The Darkness

Nordic Noir goes Icelandic with the internationally bestselling Dark Iceland series launchBefore Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsd ttir of the Reykjavik Police is forced into early retirement she is told to investigate a cold case of her choice, and she knows just the one. A young woman who was looking for asylum found dead on remote seaweed-covered rocks. Her death ruled a suicide after a cursory investigation.But Hulda soon realizes that this was not the only young woman to disappear around that time. And no one is telling the whole story. When her own force tries to put the brakes on the investigation Hulda has just days to discover the truth. Even if it means risking her own life . . .

An intelligent, provocative whodunit with a killer twist Ian Rankin
Superb 100 Best Crime Novels since 1945, The Times
Icelandic detective Hulda Hermannsdottir is the best tragic heroine our reviewer has read for years The Times, Must Read List
A superb thriller Summer Reads, The Sunday Times
A complex, fascinating mix of Icelandic community and alienation, atmospheric tension, and timely issues (immigrant exploitation and vigilante justice), Jonasson's latest series is another must-read for crime fans who follow the work of Arnaldur Indridason and Yrsa Sigurdardottir Booklist
I've ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax -- Anthony Horowitz Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For
If you have ever doubted the appropriateness of the phrase 'Nordic noir', The Darkness will dispel any hesitation . . . in what way this happens (and how badly) is the strength of the book. There are ever-darker surprises, culminating in a finish that leaves one with a highly disturbing image. -- BOOK OF THE WEEK The Press
The wait was worthwhile and The Darkness first in the new trilogy, is a very efficient piece of work. Jonasson has the full measure of the Nordic noir genre, and pushes all the requisite buttons Barry Forshaw, Financial Times
To read Ragnar Jonasson is to plunge into snowy Iceland . . . much of its atmosphere and subtle pacing to the traditional 'golden age' detective fiction as the mystery unfolds and builds to a startling climax, elegantly handled. The Witness
Superb . . . Chilling . . . and establishes her as a great tragic heroine of modern detective fiction -- Joan Smith Crime Book of the Month, Sunday Times
Outstanding series debut . . . builds to its stunning conclusion, one of the more remarkable in recent crime fiction Publishers Weekly
The Darkness melds an insightful character study with a solid plot for an outstanding novel Washington Post
The perfect territory for mystery [writers] New York Times
Extraordinary, the three books in that series are all amazing . . . very moving all the way through -- Ian Rankin
It's shockingly sinister and has an ending that will leave you, literally, gasping for breath Crimesquad
The ending really took my breath away and that's hard for writers to do to me these days . . . It was a complete surprise and I should have seen it coming and I didn't. [Hulda] is a fantastic, complex 3D character and I want to see more of her, so hurray, this is the first of a three book series Ian Rankin on the Simon Mayo Podcast
The Darkness will have you burning the midnight oil till 2:00am. It's a gloriously compelling yarn, whose spell continues to hold even when you've turned its final page thanks to its unexpected ending. I can't wait for his next Reader review
Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news Book of the Month, Guardian
Chilling - a must-read Peter James
Page-turning stuff with an unexpected ending! James Swallow, bestselling author of Nomad
Was gripped from the start of this brilliantly told story. And left wide-eyed with shock at the ending Fiona Barton, bestselling author of The Widow
A true masterpiece . . . a plot full of twists and turns and an ending that leaves you gasping for air Yrsa Sigurðardóttir
As chilling as the nip in the Icelandic air Choice Magazine
Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdóittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year Bolo Books Review
Breathtaking. Read it in two sittings. Yet another instant Ragnar Jonasson classic Thomas Enger, bestselling author of the Henning Juul series
The Darkness is a bullet train of a novel, at once blazingly contemporary and Agatha-Christie old-fashioned. With prose as pure and crisp as Reykjavik snowcrust, Ragnar Jónasson navigates the treacherous narrative with a veteran's hand. I reached the end with adrenalized anticipation, the final twist hitting me in the face. I dare you not to be shocked. Gregg Hurwitz
The Darkness is Ragnar Jonasson at the top of his game - deft plotting, a great central character and a story as chilling as the Icelandic winter. I couldn't put it down William Ryan, author of The Holy Thief
It had an intense, visceral sense of place and the connection between the emotional lives of the character and the landscape was evoked beautifully Helen Callaghan, bestselling author of Dear Amy
It will get your pulse racing, and keep you hooked to the last page Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series
Magnificently dark and twisted and that ending - blimey! C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man
Praise for Ragnar Jónasson -
Jónasson is an automatic must-read for me . . . possibly the best Scandi writer working today
As chilling as the nip in the Icelandic air Choice Magazine
Superb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month
Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news The Guardian
Magnificently dark and twisted! That ending - blimey! C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man
A sympathetic yet entirely unsentimental portrait of a flawed but decent detective seeking justice for a murdered Russian asylum seeker Sunday Times Crime Club

