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doreeny's review against another edition
4.0
Having read the complete Inspector Erlendur series by Indriðason, I was thrilled to learn about this book which is apparently the first in a new series featuring Konrád, a retired police detective.
The body of Sigurvin, a man who went missing in 1985, is found frozen in a glacier. The police suspected Hjaltalín, a business associate with whom Sigurvin had a disagreement, as being responsible for the disappearance, but charges were not laid because of lack of evidence. Thirty years later, Hjaltalín is still claiming innocence, and Konrád, though retired, gets drawn back into the case when Hjaltalín refuses to speak to anyone but him. Hjaltalín wants his name cleared and Konrád wants to close the case which he was not able to solve. Then the detective is approached by a woman who wants him to investigate the hit-and-run death of her brother Villi six years earlier; she mentions her brother’s belief that he witnessed something relevant to the Sigurvin case. Konrád soon becomes convinced there may be a connection between the deaths of the two men.
Since this is apparently the first in a new series, there is considerable focus on describing Konrád’s background and developing his personality. What emerges is a complex character study. We learn about Konrád’s early years living with his criminal father, his relationship with his wife Erna, and his having to cope with a withered arm. We see him in various roles: detective, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather. Now widowed and retired, he is bored and feels a lack of purpose in his life. Frustrated at not having been able to solve the Sigurvin case years ago, he sets out with dogged determination to do so now. Though there is much to admire about him, so most will find him an appealing character, he is a flawed person. As a youth he was not always law-abiding, and he also feels guilt at choices he made in the past. Anger management has been a struggle on more than one occasion. Having a complex character as protagonist is key to a successful series.
Because Konrád is investigating cold cases, the pace is slower than one would find with homicide investigations in real time. He proceeds slowly and methodically; most of his time is spent
(re-)interviewing people, many of whom seem to have very tenuous connections to either Sigurvin or Villi. He does have the advantage of having connections at the police department, but herein lies a problem. Marta, the chief inspector at Reykjavík CID, behaves inconsistently. She calls on Konrád to assist by speaking to Hjaltalín, but later snaps at him for investigating: “’You can’t just start investigating the whole thing again off your own bat . . . It’s totally unacceptable. Surely you can understand that? You have to leave it to us.’” Then later, she actually helps Konrád by compiling a list of people for him to interview.
There are some awkward moments. The reference to Konrád’s weak arm is mentioned only mid-way through the book. The conversations he has about his own father’s criminal past and murder seem out of place, though undoubtedly those are foreshadowing Konrád’s preoccupation in a later installment. Then there are the coincidences, like the sudden appearance of a woman whose name Konrád has just confirmed.
With Sigurvin’s body being disinterred from the ice, the past is brought to the attention of the present. In many ways, the novel examines how the past, people’s choices and actions, haunts their present. Konrád feels guilt and remorse because of his extramarital affair. Unexplained deaths (Konrád’s father, Villi, Engilbert) haunt surviving family members. Egill and Fridný feel so guilty about a hidden treasure that they confess to the police. When those who played a role in Sigurvin and Villi’s deaths are revealed, it is obvious that they too have been haunted by their actions. As Konrád unearths long-buried secrets, the lives of many people are disturbed, but in fact their lives have been uneasy for years.
I’ve toured Iceland and reading this book was like returning for a second visit. I will certainly make another “visit” when the next book in this series is released. The nuanced characters and the complex plot kept my attention and I’m curious to see what awaits Konrád.
Note: I received a digital galley from the publisher via NetGalley.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
The body of Sigurvin, a man who went missing in 1985, is found frozen in a glacier. The police suspected Hjaltalín, a business associate with whom Sigurvin had a disagreement, as being responsible for the disappearance, but charges were not laid because of lack of evidence. Thirty years later, Hjaltalín is still claiming innocence, and Konrád, though retired, gets drawn back into the case when Hjaltalín refuses to speak to anyone but him. Hjaltalín wants his name cleared and Konrád wants to close the case which he was not able to solve. Then the detective is approached by a woman who wants him to investigate the hit-and-run death of her brother Villi six years earlier; she mentions her brother’s belief that he witnessed something relevant to the Sigurvin case. Konrád soon becomes convinced there may be a connection between the deaths of the two men.
