Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
Grisly yet funny crime fiction with an engaging, fully human heroine lawyer, who beats the odds to right a miscarriage of justice that deals with the worlds of academia, medieval Icelandic history and spiritual beliefs. Highly recommended: first in the Thora Gudmundsdottir series.
Main characters are interesting; details are too gory for me.
A good story but a little rough around the edges. It is definitely a first novel. But its problems weren't enough to make me give up reading, or to stop me from picking up the author's next book in hopes that she's been given a better editor.
I liked it, but it was graphic in its descriptions of mutilation. I really liked that it was an Icelandic book; I think people tend to forget that Iceland exists sometimes. I liked the characters. I liked the way Thora dealt with the crisis in her son's life. She is a well-written, strong character.
This is where Thora's story starts for us. I started with the last two books and wanted to go back. I'm so glad I did. I love this whole series and can't wait for the next book to arrive. I was still guessing who the murderer was far into this book. She is one of those authors who make you put off sleep, housework, and the rest of the real world.
Any book with a ritualistically mutilated body rings my bells.
I'm torn between 2.5 and 3 stars. The mystery was well developed and interesting, but I hated the main character, Thora. What a childish, immature, stupid woman. I understand that not all MC can be super smart but she is so stupid it makes you want to hit her. Her 6-year-old daughter tells her that her 16-year-old brother spends his afternoons "jumping on the bed and making strange noises" and Thora can't imagine what he could be doing?? Come on.
And don't get me started with how she refers to her secretary because she is fat. Granted, the secretary is a terrible one but all Thora says about her are mean things about her weight. It was offensive and unnecesary. Horrible, horrible main character.
But as I said, the mystery was an interesting one and that kept me reading, so that's why I'm torn about the rating. I don't know if I'll continue with the series yet. I think I need some time away from Thora before I decide.
And don't get me started with how she refers to her secretary because she is fat. Granted, the secretary is a terrible one but all Thora says about her are mean things about her weight. It was offensive and unnecesary. Horrible, horrible main character.
But as I said, the mystery was an interesting one and that kept me reading, so that's why I'm torn about the rating. I don't know if I'll continue with the series yet. I think I need some time away from Thora before I decide.
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really liked how Yrsa Sigurðardóttir tweaked my expectations in this book. No spoilers.
Felt very disjointed, not sure if it was the translation or not. The mystery was ok, not great.