The Darkness is a textbook crime novel, for better or worse. During the dark and cold months of Iceland, we meet Hulda Hermannsdóttir, a detective inspector who is about to take on her last case before retirement. A young woman, an asylum seeker from Russia, found murdered on the shores. It doesn't take long for Hulda to realise that there is more to the cold case than meets the eye and that not everyone is telling the whole truth.

I have a personal fascination with Iceland as a place and culture, having learned the language for multiple years. This was my first encounter with Ragnar Jónasson and I approached it with a fair portion of excitement. The Darkness turned out to be a simple and satisfying read, that however didn't manage to surprise me. The language is not the most sophisticated, but clear and precise. The narrative has some surprises to offer, but all of them unfold in such a linear and step-by-step manner that I never felt fully gripped by the crime aspects of the story.

The true gem of this story is the story of Hulda - a woman who lost both her husband and daughter and who, at the age of 64, has a fear of being lonely and dying on her own. It's a touching and relatable fear and set against the backdrop of such a cold place it ended up being an atmospheric winter read. Ultimately I felt well entertained, but wasn't left with the desire for more, either.

This book reminded me of an old fashioned whodunnit. It's the first novel I've read by Ragnar Jonasson and I will definitely read more.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

The Darkness is not the first book I've read by the author, and as such, it suffers from the same problems. It is very bluntly written, others might think this a reflection of the starkness of Iceland, but I think it's just the author's writing style, and while it makes for a ridiculously easy read it is not necessarily a good thing as there is a lack of description other than what the weather is doing and everything feels 'half-formed' and also, 'too easy'. The causality of the book throws up few surprises.

There are three intermingling stories told in this incredibly short tale, and while they all eventually resolve into some sort of coherence, I didn't find the resolution satisfying or indeed, that convincing.

I always want to enjoy these books set in Iceland, I am drawn to the bleakness of it all, but I am, sadly, often left disappointed, and this is the same for this book. There just needs to be 'more' to these stories, and even the unconventional ending is ultimately disappointing while also being bold, a strange this to say, but true all the same.

An unusual police thriller with an unconventional heroine. Forced to retire our heroine decides to look into a cold case wrongly described as closed. She upsets her superior but doggedly continues until she is found out for letting off a woman guilty of a hit and run with good reason. Told to finish straight away she decides to finish her investigation with a devastating result. Recommended!

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Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir of the Reykjavik Police has always found herself a bit out of step with the predominantly male dominated force that she works in. Things have been a little fraught lately and when Hulda is suddenly forced into early retirement she manages to negotiate herself an extra week or so to work on the cold case of her choice.

Hulda knows straight away which case she will focus on. A young Russian woman had been found dead on a remote beach. She had been seeking asylum in Iceland and after a very brief investigation her death had been ruled a suicide.

After a couple of days of asking questions Hulda is certain that the young woman's death was murder. No-one seems to be telling her the whole truth and it looks likely that she wasn't the only young woman to go missing in that area.

If you've read any of Jónasson's Dark Iceland series you'll recognise his distinctive writing style. His books tend to weave several stories together in the background. These ancillary stories give depth and humanity to the main feature and make you think more about what is happening in the foreground.

Ultimately "The Darkness" reaches an unexpected and very dramatic ending. By the last few pages you find that you forget to breathe as its reaches its shocking finale.

