Title: The Darkness by Ragnar Jónasson
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Spanning the icy streets of Reykjavik, the Icelandic highlands and cold, isolated fjords, The Darkness is an atmospheric thriller from Ragnar Jonasson, one of the most exciting names in Nordic Noir.
The body of a young Russian woman washes up on an Icelandic shore. After a cursory investigation, the death is declared a suicide and the case is quietly closed.
Over a year later Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir of the Reykjavík police is forced into early retirement at 64. She dreads the loneliness, and the memories of her dark past that threaten to come back to haunt her. But before she leaves she is given two weeks to solve a single cold case of her choice. She knows which one: the Russian woman whose hope for asylum ended on the dark, cold shore of an unfamiliar country. Soon Hulda discovers that another young woman vanished at the same time, and that no one is telling her the whole story. Even her colleagues in the police seem determined to put the brakes on her investigation. Meanwhile the clock is ticking.
Hulda will find the killer, even if it means putting her own life in danger.
Review:
The first installment in the Hidden Iceland series, The Darkness by Ragnar Jónasson is a multi-layered, spellbinding mystery.
With Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdótti’s already dreading her upcoming retirement, she is dismayed when her boss, Magnús, informs her he has hired her replacement and she will be retiring in two weeks. To placate her, Magnús gives her permission to reopen a cold case of her choosing. Hulda decides to look into the death of Russian immigrant Elena whose case she believes was not fully investigated by her colleague. Hulda quickly re-interviews the manager of the hostel where Elena was staying, her lawyer Albert Albertsson and her interpreter Bjartur Hartmannsson. Alerted to the possibility Elena was working as a prostitute, Hulda also questions Aki Akason who denies any wrongdoing. This interview infuriates Magnús who tells Hulda to wrap up the case within two days. Will Hulda uncover the truth about what happened to Elena before she is forced to retire?
Hulda is an experienced detective who is no stranger to tragedy. Having lost her beloved husband Jon and their daughter Dimma, she has few friends and little support from her co-workers. She has recently formed a close friendship with retired doctor Petur, but she is not certain she wants to take their relationship to the next level. Hulda remains haunted by the events that occurred in her past and she is extremely sympathetic to a suspect in another case.
Hulda is a little reckless as investigates Elena’s case. She does not cut corners but she keeps her newly discovered information to herself due to her fear that Magnús will shut down her inquiry. Hulda uncovers startling new details that cast doubt on the previous detective’s theory that Elena committed suicide but will she find enough evidence to find out who had a motive to harm her? After learning about another young Russian woman also vanished from the same hostel where Elena resided, Hulda cannot help but believe the two cases are linked. With time quickly running out, she hopes the answers lie in a document she has just received from Elena’s lawyer. Will Hulda finally uncover the truth about what happened to Elena and the other missing woman?
The Darkness by Ragnar Jónasson is a fast-paced and compelling mystery. Hulda is an engaging protagonist with a complex back story that will tug on readers’ heartstrings. The investigation is intriguing and it is impossible not to root for Hulda to solve her final case. Ragnar Jónasson brings the novel to a jaw-dropping, twist-filled conclusion that is absolutely shocking. An outstanding first installment in the Hidden Iceland series that I highly recommend to fans of the genre.
