Reviews

• “Top notch crime fiction.”

• “Icelandic attorney Thóra Gudmundsdóttir is a clever and astute woman, and a welcome addition to the pantheon of fictional female investigators.”

• “This is well-written, pacey and wonderfully atmospheric, but the USP here is the character of Gudmundsdóttir. Wry, very funny and valiantly trying to balance the demands of her private life with her work – she is a joy. I'm looking forward to number three. /…/ Yrsa Sigurdardóttir brilliantly conjures an atmosphere of creeping menace and unreality.”

• “Sigurdardóttir delivers terrific clammy atmosphere and frequent frissons of fear; she is entitled to join the front rank of Nordic crime writers.”

• “Both frightening and funny – a terrific trick if you can pull it off.”

• “Distinguished by superb evocations of extraordinary landscapes and rivetingly gruesome inventiveness.”

• “The numerous twists and turns are worthy of Agatha Christie and keep the reader guessing until the very end.”

• “A welcome second outing for the good-natured lawyer-sleuth Thóra Gudmundsdóttir… Yrsa Sigurdardóttir's lightness of touch is refreshing.”

• “The novel is both spooky and gruesome. But Thóra's distinctly chaotic private life provides a welcome contrast and moments of very black humour /…/ It's rare to find a crime novel that's both chilling and witty – an agreeable combination.”

• “Dark, rich and satisfying.”

• “Iceland is fast becoming a hotbed of fine crime writing, and Sigurdardóttir is at the front of the pack. This second novel builds on her already impressive reputation… brilliantly paced and expertly constructed.”