This book had me intrigued from the synopsis and I was not let down.

This book kept me on my toes. It changes pov a few times. But it does it in a way that does not interfere with the flow of the story.

I really like the way the mystery slowly unravels until the final twist. This feels like a classic mystery novel such as an Agatha Christie book. We get a feel for Iceland and the historical events mentioned really helps give this book a solid place and time creation the atmosphere needed.

Overall, this is a solid mystery novel for anyone login for a good crime story.

Reykjavik is a slow-burn mystery set in Iceland. It has a past and present perspective and is written, not only by Ragnar Jonasson, but also Katrin Jakobsdottir, the Prime Minister of Iceland!

Lara is a 15 year-old girl who is working as a maid on the island of Videy, near Reykjavik, in the summer of 1956. For no apparent reason, she suddenly quits her job and then vanishes without a trace. The original investigator has his efforts thwarted by the powers that be and the whole area is concerned and caught up in the young girl’s disappearance. Yet even with all of the attention, it remains a mystery that is never solved. Three decades later, a young reporter seeks to unravel the mystery himself. When tragedy strikes, his younger sister takes over.

This story is definitely a slow-burn, quiet novel with rather flat, indistinguishable characters. It’s not quite as atmospheric as others in this genre, or previous books by this author, where the setting feels like a character itself. I found the characters quite confusing given their Icelandic names, and I had a difficult time discerning who was who and what their role was in the story.

The 1986 timeframe offered some significant world political elements, but they seemed a bit disjointed from the plot as a whole. Though the mystery was rather intriguing and I was surprised by the perpetrator, I still don’t quite understand why the culprit did what he did. All-in-all, this was a fairly interesting story, but not quite as captivating as Jonasson’s previous works.

"I'm sure he wasn't murdered. That sort of thing doesn't happen in Iceland."

Unless you're in a Ragner Jonasson novel! This time the famed murder mystery author has teamed up with the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrin Jakobsottir, and created the atmospheric Nordic Noir mystery Reykjavik.

In 1956 teen Lara has a summer job on the small elite island Videy, off the coast of Reykjavik, working for a wealthy family. Before the summer is over she is missing and is never heard from again. Her story captures the attention of the public and remains a national mystery thirty years later when in 1986, Valur, a young enthusiastic reporter investigates this cold case.

The authors capture the moodiness associated with Nordic Noir mysteries. It's an extremely slow burn as the story unfolds in three parts with three main characters each giving their own views.

Reading it on a rainy dreary day really made it come to life. I also listened to the audiobook with actors Bert Seymour and Tamaryn Payne who would be perfect for a Masterpiece PBS adaption of the book with their stoic moody performances.

What made it stand out for me was a murder half way through that I never expected and a murderer that wasn't on my list of suspects. Ending the mystery of Lara in 1986 on Reykjavik at the same time as President Reagan and Russia's Gorbachev met to end the cold war is a bit of creative literary cohesiveness.

As a huge fan of this author, this Prime Minister and Iceland, Reykjavik is everything I needed for a Mystery Monday review.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

My initial thoughts on this book were that it was going to be a nordic noir, which I have not read many of pervious to this one. I thought it would have a different take since this is from Iceland which I have never read a book from before. I was excited due to this. The vibes that I got were maybe more on the spookier side based on the eerie cover. I can say that whatever my initial thoughts were, they were not correct.

The story and plot were subpar for myself. The plot line was too predictable for someone who has read a lot of thrillers and mysteries. The twists and turns were expected and the ending was too easy to guess. I wish it hadn't been that way for myself since I really wanted to love this book and expand my horizon towards more nordic books. I think this book would be great for a beginner but not for someone that loves mysteries and thrillers. The characters and dialogue were very dry and didn't feel authentic. I don't know if its just because it was translated but I also had similar problems with a different nordic noir prior. There was no emotional build up and whatever was talked about was heavily explained and not shown.

Overall, I think this style is only for certain types of readers. It was too analytical in a generic way. I, myself, am not one of those readers. I love having more emotion behind the writing so that the characters feel alive as well as easy flowing dialogue.

