Scan barcode
pillywiggin's review against another edition
3.0
None of my questions regarding the previous books in this series were resolved. This was another mystery that happened before the events of the first book in the series. There is still much mention of how Hulda believes she is being discriminated against, but I cannot trust her perception of the situation. The books also never explained how Hulda knew her husband was molesting their daughter. Since Dimma did not leave a suicide note, Hulda has no way of knowing for sure. It could be an example of Hulda relying on her detective instincts which were proven so fatally wrong in the first book. It could also be Hulda's way of absolving herself of being a part of her daughter's problem. I wanted to like Hulda, because she is roughly 10 years older than me in the first book, and so few books have interesting mature female characters older than their 30s. I really didn't, though. Her lack of progress in her career could be a result of others simply being better than her. I understand the title of the series is "Hidden Iceland," and part of what could be hidden is inherent sexism, but I don't think so. All this having been said, Ragnar Jonnasson, please write one more book, whether it features Hulda or not, rescued from her hidden grave and laying a trap for the killer, or having someone else from her division realizing she was onto something in her last case that no one else had noticed, and solving it, and her murder along with it. Please don't let her murder be part of what is hidden in Iceland.
chasinghearts's review against another edition
5.0
C'est toujours un plaisir de retrouver l'écriture et les romands de Ragnar Jonasson, plus d'un an après cette découverte.
On y découvre l'Islande, les paysages et la culture grâce à son écriture au fil des enquêtes menées (ici) par Hulda, à qui on s'attache un peu mais pas totalement, comme si on avait l'impression d'épier son quotidien. Les enquêtes s'entremêlent et se démêlent avec crédibilité, et sans laisser de trou dans le scénario.
Je recommande, même si les styles nordiques (du peu d'expérience que j'en ai) peuvent ne pas convenir à tout le monde.
On y découvre l'Islande, les paysages et la culture grâce à son écriture au fil des enquêtes menées (ici) par Hulda, à qui on s'attache un peu mais pas totalement, comme si on avait l'impression d'épier son quotidien. Les enquêtes s'entremêlent et se démêlent avec crédibilité, et sans laisser de trou dans le scénario.
Je recommande, même si les styles nordiques (du peu d'expérience que j'en ai) peuvent ne pas convenir à tout le monde.
leontyna's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Quite interesting intrigue, I had some suspicions throughout but the solution turned out to be entirely different.
alliepeduto's review against another edition
3.0
Well, considering I picked this up because I wanted a cold, dark read, I probably should have enjoyed it more. That is, ultimately, the whole point of reading Nordic Noir. I will say the atmosphere was spot on, 5 out of 5 to the author for creating an claustrophobic feeling throughout the novel. I get chills (literally...Iceland is cold!) thinking about it.
That being said, it was a little obvious. It wasn’t the locked room mystery I was hoping for, and I am very over the unreliable narrator trope. And the side plot of Hulda’s personal life was so incredibly sad. I had a bad feeling about it from the start of the book and I hate that I was right.
Overall, I would definitely read more from the author, but I might try to see if he has a more traditional crime novel. I think that would be more my speed.
That being said, it was a little obvious. It wasn’t the locked room mystery I was hoping for, and I am very over the unreliable narrator trope. And the side plot of Hulda’s personal life was so incredibly sad. I had a bad feeling about it from the start of the book and I hate that I was right.
Overall, I would definitely read more from the author, but I might try to see if he has a more traditional crime novel. I think that would be more my speed.
juniperusxx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Olipa huikean hyvä päätös Hulda-trilogialle. Tämä oli pakko lukea ahmimalla, kirjan jännite jatkui piinaavana alusta loppuun saakka. Jónasson käyttää Islannin talvista, eristettyä ympäristöä hyväkseen jännityksen luomiseen ja taatusti siinä onnistuu. Olisikohan tässä kirjassa karmaisevin lukemani kuvaus joulunpyhistä, tunnelma oli niin kaukana jouluidyllistä!
alnicholl77's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i_blamebookit's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ria_sedai's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.75