well written Icelandic police procedural

books:


	• Silence of the Grave (Reykjavik Murder Mysteries, No. 2) Arnaldur Indridason Picador, 2007 - 304 pages average customer review:based on 19 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Promise realized

This novel confirms the talent that popped up in Jar City. Like all first rate crime, the strory transcends the facts: here, the bigger issue is family---what is it, how does one generation influence the one that follows, is forgivness possible? Erlendur, the protaganist, makes for a believable character---he lives alone, is estranged from his daughter, is sad and hates the relentless spring and summer sunshine imposed by latitude upon Iceland. He and his colleagues investigate a buried body(Great first line: "He knew at once it was a human bone, when he took it from the baby who was sitting on the floor chewing it."). Each of the leads, and sub plots, look at the issue of family, each from a different angle. It is subtly done, never heavy handed.

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well written Icelandic police procedural

On the outer perimeter of Reykjavik, Iceland, a construction crew uncovers the remains of a body. The corpse had been placed in this shallow grave over five decades ago when the area was undeveloped hills. Inspector Erlendur leads the investigation into the death of this identified male at the same time a forensic archeologist excavates the location to insure no other clues are damaged or lost.

While Erlendur works on what is probably going to end up a cold case, he finds the investigation fascinating and enables him to avoid the domestic abuse cases that seem prevalent. Many prominent leaders would prefer past and present family violence ignored. Erlendur would like to do that as those cases eat at the cop perhaps because his drug addicted daughter remains in a coma following a miscarriage. However, the police or society will not be able to pretend that a brutal beating of a young woman did not occur.

The subplots tie together to make a delightful police procedural that emphasizes the locale as much as the criminal activity. The crusty Inspector is a fine protagonist with woes caused by feelings of guilt as he fears her failed his daughter; yet it is Iceland that holds the plot collectively as one strong story line. The abuse theme will haunt readers well after the tale is finished as Arnaldur Indritason provides a deep extremely well written Icelandic police procedural.

Harriet Klausner

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Cold Case

If you're a fan of crime fiction and well-plotted mysteries, and are on the lookout for a fresh new face in a crowded genre, then you'll be doing yourself a favor by trying Arnaldur Indridason and his captivating "Silence of the Grave".

Back from last year's "Jar City" is Erlendur Sveinsson, the jaded Reykjavik police detective plodding bitterly though a life of regrets. A skeleton is found while excavating a new housing project, quickly determined to be decades old, and assumed a murder victim. With a supporting cast of eccentric archeologists and his own quirky investigative team, Erlender gets to the bottom of a gut-wrenching tale of domestic violence and child abuse.

A word of warning - this is some tough material. Any idyllic views of a society tolerant to drug use may be shocked into sensibility with the author's unapologetic portrayal of life among the needles and crack vials. And Erlender is about as bleak a character as the barren Icelander setting in which he is cast - the subject matter adding to a general air of depression and despair. But this is powerful noir fiction, only heightened by the dark setting, as Indridason's prose captures the unique Scandinavian brand of fatalism. The mystery is tightly wound and fully engaging, taking more than a few twists along the way before reaching a cleverly poignant conclusion. In the end, a haunting tale of revenge with little redemption - a novel that you'll not easily forget. Clearly one of the year's best - don't miss it.

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What a wonderful read

From the opening sentence, I was spellbound by this truly "different" murder mystery. Not for the weak of heart but an ultimately wonderful read for those who appreciate cleverly crafted mystery.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, page 4

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