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Dark Iceland #6
Winterkill
When the body of a nineteen-year-old girl is found on the main street of Siglufjörður, Police Inspector Ari Thór battles a violent Icelandic storm in an increasingly dangerous hunt for her killer … The chilling, claustrophobic finale to the international bestselling Dark Iceland series.
Easter weekend is approaching, and snow is gently falling in Siglufjörður, the northernmost town in Iceland, as crowds of tourists arrive to visit the majestic ski slopes.
Ari Thór Arason is now a police inspector, but he’s separated from his girlfriend, who lives in Sweden with their three-year-old son. A family reunion is planned for the holiday, but a violent blizzard is threatening and there is an unsettling chill in the air.
Three days before Easter, a nineteen-year-old local girl falls to her death from the balcony of a house on the main street. A perplexing entry in her diary suggests that this may not be an accident, and when an old man in a local nursing home writes ‘She was murdered’ again and again on the wall of his room, there is every suggestion that something more sinister lies at the heart of her death…
As the extreme weather closes in, cutting the power and access to Siglufjörður, Ari Thór must piece together the puzzle to reveal a horrible truth … one that will leave no one unscathed.
Chilling, claustrophobic and disturbing, Winterkill marks the startling conclusion to the million-copy bestselling Dark Iceland series and cements Ragnar Jónasson as one of the most exciting authors in crime fiction.
Easter weekend is approaching, and snow is gently falling in Siglufjörður, the northernmost town in Iceland, as crowds of tourists arrive to visit the majestic ski slopes.
Ari Thór Arason is now a police inspector, but he’s separated from his girlfriend, who lives in Sweden with their three-year-old son. A family reunion is planned for the holiday, but a violent blizzard is threatening and there is an unsettling chill in the air.
Three days before Easter, a nineteen-year-old local girl falls to her death from the balcony of a house on the main street. A perplexing entry in her diary suggests that this may not be an accident, and when an old man in a local nursing home writes ‘She was murdered’ again and again on the wall of his room, there is every suggestion that something more sinister lies at the heart of her death…
As the extreme weather closes in, cutting the power and access to Siglufjörður, Ari Thór must piece together the puzzle to reveal a horrible truth … one that will leave no one unscathed.
Chilling, claustrophobic and disturbing, Winterkill marks the startling conclusion to the million-copy bestselling Dark Iceland series and cements Ragnar Jónasson as one of the most exciting authors in crime fiction.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2020
694 people are currently reading
3907 people want to read
About the author
Ragnar Jónasson
57 books3,704 followersRagnar Jonasson is author of the award winning and international bestselling Dark Iceland series.
His debut Snowblind, first in the Dark Iceland series, went to number one in the Amazon Kindle charts shortly after publication. The book was also a no. 1 Amazon Kindle bestseller in Australia. Snowblind has been a paperback bestseller in France.
Nightblind won the Dead Good Reader Award 2016 for Most Captivating Crime in Translation.
Snowblind was called a "classically crafted whodunit" by THE NEW YORK TIMES, and it was selected by The Independent as one of the best crime novels of 2015 in the UK.
Rights to the Dark Iceland series have been sold to UK, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Poland, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Morocco, Portugal, Croatia, Armenia and Iceland.
Ragnar was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he works as a writer and a lawyer. He also teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University and has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV-news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
He is also the co-founder of the Reykjavik international crime writing festival Iceland Noir.
From the age of 17, Ragnar translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic.
Ragnar has also had short stories published internationally, including in the distinguished Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in the US, the first stories by an Icelandic author in that magazine.
He has appeared on festival panels worldwide, and lives in Reykjavik.
His debut Snowblind, first in the Dark Iceland series, went to number one in the Amazon Kindle charts shortly after publication. The book was also a no. 1 Amazon Kindle bestseller in Australia. Snowblind has been a paperback bestseller in France.
Nightblind won the Dead Good Reader Award 2016 for Most Captivating Crime in Translation.
Snowblind was called a "classically crafted whodunit" by THE NEW YORK TIMES, and it was selected by The Independent as one of the best crime novels of 2015 in the UK.
Rights to the Dark Iceland series have been sold to UK, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Poland, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Morocco, Portugal, Croatia, Armenia and Iceland.
Ragnar was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he works as a writer and a lawyer. He also teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University and has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV-news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
He is also the co-founder of the Reykjavik international crime writing festival Iceland Noir.
From the age of 17, Ragnar translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic.
Ragnar has also had short stories published internationally, including in the distinguished Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in the US, the first stories by an Icelandic author in that magazine.
He has appeared on festival panels worldwide, and lives in Reykjavik.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 507 reviews
February 10, 2021
Ragnar Jonasson gives us one final outing for Ari Thor Arason in the 6th of his Dark Iceland series set in the remote north Icelandic town of Siglufjordur, now a more accessible place with a huge growth in tourism. At long last Ari is beginning to be regarded as more of a local, he is now an Inspector, and has recruited Ogmundur in the nostalgic hope that he could replicate his valuable mentor relationship with Tomas, now in Reykjavik. However, while Ogmundur is more sociable than him, he is not as diligent a police officer, nor as hardworking, nor as respectful of Ari's skills and experience, meaning he is not someone Ari can rely on. With a heavy snowstorm on the horizon, it is approaching Easter and Ari is hoping to spend time with his 3 year old son, Stefnir, as he hardly ever sees him, Kristin, his ex-girlfriend is now living in Sweden, and they have come for a visit.
Ari moves to the hotel for the duration of their visit, whilst Kristin and Stefnir take over his apartment, he is hoping to spend as much time as possible with Stefnir, but he has an investigation on his hands that he unfortunately is unable to delegate. A young 19 year old girl, Unnur, looks to have committed suicide by jumping off a building where the resident is attending a conference in Reykjavik. It's a terrible tragedy but initially it looks to be a straight forward inquiry, but the distraught mother insists Unnur would never have committed suicide, not to mention the father arrives from abroad to ensure the police discover the truth. However, an old friend with whom he had serious chemistry but who has avoided him for some time, Ulga, is now a care worker. She calls him to relate an incident of an elderly dementia suffering man, who has painted his room with the words she was murdered.