Since this is apparently the first in a new series, there is considerable focus on describing Konrád’s background and developing his personality. What emerges is a complex character study. We learn about Konrád’s early years living with his criminal father, his relationship with his wife Erna, and his having to cope with a withered arm. We see him in various roles: detective, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather. Now widowed and retired, he is bored and feels a lack of purpose in his life. Frustrated at not having been able to solve the Sigurvin case years ago, he sets out with dogged determination to do so now. Though there is much to admire about him, so most will find him an appealing character, he is a flawed person. As a youth he was not always law-abiding, and he also feels guilt at choices he made in the past. Anger management has been a struggle on more than one occasion. Having a complex character as protagonist is key to a successful series.
Because Konrád is investigating cold cases, the pace is slower than one would find with homicide investigations in real time. He proceeds slowly and methodically; most of his time is spent
(re-)interviewing people, many of whom seem to have very tenuous connections to either Sigurvin or Villi. He does have the advantage of having connections at the police department, but herein lies a problem. Marta, the chief inspector at Reykjavík CID, behaves inconsistently. She calls on Konrád to assist by speaking to Hjaltalín, but later snaps at him for investigating: “’You can’t just start investigating the whole thing again off your own bat . . . It’s totally unacceptable. Surely you can understand that? You have to leave it to us.’” Then later, she actually helps Konrád by compiling a list of people for him to interview.
There are some awkward moments. The reference to Konrád’s weak arm is mentioned only mid-way through the book. The conversations he has about his own father’s criminal past and murder seem out of place, though undoubtedly those are foreshadowing Konrád’s preoccupation in a later installment. Then there are the coincidences, like the sudden appearance of a woman whose name Konrád has just confirmed.
With Sigurvin’s body being disinterred from the ice, the past is brought to the attention of the present. In many ways, the novel examines how the past, people’s choices and actions, haunts their present. Konrád feels guilt and remorse because of his extramarital affair. Unexplained deaths (Konrád’s father, Villi, Engilbert) haunt surviving family members. Egill and Fridný feel so guilty about a hidden treasure that they confess to the police. When those who played a role in Sigurvin and Villi’s deaths are revealed, it is obvious that they too have been haunted by their actions. As Konrád unearths long-buried secrets, the lives of many people are disturbed, but in fact their lives have been uneasy for years.
I’ve toured Iceland and reading this book was like returning for a second visit. I will certainly make another “visit” when the next book in this series is released. The nuanced characters and the complex plot kept my attention and I’m curious to see what awaits Konrád.
Note: I received a digital galley from the publisher via NetGalley.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
sephranix's review against another edition
4.0
First, thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book!
This was my first Icelandic mystery/thriller, and it definitely will not be my last. Having been to Iceland and taken a tour with a guide, I was immediately hooked by the discovery of the body on the glacier by the tour group. This story was about the 30 year-old cold case that was reopened by the discovery of that body.
I think the thing that works best in this story is the pacing. Because it's the reopening of a cold case, you expect it to be slower than a thriller built around a murder investigation in real-time, and this works extremely well for letting you get to know the characters involved - and there are a lot that you meet. Konrad is a sympathetic main character because you can feel his frustration over not solving this murder 30 years earlier, and as you read there are a lot of nuances to his character that come out, things in his past that shaped him and by extension shaped how he views/his relationships with other people and his job. This story felt at times less like a mystery/thriller and more like a character study for Konrad, and I was totally on board with that.
The resolution was satisfying to me mostly because I didn't really have any suspicions until the very end, but I was enjoying the story anyway. There were some small things mentioned in passing that I thought could have been left out or expanded on more, but they may be addressed in the next books. Either way, they do not detract from this book enough to bother me.
This was my first Icelandic mystery/thriller, and it definitely will not be my last. Having been to Iceland and taken a tour with a guide, I was immediately hooked by the discovery of the body on the glacier by the tour group. This story was about the 30 year-old cold case that was reopened by the discovery of that body.
