The Darkness: A Thriller

Hidden Iceland Series, Book 1

By: Victoria Cribb - translator, Ragnar Jónasson

Narrated by: Amanda Redman

"Narrator Amanda Redman gives an adept performance as she takes on the various characters in this Icelandic thriller." — AudioFile Magazine

Spanning the icy streets of Reykjavik, the Icelandic highlands and cold, isolated fjords, The Darkness is an atmospheric thriller from Ragnar Jónasson, one of the most exciting names in Nordic Noir.

The body of a young Russian woman washes up on an Icelandic shore. After a cursory investigation, the death is declared a suicide and the case is quietly closed.

Over a year later Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir of the Reykjavík police is forced into early retirement at 64. She dreads the loneliness, and the memories of her dark past that threaten to come back to haunt her. But before she leaves she is given two weeks to solve a single cold case of her choice. She knows which one: the Russian woman whose hope for asylum ended on the dark, cold shore of an unfamiliar country. Soon Hulda discovers that another young woman vanished at the same time, and that no one is telling her the whole story. Even her colleagues in the police seem determined to put the brakes on her investigation. Meanwhile the clock is ticking.

Hulda will find the killer, even if it means putting her own life in danger.

(P)2018 Penguin Books Ltd

Critic reviews

"Narrator Amanda Redman gives an adept performance as she takes on the various characters in this Icelandic thriller." (AudioFile Magazine)

"The Darkness is a bullet train of a novel, at once blazingly contemporary and Agatha-Christie old-fashioned. With prose as pure and crisp as Reykjavik snowcrust, Ragnar Jónasson navigates the treacherous narrative with a veteran’s hand. I reached the end with adrenalized anticipation, the final twist hitting me in the face. I dare you not to be shocked." —Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author

Well done.

Although well written it is, however, not the kind of story that I enjoy reading.

Really great story with believably human characters

Can’t wait for book 2! Love that the main character is 64 and such a rich back story.

disappointing end

It was enjoyable until the end. too obvious. You knew who it was and why. and the final death rather trite.

3

I jumped at the chance to listen to a new tale of life and death in Iceland. This book was interesting in a new way from others by this author. Nothing was quite as it seemed... the author intended this and by the end of the book, as the story suddenly pulled together I'm glad I invested in it. I'm already inpatient for the next title.

Glad I tried this book!

Very much enjoyed the story, characters, and plot. Finished in one day. Excellent narration as well. Can definitely recommend.