It takes some time, but the darkest of deeds are eventually uncovered, culminating in a showdown in the midst of a blackout in a snowstorm, a snowstorm that led to Kristin and Stefnir leaving early to return to Sweden. This is a slow burn character driven read, part of a popular crime series, with a fantastic atmospheric sense of location, which has Ari wondering about his future, worrying that Tomas has forgotten to find him an opening in Reykjavik, wondering if his future is to be a local cop in this small town. While his relationship with Karin has been difficult at times, she never adjusted to the demands of his job, he thinks that it might be a good idea for them to once again become a family for Stefnir's sake, but Karin is not giving him the vibes that this is something she would consider. This is a terrific ending to the crime series that fans will enjoy, along with other crime fiction readers too. Many thanks to Orenda Books for an ARC.
Ari moves to the hotel for the duration of their visit, whilst Kristin and Stefnir take over his apartment, he is hoping to spend as much time as possible with Stefnir, but he has an investigation on his hands that he unfortunately is unable to delegate. A young 19 year old girl, Unnur, looks to have committed suicide by jumping off a building where the resident is attending a conference in Reykjavik. It's a terrible tragedy but initially it looks to be a straight forward inquiry, but the distraught mother insists Unnur would never have committed suicide, not to mention the father arrives from abroad to ensure the police discover the truth. However, an old friend with whom he had serious chemistry but who has avoided him for some time, Ulga, is now a care worker. She calls him to relate an incident of an elderly dementia suffering man, who has painted his room with the words she was murdered.
It takes some time, but the darkest of deeds are eventually uncovered, culminating in a showdown in the midst of a blackout in a snowstorm, a snowstorm that led to Kristin and Stefnir leaving early to return to Sweden. This is a slow burn character driven read, part of a popular crime series, with a fantastic atmospheric sense of location, which has Ari wondering about his future, worrying that Tomas has forgotten to find him an opening in Reykjavik, wondering if his future is to be a local cop in this small town. While his relationship with Karin has been difficult at times, she never adjusted to the demands of his job, he thinks that it might be a good idea for them to once again become a family for Stefnir's sake, but Karin is not giving him the vibes that this is something she would consider. This is a terrific ending to the crime series that fans will enjoy, along with other crime fiction readers too. Many thanks to Orenda Books for an ARC.
September 14, 2024
4.5 stars.
I was delighted that author Ragnar Jonasson has brought back Ari Thor. This is the final book in the character-driven police procedural set in the north of Iceland.
Ari was first posted to the small, remote, oceanside town from Reykjavik 7 years earlier. He found the long winters dark, cold, and depressing. The isolation of Siglufjodur felt claustrophobic. Now, much has changed. A new road and stronger tunnel have made the town more accessible and prosperous. Tourists flock in for skiing. What was once vacant shacks have been renovated into pleasant homes and holiday cottages, and there are now sports shops and cafes.
The towns' remote beauty, long, dark winters with its raging blizzards, and bright summer days are well described in brilliant atmospheric prose. When this series started, I watched a mystery series that was actually filmed in Siglufjodur and was struck by its scenic beauty.
Ari Thor has now been promoted to Police Inspector and has a young officer under his command. His ex-girlfriend has moved to Sweden with their 3-year-old son. They had a rocky off and on relationship throughout the series. Easter weekend is approaching, and he is anxious to welcome his former partner and his son for a holiday. He misses seeing his son more often.
Just before Easter, a 19-year-old girl jumped to her death from a building onto the main street. It appears to be suicide, but Ari suspects there may be more to it. People who knew the girl doubt she would have killed herself. Ari feels they are withholding helpful information. When a nursing home patient(suffering from periods of dementia interspersed with clarity) repeatedly writes on his wall, "She was murdered," Ari becomes more involved in discovering the horrible reason for her death.
Ari is temporarily living in an apartment, having turned his apartment over to his ex-partner and son. With his investigation heating up, he cannot spend as much time with his son that he wants. He doesn't trust his new officer with much of the police work. His girlfriend and boy leave early to return to Sweden.
There are several suspects. He must question residents of the building from which she jumped, her shattered parents, and her few friends. He is faced with a complex puzzle and secretive people until the disturbing truth is finally revealed.
Ragnar Jonasson has become my favourite writer of Nordic Noir, and I have read all his books. Their translation is excellent. I was glad to learn he has a standalone mystery to be published in 2021.
I was delighted that author Ragnar Jonasson has brought back Ari Thor. This is the final book in the character-driven police procedural set in the north of Iceland.
Ari was first posted to the small, remote, oceanside town from Reykjavik 7 years earlier. He found the long winters dark, cold, and depressing. The isolation of Siglufjodur felt claustrophobic. Now, much has changed. A new road and stronger tunnel have made the town more accessible and prosperous. Tourists flock in for skiing. What was once vacant shacks have been renovated into pleasant homes and holiday cottages, and there are now sports shops and cafes.
The towns' remote beauty, long, dark winters with its raging blizzards, and bright summer days are well described in brilliant atmospheric prose. When this series started, I watched a mystery series that was actually filmed in Siglufjodur and was struck by its scenic beauty.
Ari Thor has now been promoted to Police Inspector and has a young officer under his command. His ex-girlfriend has moved to Sweden with their 3-year-old son. They had a rocky off and on relationship throughout the series. Easter weekend is approaching, and he is anxious to welcome his former partner and his son for a holiday. He misses seeing his son more often.
Just before Easter, a 19-year-old girl jumped to her death from a building onto the main street. It appears to be suicide, but Ari suspects there may be more to it. People who knew the girl doubt she would have killed herself. Ari feels they are withholding helpful information. When a nursing home patient(suffering from periods of dementia interspersed with clarity) repeatedly writes on his wall, "She was murdered," Ari becomes more involved in discovering the horrible reason for her death.
Ari is temporarily living in an apartment, having turned his apartment over to his ex-partner and son. With his investigation heating up, he cannot spend as much time with his son that he wants. He doesn't trust his new officer with much of the police work. His girlfriend and boy leave early to return to Sweden.
There are several suspects. He must question residents of the building from which she jumped, her shattered parents, and her few friends. He is faced with a complex puzzle and secretive people until the disturbing truth is finally revealed.
Ragnar Jonasson has become my favourite writer of Nordic Noir, and I have read all his books. Their translation is excellent. I was glad to learn he has a standalone mystery to be published in 2021.