I think the thing that works best in this story is the pacing. Because it's the reopening of a cold case, you expect it to be slower than a thriller built around a murder investigation in real-time, and this works extremely well for letting you get to know the characters involved - and there are a lot that you meet. Konrad is a sympathetic main character because you can feel his frustration over not solving this murder 30 years earlier, and as you read there are a lot of nuances to his character that come out, things in his past that shaped him and by extension shaped how he views/his relationships with other people and his job. This story felt at times less like a mystery/thriller and more like a character study for Konrad, and I was totally on board with that.
The resolution was satisfying to me mostly because I didn't really have any suspicions until the very end, but I was enjoying the story anyway. There were some small things mentioned in passing that I thought could have been left out or expanded on more, but they may be addressed in the next books. Either way, they do not detract from this book enough to bother me.
chelsmarieantoinette's review against another edition
4.0
The Darkness Knows is an incredibly interesting mystery with a large, unique cast of characters and a beautiful, Icelandic setting. I really enjoyed all the historical Iceland details including the ban on alcohol and regime changes. The names were pretty complicated, though, and I had trouble keeping track of everyone. And I didn’t actually love the ending… after going through so much investigation with Konrád- a retired detective I thoroughly enjoyed- I wanted a bigger twist. It’s still a great mystery and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of police investigation, especially in a unique setting like Iceland.
scorpionights's review against another edition
4.0
Slow start, but similar to Konrad getting back into detective work, the book also picked up in its murder-solving!
I enjoyed this read, especially in learning more about Konrad and his wife, Erna, all through out the book and the mystery around his own father’s murder. At some points it was distracting from the main plot, but it helped better understand Konrad’s perspective so I appreciated that and the reprieve.
Wasn’t expecting the ending either so that was a plus, although it seemed to come out of left field.. maybe more explanation was needed but still, a great read!
I enjoyed this read, especially in learning more about Konrad and his wife, Erna, all through out the book and the mystery around his own father’s murder. At some points it was distracting from the main plot, but it helped better understand Konrad’s perspective so I appreciated that and the reprieve.
Wasn’t expecting the ending either so that was a plus, although it seemed to come out of left field.. maybe more explanation was needed but still, a great read!
jadynmcp's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
karenstory's review against another edition
3.0
He has been missing for 30 years. Long enough for the lead detective to have retired.
So, when the ice that has been melting because of climate change produces a perfectly intact body of the missing person, the once cold case is now hot again.
Can this case be solved?
Or will new bodies be sacrificed to protect this long ago secret?
So, when the ice that has been melting because of climate change produces a perfectly intact body of the missing person, the once cold case is now hot again.
Can this case be solved?
Or will new bodies be sacrificed to protect this long ago secret?
saareman's review
4.0
A Cold Case for Konrad
Review of the Vintage Digital eBook (July 1, 2021) translated by [a:Victoria Cribb|2790834|Victoria Cribb|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] from the Icelandic language original [b:Myrkrið veit|36445236|Myrkrið veit (Konráð, #1)|Arnaldur Indriðason|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574179025l/36445236._SY75_.jpg|58147932] [The Darkness Knows] (November 1, 2017).
We first met retired Icelandic CID detective Konrad in [b:The Shadow District|35011768|The Shadow District|Arnaldur Indriðason|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493485145l/35011768._SY75_.jpg|26640646] (Icelandic orig. 2013/English trans. 2017) where he is retracing the steps of the Flovent & Thorson team in their final case from 1944. That book has a lot of the Konrad backstory, so you could call it Konrad #0.5 as a prequel to Indridason's complete Konrad series (2017-2020).
The Darkness Knows is yet another cold case for Konrad, as finally the body of a man missing from 30 years ago comes to light from the melting ice of the Langjökull glacier. Konrad is several years retired but is called back by his CID colleague Marta to make a last attempt to obtain a confession from the prime suspect who could not be charged at the time due to lack of evidence. A confession is not forthcoming and Konrad attempts to finally unravel the truth, even if he has no official standing.
Map of Iceland showing the location of the Langjökull glacier about 100 km north east of the capital Reykjavik. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
The investigation leads him to an incident at the old water tanks on Öskjuhlíð Hill in Reykjavik, before they were converted into a modern day tourist attraction. It also leads him to yet another unsolved crime from several years earlier, a hit-and-run on Lindargata in the Skuggahverfi (Shadow District) of Reykjavik, where Konrad himself grew up and which was once a more notorious and dangerous part of town.
