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_mary_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sianw1992's review against another edition
4.0
Arnaldur Indridason is an author I discovered last year almost accidentally due to my A-Z of authors, and I'm so glad. The story opens with a toddler chewing on a bone, a human bone, which leads to the discovery of a body.
As always, the author keeps the reader gripped on every page with twists and turns aplenty. The story switches between the main character, Detective Erlendur and a family in the midst of World War II.
I personally preferred the parts about the family in the 40's. I found their story to be interesting and I felt and wanted to fight for every character. I found myself willing the mother of the family in question to succeed, to win, to stop being abused by Grimur, probably one of the most horrible characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
But similarly, the investigative side of the story and the complexities of Erlendur and his family also providing interesting reading and a longer narrative over the series of books.
As always, the setting of Iceland, creates a brilliant atmosphere. I often felt that the location in this novel was another character, integral to the plot. But the one thing that sold this book for me more than anything else, was that the identity of the victim wasn't revealed until very near the end of the book. The suspense and the genius of the author for keeping the reader interested and eager to find out who the victim was and how they were killed is excellent. I can't wait to read more by Arnaldur Indridason.
As always, the author keeps the reader gripped on every page with twists and turns aplenty. The story switches between the main character, Detective Erlendur and a family in the midst of World War II.
I personally preferred the parts about the family in the 40's. I found their story to be interesting and I felt and wanted to fight for every character. I found myself willing the mother of the family in question to succeed, to win, to stop being abused by Grimur, probably one of the most horrible characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
But similarly, the investigative side of the story and the complexities of Erlendur and his family also providing interesting reading and a longer narrative over the series of books.
As always, the setting of Iceland, creates a brilliant atmosphere. I often felt that the location in this novel was another character, integral to the plot. But the one thing that sold this book for me more than anything else, was that the identity of the victim wasn't revealed until very near the end of the book. The suspense and the genius of the author for keeping the reader interested and eager to find out who the victim was and how they were killed is excellent. I can't wait to read more by Arnaldur Indridason.
spinachqueen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Veit ekki hvað það er sem heillar mig svo við þessa bók, 10/10 no notes
carozill's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lillelow's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
celtic67's review against another edition
5.0
This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed. it was a story full of well drawn characters and a cracking story.
Detective Erlendur and his team are drawn into what they hope is a missing case scenario when a body is uncovered in a Silent Grave.
Silent, because there seems to be no reason for this grave to be there or clues to who it contains.
This opens up an investigation that opens up the past and also makes Erlendur confront his own demons.
His estranged wife, dysfunctional children and ghosts from his own childhood.
This is a dark book, bleak at times and full of the mystery and brooding atmosphere of the island nation of Iceland.
I would recommend this book even though it is number 4 in the series. It makes me want to read more of this author and Iceland.
A 5 star read!
Detective Erlendur and his team are drawn into what they hope is a missing case scenario when a body is uncovered in a Silent Grave.
Silent, because there seems to be no reason for this grave to be there or clues to who it contains.
This opens up an investigation that opens up the past and also makes Erlendur confront his own demons.
His estranged wife, dysfunctional children and ghosts from his own childhood.
This is a dark book, bleak at times and full of the mystery and brooding atmosphere of the island nation of Iceland.
I would recommend this book even though it is number 4 in the series. It makes me want to read more of this author and Iceland.
A 5 star read!