Supplied by Net Galley and Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

Detective Inspector Hulda Hermansdottir is a short time away from retirement. One of the few women on the detective team, she feels she has worked hard, and is one of the best detectives, dedicating her life to the force. And yet she feels isolated and undervalued. Not looking forward to her retirement, suddenly she is called into her bosses' office to be told that she can leave now, taking her last couple of months as 'leave', and at the very least she has to leave within 2 weeks, as a new young hotshot male detective is arriving and needs her office.
All her cases have been re-assigned and there is nothing left for her to do. In shock, Hulda asks for something to occupy her time for a few more days until she has to leave and is allowed to choose a cold case. She chooses a case of a Russian girl, a 27 year-old called Elena, found dead on some rocks near the beach a few miles away. Her death has been dismissed as probably an accident or suicide. She was a girl no-one really seemed to care about. A mere asylum seeker. Moreover, the investigation into her death was handled by one of her colleagues, Alexander, someone she thinks does sloppy work. A last chance perhaps to show her skills as a good detective, before her inevitable lonely retirement.
As the investigation unfolds, two different stories are told side-by-side. One is the story of a single mother and her attempts to bring up her young daughter, someone we quickly realise is Hulda. This works well to provide some lovely background insight into Hulda's character. The other story, which starts later on in the book, relates to Elena and her disappearance. There is also Hulda's burgeoning relationship with Petur, a friend from the walking club. Both Hulda and Petur lost their partners some time ago, and Peter is clearly interested in developing his relationship with Hulda, and in finding out more about her.
Hulda's character, the way in which she responds to her shock at her enforced early retirement and the subsequent choices she makes, drive this story. She could just relax, spend time with her friend Petur and simply stop and start to enjoy her retirement. Or, she could carry on with her one last case: a decision that will have a critical consequence for Hulda. This is a fascinating story, touched with an underlying sadness that skilfully unveils Hulda's life as she carries out her last investigation.
Submitted to eurocrime.co.uk

This book starts with Hulda being told that she will be forced to retire from the police force and only has a few days to go. She is encouraged to spend those last few days at home but is told she can have a look at a cold case as a bit of a sop. Hulda does not want to retire as her life is not full. The one good thing is a new relationship that isn’t setting her on fire but is comfortable,
Hulda picks the case of a girl called Elena whose murder was poorly investigated. The investigation itself is not that riveting but intertwined with this are several other stories which all turn out to be integrated. There is a single mother, forced to put her child into an institution and a woman who has agreed to go for a trek in the wilderness and is regretting. You also get more information about Hulda’s own life before this date.
My overall feeling is one of total depression having read this book. It is well named as Hulda’s own despair seeps into you. Whilst this probably means that the books is well written, it doesn’t make for an enjoyable read.
I received this copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Hulda Hermannsdóttir is operating on borrowed time. A police detective nearing the end of her career, Hulda is forced into early retirement, but is given the chance to solve one last mystery. Opening a cold case, the jaded detective proceeds to step on the toes of her colleagues and invoke the wrath of her superior.

After reading White Out at Christmas, I was keen to dip into another Ragnar Jónasson. The first in a new series, The Darkness is a deceptively simple whodunit that proves exactly why Jónasson is a master of misdirection. Slipping between Hulda’s investigation and the atmospheric last day of the victim’s life, the story unfolds through a series of short, sharp chapters.

Bitter and haunted by her past, it’s fair to say that Hulda isn’t the most sympathetic of characters. Even though we are told that she is a competent officer, she rushes headlong into her last case, making rash decisions that are questionable at best. The investigation is Hulda’s last chance to prove herself. Life has been hard, and in many ways Hulda is as much a victim as the women she investigates.

Published on 15th March by Penguin, The Darkness is a curious blend of nordic noir and golden age detective fiction, although the startling conclusion is anything but cosy.

I’m intrigued to see what happens next…

A dark story about an Icelandic woman Detective inspector who is given early retirement. She is given a week to go and is granted a cold case to investigate as a last favour. This she pursues to the resentment of colleagues and treads on toes following red herrings. As the story unfolds we learn of the trials and tribulations of her upbringing and the disasters resulting from her marriage. There is a new relationship that has a promise of a better future in retirement. So she is half hearted in her investigation of her last case but her pride causes her to press on. She finds leads and believes what was closed as a case of suicide was probably murder. Unfortunately for her as she solves the case it only proves to be her undoing.

For me, the true genius of Jónasson's work rests in his ability to take what appears at first a simple mystery and establish such a tangible sense of setting which elevates the material above all around it. Then the subject complexities, expert plot delivery and nuances of character sweep you in - and surprise you every time. Another fantastic, absorbing novel.

Wow! Although this is crime set in Iceland it was quite different from the previous Ragnor Jonasson novels I've read. We're introduced to a detective at the end of career, looking into one final cold case before she retires. For once, I can honestly say the ending had a twist I really didn't see coming.

A well written book, but one that left me waiting for more to happen. The ticking clock we have when our protagonist is told she is being retired, makes for a great vehicle to drive the pace right from the word go, but I just didn't get that sense of momentum. I'll definitely read more of Ragnar's books as he's clearly a talented writer, but my personal preference is for a little more action/suspense. Also was left a little unsatisfied by the ending - no spoilers, but felt like it fell a little flat right at the death, so to speak.