February 8, 2025
Winterkill is the last book in the Dark Iceland crime fiction noir series by Ragnar Jonasson. I read the first in the series in anticipation of a trip that included Iceland and became hooked, reading the entire series. This book was written at the demand of the public and published in 2020, ten years after the first book in the Dark Iceland series, Snowblind. But Ragnar Jonasson makes in clear that this is the last book in the series. Winterkill is a spectacular coda in the life of Police Inspector Ari Thor Arason in the northernmost town in Iceland, Siglufjorour. Easter weekend is approaching with Ari Thor looking forward to a visit from Kristen and their toddler son in the midst of their on and off-again relationship as she pursues her medical studies in Sweden. There have been changes to Siglufjorour as well during the six years that Ari Thor has made his career on the police department in that the town. It is no longer cut off in the winter with the tunnel and has now become a tourist destination, the nearby majestic ski slopes being the big draw. However, as a light snow is falling Inspector Ari Thor is summoned to investigate the death of a young nineteen-year old girl after a fall from a balcony, the question being whether she jumped or was she pushed. Complicating the mystery is an elderly resident in a care center suffering from dementia who paints on his wall in bright red paint, She was murdered. This seems to suggest that something more sinister may be at play. As the storm extends its icy grip over Siglufjorour as the weekend continues shutting off the power throughout the village, Ari Thor must put the pieces of the puzzle together leaving no one unscathed in this startling conclusion to the series. While there may be crimes at the heart of this mystery, it is truly a tale of changes and how people come to terms with those changes. I will miss Ari Thor and this historic corner of Iceland.
April 17, 2021
In "Winterkill" by Ragnar Jonasson, Inspector Ari Thor finds the body of a teenaged girl at the beginning of the long Easter weekend. And so begins a routine investigation into what initially appears to be a suicide ... an investigation that turns up no suspects until rather late in the story.
The characters are likable and multi-dimensionable. The winter atmosphere in Northern Iceland was vividly portrayed. The mystery was well-layered and filled with clever twists.
A superb international crime novel.
The characters are likable and multi-dimensionable. The winter atmosphere in Northern Iceland was vividly portrayed. The mystery was well-layered and filled with clever twists.
A superb international crime novel.
October 10, 2021
A great ending to a great series. I loved being back in Siglufjordur, the absolute highlight to this series. And although the crime was ugly and unpleasant, the ending left me warm and runny. Perfect!
May 30, 2024
My enjoyment of this book began when I read Ragnar Jónasson's words on the dedication page: "To all the friends of Ari Thor who asked me to write one more book about him."
This is an atmospheric mystery set in Iceland and I gasped at the end. My final enjoyment was to read the acknowledgments and discover how a football match in Scotland was the pivotal event that resulted in this series being translated and becoming accessible to the English speaking population. I am so glad!
This is an atmospheric mystery set in Iceland and I gasped at the end. My final enjoyment was to read the acknowledgments and discover how a football match in Scotland was the pivotal event that resulted in this series being translated and becoming accessible to the English speaking population. I am so glad!
February 2, 2021
Ari Thor Arason is a small town policeman in Northern Iceland. The town is undergoing a renaissance, with skiing and other recreation bringing tourists after the collapse of the fishing industry many years earlier. Ari Thor is looking forward to a reunion of sorts with his son and his ex-girlfriend, who are visiting for Easter weekend from Sweden, where they live. A teenage girl is found dead, having presumably jumped from a balcony, where the building owner (a history writer) lives part time. A quiet, shy girl, her mother is devastated and is convinced that a murder took place. What Ari's investigation reveals is a much different answer. While trying to balance time with his family, a junior police colleague, an ex-girlfriend reaches out to him because one of the senior residents in the care center where she works has written "She was murdered" all over the walls. I enjoyed this series very much because of Jonasson's atmospheric writing style for a remote, but beautiful place.
November 8, 2020
Visit the locations in Winterkill
A Mystery to transport you to rural Iceland – Siglufjörður
I was so happy to go back to Siglufjörður. It feels like ages, but with the best places, once you go back you feel as if you haven’t left at all. The place is the same yet there are new people passing through, the same Ari Thor in the police trying to work with his new team members and a new mystery. There’s still the feeling of remoteness, snow and isolation yet there’s a new road bringing in a lot more outsiders.
Ooh but this time we go outside of the town and visit Siglunes, an even more remote place. When the characters in the novel go here, I felt genuine trepidation…..
Ari is of course the central character and he’s troubled. His son and ex-partner are back in town and he’s having to manage the complications that go along with that as well as a new and strange case he’s working on. A girl has been found dead outside an apartment block in the town. The owner is away in the city, so who is this girl and how did she get into the apartment? Why was she there? How did she die?
The investigation is deliciously complex and sensitive. Ari visits the parents, talks to her friends and suddenly, slowly, the real reasons for this girl’s death become clear. It’s a twisted case where the witnesses are strange, the girl’s friends distant and then there’s the man, a visiting artist, who ‘just happened to be in the area when the body was found’.
his was a multi-layered and very deep mystery with many more threads to it than I first realised. It’s quite a short novel too, so it really does pack a punch! The writing is sharp, the plotting clever ( but the case is very sad!) and the translation brings this to the fore. Kudos to David Warriner for translating this from the French. Other novels have been directly translated from the Icelandic but you can’t tell the difference.
Aaah, how I’ve missed Siglufjörður. Ari shows us just how this place has changed, yet how it has also stayed the same. He doesn’t like the extra tourists, that’s for sure. He talks and grumbles about the famous tunnel which connects the town to the outside world, and the snow which keeps it apart.
Recommended!
March 23, 2021
The sixth and final story in the highly enjoyable Dark Iceland series sees Ari Thor Arason, now promoted to Police Inspector of Siglufjörður leading a quiet, rather dull life. That is until a local teenage girl falls to her death from a balcony in the main street of the town.
At first, it looks like either a tragic accident or suicide. Then, firstly, an old man in a nursing home scrawls “she was murdered” repeatedly on his bedroom wall and shortly after visiting the dead girl’s mother, Ari Thor discovers a journal entry which suggests her life may have been under threat.
Even though it’s near Easter, this is the north of Iceland, just below the Arctic Circle, and a fierce snowstorm cuts off all power and access to Siglufjörður while a possible killer is still roaming free.
Once again Ragnar manages to combine the Agatha Christie “locked room” style mystery with a remote and hostile setting – a combination he’s very much made his own. Another worthy addition and fitting finale to Dark Iceland.
At first, it looks like either a tragic accident or suicide. Then, firstly, an old man in a nursing home scrawls “she was murdered” repeatedly on his bedroom wall and shortly after visiting the dead girl’s mother, Ari Thor discovers a journal entry which suggests her life may have been under threat.
Even though it’s near Easter, this is the north of Iceland, just below the Arctic Circle, and a fierce snowstorm cuts off all power and access to Siglufjörður while a possible killer is still roaming free.
Once again Ragnar manages to combine the Agatha Christie “locked room” style mystery with a remote and hostile setting – a combination he’s very much made his own. Another worthy addition and fitting finale to Dark Iceland.
