"It was a sight Asta Karadottir would never forget, even though she had only been a child when she saw it--or maybe for that very reason. She had been in her room in the attic when it happened...But what she saw--the terrible event she witnessed--would never leave her. She had never told a soul about it. And now she had returned after a long exile."
When Asta is found dead at the bottom of the cliffs below the Kalfshamarsvik lighthouse on the northern coast of Iceland, Ari Thor Arason is called in to help his former boss, Tomas, investigate. Ari Thor brings his girlfriend, Kristin, along because it's almost Christmas Eve and she's eight months pregnant. Not many people live at Kalfshamarsvik, which narrows their list of suspects to just four people. It should be an easy investigation, until someone else ends up dead.
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| Kalfshamarsvik Lighthouse in Iceland |
My thoughts:
The Icelandic setting in White Out is so alluring! And I thought Asta's story, and Ari Thor's investigation into her death, was very compelling. It's fast-paced and there are several good twists. If I had to describe this mystery in one word it would be riveting. And even though I haven't read any of Jonasson's other books, and this is the fifth book in the Dark Iceland series, I never felt lost. Ari Thor is a great character. I look forward to checking out Jonasson's other books.
Happy Reading!
Another excellent Icelandic mystery: My Soul to Take by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
I've read other Icelandic thrillers and was impressed by them. I'll look for these.
ReplyDeleteThat Icelandic setting really works well in a thriller, doesn't it?
DeleteI've read a few of Jonasson's books and have enjoyed all of them. I haven't read this one though and I'm putting it on my list.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this book, I want to read more of Jonasson's novels. I really like the way he writes. :)
DeleteI read a non fiction book about Iceland, but I've never read a fiction book. This setting sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt's fascinating, and so different from other places. I like the remoteness and the harshness of it.
DeleteI don't think I've ever read a book set in Iceland, but I'd like too. This one sounds really good! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was really good. I need to go back and read the first books in this series now. :)
DeleteOh this sounds nice. I love the Icelandic setting.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of that Icelandic setting, too! :D
DeleteWhite Out sounds like it would be an interesting read. I like the premise.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one! And it's under 300 pages, so it reads fast, too. :)
DeleteI've read the first book in the series but no more because there's some confusion over which book is book 2 I think. Different people seem to have different theories. The first book was very good though!
ReplyDeleteI want to read the first book now. And that's weird that there isn't agreement on which book is book #2. I say pick whichever plot interests you the most and read that one next. :)
DeleteI haven't read a book set in Iceland, and I'm curious! Kalfshamarsvik seems like the ideal setting for an isolated mystery/thriller.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very isolated setting, that's for sure. But then, all of Iceland seems pretty isolated to me. :)
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed this one, Lark. He's one of my favorite writers.
ReplyDeleteI can see why. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to read more of his books. :)
DeleteI need to read more mysteries with foreign settings. This looks good and 'riveting' works for me. :)
ReplyDeleteForeign settings are fun! I like far Northern settings like Iceland because they're so different from where we live.
DeleteWhat is it about cold, bleak and desolate places that make such good settings for mysteries. Just not the same in a tropical location. :)
ReplyDeleteThey do make the perfect settings for mysteries and thrillers. Tropical settings work better for romance. :)
DeleteHi Lark, I love books set in remote, cold climates and so White Out sounds like it would be just my speed. I know very little about Iceland and so this is a book I should put on my list
ReplyDeleteI love books set in cold, remote places, too. I think that's why I love reading books set in Alaska, Antarctica, and Iceland. :)
DeleteI’d love to visit Iceland. Have a beautiful day.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
I would love to visit Iceland someday, too. :)
DeleteI really like Jonasson's books, especially his "Hulda" series...even have this one on the shelf waiting for me to get to it. It's been a while since I've read anything set in Iceland but that setting, if handled correctly, almost becomes a one of the characters in a novel. Would love to visit Iceland one day.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sam! I would like to visit Iceland someday, too. And I have Jonasson's Hulda series on my TBR list. I want to read more of this series, now, too. :)
DeleteI have not heard of either of these. I have never read a book set in Iceland either, I think it would be a fascinating setting!
ReplyDeleteIt is a very fascinating setting. I really like reading books that are set there. :)
DeleteSounds intriguing! The Icelandic setting alone is enough to capture my attention. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Melody! It's that Icelandic setting that made me want to try Jonasson's books in the first place. :)
DeleteThe Icelandic setting sounds so desolate, which kind of heightens the suspense with only four suspects! - Verushka @ Pop. Edit.Lit
ReplyDeleteI was drawn to Jonasson's books because of that Icelandic series. And I really enjoyed this mystery. :)
DeleteI haven't read this series, but the latest novel recently caught my eye. I'm glad to know you don't have to read all of the other books to enjoy this one!
ReplyDeleteI was a little worried about it, but the author does a good job of giving you all the information you really need to know, without giving away all his previous mysteries. :)
DeleteThese Icelandic mysteries look good to me. So much atmosphere in the landscape to totally grip a reader.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read his other books now!
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