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cclaytonr's review
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
claire_s's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
kbranfield's review
4.0
The Darkness Knows by Arnaldur Indridason is a reflective mystery about a thirty-year-old cold case. Set in Iceland, this newest release is the first installment in the Detective Konrád series.
Retired Detective Konrád revisits the missing person investigation of Sigurvin, a successful businessman. Interest in Sigurvin's old case is suddenly reopened after his frozen remains are discovered during a glacier tour. Konrád worked on the case and he was never sure they were investigating the right suspect. His renewed investigation brings up old memories of the death of his beloved wife, Erna, and unpleasant childhood memories. Although a bit melancholy, Konrád utilizes the few police resources available to him as he attempts to identify Sigurvin’s killer.
Konrád also tries to figure out if the death of pedestrian Villi Hákonarson might also be linked to Sigurvin’s death. Villi’s sister believes her brother might have known something about Sigurvin’s murder but she has no what that information might be. Konrád search for witnesses several years after Villi’s death take him to familiar places from his own childhood. His growing up years with his abusive criminal father were very unhappy and he is brutally honest with himself as he reminisces about years past.
The Darkness Knows is an engrossing and sometimes morose mystery with an intriguing storyline. Konrád has plenty of flaws but he is also determined to bring Sigurvin’s killer to justice. He is quite invested in catching the killer but he sometimes sidetracked by the memories and regrets of years gone by. The investigation is quite interesting and moves at a steady pace. With a stunning turn of events, Arnaldur Indridason brings this suspense-laden mystery to an unexpected conclusion.
Retired Detective Konrád revisits the missing person investigation of Sigurvin, a successful businessman. Interest in Sigurvin's old case is suddenly reopened after his frozen remains are discovered during a glacier tour. Konrád worked on the case and he was never sure they were investigating the right suspect. His renewed investigation brings up old memories of the death of his beloved wife, Erna, and unpleasant childhood memories. Although a bit melancholy, Konrád utilizes the few police resources available to him as he attempts to identify Sigurvin’s killer.
Konrád also tries to figure out if the death of pedestrian Villi Hákonarson might also be linked to Sigurvin’s death. Villi’s sister believes her brother might have known something about Sigurvin’s murder but she has no what that information might be. Konrád search for witnesses several years after Villi’s death take him to familiar places from his own childhood. His growing up years with his abusive criminal father were very unhappy and he is brutally honest with himself as he reminisces about years past.
The Darkness Knows is an engrossing and sometimes morose mystery with an intriguing storyline. Konrád has plenty of flaws but he is also determined to bring Sigurvin’s killer to justice. He is quite invested in catching the killer but he sometimes sidetracked by the memories and regrets of years gone by. The investigation is quite interesting and moves at a steady pace. With a stunning turn of events, Arnaldur Indridason brings this suspense-laden mystery to an unexpected conclusion.
dckathleen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read this because we went to Iceland and it takes place in Iceland. If you've read other Nordic noir books, this is very much in that style of slow and reflective writing.
juniperusxx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Tuttua Arnaldur Indriðasonin tyyliä tämäkin kirja, hyvällä tavalla hidastempoista ja kiireetöntä kerrontaa, joka houkuttaa lukijansakin hidastamaan tahtia. Kirjailija onnistuu hienosti kuvaamaan sekä ihmisen sisäistä maisemaa että Islannin ulkoista miljöötä, molemmista syntyy elävä mielikuva. Konrad on varsin sympaattinen ja oikeudenmukainen päähenkilö.
ladykateb's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
cami19's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
slhandy45's review
3.0
Not sure this series will live up to his others, but we'll see. Perhaps something is lost in translation?