Strange Shores

By: Arnaldur Indridason

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Somewhere in the wilderness of Iceland's frozen East Fjords, Erlendur is on the hunt. For a long-lost brother, for a woman who vanished decades ago, for answers. He has come to confront the family tragedy that has haunted him all his life. But it is another missing-person story - the disappearance of Matthildur, lost in a snowstorm decades before but not yet forgotten - which reels him in. Slowly, the past begins to give up its secrets - of infidelities, betrayal, revenge, and murder. There are blizzards, bitter cold, people at the limit of endurance. It is a journey that will have Erlendur wrestle all his personal demons but also find him at midnight, in an open grave, face to face with the evidence of long-buried crimes.

©2010 Arnaldur Indridason (P)2014 Recorded Books

Wonderful

I think rhis is the best one of the Erlendur Nordic Noir series, so far.😀👍🏼👍🏼

Another perfect Indrithason novel!

Loved this book! Very introspective, less procedural. We get into the heart and mind of Erlanthur. Guidell as always is PERFECTION

Melting the snowy past

I have loved all of Arnaldur Indridason's mysteries since "Jar City". (I first read it from paper, then got the audio version.)
Erlundur, the very troubled policeman living in the past returns to his childhood home to look for his brother who was lost in a snow storm. Another mystery emerges and Erlundur's pursuit of answers is a slog through the snow. The atmospherics are wonderful. The action in this mystery takes place mainly in Erlundur's thought processes as he unravels the past. Listening, I was intrigued, surprised, disappointed, etc. along with the protagonist. A great listen.

Wonderful

Another atmospheric, satisfying, beautifully written suspense novel by the inimitable Arnaldur Indridason, beautifully read to perfection by George Guidall.

A rich narration.

Excellent storytelling. No big surprises. Just a tight little story with a quiet ending. Makes me wish it were colder where I find myself.

Fabulous

A police procedural that has no police station, or any of the usual police trappings. Just a policeman, on his own, searching for truth in one unsolved death, and peace in a heartbreaking loss of his own.

Excellent Writing Creative Story

From the first book of the series I’ve been hooked. I’m actually surprised this audible series didn’t receive a higher volume of ratings…to indicate higher number of listeners.

It’s slow-paced sometimes but quality of content doesn’t suffer. These are good mysteries, detective dramas with mostly unpredictable outcomes. After I got accustomed to the Icelandic names so I could remember who did what…I thoroughly enjoyed listening.

The stories are intelligent, unique, with subplots as interesting as the main plots.

The series has a set of characters, who are interchanged as main characters throughout. Keeps it interesting but early on I would be set on the main character only for it to change next book. But it didn’t take long for me to get taken by him/her.
Indridason gives us in-depth background of these characters, snapshots of their strengths and flaws, without straying too far from plot, and without being too wordy or repetitive, so one can understand their behavior. You ultimately end up liking these complicated people. Sometimes you’re even driven to feel compassionate for some of the criminals!
It’s set in Iceland and Indridason does a fantastic job in helping the listener imagine the scenery.

The narrator? Fantastic as always…He’s one of my favorites and the reason I stumbled across this wonderful author.

I’m not a writer and this is why my review doesn’t flow; why I’m repetitive and too wordy. But hopefully it helps someone.

She's my brother.

Indridason weaves a story of improbable elements into a fabric redolent of the mystery and power of human suffering, jealousy, revenge, love, and redemption. Guidall brings each of the characters to life, giving them voices in his readings. This is the Audible experience at its most enjoyable.

Magical storytelling

This author continues to amaze me with his creativity and imagination...the story is not personal but is extremely personal at the same time...the light and the dark are equally wonderful...one of my favorites for sure

Strange, haunting.

Would you consider the audio edition of Strange Shores to be better than the print version?

Don't know, never read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Strange Shores?

Hard to pick, lots of weird and memorable scenes.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

Elendur, he is a very strange and sad person.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A little flat. Kind of goes with the generally depressive and frozen tone of the book, but tends almost to be hypnotic.

Any additional comments?

This is a book about very depressed people who seem to be in a perpetual state of frozen cold. Perhaps Iceland is really like this, but if it is, I don't think I will be visiting soon. Good very psychological drama for those that like a more "internal" mystery.