I would like to thank the Publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Reykjavík: A Crime Story by Ragnar Jónasson and Katrín Jakobsdóttir has reignited my love and desire to read all the crime thrillers and mysteries once again!

This is a Nordic noir with both authors residing in Reykjavík, and Jakobsdóttir even being the prime minister of Iceland. The plot has journalist Valur Robertsson set on cracking a thirty-year unsolved missing person case, tracking down and re-interviewing all those involved in the original investigation. It's really not shocking that I loved this book based on these aspects alone, as this one is perfect for fans of Stieg Larsson. Although in contrast to Larsson’s books, Reykjavík is not as in depth or lengthy, making it easier to follow along and digest. (Speaking of, although there is a wide cast of characters, never once did I get confused with who anyone was; each character is introduced very well.)

As I read, I kept having this reoccurring thought comparing this book to The Guest List - although they are entirely different plot lines! I think the biggest comparison between the two is the crimes are both set on almost deserted islands. And there is one scene in both books that gave me the same haunted feeling - absolutely giving me goose bumps!

The narrators were excellent, and they worked perfectly for the different parts of the story; looking back this made me realize just how the story unfolded so perfectly. One narrator just truly had the voice of a journalist, instantly having me sold me on the character. The second narrator was respectful of where the story was going, knowing the exact speed and excitement level to use.

I did not see the outcome of this book coming at all!

An absolutely phenomenal atmospheric mystery with nods to Agatha Christie - it's just the perfect read for those rainy and moody weekends!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read, listen to and review.

I love Ragnar Jonasson’s Dark Iceland series and was happily anticipating this stand alone, Raykjavik! I was not disappointed. Together with Katrin Jakobsditter, who also is the Prime Minister of Iceland. They transport us to the city of Reykjavik and the island of Videy where a journalist is absorbed into a cold case from 1956. I appreciate the list of characters in the beginning for reference and to further be able to immerse myself I have fun googling the area I am reading about to imagine fully where the characters are. This is a book which requires some patience but it is well worth it. Figuring out who did it won’t be easy and we wouldn’t want it to be! If you can’t book a flight to Iceland, read Ragnar!! (And many thanks to the publisher for this advance copy)

Have you ever been to Iceland? or do you enjoy learning about unsolved true crime cases? Which ones?

I haven’t yet, but I definitely would love to see the aurora lights some day, and experience the hot springs there. Otherwise, I am not a winter person necessarily but I do enjoy and am curious about countries like Iceland and states like Alaska which experience extreme cold.

Set in Iceland, this novel belongs to a genre called Nordic noir. And, it’s been translated to English. In this new thriller, which is set in 1956 Iceland, a fourteen-your-old girl, Lara, decides to spend the summer working on the small island of Videy. Then, she disappears without a trace and her disappearance becomes the most infamous unsolved case.

Thirty years later, journalist Valur Robertson begins his own investigation on the city’s 200th anniversary. But, as he gets closer to discovering the secret, it soon becomes evident that there is someone who still wants to keep her disappearance from the public eye.

Although this novel is a translation, if you enjoy shows like law and order and others, then you shouldn’t miss this one. It’s hard to not get into and emphasize with Valur who is concerned about a young girl’s disappearance for over 30 years. Things turn when an anonymous woman calls him to give him a tip about her. Without giving away too much, the story picks up quickly as Valur begins to dig deeper into the story about Lara. This is a 5 ✨ star novel, and if you haven’t tried a novel from the genre of Nordic noir, then this is a great introduction to it. I couldn’t keep it down and am still thinking about it, is available now.

Thank you @RagnarJo and @Minotaur_Books for the gifted e-arc.

#RagnarJo #MinotaurBooks #SMPGInfluencer #RekyavikACrimeStory #Translatedbooks #NordicNoir #Thriller

A solid crime mystery. It starts a little slow and there are lots of characters to keep up with.
As the story progresses, it picks up more and I enjoyed how it all played out.
Where I feel like this one falls short is in that dark noir atmosphere I love from grittier “Nordic Noir” books but seemed to be lacking here.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martins Press for my copy.

