I really enjoyed the back and forth between them and loved where this storyline took them.
I’ve always enjoyed multiple POV’s in my thriller novels and this story is no different. I liked that we got the added POV of Anton, a bit of a troubled character that displayed some worrisome controlling undertones to his behaviour towards a girl. A girl that he believes he is deeply in love with. Yeah, a strange and depraved idea of what love should be. It’s her birthday soon, he has planned the perfect birthday gift for her. Well, what he is assuming is the perfect gift, maybe for Anton and his cronies’ mates. This stems from his distaste of what is currently happening in Iceland. His character displays such extremism and is extremely relevant to what is going on in the world today. The author has produced an important novel that highlights the issues with extremist viewpoints and how it has far reaching implications to the wider country.
The other characters we have met and loved along the way get tied up really nicely. The character arcs have been intricately developed and they meet the endings that they all deserve, even if it isn’t the one they wanted. The writing has been strong, and the plot has been tightly weaved to keep the reader gripped and invested in the story. Although I came to this trilogy late it had me gripped and I was actually quite sad that it had come to an end. That my friends, is the sign of a truly talented writer. The pace was sublime and found myself constantly thinking about the plot when I couldn’t find time to read. The translation was perfect, and the entire series was a hell of a rollercoaster ride. This genre is quickly becoming a firm favourite. It’s not without its twists and shocks and it totally adds to its unique quirkiness of the story.
Wow another killer read from Orenda Books. This is my second blog tour in the Nordic Noir genre this week and wow wow wow. This genre is relatively new to me, but I am quite simply loving it. The intrigue, the mystery and the amazing landscape make it the perfect ingredients for a five-star read. This really was the perfect series to binge read on those cold autumn nights, I read it and loved it. Let’s just take a moment to appreciate that moment when the book cover is as kick ass as the actual story. The cover is what instantly made me sign up for the blog tour plus the added bonus was that it was published by ORENDA which I knew would be an instant winner. The cover emits a sense of mystery that pushes you forward to find out just what the story is behind it. You should read this series in order otherwise the character arcs and development won’t be as clear as it should be.
The book was definitely set up differently but, in my opinion, it certainly added to its uniqueness. The road travelled had a few bumps along the way, but the journey wasn’t any less enjoyable. We are reintroduced to Agla – serving a jail sentence for playing her part in the crash of the financial crisis in Iceland. The dodgy financier had to do her time. Life is getting her down and she really doesn’t know if she can keep going on the way she is. She attempts something quite drastic…the bottom line is she fails in her attempt but is given a new lease of life when she is tasked with investigating certain deceptions in the aluminium sector. The only snag is that she can’t do this alone. Insert, Maria – ex prosecutor turned investigative journalist with The Squirrel. The history between these two characters is difficult and strained to say the least. Can the two characters trust and work with each other or will they double cross the first chance they get? Has Alga’s stint in prison actually changed her or is there still the undercurrent of criminality still lurking in her psyche? I really enjoyed the back and forth between them and loved where this storyline took them.
I’ve always enjoyed multiple POV’s in my thriller novels and this story is no different. I liked that we got the added POV of Anton, a bit of a troubled character that displayed some worrisome controlling undertones to his behaviour towards a girl. A girl that he believes he is deeply in love with. Yeah, a strange and depraved idea of what love should be. It’s her birthday soon, he has planned the perfect birthday gift for her. Well, what he is assuming is the perfect gift, maybe for Anton and his cronies’ mates. This stems from his distaste of what is currently happening in Iceland. His character displays such extremism and is extremely relevant to what is going on in the world today. The author has produced an important novel that highlights the issues with extremist viewpoints and how it has far reaching implications to the wider country.
The other characters we have met and loved along the way get tied up really nicely. The character arcs have been intricately developed and they meet the endings that they all deserve, even if it isn’t the one they wanted. The writing has been strong, and the plot has been tightly weaved to keep the reader gripped and invested in the story. Although I came to this trilogy late it had me gripped and I was actually quite sad that it had come to an end. That my friends, is the sign of a truly talented writer. The pace was sublime and found myself constantly thinking about the plot when I couldn’t find time to read. The translation was perfect, and the entire series was a hell of a rollercoaster ride. This genre is quickly becoming a firm favourite. It’s not without its twists and shocks and it totally adds to its unique quirkiness of the story.
October 16, 2019
Agla finds herself locked away behind prison bars where she faces the consequences for a banking scandal. Her lover Sonja stood by her throughout much of her struggles, but now she has left Agla and won’t be there waiting for her once her sentence is complete. Agla looks for ways to fill the void left behind by Sonja and soon finds herself deep into an investigation of the aluminum industry that has the potential for a scandal to span Iceland and around the world.