Fuck. That ending. That revelation.

Wow. I've never really known a book to end in such a dark, surprising way. I knew i was hurtling towards the end, and was anticipating the finish that i would expect. But Ragnar Jonasson well and truly whipped the rug from beneath my feet, rolled me up in it, and buried me.

The book itself is as I've come to expect from the author. It has that dark, chilling Nordic feel to it. I actually felt that unlike his Dark Iceland series, this book was slightly lacking something. Quite possibly it was the main character who i was struggling to connect with. However having read the ending, it all makes sense. So brilliantly written. Its definitely a book that could do with a re-read, just so i can fully appreciate where its leading.

There were a couple of subtle hints towards the end that the rest of the series will travel back into Hulda's past, something I'm extremely excited to do.

A fantastic read!

This was an excellent Scandinavian detective thriller. The main character was very different to others and this brought a different aspect to the novel. I enjoyed the setting which was very descriptive. I don't want to give away the plot and ending but again I hadn't anticipated it. Highly recommended

I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for an advance copy of The Darkness, the first novel in a projected trilogy of the Hidden Iceland series.

Hulda Hermannsdóttir is in her last year of work as a police inspector when her boss tells her that she will be retiring that day to make way for a young, hotshot detective the department is lucky to get. She negotiates a two week extension and the chance to work a cold case of her choice. She chooses the death of asylum seeker, Elina, a year earlier. Her disinterested colleague had written it off as suicide, Hulda thinks murder.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Darkness which is a short, deceptively simple novel. It has three main voices, Hulda's investigation, the upbringing of an illegitimate child and a young woman's trip to the icy wastes. Initially it is puzzling as to how these various strands fit together but I was soon looking forward to finding out as they are intriguing.

The crime element of the novel is fairly simple with Hulda blundering about on her own until she finds a solution but it is well paced and absorbing. The real joy of the novel lies in the gradual revelation of Hulda's character and secrets. At 64 she is lonely and not looking forward to her retirement so it's a bitter blow to have to go early but a budding romance maybe takes the edge off. She hasn't had an easy life and her working conditions haven't been a bed of roses either as she's not one of the lads but the suggestion is there that her own personality, self contained, could be at the root of this. I am in total awe of Mr Jónasson's skill in drawing Hulda, who is one of the best characters I have read in a long time, from her apparent meekness to her venting at her boss and all faults in between. The way he teases out her secrets is equally masterful and I found my jaw dropping at some points.

The Darkness has an unusual ending which I love but will not be to all readers' taste. I think it is quite daring and rather ironic given previous events. It is a clever novel which I have no hesitation in recommending as a good read.

I was transfixed by the narrative, alternating between  Hulda's last few days before retirement and the story of the missing women on their last day. It all comes together in a shocking ending that reveals Hulda and the murderer's secrets, although nobody else will ever know what those are. Hulda's struggle to find the answer while under pressure to give up the case, made compelling reading.

I love this Author, so when given a chance to read (thanks to NetGalley) and review his latest novel, I jumped at the chance.

A quick read, a great plot with the main character due to retire and one last case to solve, It did not disappoint, and whilst the story line was predictable It never took away the enjoyment of the book

I am looking forward to the next book in the series, I just hope it is a little bit longer.....

An easy quick read. Strange ending considering there is another book to follow.

I have read and enjoyed Ragnar Jonasson’s Dark Iceland series and this is the first in a new series – Hidden Iceland. The landscape of Iceland has the same prominence, part of the pleasure for me is the setting for the novels, a culture that is similar but in many ways very different and a landscape more like the moon.
Hulda Hermansdottir is in her final few days in the police force before taking compulsory retirement. She takes up a cold case, where a young Russian woman was found dead on the beach two years previously. This takes her into the world of asylum seekers, and her suspicions that the original detective didn’t put much effort into investigating the apparent suicide are slowly confirmed.
It is a pleasure to read a novel with an older (64) female detective, there is a lot of reflection on the state of someone with a lot of energy, committed to her work, who faces an unwelcome retirement. Her colleagues either patronise or ignore her. I enjoyed her single-handed moves to solve the case, which aren’t totally successful; she makes a lot of gaffes along the way.
The ending didn’t entirely work for me, but it didn’t matter. I enjoyed this novel very much.