November 11, 2020
December is coming and with it comes Ari Thor, involved in another chilly Icelandic mystery in the town of Siglufjörður and it really is perfect winter reading.
Ragnar Jonasson, as always, captures the beautiful yet often claustrophobic setting pitch perfectly and offers us another addictive mystery with superbly crafted characters and an unpredictable sense to it.
What I love about these is the real life stuff going on alongside the investigative story, this draws you into events in a unique way, I don’t think I’ve read another author who does that quite as well. Ari Thor is so relatable and his domestic life is as intriguing as his professional one.
Winterkill has a fascinating and relevant central theme and is brilliantly executed so the resolution is not easy to guess. Overall I thought it was truly excellent, I read it in one sitting. Highly recommended.
Ragnar Jonasson, as always, captures the beautiful yet often claustrophobic setting pitch perfectly and offers us another addictive mystery with superbly crafted characters and an unpredictable sense to it.
What I love about these is the real life stuff going on alongside the investigative story, this draws you into events in a unique way, I don’t think I’ve read another author who does that quite as well. Ari Thor is so relatable and his domestic life is as intriguing as his professional one.
Winterkill has a fascinating and relevant central theme and is brilliantly executed so the resolution is not easy to guess. Overall I thought it was truly excellent, I read it in one sitting. Highly recommended.
December 18, 2020
I read this before #5 but it didn't really matter. In this novel, a young woman is found dead in the street. She appears to have fallen from the balcony of the building above. There is a rather convoluted plot as Ari Thor investigates what may have happened to her. I was never fully engaged in the book, largely because of what I thought was a poor translation - into English via the French edition. The prose appeared very flat and this made the story much less interesting. It contrasts with the lively translations by Quentin Bates of Jonasson's other Dark Iceland books.
This purports to be the final book of the Dark Iceland series. I've read them all and enjoyed them well enough. What I liked best was the evocation of place especially in winter - remote, dark, cold. Iceland is a place I have never visited and am unlikely to now. I am glad to have experienced it via Jonasson's books.
This purports to be the final book of the Dark Iceland series. I've read them all and enjoyed them well enough. What I liked best was the evocation of place especially in winter - remote, dark, cold. Iceland is a place I have never visited and am unlikely to now. I am glad to have experienced it via Jonasson's books.
December 13, 2020
It is sad to say goodbye to these characters.
This evidently is the last book in the Ari Thor Arason saga. He is a young police officer who has migrated from Reykjavik to the small town of Siglufjordur on Iceland’s northern coast. Over the years, he has become an Inspector in a two man station. There is a gentle rhythm to the town, alternating between long, cold winters and glorious but short summers. Ari has settled into the town and is finding satisfaction in his life despite being estranged from his girlfriend and his three year old son.
As the story opens, Easter weekend is approaching and Ari Thor is looking forward to a visit with his girlfriend and his son. There is also the threat of a late season snow storm. Ari’s spirits are high until he is called to the scene of an apparent suicide. A nineteen year old girl has inexplicably jumped from a building. It appears to be an open and shut case of suicide. Still, Ari has a niggling sense of doubt.
Ari begins a meandering investigation with very few clues to guide him.Along the way, we get a glimpse of his personal doubts and interpersonal struggles. The action moves a a gentle pace until both the weather and sudden revelations ratchet up the suspense. This book has well drawn characters and an engaging narrative. I will miss Ari Thor and Siglufjordur if this is truly the end of their chronicles.
This evidently is the last book in the Ari Thor Arason saga. He is a young police officer who has migrated from Reykjavik to the small town of Siglufjordur on Iceland’s northern coast. Over the years, he has become an Inspector in a two man station. There is a gentle rhythm to the town, alternating between long, cold winters and glorious but short summers. Ari has settled into the town and is finding satisfaction in his life despite being estranged from his girlfriend and his three year old son.
As the story opens, Easter weekend is approaching and Ari Thor is looking forward to a visit with his girlfriend and his son. There is also the threat of a late season snow storm. Ari’s spirits are high until he is called to the scene of an apparent suicide. A nineteen year old girl has inexplicably jumped from a building. It appears to be an open and shut case of suicide. Still, Ari has a niggling sense of doubt.
Ari begins a meandering investigation with very few clues to guide him.Along the way, we get a glimpse of his personal doubts and interpersonal struggles. The action moves a a gentle pace until both the weather and sudden revelations ratchet up the suspense. This book has well drawn characters and an engaging narrative. I will miss Ari Thor and Siglufjordur if this is truly the end of their chronicles.
September 9, 2021
My first read this of this author. Not bad. Inspector Ari Thor is based in the Northern most isolated town in Iceland, Siglufjorour. It is a coastal town undergoing a resurgence with tourism. A young nineteen year old girl is found dead after apparently falling from a balcony in the Main Street of the town.
I enjoyed the wintry atmosphere and the blizzard. The coldness leaps off the pages as the storm approaches. The nursing home story of why a senile man wrote ‘She was murdered’ on his wall is also intriguing. It was a bit repetitive of his struggle regarding Kristin and whether to try again with her for the sake of his badly named son Stefnir (pronounced STEB neer in Icelandic). Actually, the pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book was very useful. Do not read further as SPOILERS.
In the end the story tied up nicely with the murdered girls temporary history teacher a pervert. Her mother exacting revenge. The mystery of the senile mans writing solved with uncovering the doctor owners aunt dying a few months unexpectedly and him inheriting all her money to save the nursing home from bankruptcy. Not sure how his rekindled relationship with Ugla is going to turn out after she finds out she may be unemployed!
Overall a good read and I will keep an eye out for the other books in the series.
I enjoyed the wintry atmosphere and the blizzard. The coldness leaps off the pages as the storm approaches. The nursing home story of why a senile man wrote ‘She was murdered’ on his wall is also intriguing. It was a bit repetitive of his struggle regarding Kristin and whether to try again with her for the sake of his badly named son Stefnir (pronounced STEB neer in Icelandic). Actually, the pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book was very useful. Do not read further as SPOILERS.
In the end the story tied up nicely with the murdered girls temporary history teacher a pervert. Her mother exacting revenge. The mystery of the senile mans writing solved with uncovering the doctor owners aunt dying a few months unexpectedly and him inheriting all her money to save the nursing home from bankruptcy. Not sure how his rekindled relationship with Ugla is going to turn out after she finds out she may be unemployed!
Overall a good read and I will keep an eye out for the other books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2024
Sexto libro de la saga del policía Ari Thór. Lo sigo leyendo con interés aunque en mi opinión ha descendido algo el nivel respecto a las primeras.