Sonja thought her time in Iceland was finished, as she slipped away to face her new role as a drug lord based in London. Working to keep her head above water and her family safe, Sonja finds that danger is once again knocking at her door. It is time to head back to Iceland. Will she be able to face all that she has left behind or will she find her enemies have grown too large?
Lilja Sigurdardottir has given readers the perfect ending to an exhilarating trilogy with the breathtaking final installment, CAGE. Listen carefully and follow these instructions: Clear you schedules for a day or two. Pick up the first two books if you haven’t read them yet. Prepare to be swept away to Iceland’s underground drug world.
The first two books in this series were led by Sonja with alternating stories concerning those closest to her. This time around Sonja is in the background and we watch as those she has left behind piece their lives together. I wasn’t expecting so much of this book to focus on Agla and Maria, but after finishing the book, I can’t imagine the story told any other way. These are the stories you didn’t know you needed to complete a wonderful trilogy!
Sigurdardottir is back again with fast, snappy chapters that alternate between a handful of narrators. It takes a bit to settle into the direction of Anton and Maria’s stories, but Agla’s instantly sweeps the reader up. Her story is raw and emotional. This is the tale of a woman scorned, not only by her former business partners, but also by her former lover. Getting inside Agla’s mind is exciting, as she brings a level of ingenious plotting that the reader won’t see until it’s being explained and neither will those caught in her schemes! The level of danger brought to the reader with Agla’s narrative is enough to keep you glued to the pages, flipping for answers!
This trilogy has been one of my favorites to read, not because there is one great story within the pages of these books, but because there are several amazing stories! Sigurdardottir does not simply give readers the story of Sonja, but the stories of those she touches in life. Each of the these other narrative voices comes to find a special spot in the reader’s heart and at the end I was left with one of the most satisfying endings I have recently read.
This trilogy is absolutely perfect for readers looking to dip their toes into the Nordic Noir genre, but are worried that all they’ll find are police procedurals. These books beg to be read in order, so while you must add CAGE to your TBR, you’ll also need to fill your cart with SNARE and TRAP! These are excellent, binge-worthy books which will keep you up late into the night lost in Iceland’s seedy underground drug world.
Disclosure: A huge thank you to Orenda Books for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Sonja thought her time in Iceland was finished, as she slipped away to face her new role as a drug lord based in London. Working to keep her head above water and her family safe, Sonja finds that danger is once again knocking at her door. It is time to head back to Iceland. Will she be able to face all that she has left behind or will she find her enemies have grown too large?
Lilja Sigurdardottir has given readers the perfect ending to an exhilarating trilogy with the breathtaking final installment, CAGE. Listen carefully and follow these instructions: Clear you schedules for a day or two. Pick up the first two books if you haven’t read them yet. Prepare to be swept away to Iceland’s underground drug world.
The first two books in this series were led by Sonja with alternating stories concerning those closest to her. This time around Sonja is in the background and we watch as those she has left behind piece their lives together. I wasn’t expecting so much of this book to focus on Agla and Maria, but after finishing the book, I can’t imagine the story told any other way. These are the stories you didn’t know you needed to complete a wonderful trilogy!
Sigurdardottir is back again with fast, snappy chapters that alternate between a handful of narrators. It takes a bit to settle into the direction of Anton and Maria’s stories, but Agla’s instantly sweeps the reader up. Her story is raw and emotional. This is the tale of a woman scorned, not only by her former business partners, but also by her former lover. Getting inside Agla’s mind is exciting, as she brings a level of ingenious plotting that the reader won’t see until it’s being explained and neither will those caught in her schemes! The level of danger brought to the reader with Agla’s narrative is enough to keep you glued to the pages, flipping for answers!
This trilogy has been one of my favorites to read, not because there is one great story within the pages of these books, but because there are several amazing stories! Sigurdardottir does not simply give readers the story of Sonja, but the stories of those she touches in life. Each of the these other narrative voices comes to find a special spot in the reader’s heart and at the end I was left with one of the most satisfying endings I have recently read.
This trilogy is absolutely perfect for readers looking to dip their toes into the Nordic Noir genre, but are worried that all they’ll find are police procedurals. These books beg to be read in order, so while you must add CAGE to your TBR, you’ll also need to fill your cart with SNARE and TRAP! These are excellent, binge-worthy books which will keep you up late into the night lost in Iceland’s seedy underground drug world.
Disclosure: A huge thank you to Orenda Books for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
September 3, 2023
Unbelievable characters and only the bare bones of a story
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