

Interesting
1983, North Iceland.Two murders occur in a former TB sanatorium.
2012 Helgi Reykdal, a student of criminology,decides to write his thesis on this 1983 murder.He interviews the original people involved,which has a cascading effect & the case is reopened.There are surprising plot twists, anxiety inducing suspense,& a shocking ending with a possible cliffhanger.
Thirty years ago,six people worked in an abandoned sanatorium. When one of them was brutally murdered each found themselves a suspect.The case was never solved.
But that's before a new body appears...
This mystery had a good premise and there were secrets in both timelines, but it ended really abruptly! So abruptly I‘m not sure if there‘s meant to be a sequel or not.
My first book by this author and what a lovely surprise. So well written with complex well drawn characters. A cosy easy read set in beautiful Iceland. I will be returning to read more.
I didn't like the main character, which would be fine if that was the author's intention, but I think he was meant to be sympathetic. Instead he came across as wooden and arrogant. The mystery was ok but the narrative structure didnt work for me.
Ragnar Jónasson has given us a well crafted mystery that pays homage to Dame Agatha Christie. Told in two time frames. Helgi Reykdal is working on a criminology masters thesis, taking as his subject two 1983 murders of medical professionals working in a decommissioned TB sanitarium. He‘s not interested in solving the mystery, but eventually does. His home life is filled with violence at the hands of his wife. A fascinating character and story.
From the author's afterword.
"We spent every Saturday morning in the library..."
This Icelandic author writes excellent mysteries. Highly recommend.
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
US pub date is 9/10/24
#ARC #Netgalley