A slow burning Nordic Noir, Snowblind is a well written and fascinating opening to a promising series.
Snowblind by Ragnar Jónasson
Genres: Mystery, Crime, Nordic Noir
Published: 20th April, 2015
Goodreads
Series: Dark Iceland #1
Rating: 4
Siglufjörður: an idyllically quiet fishing village in Northern Iceland, where no one locks their doors – accessible only via a small mountain tunnel. Ari Thór Arason: a rookie policeman on his first posting, far from his girlfriend in Reykjavik – with a past that he’s unable to leave behind. When a young woman is found lying half-naked in the snow, bleeding and unconscious, and a highly esteemed, elderly writer falls to his death in the local theatre, Ari is dragged straight into the heart of a community where he can trust no one, and secrets and lies are a way of life. An avalanche and unremitting snowstorms close the mountain pass, and the 24-hour darkness threatens to push Ari over the edge, as curtains begin to twitch, and his investigation becomes increasingly complex, chilling and personal. Past plays tag with the present and the claustrophobic tension mounts, while Ari is thrust ever deeper into his own darkness – blinded by snow, and with a killer on the loose.
Dark, cold and unforgiving. That’s winter for you in Siglufjörður. I want to go ahead and say it: other parts of Iceland don’t seem that much more inviting either during this time of the year, but this little town is an even worse position, being all snowed in and cut off from the rest of the world.
This is where Ari Thor moves from one day to another, after getting a job offer. Leaving his girlfriend behind in Reykjavik, he sets out on a new adventure in this tiny town, that is more like a tight knit community with its 1300 inhabitants. If being the new guy, the outsider, is not difficult enough, he soon finds himself emotionally entangled with lovely Ugla (what a name, oh dear…). When a simple accident turns out to be something more than that, and a half naked woman is discovered bleeding onto the pristine snow, Ari Thor realizes this place is not as peaceful and boring as he first thought.
Some of the residents hide decade old secrets, others are not what they seem, and while the local sergeant seems to be blind to the obvious, Ari Thor sets out on his own to untangle the mystery, even if it’s against his boss’ plan. Who can he trust? Who has a hidden agenda?
Neither of the crimes are particularly gruesome, but the constant darkness and the feeling of claustrophobia is almost overwhelming. Ari Thor was such an interesting fella. Before becoming a police officer, he studied theology, not because he was religious, quite the opposite.
“He reckoned he had probably applied for theology as a challenge to some god he was convinced didn’t exist; some god who had snatched away any chance he had of growing up normally when he was thirteen, when his mother died and his father had disappeared without trace.”
His gentle and open manner soon earned him the nickname The Reverend among the townsfolk, and his interactions with the community painted a clear picture of a kind and caring person. His emotional turmoil over his girlfriend who seemed cold and distant was painful to watch, but came across genuine and relatable.
A captivating small town mystery, Snowblind will transport you into atmospheric Siglufjörður before you know it.
Oh! I’ve had this on my TBR for a little while but never got around to it. It sounds quite atmospheric and dark. This review got me exited 😁
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Oh, yay!
It’s defo dark with a great atmosphere ❤
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Great review! It sounds like a strong, atmospheric read.
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Thank you! It defo was ❤
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Excellent review, Norrie! I didn’t think I’d be interested in this title until I read your summary.
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Aww ❤ * melts *
I love books set in Iceland. That place is perfect for dark atmosphere with the constant cold and snow.
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Wow, the atmosphere sounds wonderful, Norrie! Terrific review, and I’ll be adding this one.
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Thank you!
I hope you’ll enjoy it too as much as i did 🙂
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Haven’t read this but it sounds amazing. Also i have to say i ADORE your blog name and tagline 😍😍
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Aw, thank you ❤ 🙂
I really like nordic noir, and books set in Iceland. All that snow and cold is perfect for the atmosphere.
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Isn’t it? I’m hoping to read a few more than usual this year. Hopefully the good ones get published in India as well.
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Sounds like the perfect cosy winter mystery. The whodunnit not too gruesome, but the atmospherics sound like it makes this one all the more, eh, chilling? ☺️
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Exactly!
I think the weather was more brutal than the actual murder 😀
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I read two books similar, I think, by Anders de la Motte, Sweedish author who used the weather to great effect. I really like his thrillers.
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Oh, that sounds like something i need to check out!
Thanks for the tip 🙂
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If can cope with bleak, atmospheric stories then yes, try de la Motte!
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Bleak is my middle name 😀
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I swear I’ll read one of those mysteries one day. 😂 This one does sound like a perfect atmospheric winter read. Great review! 😊👌
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Haha, it was!
It doesn’t get much more wintry than this! 😀
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Wonderful review Norrie! I have never heard of this but your review has me highly intrigued!
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Thank you 🙂
This is lookin’ like a good series!
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This sounds so good! That claustrophobic atmosphere, plus I love Iceland! Great review!!
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Have you been to Iceland?
I really want to visit! ❤
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No, but I want to visit it too! I only know it from videos on the internet, but it looks magical and amazing!
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This reminds me of Beartown somehow….small town, winter, tight knit community …
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I love this kind of atmosphere for mysteries and thrillers. It lends itself so well and Iceland is fascinating!
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It is! I hope i manage to visit soon 🙂
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Oooo nice review, this series is on my radar to start, I own the complete series so I really should get on it, haha!
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Yay, nice 🙂 Hope you’ll like it too!
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This definitely sounds interesting- I love the dark gritty sound of it. Kinda almost reminds me of Deadwind, a Finnish show I saw recently (on Netflix- I think?). Not sure, but it had that same Nordic noir feel maybe.
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Oh Deadwind! I’m watching it now. It’s awesome ❤
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Are you? Haha awesome. 🙂
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This sounds so good. I like the sound of the small town, whose name I can’t pronounce. The MC also sounds like he has an interesting back story. Great review, Norrie.
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Ah, that pronounciation! Haha, indeed 😀 Common theme for me in icelandic books.
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I’ve been meaning to pick this book up for ages now and your review makes me all squirmy because I know I want to read it, a lot! 🙂 I must get to this author this year for sure!!!
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That cover looks absolutely amazing! And I’m so glad the story is just as good if not amazing. Loved reading your review 😀
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Hahaha oh no. Can’t believe a character is named Ugla. 😂
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Right?
There was precedent of translators changing character names when i was reading in hungarian, cuz the name was an actual word in my language, and not a nice one.
This name just reminds me of “ugly” and such a shame cuz she was a lovely character ❤
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Ahhh I see, that makes sense! Poor gal lol.
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Ooh, my writing partner will love this one! She loves mysteries set in Scandinavia countries and Iceland. Her favorite are the Helene Tursten’s Inspector Huss books. Thanks for the recommendation! ❤️❤️
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Oh i need to check that one out! Haven’t heard of that series before!
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Hmmm, me thinks this book is around here somewhere…I’ll have to dig through my Kindle. I’ve just gone back and checked and naturally I read and reviewed the 2nd in this series, but haven’t read the first! I knew it sounded familiar. Now I really have to go find it.
Lovely review!
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I never know how they come in order either. They should really include that in the labels on kindle 🙈
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I love how atmospheric these Nordic Noir stories are. Especially those with a winter setting. They sound so gooood! Glad you enjoyed this one, Norrie! 😀
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I know, right?
I personally don’t like being in snowy setting, haha, but it’s good in books & mystery/crime movies/series.
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This sounds like it has a really intriguing, atmospheric setting- great review!
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Thank you 🙂
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