I enjoyed the plot of this book and the characters. I also found it really hard to keep up with it. It just didn't keep my attention the way I needed.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Lára’s Missing. Something’s Missing

Nordic noir! I stumbled onto this genre a few years ago and really took to it. Best Selling Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason was the first one to hook me with “The Darkness Knows,” a slow moving, dark atmospheric wonder. The landscapes, the ice and snow, the understated aura flavored the read for me. Another leading Icelandic author, Ragnar Jónasson, released “Outside” last year and I was let down, particularly in its ending. He does have very devoted fans, however, and I looked forward to reading his new offering, "Reykjavik.”

In 1956 a fourteen-year-old girl, Lára, suddenly quits her job as a maid on the sparsely inhabited island of Videy. She then disappears without a trace. The whole of Iceland is shocked and her disappearance ignites tabloid sales for decades. The story unfolds first through the eyes of the young police officer, then a reporter, then the reporter’s sister, Sunna.

As a whodunit, it works pretty well. There are some obvious suspects and a few clever twists. The changing point of view did not quite work for me, however, particularly since it fell to Sunna to solve the mystery and wrap things up– when she was such a bit player for the first two thirds of the book.

The qualities I love about the Nordic noir realm were not major strengths here. For one thing, the weather did not seem to be a character…it was not cold enough! Looking at other reviews from those more familiar with Jonasson’s work, I get the sense that this is not one of his strongest offerings. “Reykjavík” was co-written with Katrín Jakobsdóttir– who happens to be the Prime Minister of Iceland– and this may have watered down Jonasson’s style.

Three stars. “Reykjavik” was a pleasant enough read, it just lacked the atmosphere to make the story pop.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The bicentennial of Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, serves as the backdrop for a missing persons mystery written by two native Icelanders, one of whom is the current Prime Minister of Iceland.

In 1986, a young ambitious reporter, Valur Robertsson, begins a series of newspaper articles into a cold case, arising in 1956 concerning the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl who served as a maid on the sparsely-populated island of Videy off the coast of Reykjavik. Valur interviews the policeman who initially investigated the case, as well as the couple who employed the maid. An anonymous caller phones the newspaper to give Valur some tips. Meanwhile, there are some powerful people who want to bring the investigative journalism to a halt.

The mystery is combined with a powerful sense of place and time. 1986 was the year of the Reagan/Gorbachev summit in Reykjavik which overlaps with the story. The cultural elements in 1980s Iceland, such as the movie “Top Gun” and the launch of a new radio station, offered a fun atmospheric touch.

Midway into the novel, an unexpected event occurs which accelerated both the plot and my interest in the story. At times, the sentence structure or syntax seemed simplistic. Perhaps this is common with works in translation. I also thought some of the minor characters came across as tropes (for example, a property developer). Nevertheless, this is a fun weekend read, set in an intriguing country. Perfect for when you want to relax, be entertained, and not think too hard.

I am sad to say that after trying to push through this book for two weeks I just couldn't get into it and had to DNF at 36%. I honestly tried so hard to get into the book. The plot itself was super interesting but it lacked any of the tension and intrigue that I expected the writing to elicit. I am curious as to whether it was just lost in the translation from Icelandic to English. I may try again at a later date, but at this point I need to walk away.

I gave the book two stars as it was more the writing than anything. I think that the plot was in itself interesting but just ultimately fell flat for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book has been the closest I've found to making me feel the way I felt when I first read Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I've been searching for that ever since I first read those those books, and I've never been happier to have finally found it!

There's just something about following a journalist trying to solve a decade's old unsolved case that just hits right where I want! I'm so glad I picked up this boom! These author's are definitely on my list to pick up more from!

