Overview

The second heart-stopping book in the Hidden Iceland series from the Icelandic crime-writing sensation The island of Elli aey sits off the Icelandic coast. Accessible only by boat its isolation makes it the perfect place to vanish. During a long, hot summer four friends visit the island. Only three will return. They each share a past, and a dark secret that could harm them all. As the days pass, tensions rise and loyalties are shed, one of them will commit murder. Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsd ttir is sent to investigate and soon finds echoes with the case of a young woman found murdered ten years previously in the nearby West Fjords. Is there a patient killer stalking these barren outposts? As Hulda navigates a sinister game constructed of smoke and mirrors, she is convinced that no one is telling the truth, including those closest to her. But who will crack first? Haunting, suspenseful and as chilling as the Icelandic winter The Island follows one woman's journey to find the truth hidden in the darkest shadows, and shine a light on her own dark past.

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9781405930826

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Reviews

Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdoittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year. * BOLO Books Review * Superb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction * Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month * I've ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax -- Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For * Anthony Horowitz * Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news * The Guardian * Magnificently dark and twisted! That ending - blimey! * C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man * It will get your pulse racing and keep you hooked to the last page * Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series * Praise for The Darkness * - * The threads lie in various places, the plot is well woven and the pieces in the puzzle come together well in the end. The structure is good, the main characters are believable, the story flows well, everyone is a suspect a la Agatha Christie and the solution unveils the mystery and leads the readers to the truth. But not all the truth, as some things are better left hidden * Morgunbladid * Ragnar's best book yet * Kiljan, literary TV show * Ragnar's best written book, filled with psychological horror and underlying rage. Hulda Hermannsdottir is a welcome addition to the selection of Icelandic crime fiction protagonists . . . It is almost impossible to put the book down until the last word has been read * Frettabladid * Ragnar Jonasson is the Stephen King of Icelandic thrillers * Reader Review * We heart the melancholy Hulda * Sunday Times Crime Club * A chilling novel about people with dark secrets, protecting themselves without a thought for the consequences. * Sunday Times * Prepare to be swept away to the beautiful yet unforgiving island of Ellidaey in Jonasson's latest Icelandic noir. Atmospheric and creepy, Jonasson successfully keeps you guessing till the bittersweet end * Heat * No one does isolation better than Ragnar Jonasson, who is superb at portraying Iceland's stark landscape and savage beauty . . . [Hulda Hermannsdottir is] an excellent addition to the growing band of top-class women detectives * The Times * Few writers at work today conjure atmosphere with such power, or plot their mysteries with such craft. The Island is his best book yet, an unflinching thriller that braids past and present, good and evil, love and loss. I can't wait for Hulda Hermannsdottir's next case * AJ Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window * Dark, chilling and utterly gripping, The Island is Nordic noir at its best, and is destined to become a classic of the genre. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the rest of the Hulda series! * Shari Lapena, bestselling author of The Couple Next Door *

Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdoittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year. * BOLO Books Review * Superb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction * Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month * I've ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax -- Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For * Anthony Horowitz * Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news * The Guardian * Magnificently dark and twisted! That ending - blimey! * C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man * It will get your pulse racing and keep you hooked to the last page * Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series * Praise for The Darkness * - * Inventive and original, atmospheric and chilling . . . Fans of Christie's work will feel right at home; fans of Nordic Noir will similarly find the atmosphere right up their alley * 5 ***** Reader Review * The threads lie in various places, the plot is well woven and the pieces in the puzzle come together well in the end. The structure is good, the main characters are believable, the story flows well, everyone is a suspect a la Agatha Christie and the solution unveils the mystery and leads the readers to the truth. But not all the truth, as some things are better left hidden * Morgunbladid * Ragnar's best book yet * Kiljan, literary TV show * Ragnar's best written book, filled with psychological horror and underlying rage. Hulda Hermannsdottir is a welcome addition to the selection of Icelandic crime fiction protagonists . . . It is almost impossible to put the book down until the last word has been read * Frettabladid * Ragnar Jonasson is the Stephen King of Icelandic thrillers * Reader Review * Consider this one of the author's best plots, layered with that dour Scandinavian atmosphere we love * New York Times * This kept me guessing right up until the final pages. I loved the vivid landscapes, brilliant characterisation and intricate plotting. Bravo! * Liz Nugent, bestselling author of Skin Deep * A strikingly evoked picture of Iceland's forbidding beauty...Hulda Hermansdottir is a striking character - both gloomy and tenacious - and she is a key reason for the success of this atmospheric novel * Barry Forshaw * We heart the melancholy Hulda * Sunday Times Crime Club * A chilling novel about people with dark secrets, protecting themselves without a thought for the consequences. * Sunday Times * Prepare to be swept away to the beautiful yet unforgiving island of Ellidaey in Jonasson's latest Icelandic noir. Atmospheric and creepy, Jonasson successfully keeps you guessing till the bittersweet end * Heat * No one does isolation better than Ragnar Jonasson, who is superb at portraying Iceland's stark landscape and savage beauty . . . [Hulda Hermannsdottir is] an excellent addition to the growing band of top-class women detectives * The Times * Few writers at work today conjure atmosphere with such power, or plot their mysteries with such craft. The Island is his best book yet, an unflinching thriller that braids past and present, good and evil, love and loss. I can't wait for Hulda Hermannsdottir's next case * A. J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window * Dark, chilling and utterly gripping, The Island is Nordic noir at its best, and is destined to become a classic of the genre. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the rest of the Hulda series! * Shari Lapena, bestselling author of The Couple Next Door *

Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdoittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year. * BOLO Books Review * Superb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction * Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month * I've ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax -- Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For * Anthony Horowitz * Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news * The Guardian * Magnificently dark and twisted! That ending - blimey! * C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man * It will get your pulse racing and keep you hooked to the last page * Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series * Praise for The Darkness * - * The threads lie in various places, the plot is well woven and the pieces in the puzzle come together well in the end. The structure is good, the main characters are believable, the story flows well, everyone is a suspect a la Agatha Christie and the solution unveils the mystery and leads the readers to the truth. But not all the truth, as some things are better left hidden * Morgunbladid * Ragnar's best book yet * Kiljan, literary TV show * Ragnar's best written book, filled with psychological horror and underlying rage. Hulda Hermannsdottir is a welcome addition to the selection of Icelandic crime fiction protagonists . . . It is almost impossible to put the book down until the last word has been read * Frettabladid * Ragnar Jonasson is the Stephen King of Icelandic thrillers * Reader Review * Prepare to be swept away to the beautiful yet unforgiving island of Ellidaey in Jonasson's latest Icelandic noir. Atmospheric and creepy, Jonasson successfully keeps you guessing till the bittersweet end * Heat * [Hulda Hermannsdottir is] an excellent addition to the growing band of top-class women detectives * The Times * Few writers at work today conjure atmosphere with such power, or plot their mysteries with such craft. The Island is his best book yet, an unflinching thriller that braids past and present, good and evil, love and loss. I can't wait for Hulda Hermannsdottir's next case * AJ Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window * Dark, chilling and utterly gripping, The Island is Nordic noir at its best, and is destined to become a classic of the genre. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the rest of the Hulda series! * Shari Lapena, bestselling author of The Couple Next Door *

Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdoittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year. * BOLO Books Review * Superb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction * Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month * I've ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax -- Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For * Anthony Horowitz * Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news * The Guardian * Magnificently dark and twisted! That ending - blimey! * C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man * It will get your pulse racing and keep you hooked to the last page * Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series * Praise for The Darkness * - * Jonasson is an automatic must-read for me . . . possibly the best Scandi writer working today Praise for Ragnar Jonasson * - * Inventive and original, atmospheric and chilling . . . Fans of Christie's work will feel right at home; fans of Nordic Noir will similarly find the atmosphere right up their alley * 5 ***** Reader Review * The threads lie in various places, the plot is well woven and the pieces in the puzzle come together well in the end. The structure is good, the main characters are believable, the story flows well, everyone is a suspect a la Agatha Christie and the solution unveils the mystery and leads the readers to the truth. But not all the truth, as some things are better left hidden * Morgunbladid * Ragnar's best book yet * Kiljan, literary TV show * Ragnar's best written book, filled with psychological horror and underlying rage. Hulda Hermannsdottir is a welcome addition to the selection of Icelandic crime fiction protagonists . . . It is almost impossible to put the book down until the last word has been read * Frettabladid * Ragnar Jonasson is the Stephen King of Icelandic thrillers * Reader Review * Consider this one of the author's best plots, layered with that dour Scandinavian atmosphere we love * New York Times * This kept me guessing right up until the final pages. I loved the vivid landscapes, brilliant characterisation and intricate plotting. Bravo! * Liz Nugent, bestselling author of Skin Deep * Extraordinary, the three books in that series are all amazing . . . very moving all the way through -- Ian Rankin A strikingly evoked picture of Iceland's forbidding beauty...Hulda Hermansdottir is a striking character - both gloomy and tenacious - and she is a key reason for the success of this atmospheric novel * Barry Forshaw * We heart the melancholy Hulda * Sunday Times Crime Club * Riveting * Sunday Times * A chilling novel about people with dark secrets, protecting themselves without a thought for the consequences. * Sunday Times * Prepare to be swept away to the beautiful yet unforgiving island of Ellidaey in Jonasson's latest Icelandic noir. Atmospheric and creepy, Jonasson successfully keeps you guessing till the bittersweet end * Heat * No one does isolation better than Ragnar Jonasson, who is superb at portraying Iceland's stark landscape and savage beauty . . . [Hulda Hermannsdottir is] an excellent addition to the growing band of top-class women detectives * The Times * Few writers at work today conjure atmosphere with such power, or plot their mysteries with such craft. The Island is his best book yet, an unflinching thriller that braids past and present, good and evil, love and loss. I can't wait for Hulda Hermannsdottir's next case * A. J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window * Dark, chilling and utterly gripping, The Island is Nordic noir at its best, and is destined to become a classic of the genre. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the rest of the Hulda series! * Shari Lapena, bestselling author of The Couple Next Door *

Author Information

Ragnar J nasson (Author) Ragnar J nasson is an international number one bestselling author who has sold five million books in thirty-six countries worldwide. He was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he also teaches copyright law at university, and is the co-chair of the Iceland Noir literature festival. He has previously worked on radio and television and, from the age of seventeen, has translated fourteen of Agatha Christie's novels. He has won multiple awards for his crime fiction internationally, as well as a special jury recognition in Iceland for his poetry. His critically acclaimed international bestseller The Darkness is coming to TV screens this year, starring Lena Olin, Jack Bannon and Douglas Henshall, and Ridley Scott will be producing Outside as a feature film. Victoria Cribb (Translator) Victoria Cribb studied and worked in Iceland for many years. She has translated more than 25 novels from the Icelandic and, in 2017, she received the Or stir honourary translation award for services to Icelandic literature.

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