Photograph of the old water tanks on Öskjuhlíð Hill in Reykjavik. Image sourced from Reykjavik Grapevine Magazine.
A map of the Skuggahverfi (Shadow District) of Reykjavik. Image from Bing Maps sourced from Twitter.
I am really enjoying these recent books by Indridason which involve much more 'normal' Scandi-noir detectives rather than the tortured souls of other Nordic Noir. Konrad has had his demons in the past but at 70+ years of age he obviously takes a much more relaxed route in his uncovering of past crimes. I look forward to the future translations of the series from the Icelandic originals. The Girl on the Bridge (Konrad #2) is expected to be published in English in 2023 (March 23 on Kindle/April 25 in Paperback) translated from the Icelandic original [b:Stúlkan hjá brúnni|42555533|Stúlkan hjá brúnni (Konráð #2)|Arnaldur Indriðason|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540859098l/42555533._SX50_.jpg|66262904] (2018).
Trivia and Links
The old water tank complex on Öskjuhlíð Hill was converted to the modern tourist attraction known as the Perlan (The Pearl) in 1991.
Read about Nine Fascinating Facts about Geothermal Energy and Reykjavik at Iceland Magazine.
Review of the Vintage Digital eBook (July 1, 2021) translated by [a:Victoria Cribb|2790834|Victoria Cribb|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] from the Icelandic language original [b:Myrkrið veit|36445236|Myrkrið veit (Konráð, #1)|Arnaldur Indriðason|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574179025l/36445236._SY75_.jpg|58147932] [The Darkness Knows] (November 1, 2017).
We first met retired Icelandic CID detective Konrad in [b:The Shadow District|35011768|The Shadow District|Arnaldur Indriðason|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493485145l/35011768._SY75_.jpg|26640646] (Icelandic orig. 2013/English trans. 2017) where he is retracing the steps of the Flovent & Thorson team in their final case from 1944. That book has a lot of the Konrad backstory, so you could call it Konrad #0.5 as a prequel to Indridason's complete Konrad series (2017-2020).
The Darkness Knows is yet another cold case for Konrad, as finally the body of a man missing from 30 years ago comes to light from the melting ice of the Langjökull glacier. Konrad is several years retired but is called back by his CID colleague Marta to make a last attempt to obtain a confession from the prime suspect who could not be charged at the time due to lack of evidence. A confession is not forthcoming and Konrad attempts to finally unravel the truth, even if he has no official standing.
Map of Iceland showing the location of the Langjökull glacier about 100 km north east of the capital Reykjavik. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
The investigation leads him to an incident at the old water tanks on Öskjuhlíð Hill in Reykjavik, before they were converted into a modern day tourist attraction. It also leads him to yet another unsolved crime from several years earlier, a hit-and-run on Lindargata in the Skuggahverfi (Shadow District) of Reykjavik, where Konrad himself grew up and which was once a more notorious and dangerous part of town.
Photograph of the old water tanks on Öskjuhlíð Hill in Reykjavik. Image sourced from Reykjavik Grapevine Magazine.
A map of the Skuggahverfi (Shadow District) of Reykjavik. Image from Bing Maps sourced from Twitter.
I am really enjoying these recent books by Indridason which involve much more 'normal' Scandi-noir detectives rather than the tortured souls of other Nordic Noir. Konrad has had his demons in the past but at 70+ years of age he obviously takes a much more relaxed route in his uncovering of past crimes. I look forward to the future translations of the series from the Icelandic originals. The Girl on the Bridge (Konrad #2) is expected to be published in English in 2023 (March 23 on Kindle/April 25 in Paperback) translated from the Icelandic original [b:Stúlkan hjá brúnni|42555533|Stúlkan hjá brúnni (Konráð #2)|Arnaldur Indriðason|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540859098l/42555533._SX50_.jpg|66262904] (2018).
Trivia and Links
The old water tank complex on Öskjuhlíð Hill was converted to the modern tourist attraction known as the Perlan (The Pearl) in 1991.
Read about Nine Fascinating Facts about Geothermal Energy and Reykjavik at Iceland Magazine.
bookworm_3331's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0