This is a nice unique mystery that is done well. I think the characters are written well and the story moves at a good pace. The ending wasn't what I was expecting which was nice. This is a solid book I would recommend! Special Thank You to Ragnar Jonasson, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

I just couldn’t seem to get into this book. I love a cold case and a unique setting like Iceland and I’ve enjoyed Ragnar’s books on the last, but something about Reykjavik just drug for me. Maybe it was all the names I couldn’t pronounce or keep track of, but it felt slow and discombobulated. The twist was OK and the overall story was well-done from the viewpoint of a journalist 30yrs after a girl goes missing, but overall I just wasn’t hooked at all.

Thirty years has gone by, and a nation is still riveted to the story of a missing 15 year old girl. A reporter, in 1986, starts poking around, and unearths new clues to what truly happened on the island Veday. Reykjavik, a nordic noir, details the decades since the childs disappearance and the cop who's life has never quite been the same.

It's a slow-burn page turner with gasp worthy revelations. A truly crafty mystery.

Thank you Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy.

I loved the investigation of a decades old case, as well as the timeline in the 80s. The 80s are one of my favorite decades, and to see it from an international point of view was intriguing. I also loved the descriptions of Iceland and Reykjavík and Videy, it made me want to go there as soon as possible. I was surprised and pleased by the ending. I cannot wait to see if these authors do another collaboration so I can read them again.

This isn’t the first book I’ve read set in Iceland and translated from Icelandic, but it is by far the best I’ve read. Reykjavík has also introduced me to a new genre, Icelandic Noir. I want more, especially if they are all written like this!

Reykjavík is a fast-paced, intriguing mystery. When I say this is fast-paced, I don’t mean you never have that chance to breathe. There are moments, much like a roller coaster ride, when things slow down, and you can process what you’re reading.

There is a large cast of characters, but it is easy to keep them sorted, as they all have their own personalities. While you see the culprit multiple times throughout the story, I doubt you will be able to figure out who it is. I know it caught me by surprise.

Also, I want to give some serious love to the translator, Victoria Cribb. There are some times that the story is literally lost in translation. That did not happen with Reykjavík. The only issue I had with the book was all of the names in Icelandic. But guess what, that’s my problem! Why? Because I am unfamiliar with how to pronounce the words correctly, and I’m sure that other languages have similar issues when reading works translated from English.

If you can’t tell, I’m trying to show love for the book without spoiling anything! If you love reading mysteries, I think you understand what I mean.

Do you love reading mysteries? Especially when the secret is three decades old? What about books set in Iceland? Or historical fiction? Are you looking for a new genre to read? If you say yes to even one of these questions, you must read Reykjavík!

I enjoy stories that are translated so that other countries can share in an author's talented writing. St. Martin's Press has released Reykjavik: A Crime Story by Ragnar Johansson and Katrina Jakobsdottir, translated by Victoria Cribb in English, September 2023. I was given a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my own personal opinion about the book.
The translation is very well done, and the story moved along smoothly. I understand seeing characters with the dottir and son endings. My family knew a Carlson decades ago and had it explained to us if they had kept the tradition, his son's last name would have been Fredrickson.
I found this story to be intriguing. There is a sadness that runs through the book which is told through the decades starting in 1956 when a fifteen-year-old girl, Lara, goes missing from the Videy island estate of a couple that she worked for as a maid. A young law officer is assigned the case but meets roadblocks from higher ups during his investigation. 1986, Valur Robertsson, a reporter, diligently searches into the story to write a series in the days leading to the anniversary of the town and the date the girl went missing. Someone is definitely not happy with the stirring up of 'old news'. Sunna, his sister, becomes deeply immersed in the mystery too.
The author gives a look into the lives of the people involved. He also shows the world-wide and decades long divide between those who look down on others and the need for power and wealth versus an 'ordinary' person who just want to have a good life. It's a good story, there us sadness and there is hope.
Translations offer words, particularly places, that are hard to pronounce which can interrupt reading flow, but this has a good addition with name pronunciations added.

Reykajavik is a book most readers may have a hard time grasping. There are a lot of characters, Icelandic terms and names, and hard to follow because of this. I know some terms personally and names with how it’s pronounced but still had a hard time following everything. The story has potential, especially for readers familiar with Icelandic terminology.