It is nothing less than a landmark in modern crime fiction * The Times *
A
world-class crime writer. One of the
most astonishing plots of modern crime fiction. A
triumphant conclusion to the trilogy [that]
makes Iceland's pre-eminence in the crime genre even more marked * Sunday Times *
Is this the best crime writer in the world today? . . . He's truly a master of his genre * The Times Online *
This is Icelandic noir of the highest order, with Jonasson's
atmospheric sense of place, and his heroine's
unerring humanity shining from every page * Daily Mail *
This is such a tense, gripping readTriumphant . . . Other writers have explored the possibilities of telling a story in reverse; thus far only Ragnar Jonasson has rendered hindsight so heartbreaking * The Times *
Jonasson takes us back to Hulda's origin story with a tale that combines his special talents for spinning a chilling and ingeniously constructed mystery and evoking the dramatic Icelandic environment * Sunday Times Crime Club *
Triumphant conclusion. Chilling, creepy, perceptive, almost unbearably tense -- Ian Rankin
Jonasson's is a unique voice in this genre. The beauty of this trilogy is that
each book enraptures us almost to the point of forgetting the future we already know.
Brilliantly effective * The Times Literary Supplement *
Jonasson weaves his suspenseful tales together with remorseless logic up to a climax more nightmarish than the buildup * Kirkus *
Fans of dark crime fiction that doesn't pull punches will be amply rewarded * Publishers Weekly *
Extraordinary . . . a triumph -- Ian Rankin
Wrap up warmly for this invigorating Iceland-set slice of Nordic noir * Financial Times *
Shades of Alfred Hitchcock . . . The author's deceptive plotting in this story is certain to blow readers away * Dayton Daily News *
Snow and ice provide the background to Ragnar Jonasson's latest exploration of trauma and hardship in Iceland. Throughout the novel, the characters' wilful refusal to face reality is both exasperating and credible * Literary Review *
Ragnar Jonasson is a brilliant storyteller, who skilfully tells the story on multiple time levels, with different main characters and surprising twists. It is frighteningly believable, and exciting to the end * Dagens Nyheter, Sweden *
Standalone thriller from the author of the Hulda Trilogy lives up to expectations and offers psychological drama and a ghostly atmosphere at the world's end. A story that gets under your skin * Goeteborgs Posten, Sweden *
Praise for Ragnar Jonasson
* - *
Jonasson is an automatic must-read for me . . . possibly the best Scandi writer working todayDark, chilling and utterly gripping, The Island is Nordic noir at its best, and is destined to become a classic of the genre. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the rest of the Hulda series! * Shari Lapena, bestselling author of The Couple Next Door *
Adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir * Anthony Horowitz *
One of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction * Sunday Times *
I often get asked about tips on good crime novels which are
not like everything else. Well, here you have it. Read Ragnar Jonasson's trilogy from beginning to end,
let the brain work, the body shake and be amazed at how the author also lets the language follow the development of the story . . .
hats off * GoeteborgsPosten *
Ragnar Jonasson is a brilliant storyteller, who
skillfully tells the story on multiple time levels, with different main characters and
surprising twists. Frighteningly believable, and exciting to the end * Dagens Nyheter *
Ragnar Jonasson is old school . . . He deals in vertiginous, unputdownable stories that are nevertheless still imbued with melancholy and heartbreak. This is his best yet * Metro *
[Jonasson's] chilling whodunits currently have readers firmly in their icy grip * Daily Telegraph *
Unforgettable * Sunday Times *
Will leave you breathless * Sunday Post *
A classic crime story seen through a uniquely Icelandic lens... first rate and highly recommended -- Lee Child
A modern take on Agatha Christie - style mystery, as twisty as any slalom . . . -- Ian Rankin, on Snowblind
Ragnar Jonasson writes with a chilling, poetic beauty - a must-read addition to the growing canon of Iceland Noir -- Peter James
His clues are traditional and beautifully finessed - and he keeps you turning hte pages * The Independent on Snowblind *
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 o fa small Icelandic town cut off by snow. Ragnar does claustrophobia beautifully -- Anne Cleeves
The ending hits the reader like a kick in the stomach * Frettatiminn *
Jonasson's books have breathed new life into Nordic noir . . . all the skillful plotting of an old-fashioned whodunit although it feels bitingly contemporary in setting and tone * Sunday Express *
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 a 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) *
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 * Frettabladid *
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 *
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 *
