A review by kbranfield
The Darkness Knows by Arnaldur Indriðason

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.