Más volcado en el tema de sus relaciones personales se me está haciendo un poco light para mi gusto. Se agradecería unas tramas más truculentas.
Más volcado en el tema de sus relaciones personales se me está haciendo un poco light para mi gusto. Se agradecería unas tramas más truculentas.
December 17, 2020
Dark mystery set in northern ICELAND
Winterkill is the 6th (and final…) book in Ragnar Jónasson’s Dark Iceland series. I have enjoyed every one…
As ever, the main character is Ari Thór Arason. Ari Thór has been promoted to police inspector in Siglufjörður, a small ex-fishing town in the north of Iceland. One of the delights of the series is seeing how Ari Thór has progressed in both his professional and personal life… his old boss, Tómas, has relocated down to Reykjavik and ArI Thór is now in charge in Siglufjörður police station. Kristín, his Reykjavik-based girl friend in the first book, now separated and living in Sweden with their son, has returned to the town for Easter – so that Ari Thór can spend some ‘family’ time with Stefnir. He does not, though, have a much time as he anticipated he would.
In the middle of the night, the body of a local girl, is found on the street. She had either jumped, or been pushed, from a balcony three floors up. There are no witnesses. Her mother is distraught, and has no idea what may have happened. Why was she in that house in the first place, and had she been alone or with someone? The girl, Unnur was her name, had been very quiet and hard working at school. No evidence at all that she got in with ‘the wrong crowd’ or would have done anything foolish. Air Thór investigates, but struggles to find a motive…The investigation is difficult, but eventually comes to a very disturbing and frightening conclusion. Icelandic Noir at its best. The story progresses through an exceptionally cold weekend that ends up in a whiteout blizzard. Ragnar is an absolute master at building stories around harsh winter weather conditions in northern Iceland. You can feel the cold seeping off the pages.
Something about this book particularly intrigues me (a mystery in its own right?). The English translation from the Icelandic is via the French edition of Winterkill. The translator is David Warriner, who is also the excellent translator into English of Roxanne Bouchard’s respected mystery series set on the Gaspé Peninsular in Canada. But why go from Icelandic to French to get to English? Not, I would have thought, an easy task…
All in all, Winterkill is a great addition to the Dark Iceland series.
Winterkill is the 6th (and final…) book in Ragnar Jónasson’s Dark Iceland series. I have enjoyed every one…
As ever, the main character is Ari Thór Arason. Ari Thór has been promoted to police inspector in Siglufjörður, a small ex-fishing town in the north of Iceland. One of the delights of the series is seeing how Ari Thór has progressed in both his professional and personal life… his old boss, Tómas, has relocated down to Reykjavik and ArI Thór is now in charge in Siglufjörður police station. Kristín, his Reykjavik-based girl friend in the first book, now separated and living in Sweden with their son, has returned to the town for Easter – so that Ari Thór can spend some ‘family’ time with Stefnir. He does not, though, have a much time as he anticipated he would.
In the middle of the night, the body of a local girl, is found on the street. She had either jumped, or been pushed, from a balcony three floors up. There are no witnesses. Her mother is distraught, and has no idea what may have happened. Why was she in that house in the first place, and had she been alone or with someone? The girl, Unnur was her name, had been very quiet and hard working at school. No evidence at all that she got in with ‘the wrong crowd’ or would have done anything foolish. Air Thór investigates, but struggles to find a motive…The investigation is difficult, but eventually comes to a very disturbing and frightening conclusion. Icelandic Noir at its best. The story progresses through an exceptionally cold weekend that ends up in a whiteout blizzard. Ragnar is an absolute master at building stories around harsh winter weather conditions in northern Iceland. You can feel the cold seeping off the pages.
Something about this book particularly intrigues me (a mystery in its own right?). The English translation from the Icelandic is via the French edition of Winterkill. The translator is David Warriner, who is also the excellent translator into English of Roxanne Bouchard’s respected mystery series set on the Gaspé Peninsular in Canada. But why go from Icelandic to French to get to English? Not, I would have thought, an easy task…
All in all, Winterkill is a great addition to the Dark Iceland series.
January 8, 2023
4.0 stars
I've read several of this author's series and this one remains my favourite. I just love the characterization of Ari and it's been great to see him grow and mature. The mystery was good but honestly I read these books for the atmosphere and character work.
I've read several of this author's series and this one remains my favourite. I just love the characterization of Ari and it's been great to see him grow and mature. The mystery was good but honestly I read these books for the atmosphere and character work.
March 8, 2021
Great Nordic noir in this series.
October 19, 2021
Sko- ég er ekki mikill aðdáandi reyfara/ spennusagnabókmennta þar sem það pirrar mig þegar fléttan og hegðun fólks er ótrúverðug.
Höfundur hefur fengið verðlaun og viðurkenningar og ég tilheyri líklega bara ekki rétta markhópnum.
Höfundur er góður penni, textinn flæðir vel og sögupersónur og atburðir eru vel fléttuð saman.
Þetta er 6.bókin um lögreglumanninn Ara en sú fyrsta sem ég les og það getur skýrt það sem skemmdi mína upplifun.
Það sem skemmdi mína upplifun er td.:
Hjónin Hersir og Rósa: tala endalaust um fjárhagsvandræðin og hvað væri gott að hafa leyst úr þeim; þarna er hjakkað í „vísbendingu” á óeðlilegan hátt.
Líka hjakkað í því að nú séu ekki öll heimili ólæst lengur (fínt fyrir þá sem ekki þekkja til- en ekkert nýtt fyrir lögguna á staðnum) hjakkað í snúðunun á bakaríinu, líka því að Ari trúi ekki á guð, sé ekki sálusorgari og hafi verið í guðfræði.
Einkaerfinginn; var ekki bara hægt að nota fjármuni þeirrar gömlu? Konan út úr heiminum og eini ættinginn því væntanlega með aðgang að hennar eignum.... gat örugglega hjálpað henni að ráðstafa eignum...
Vitnið: Í alvöru- má maðurinn ekki fara í göngutúr að næturlagi!
Ari: Hefur ekki séð 3ja ára son sinn í marga mánuði en leggur ENGA áherslu á að vera einn með honum á heimili sínu- hoppar beint á hótel og finnst fínt að móðirin sjái um krakkann. Það virðist ekki hvarfla að honum að skipuleggja neitt með syni sínum & og þó að móðirin sé ungur læknir í framhaldsnámi hefur hann ekki eina hugsun um að sinna þurfi barninu þegar hún er í svo krefjandi námi.
Skrýtið eða kalla pabba sinn endurskoðanda en móðurina ekki fiðluleikara.
Dauði Unnar: ekkert minnst á niðurstöðu krufningar; td möguleika á nauðgun, kynlífi.
Hótun um stafrænt ofbeldi... eru ekki komin lög um slíkt?
Var engin ástæða til að ræða við fleiri frá framhaldsskólanum- aðra nemendur eða skólastjórann?
Aukasíminn: skipti engu að fá simanúmerin þar?
Siglufjörður- veðurfar oþh- frekar skrýtnar lýsingar (öruggglega flottar fyrir útlendinga- skrýtnar f. norðlendinga- margir elska vetrarveður)
Heimsókn í óveðri: hver einasta heilvita manneskja dregur manneskjuna FYRST inn og lokar útidyrunun áður en hún tekur tíma í erindið- er það ekki? (Eða er skjólið etv mjög gott yfir dyrunum og það óþarfi?
Er ekki frekar skrýtið að búa á Siglufirði í 6 ár og þekkja ekki flest alla eftir þann tíma? Eiga sama og enga vini, áhugamál, tómstundir?
Var lögreglan ekkert að spá í umferðarmál í páskaumferð með yfirvofandi óveður?
Eðlilegt að láta samstarfsmanninn hlaupast algjörlega undan verkefnum og ábyrgð? (Sagður voða fínn í mannlegum samskiptum við aðra- þe þetta etv vandamál Ara?)
En bókin er fín fyrir þá sem láta svona smáatriði ekki trufla sig:)
Ég þarf greinilega að lesa meira um Ara og sjá hvort ég skilji eitthvað í honum- virkar býsna undarlegur.
Höfundur hefur fengið verðlaun og viðurkenningar og ég tilheyri líklega bara ekki rétta markhópnum.
Höfundur er góður penni, textinn flæðir vel og sögupersónur og atburðir eru vel fléttuð saman.
Þetta er 6.bókin um lögreglumanninn Ara en sú fyrsta sem ég les og það getur skýrt það sem skemmdi mína upplifun.
Það sem skemmdi mína upplifun er td.:
Hjónin Hersir og Rósa: tala endalaust um fjárhagsvandræðin og hvað væri gott að hafa leyst úr þeim; þarna er hjakkað í „vísbendingu” á óeðlilegan hátt.
Líka hjakkað í því að nú séu ekki öll heimili ólæst lengur (fínt fyrir þá sem ekki þekkja til- en ekkert nýtt fyrir lögguna á staðnum) hjakkað í snúðunun á bakaríinu, líka því að Ari trúi ekki á guð, sé ekki sálusorgari og hafi verið í guðfræði.
Einkaerfinginn; var ekki bara hægt að nota fjármuni þeirrar gömlu? Konan út úr heiminum og eini ættinginn því væntanlega með aðgang að hennar eignum.... gat örugglega hjálpað henni að ráðstafa eignum...
Vitnið: Í alvöru- má maðurinn ekki fara í göngutúr að næturlagi!
Ari: Hefur ekki séð 3ja ára son sinn í marga mánuði en leggur ENGA áherslu á að vera einn með honum á heimili sínu- hoppar beint á hótel og finnst fínt að móðirin sjái um krakkann. Það virðist ekki hvarfla að honum að skipuleggja neitt með syni sínum & og þó að móðirin sé ungur læknir í framhaldsnámi hefur hann ekki eina hugsun um að sinna þurfi barninu þegar hún er í svo krefjandi námi.
Skrýtið eða kalla pabba sinn endurskoðanda en móðurina ekki fiðluleikara.
Dauði Unnar: ekkert minnst á niðurstöðu krufningar; td möguleika á nauðgun, kynlífi.
Hótun um stafrænt ofbeldi... eru ekki komin lög um slíkt?
Var engin ástæða til að ræða við fleiri frá framhaldsskólanum- aðra nemendur eða skólastjórann?
Aukasíminn: skipti engu að fá simanúmerin þar?
Siglufjörður- veðurfar oþh- frekar skrýtnar lýsingar (öruggglega flottar fyrir útlendinga- skrýtnar f. norðlendinga- margir elska vetrarveður)
Heimsókn í óveðri: hver einasta heilvita manneskja dregur manneskjuna FYRST inn og lokar útidyrunun áður en hún tekur tíma í erindið- er það ekki? (Eða er skjólið etv mjög gott yfir dyrunum og það óþarfi?
Er ekki frekar skrýtið að búa á Siglufirði í 6 ár og þekkja ekki flest alla eftir þann tíma? Eiga sama og enga vini, áhugamál, tómstundir?
Var lögreglan ekkert að spá í umferðarmál í páskaumferð með yfirvofandi óveður?
Eðlilegt að láta samstarfsmanninn hlaupast algjörlega undan verkefnum og ábyrgð? (Sagður voða fínn í mannlegum samskiptum við aðra- þe þetta etv vandamál Ara?)
En bókin er fín fyrir þá sem láta svona smáatriði ekki trufla sig:)
Ég þarf greinilega að lesa meira um Ara og sjá hvort ég skilji eitthvað í honum- virkar býsna undarlegur.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2020
This was my second of Jónasson's Dark Iceland series, the other being the first, Snowblind.
Neither have set my world alight, though both have been readanle and averagely entertaining. For me at least, I think I have just read too many of this sort of Nordic-crime novel. I am on the look out for something a bit different, and this wasn't it.
Neither have set my world alight, though both have been readanle and averagely entertaining. For me at least, I think I have just read too many of this sort of Nordic-crime novel. I am on the look out for something a bit different, and this wasn't it.
December 14, 2020
I am a huge fan of Ragnar Jónasson's writing, so I pre-ordered Winterkill and couldn't wait to read it. Evidently, fans of his Dark Iceland series begged the author to write one more book about Ari Thór Arason, and Jónasson obliged. While not a bad book by any stretch of the imagination, Winterkill felt flat to me, as if Jónasson's mind had already moved to greener writing pastures.
Winterkill basically rounds out the story of Arason. The series began with his moving to a small town in remote northern Iceland as a new recruit to the police department, and each successive book showed him growing in experience while his personal life didn't run nearly as smoothly. Arason is now the head of the police department in town with a new recruit of his own that he must train.
Once the dead girl's personality is fully uncovered, it's not difficult to deduce what happened, and the mystery mainly concerns itself with how Ari Thór can prove what happened and what the old man's wall scribblings are all about. When all is revealed, an occurrence at the end of the book isn't much of a surprise either. Perhaps the best thing in Winterkill is how Jónasson wraps up his main character's personal life.
