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bridget1989's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Suicide
georgiesutton's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Having read the Hidden Iceland series it was interesting to read about a totally different kind of bleak and I thought the description of claustrophobia provided another dimension to the murder mystery. I did enjoy the twists and turns but couldn’t help but feel as though Ari Thor has some growing to do. I’m interested to read more though as I would like to learn more about these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
bookishnatalia's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Alcohol
katelindsay's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Snowblind by Ragnor Jónasson is the first in an Iceland noir series. Originally published in 2010, this book was translated and published in the United States in 2015. We follow our protagonist Ari Thor Arason from Reykjavik to a small town on the northern coast when he takes his first job as a police officer. When he arrives in town he’s told nothing ever happens there.
Not long after his arrive, an esteemed write and chairman of the town’s Dramatic Society appears to have fallen down the stairs. Ruled as an accident until a women is found close to death, bleeding in the snow, there may be more to the older man’s death than meets the eye. Without an ounce of delicacy, Ari Thor digs into the lives of townspeople who definitely do not trust the newcomer.
Jónasson uses the setting to create tension. Surrounded by mountains and the ocean, the town is only reachable by a small mountain tunnel. Snow falls frequently and the tunnel becomes cut off due to a small avalanche. Tensions rise as the down becomes isolated and everyone feels trapped with a murderer.
Nordic mystery novels have risen in popularity over the last decade. Although I’ve read a few short stories from a collection of Swedish crime stories, Snowblind is my first Nordic novel. Recommended for fans of Agatha Christie, this seemed like perfect foray into the genre. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for the story as much as I would have liked.
I appreciated that the plot and murders weren’t very dark or graphic, as well as the amount of information about the characters we received before the murders. However, I never felt invested in the story or characters. While the story was definitely well written, I prefer older mysteries and historical fiction mysteries.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
silver_valkyrie_reads's review
mysterious
reflective
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
2.5
This fell perfectly in that zone in between cozy mystery and thriller for me--neither cheesy nor gory. Other than that, I found it disappointing, mostly in that the mildly likeable characters at the beginning never improved, and sometimes became even less likeable as the story progressed.
It would have been three stars, but it lost another half star because the ending wasn't *quite* satisfying for me.
The main plus to this book is that I've now read a book set in Iceland...
It would have been three stars, but it lost another half star because the ending wasn't *quite* satisfying for me.
The main plus to this book is that I've now read a book set in Iceland...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent