Highly Caffeinated Rating of… ☕ ☕ ☕ + 1/2

OUTSIDE takes isolation to a whole new level with this crime novel. Jónasson has a distinct knack for developing atmospheric mysteries with layers of tension building until they combust in truth being revealed.

What I love about this book is how the author effortlessly manages to pull you into drama and the backstory. As a reader, I love the characters, the duplicity, and the careful unveiling of the reality of the situation all the players are in. There are moments where the ground is pulled out from one of the characters only for it to happen again just pages later. Then you have the landscape. Not only does the isolated nature of a snowstorm seep into the mystery, but it will deeply affect all those attending this trip. Honestly, the way it all intertwines is where the book shines.

Jónasson’s writing and deliberately plotted narrative made OUTSIDE a chilling read. I cannot wait to read what he has next for us.

Audiobook Note: The multi-perspective narration from Carla Harrison-Hodge, Eleanor Jackson, Gil Sullivan, Jamie Maclachlan, and Reice Weathers gave each character a distinct tone. This helped move the story along while creating interest for the reader/listener. It is always great when listening to an audiobook that the pace is upheld by all the narrators, and this is definitely the case here.

So Iceland is my absolute favorite place on earth so I was so excited to be able to read this. I loved that the characters had different narrators. I find that a lot easier to understand which characters are which.

This book was so slow. Nothing happens for most of it. The premise sounded great but unfortunately the delivery wasn't.

This is definitely not my favorite. It was pretty typical and not at all thrilling. It really just wasn’t for me in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook!

Narration in audiobooks is the most important thing to me. If I dont like the narrators voice theres no chance Ill be able to listen to the book. I really like this premise so Im going to read this one instead.

DNF. I think it's time to throw in the towel on this author. I previously owned and reas 2 other books by him and they were 2/3 stars but I at least finished them. I couldn't get into this one at all. Thank you for allowing me to try.

OUTSIDE is the latest chilling standalone thriller by author Ragnar Jonasson.

Four friends. One night. Not everyone will come out alive..

That synopsis really grabbed my attention, and I couldn't wait to listen to the audiobook version of this book. I loved that there were multiple narrators for each character, which helped to differentiate between them.

*many thanks to Minotaur and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy for review

This Icelandic thriller puts friendships to the ultimate test of life and death. A snowstorm mixed with betrayal and revenge, prove to be a dangerously deadly combination. This story is atmospheric, character driven and tests morality and humanity. How long can secrets stay buried? What lengths will one go to in order to keep the past from resurfacing? The harsh surroundings are not the only life threatening elements in this chilling and haunting tale. The narrators expertly bring the story to life while adding an extra layer of intrigue and suspense. Thank you NetGalley and McMillan Audio for my audiobook.

I listened to the audiobook and greatly enjoyed the narrators. The narrators truly brought this story to life and developed each out the 4 friends stuck in a snow storm during their hunting trip by giving each their own voice. They made the story for me. The plot itself left me wanting more. I thought it was a fun concept, but the execution was lacking.

Overall it was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Has a claustrophobic feel, a sense of unease prevails. While these characters are not particularly likable, they do serve to draw one into the story. The writing is stark and fits and adds to the feel of constant danger. While I didn't like this as much as this authors series novels, it was still an appealing read if one is a fan of Nordic noir.

In the audio each character has his or her own voice and this I enjoyed very much.

*3.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

Outside, by renown Nordic noir author Ragnar Jonasson, despite it's title is an often claustrophobic thriller about four reunited friends taking refuge in a small tight abandoned hunting lodge when a winter storm hits their Icelandic Highlands trip. Soon secrets, past resentments, and lies are revealed but the scariest is the stranger who has been hiding in the corner the whole time.

With five narrators Carla Harrison Hodge, Gil Sullivan, Jamie Maclachlan, Reice Weathers, and Eleanor Jackson this was very much a drama come to life. No one is sympathetic, they are all untrustworthy and the abrupt ending left me feeling outside the story but the crisp writing had me feeling the cold inside.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the MacMillan Audio via Netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

**This Review Is For The Audiobook**

Outside
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audiobook
Date Published: 6/28/22
Author: Ragnar Jonasson
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrators: Carla Harrison-Hodge
GR: 3.09

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Four friends. One night. Not everyone will come out alive. When a deadly snowstorm strikes the Icelandic highlands, four friends seek shelter in a small, abandoned hunting lodge. It is in the middle of nowhere and there's no way of communicating with the outside world. They are isolated, but they are not alone. As the night darkens, and fears intensify, an old tragedy gradually surfaces - one that forever changed the course of their friendship. Those dark memories could hold the key to the mystery the friends now find themselves in. And whether they will survive until morning.

My Thoughts: The story is narrated by the four friends, in alternating POVs. They were not very likable, the protagonists were flawed, which can make for a good thriller. The plot was an interesting concept, however, you must be able to suspend your belief a bit to be to fully enjoy this book, the beauty of an art of fiction. The ending was abrupt, I did not even realize I was at the end and boom the credits are reeling. The tone was set as dark and gloomy, another ingredient for a good thriller. The characters were developed well with depth, mystery, and creatively written. The author’s writing style was complex, dark, suspenseful, full of tension, and kept you engaged. This would be a good book for those that like crime (police procedural) and mysteries.

I listened to this audiobook on a road trip, and although the narrator did a great job in bringing the story to life, .the book itself left me wanting more.

Atmospheric and entertaining. Will appeal to fans of Nordic noir who want more survivalist stories and less brooding detectives.

What It's About: Four friends - Daniel, Gunnlaugur, Helena, Armaan - ptarmigan hunting weekend turns awry when a snowstorm strikes and they seek shelter in an abandoned hunting lodge. The weather worsens, tension rises and not everyone will come out alive.

My thoughts: I absolutely loved the setting here! Isolated in an abandoned lodge added the suspense and gives me the claustrophobic feeling throughout the story. There was a lot of tension in the group as their dark memories of each other begin to surface, and this got me intrigued.

However, the story meanders quite a bit later on. It was a slow burn character driven story, with nothing much going on but we get to see how the story unfolds through their POVs. I am not really sure how I feel about this book in the end. I liked it but at the same time it did fall flat for me in some parts.


Pub. Date: June 28th, 2022


***Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this gifted listening copy. All opinions expressed are my own.***

The narration is what sold it for me I don’t think I would’ve like this without the brilliant narrator

I did not like this book. The descriptions of the Icelandic nature were magnificent, but the characters were more than unlikeable and the plot slow moving and unimaginative. There were so many illogical twists, that did come together in the end, but at that time I didn't care anymore.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

This was quite the chilling read 😉

I really liked how atmospheric this one was and I enjoyed the isolated Icelandic setting! Told from multiple points of view, I found the constant paranoia very entertaining and the steady pace at which secrets were exposed.

Unfortunately, although complex, I just never fully got into this one as I never felt truly connected to any of the characters. While a quick read in length, it was just too slow of a burn for me. This was my first by Ragnar but I’m intrigued enough to pick up another from him!

Cold, so cold, a raging snowstorm, and four friends seek shelter in a old hunters shack. No phone service and a terrorizing incident, encompass these four. There are secrets that each have, secrets that determine their actions. (Aren't there always secrets?)

Has a claustrophobic feel, a sense of unease prevails. While these characters are not particularly likable, they do serve to draw one into the story. The writing is stark and fits and adds to the feel of constant danger. While I didn't like this as much as this authors series novels, it was still an appealing read if one is a fan of Nordic noir.

In the audio each character has his or her own voice and this I enjoyed very much.

I just love this author so much! I’ve read all of his prior books and while this wasn’t my favorite, it is absolutely his writing style and is an easy easy nordic noir author that’s very approachable. This one was a quick read, I devoured it very shortly after starting!

Thank you so much!