Rupture
By Ragnar Jónasson
Translated by Quentin Bates
Published by Orenda Books (15 January 2017)
ISBN: 978-1910633571
Publisher's description
1955. Two
young couples move to the uninhabited, isolated fjord of Hedinsfjörður. Their
stay ends abruptly when one of the women meets her death in mysterious
circumstances. The case is never solved. Fifty years later an old photograph
comes to light, and it becomes clear that the couples may not have been alone
on the fjord after all…
In nearby
Siglufjörður, young policeman Ari Thór tries to piece together what really
happened that fateful night, in a town where no one wants to know, where
secrets are a way of life. He's assisted by Ísrún, a news reporter in Reykjavik
who is investigating an increasingly chilling case of her own. Things take a
sinsister turn when a child goes missing in broad daylight. With a stalker on
the loose, and the town of Siglufjörður in quarantine, the past might just come
back to haunt them.
My verdict
I love this Dark Iceland series and believe that Rupture may possibly be the most intriguing so far.
Rupture is set in a small Icelandic community, which becomes quarantined (and even more isolated than usual) when a deadly virus strikes at its heart. Stranded by the epidemic, Ari Thór begins to investigate a 60-year-old cold case of poisoning at a remote fjord, looking for a mysterious young man in a old photograph. He seeks the help of Isrun, a news reporter in Reykjavik (first introduced in Blackout), who is investigating a hit and run and the disappearance of a young child.
Rupture is chilling, atmospheric and very readable (beautifully translated by Quentin Bates). I whizzed through it in just a few hours - totally captivated by the vivid descriptions of the Icelandic setting and daily life and haunted by the suspicious death of the past.
Yet again, as with all Dark Iceland books, there are several seemingly unconnected strands. They flowed alongside one another until they gradually began to weave together, creating a tapestry of deception and lies. There was more than a hint of Agatha Christie within the plot, especially as Ari Thór gathered everyone together for the final reveal. I believe these Dark Iceland books will feature on classic crime fiction reading lists for decades to come.
I have one copy of Rupture to give away (UK only). To enter, follow me on Twitter (@VictoriaGoldma2) and RT my pinned Rupture giveaway tweet. Entries close at midnight on 5th February. Winner chosen at random on 6th February and will be notified by Twitter Direct Messaging.
Follow the Blog Tour
