Four stars ****
Recently, I read a story about the PM of Iceland who had found time to co-author a novel with one of her country’s best known writers. Here is that book and it is one that is easy to recommend.
The story opens in the 1950s with the disappearance of teen, Lara, from her summer position as a maid on an island off the coast of Reyjavik. An inexperienced police officer goes out to investigate but is stonewalled. The couple who live on the island for the summer includes a barrister who calls a higher ranking officer. That one tells the rookie not to press this couple.
Flash forward to the year of the capital’s birthday celebrations, 1986. The case has never been solved. A journalist chooses to re-investigate. What happens to him as a result? What will happen from this point? What will be discovered and by whom? Will it be the truth? What really did happen to Lara? Who does not want the facts to come out? For certain, there are secrets! Read this one to suss out some answers.
The book opens with a very helpful list of the story’s many characters. It may take those unaccustomed to the country’s language a little time to get comfortable with these but it is worth the time. It was also fun to look up some of the places that are used as settings, especially the small island of Videy.
The authors have dedicated this title to Agatha Christie. It is, I think, a book that she would have liked. That said, Reykjavik is not a story told in a hurry. If you require fast paced, this title might not be for you. I enjoyed it though.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 