For those fans who wanted all the loose ends neatly tied up, their wish came true, but don't expect this to be of the same high caliber as so many other books written by the supremely talented Jónasson.
Winterkill basically rounds out the story of Arason. The series began with his moving to a small town in remote northern Iceland as a new recruit to the police department, and each successive book showed him growing in experience while his personal life didn't run nearly as smoothly. Arason is now the head of the police department in town with a new recruit of his own that he must train.
Once the dead girl's personality is fully uncovered, it's not difficult to deduce what happened, and the mystery mainly concerns itself with how Ari Thór can prove what happened and what the old man's wall scribblings are all about. When all is revealed, an occurrence at the end of the book isn't much of a surprise either. Perhaps the best thing in Winterkill is how Jónasson wraps up his main character's personal life.
For those fans who wanted all the loose ends neatly tied up, their wish came true, but don't expect this to be of the same high caliber as so many other books written by the supremely talented Jónasson.
October 11, 2020
Las þessa í heild sinni í baði. Athugið að ég mun spilla söguþræðinum að einhverju leyti neðar í umsögninni, svo hafið gát á því ef þið eruð næm fyrir þvíumlíku. Ágæt bók — smá klunnalega skrifuð fannst mér, eða kannski réttara sagt stirðbusalega, ég hefði viljað pota inn nokkrum ritstjórnartillögum hér og þar í öllum föllum. Að miklu leyti fannst mér sagan snúast mun fremur um Siglufjörð en um glæpinn sem var fyrir hendi, sem mér fannst skemma fyrir flæði sögunnar og gera hana hálf óspennandi. Persónurnar voru ágætar hins vegar að allra mestu leyti, mér fannst þær að miklu leyti viðkunnanlegar eða að minnsta kosti voru þær líflegar. Ari var ágætur sem lögreglukall í glæpasögu, tiltölulega intróapektífur og blíður, ekki hörkutól með áfengisvandamál. Mér fannst vanta smá að hnýta lausa enda í lokin — það var smá snaggaralega gert fannst mér, einum of, og lokaúrlausn höfuðglæpsins fannst mér dálítið veikluleg — aftur á móti veit ég ekki hvernig höfundur hefði getað gert það öðruvísi nema það væri á skjön við ansi margt, svo það er kannski skiljanlegt.
April 29, 2025
Para ser el último de Ari Thórn me ha gustado. Es intrigante.
Te mantiene bastante en vilo.
La temática es simple pero genera bastante adicción.
Te mantiene bastante en vilo.
La temática es simple pero genera bastante adicción.
March 24, 2021
4.5 stars. Another atmospheric Icelandic Ari Thor mystery which is set during an Easter blizzard and cleverly plotted. I'm sorry if this is to be the last one, but it sounds from the author's endnotes that there may be a film or a series. Hope so!
December 21, 2020
Winterkill is only the second book I’ve read in Ragnar Jónasson’s Dark Iceland series (the other was the previous book in the series, Whiteout) but I’m sure even those who haven’t read any of the previous books will be able to enjoy this skillfully crafted crime thriller. And I can pretty much guarantee you’ll then want to go back and read the series from the beginning.
The book sees Inspector Ari Thór called to investigate the unexplained death of a young girl. Unfortunately, it coincides with the arrival for the Easter holiday of his ex-girlfriend Kristin and his young son, Stefnir. His attempts to balance the demands of the investigation with spending quality time with his son illustrate just one of the reasons for the breakdown of his and Kristin’s relationship.
Away from concerns about his private life, Ari Thór is feeling the pressure of his new rank and the absence of a sounding board in the shape of his former boss, Tomas. Ari Thór is also struggling to replicate that close working relationship with his new junior officer, Ögmundur. One of the many things that make Ari Thór such an engaging character is his strong sense of justice, meaning he feels an acute responsibility to the dead girl’s heartbroken mother to discover how and why she died.
As the investigation progresses, Ari Thór interviews a number of witnesses who knew the dead girl but none seem to fit the bill as suspects although, as he reflects, ‘appearances could be deceptive and nothing was ever completely black or white’. Most significantly, the motive for her death – whether murder or suicide – continues to elude him, this in a community where everyone knows everyone else or is related.
As well as constructing intriguing mysteries, the author is adept at creating an atmosphere of unease. Even amidst the beauty of the landscape and the tourists enjoying themselves on the ski slopes or indulging in hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls (mmm!) in one of the town’s cafes, there exists the threat a snowstorm could cut off the town from the outside world at any moment.
The snowstorm, when it arrives, coincides with Ari Thór getting closer to discovering the truth about the girl’s death. Although the snow may have turned the streets of Siglufjörður white, there are black deeds to be uncovered beneath its snow-covered roofs. It all makes for a tense and dramatic climax to Ari Thór’s investigation.
Naturally, fans of the series will be sad to bid farewell to Ari Thór. However, they do say it’s good to go out on a high and Winterkill certainly delivers in that respect.
The book sees Inspector Ari Thór called to investigate the unexplained death of a young girl. Unfortunately, it coincides with the arrival for the Easter holiday of his ex-girlfriend Kristin and his young son, Stefnir. His attempts to balance the demands of the investigation with spending quality time with his son illustrate just one of the reasons for the breakdown of his and Kristin’s relationship.
Away from concerns about his private life, Ari Thór is feeling the pressure of his new rank and the absence of a sounding board in the shape of his former boss, Tomas. Ari Thór is also struggling to replicate that close working relationship with his new junior officer, Ögmundur. One of the many things that make Ari Thór such an engaging character is his strong sense of justice, meaning he feels an acute responsibility to the dead girl’s heartbroken mother to discover how and why she died.
As the investigation progresses, Ari Thór interviews a number of witnesses who knew the dead girl but none seem to fit the bill as suspects although, as he reflects, ‘appearances could be deceptive and nothing was ever completely black or white’. Most significantly, the motive for her death – whether murder or suicide – continues to elude him, this in a community where everyone knows everyone else or is related.
As well as constructing intriguing mysteries, the author is adept at creating an atmosphere of unease. Even amidst the beauty of the landscape and the tourists enjoying themselves on the ski slopes or indulging in hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls (mmm!) in one of the town’s cafes, there exists the threat a snowstorm could cut off the town from the outside world at any moment.