It will get your pulse racing and keep you hooked to the last page

Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series
Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdóittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year. BOLO Books Review
The Darkness is a bullet train of a novel, at once blazingly contemporary and Agatha-Christie old-fashioned. With prose as pure and crisp as Reykjavik snowcrust, Ragnar Jónasson navigates the treacherous narrative with a veteran's hand. I reached the end with adrenalized anticipation, the final twist hitting me in the face. I dare you not to be shocked -- Gregg Hurwitz Sunday Times bestselling author of Orphan X
Was gripped from the start of this brilliantly told story. And left wide-eyed with shock at the ending Fiona Barton, bestselling author of The Widow
The Darkness is Ragnar Jónasson at the top of his game - deft plotting, a great central character and a story as chilling as the Icelandic winter. I couldn't put it down -- William Ryan author of The Holy Thief
Page-turning stuff with an unexpected ending! James Swallow
Another masterpiece from the King of Icelandic Noir -- Thomas Enger bestselling author of the Henning Juul series
Unbearably sinister Helen Callaghan, bestselling author of Dear Amy
The Darkness is a true masterpiece of a crime novel, introducing an original protagonist, a plot full of twists and turns and an ending that leaves you gasping for air -- Yrsa Sigurðardóttir author of the bestselling Thora Gudmundsdottir crime series
Praise for Ragnar Jónasson -
No country associated with the label Nordic noir is as bleak, cold, snowy and empty as Iceland. And no crime writer portrays those elements as evocatively and scarily as Ragnar Jonasson The Times
A classic crime story seen through a uniquely Icelandic lens... first rate and highly recommended -- Lee Child, on Snowblind
A modern take on Agatha Christie-­-style mystery, as twisty as any slalom . . . -- Ian Rankin, on Snowblind
Ragnar Jónasson writes with a chilling, poetic beauty - a must-read addition to the growing canon of Iceland Noir -- Peter James
Distinctive blend of Nordic noir and golden age detective fiction...atmospheric...economical and evocative prose The Guardian on Nightblind
Seductive ... an old-fashioned murder mystery with a strong central character and the fascinating background of a small Icelandic town cut off by snow. Ragnar does claustrophobia beautifully -- Ann Cleeves
The ending hits the reader like a kick in the stomach * FRÉTTATIMINN
Jonasson's books have breathed new life into Nordic noir ...all the skilful plotting of an old-fashioned whodunit although it feels bitingly contemporary in setting and tone Sunday Express
Hulda Hermannsdottir is a welcome addition to the selection of Icelandic crime fiction protagonists . . . It is almost impossible to put the book down until the last word has been read Fréttablaðið
Out of all of Ragnar's books, this is the one I like the most . . . The book of his which reminds me most of Agatha Christie Kiljan, on The Island
The threads lie in various places, the plot is well woven and the pieces in the puzzle come together well in the end. The structure is good, the main characters are believable, the story flows well, everyone is a suspect á la Agatha Christie and the solution unveils the mystery and leads the readers to the truth. But not all the truth, as some things are better left hidden Morgunbladid (Icelandic newspaper)
A very good book, gripping and interesting, with all the threads carefully managed. Hopefully the author will publish as many books as possible with lead character Hulda Vikan Magazine, on The Island *

Ragnar J nasson (Author)Ragnar J nasson is an international number one bestselling author who has sold over three million books in thirty-four countries worldwide. He was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he also works as an investment banker and teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University.He has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, and, from the age of seventeen, has translated fourteen of Agatha Christie's novels. He is currently writing a novel with the Icelandic Prime Minister, Katrin Jakobsd ttir. His critically acclaimed international bestseller The Darkness is soon to be a major TV series, and Ridley Scott will be producing Outside as a feature film.Victoria Cribb (Translator)Victoria Cribb studied and worked in Iceland for many years. She has translated more than 25 novels from the Icelandic and, in 2017, she received the Or stir honourary translation award for services to Icelandic literature.

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