Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
This novel was marketed in a manner that set it up as something of an Icelandic "Da Vinci Code," but in execution, "Last Rituals" is a traditional mystery whose events lack the immediacy and the clever puzzles of that better-known suspense novel, however better written it could arguably be.
Another disappointment arises in the shallow depictions of character Sigurðardóttir uses for her cast: they are naive and over-explanatory in a way that may make the reader feel clever, but that same reader is likely far less satisfied by the outcome of events. In fact, the novel lacks a conclusion that feels satisfying at all.
The payoff in "Last Rituals" comes from the introduction of some of Iceland's history involving the Catholic Church and Sixteenth Century witchcraft, but even these items trod a muddy path to development.
Last Rituals is, of course, the first novel in a series for attorney cum detective Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, so hopefully Sigurðardóttir will either work out the kinks in her new characters, or give them a little more worldliness to handle the kink they encounter in their cases.
Another disappointment arises in the shallow depictions of character Sigurðardóttir uses for her cast: they are naive and over-explanatory in a way that may make the reader feel clever, but that same reader is likely far less satisfied by the outcome of events. In fact, the novel lacks a conclusion that feels satisfying at all.
The payoff in "Last Rituals" comes from the introduction of some of Iceland's history involving the Catholic Church and Sixteenth Century witchcraft, but even these items trod a muddy path to development.
Last Rituals is, of course, the first novel in a series for attorney cum detective Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, so hopefully Sigurðardóttir will either work out the kinks in her new characters, or give them a little more worldliness to handle the kink they encounter in their cases.
Interesting mystery/detective novel with a strong female protagonist - lawyer and single mother Thora Gudmundsdottir - and a significant lean toward the horror end of the genre (this appears also to be true of Sigurdardottir's second novel about Gudmundsdottir, which I've already started). I was quite intrigued by the background to the murder mystery, which drew on historical aspects of witchcraft practice and persecution in Germany and Iceland, and by the look into Icelandic culture. It's fun to read books that aren't from your home culture.
CN: There's quite a bit of fatphobia in this book. It is expressed by the main character, and is treated as truth by the narrative. There is also an instance of the R-word, although this is at least treated as something the character should not have said.
The story is fine. I did like the personal life subplot involving Thora's son, and liked her a lot better when dealing with it than at any other part of the story. The mystery itself had complications that made it interesting.
The witch stuff was so-so. What I didn't already know about was interesting, but given how inaccurate the book is about the things I did already know about, I can't really trust any of it. Mostly, it seems to have only been included for the salaciousness. Which is true of the victim, too, who seems to have been into some non-vanilla sex stuff (but now, as the narrative assures us, homosexuality!).
It's all very middle-of-the-road, as far as as detective stories go. The only real selling point is the Icelandic setting.
The story is fine. I did like the personal life subplot involving Thora's son, and liked her a lot better when dealing with it than at any other part of the story. The mystery itself had complications that made it interesting.
The witch stuff was so-so. What I didn't already know about was interesting, but given how inaccurate the book is about the things I did already know about, I can't really trust any of it. Mostly, it seems to have only been included for the salaciousness. Which is true of the victim, too, who seems to have been into some non-vanilla sex stuff (but now, as the narrative assures us, homosexuality!).
It's all very middle-of-the-road, as far as as detective stories go. The only real selling point is the Icelandic setting.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Fatphobia
DNF @ 29% as I just couldn’t put up with the central character... so stuck up, mean and casually xenophobic. I experience xenophobia every time I leave the house in Iceland so really not interested in reading it in the fiction I pick up. I’ve read other reviews that say this central character is also later fatphobic. Deeply disappointed as I had liked this author’s Children’s House series.
I picked this up on a whim and was instantly hooked on the descriptions of Iceland and the crime itself. It was surreal and utterly bizarre, but the main character, Thora and her partner Matthew were what brought it down to a human level.
The story focuses on a German student focused on witchcraft and how he is found dead and mutilated in the University, leading to this bizarre chase through Iceland's history of witchhunting and the University itself. Not to mention the complexities of the relationships between mothers and sons.
This is the first book that I have read from this author, but I will for sure read the rest of them, since this book has proven to be of great caliber for a first book.
The story focuses on a German student focused on witchcraft and how he is found dead and mutilated in the University, leading to this bizarre chase through Iceland's history of witchhunting and the University itself. Not to mention the complexities of the relationships between mothers and sons.
This is the first book that I have read from this author, but I will for sure read the rest of them, since this book has proven to be of great caliber for a first book.
A bit gory. Had to concentrate to keep all the names and places straight. It is interesting how the author showed that Icelandic people switch languages quite a bit between Icelandic, English and European languages.
Lots of interesting history about witch hunts and sorcery, magic and symbols along with some old European history. A good mystery.
Lots of interesting history about witch hunts and sorcery, magic and symbols along with some old European history. A good mystery.
I could not stand the protagonist beyond the first couple of chapters. I don't think I've ever encountered such an obnoxious protagonist.
As with other Icelandic books, I had trouble understanding why the main character's family life was included so heavily in the book when, in the end, it mattered very little. (As an aside, can we get one Icelandic mystery where the MCs did not go through some painful divorce or other life event?) The mystery itself, it took a while to get off the ground but it was worth the read.