The snowstorm, when it arrives, coincides with Ari Thór getting closer to discovering the truth about the girl’s death. Although the snow may have turned the streets of Siglufjörður white, there are black deeds to be uncovered beneath its snow-covered roofs. It all makes for a tense and dramatic climax to Ari Thór’s investigation.
Naturally, fans of the series will be sad to bid farewell to Ari Thór. However, they do say it’s good to go out on a high and Winterkill certainly delivers in that respect.
March 2, 2025
Ragnar Jónasson seemed to end his story with a light hint of happiness. His next book can make this seem like a brief bit of noir. Ari Thór Arason is now the head police inspector in Siglufjörđur and he seems to have planned a family reunion with his girlfriend and little 3 year old son who now lives in Sweden. However a teenager girl, Unnur, has committed suicide and her mother called Ari. In trying to understand this his girlfriend, Ugla, who dropped him when Kristin got pregnant. Mentioned that she was scared of what a patient wrote on the wall and showed him. Ragnar sure turns the story around and around with red herrings. He leaves us with a brief get together with his girlfriend Ugla. After a grueling episode with the doctor and then with the teacher, Bjarki. I'll let you figure the rest out. Ragnar is really good with hints that explain quite a bit. I liked this story a lot.
May 6, 2021
I'm surprised that this book has the highest rating in the series. I enjoyed all the previous parts but this one was difficult. I'm not sure if it was bad writing or bad translation (previous books were translated from Icelandic, and this one - from French, by another translator) but I kept on reading same phrases over and over again in this book. Not to mention that Ari Thor is a much less likeable character here. It seemed like the actual plot was somewhere in the background behind Ari Thor's not wanting to do his job, pointlessly wondering about the relationship with Kristin, and the constant reminding the readers about their son.
January 7, 2021
Mér fannst þetta hvorki spennandi né vel skrifuð saga. Alltof mikið af endurtekningum og allt of mikið um einkamál Ara sem eru alveg einstaklega óspennandi.
April 13, 2021
I just absolutely love these Icelandic mysteries starring the flawed, but sincere, earnest Ari Thor Arason. I am so sad that this series is at an end, but am happy to see that Ari Thor seems to have settled into a good place in his life.
I will desperately miss this small, remote, wintery northern town of Siglufjordur, the slow-burn, methodical mysteries, and the calm, systematic manner in which Ari Thor went about solving them. His life shows us that our path can take unexpected turns, some serendipitous, others harder to bear. But we make the best of what we have and settle in wherever we are, accepting what is, and appreciating the good turns along the way.
These are quiet, satisfying mysteries and truly one-of-a-kind. I hope Ragnar Jonasson will keep writing for many years to come!
I will desperately miss this small, remote, wintery northern town of Siglufjordur, the slow-burn, methodical mysteries, and the calm, systematic manner in which Ari Thor went about solving them. His life shows us that our path can take unexpected turns, some serendipitous, others harder to bear. But we make the best of what we have and settle in wherever we are, accepting what is, and appreciating the good turns along the way.
These are quiet, satisfying mysteries and truly one-of-a-kind. I hope Ragnar Jonasson will keep writing for many years to come!
December 12, 2020
# 6 in the Dark Iceland series, it can be read as a stand-alone, (but you are missing a fantastic series.)
Set in Iceland, Ari Thor Is now a Police Inspector and is getting to know his new team. His relationship has broken down and he is living alone, but he is looking forward to a visit from his ex and their son over Easter.
When the body of a teenage girl is found at the base of an apartment block, it is believed she jumped to her death…….but as Ari looks into her life, he begins to believe something else happened to her.
And so the investigation begins.
This is not a fast paced thriller, it is a low burn with plenty of twists and red herrings to keep you utterly hooked from start to finish.
Ari is a troubled man and while he has now settled in the town of Siglufjódour, there is still a feeling of him living on the edge.
Mr Jónasson’s amazing writing gives this tale a dark feeling of claustrophobia, of the oppressiveness of a blizzard and the cold practically seeps off the page.
With its clever, twisty plot and great characters this is a must read for any fan of Nordic Noir. This is quite simply an outstanding read.
Thank you to Random Things Tours for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour, for the promotional material and an eARC of Winterkill.
Set in Iceland, Ari Thor Is now a Police Inspector and is getting to know his new team. His relationship has broken down and he is living alone, but he is looking forward to a visit from his ex and their son over Easter.
When the body of a teenage girl is found at the base of an apartment block, it is believed she jumped to her death…….but as Ari looks into her life, he begins to believe something else happened to her.
And so the investigation begins.
This is not a fast paced thriller, it is a low burn with plenty of twists and red herrings to keep you utterly hooked from start to finish.
Ari is a troubled man and while he has now settled in the town of Siglufjódour, there is still a feeling of him living on the edge.
Mr Jónasson’s amazing writing gives this tale a dark feeling of claustrophobia, of the oppressiveness of a blizzard and the cold practically seeps off the page.
With its clever, twisty plot and great characters this is a must read for any fan of Nordic Noir. This is quite simply an outstanding read.
Thank you to Random Things Tours for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour, for the promotional material and an eARC of Winterkill.
January 21, 2021
This is the sixth and final installment in the much-acclaimed "Dark Iceland" novel series, written by one of the finest Icelandic crime writers, Ragnar Jónasson. I've read and greatly enjoyed all the books in the series and I think that Snowblind (#1), Rupture (#3), and Nightblind (#5) were all excellent crime stories based on a strong sense of location and simple, straightforward plotlines, narrated in plain prose which conveys a claustrophobic feeling to the reader and gradually builds the tension that reaches its climax in the final pages where all the questions find their respective answers. The setting is always the same, the small town of Siglufjörður in the northernmost part of the country wherein winter the nights are endless, while during the summer the sun never sets. Winterkill takes place during the Easter holidays which means that the characters are living in constant daylight making it hard for them to get a moment of rest. Ari Thór Arason, who is once again the main protagonist of the story, is now a Police Inspector and officer in charge in the small police station of Siglufjörður. Seven years have passed since Ari Thór moved from Reykjavik to the northern Icelandic town and he now feels that he has settled well there. His ex-boss and mentor, Tomas, has returned to Reykjavik to work there and Ari feels perhaps a bit lonely as his younger subordinates don't seem to have the inclination to befriend him. Life in Siglufjörður is quiet and quite uneventful as the cases that Ari has to deal with mainly have to do with drunken brawls and possession of illegal substances by some rebellious teenagers. In Winterkill, Ari looks into his first case of homicide as an officer in charge and his inexperience weighs heavy on him. Nevertheless, his determination is absolute and he will eventually do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of the case.
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/winter...
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/winter...
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