1980s, celebration, cold-case, crime-fiction, cultural-differences, entitled-attitude, false-information, historical-fiction, historical-research, Iceland, journalist, law-enforcement, lawyers, missing-persons, mystery, news-media, newspapers, Nordic Noir, politics, suspense, thriller*****

Set in Reykjavik at the time of the 200th anniversary of the city and loosely based on a real cold case but with fictional characters and their actions, this is a very interesting story. A young girl disappears from a sparsely populated island when she leaves her job and heads for home to her parents. She never gets there, the police do their best but are haunted by their failure, and it's been thirty years. A journalist for the newspaper takes up the investigation and has his own life turned upside down. Excellent read! It is translated from the Icelandic by Victoria Cobb.
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

United States Publication: September 5, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

In 1956 fifteen-year-old Lára Marteinsdóttir disappeared. She was working as a maid for a couple on the small, inhabited island of Videy, just off the coast of Reykjavík, Iceland. According to the couple she announced she was leaving and they never saw her again. Except no boat transported her back to Reykjavík and no evidence was found of her on the island. She became Iceland's biggest mystery. Thirty years later journalist Valur Robertsson begins his own investigation into Lára's disappearance. Receiving some new clues the police never uncovered, Valur feels he is close to finally discovering Lára, and whether she is dead or alive. But someone is feeling threatened like they didn't for the past 30 years, and now Valur is being watched. But this is Iceland, crime is almost non-existent. Surely he's got nothing to worry about. Right?

I enjoyed this title, the translation was amazing - not a hiccup. I forgot, except for the names of people and things, that it wasn't written in English. I'm always curious about why any author, or in this case authors, choose the timelines they do. It seems, in this case, the authors were reminiscing about the 200-year anniversary of Reykjavík that happened in 1986 and it spiraled into this story. Given that crime is extremely rare, especially violent crime, in Iceland the resolution to the disappearance and the whodunit was a tad anti-climatic. Of course, I'm not sure what that says about me and my propensity for crime novels/stories! All in all, I enjoyed the story and I'm curious to see if Jónasson's other works have been translated into English. If so, I may end up giving one or two a try.

in the 50's a 14 year old girl disappears from the island of Videy where she has a summer job. 30 years later Valur Robertsson begins to investigate the case. But is someone preventing him from solving it. There are a lot of characters to keep track of and the book is rather slow. i enjoyed the mystery and learning about Reykjavik as I plan to visit my niece there as soon as I can.

A well thought out and fun whodunit mystery imbedded with Icelandic history and culture. I enjoyed the brother & sister main characters and their resolve to solve the mystery as well as some of the books broader themes. This translation was well done, bringing clarity to the story while still providing a feeling of cultural immersion. If you like Agatha Christie style murder-mysteries, I’d recommend giving this one a try.

💕You might like this book if:
🔹 you like travelling through books
🔹 you like whodunits that have the the general public more involved in crime solving than the police
🔹 you like characters who become obsessed with searching for the truth

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

I really struggled with this book. I was initially really excited to read it because it sounds really interesting, it’s by an author that I’ve been recommended (and the Prime Minister of Iceland!), and I went to Iceland this year so was super excited to read a book set there. Unfortunately, the writing felt super choppy and everything about the book was flat. There are a few narrators/main characters throughout the book and it gets just a little confusing in the beginning. There are only a couple scenes in the book where there’s really any action so I wouldn’t really classify this as a thriller.

Would not recommend but would pick up one more of the author’s books to see if I like his writing.

1956, Iceland. A 15 year old girl, Lara, goes missing from the island of Videy, just off the coast. The case becomes Iceland’s most famous unsolved case. 30 years later, a young journalist, Valur, revisits the investigation, determined to find out what happened to Lara. With his sister and the original detective, they finally are on the right trail to uncover what happened, but it’s dangerous to uncover these long held secrets.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! I've read a few of Mr. Jonasson's books before, so I would consider myself a fan of his. His books are generally pretty dark (literally), but this one was just a little too dark for me. It was well written, but I don't like reading thrillers/mysteries with children as the victim. I'd recommend this for fans of Nordic mysteries, Iceland, Reykjavik (learn how to pronounce it--it's such a fun word!) and these super small towns way up north with no sun!

I loved that this book was set in Iceland and had a fun time looking up pictures of Videy Island, but there honestly wasn't a whole lot of mystery happening - it seemed pretty clear from the get-go what happened to Lára, so watching everyone slowly sort it out was not very exciting. I'd read another book by Jónasson, but would like something with a faster pace.

“No chain is stronger than its weakest link.”

In 1956 Iceland, fourteen year old Lara decides to work for a wealthy couple on the small island of Videy for the summer. When she tries to head home early, she disappears without a trace. 30 years later, this mystery remains Iceland’s most famous unsolved case. Journalist, Valur, decides to open the case and conduct his own investigation as a few new clues are brought to the surface. As he gets closer to discovering what really happened that day in 1956, he gains enemies that will stop at nothing to ensure the case remains unsolved.

I really enjoyed this book! It very much reminded me of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series with the way it was written, the plot, the pacing, some of the characters, etc. The resemblance definitely stuck out to me - but this one was a tad quicker pacing and significantly shorter in length.

Although I enjoyed it and read it quickly, I will admit the pacing was relatively slow at times, and there was a chunk in the middle in particular that felt a bit redundant to the reader. However, it was necessary to the plot, so I tried to keep that in mind. There were a few things that were predictable, but it definitely had some gasp-out-loud, jaw dropping moments too. It also provided a realistic example of corruption in business and government and how honestly disgusting it can be - but I don’t want to delve too much into it and give anything away. It just was so disappointing to realize that things like this absolutely can (and do) happen in real life.

Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend to someone who enjoys a crime mystery who doesn’t mind a slower buildup!

Fans of Steig Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Millenium series will fall in love with Ragnar Jonasson’s Icelandic crime novel, “Reykjavik”. Jonasson is no stranger to Icelandic fiction, as his “Dark Iceland” series reached the top of the Kindle charts in many countries. The rights for “Dark Iceland” have been purchased in many countries, and I can see his new novel making waves on the small screen as well.
In 1956, a teenage girl vanished from Videy, a small island off the coast of Reykjavik. The girl, Lana, had been working as a live in domestic for an older, but esteemed couple, who claim Lana quit her job suddenly and left the island, and no one has heard from her since. Thirty years later, journalist Valur Robertsson begins his own investigation of the case, hoping to uncover a new clue in the disappearance. But the secrets Valur uncovers are secrets that very important people don’t want to be told, and Valur’s life is put at risk as he grows more determined to investigate what happened to the young girl all those years ago.
“Reykjavik”, told in its original Icelandic and translated to English, is a tense and taut journalistic thriller. The novel is told from the perspective of Valur and later, his sister Sunna, in 1986, thirty years after Lana goes missing. The beginning of the novel has a significant section from 1956 as well, narrated by the lead detective, Kristjan, as all of his investigative routes run cold. Each section and all chapters are clearly marked with dates, which creates a seamless flow for the reader. Jonasson’s character development is stellar as well, which is a challenge for a novel that essentially has three different protagonists. I found myself engaged in the outcomes for all of the narrators, and all were likable and genuine.
The atmosphere was transforming and completely immersive, with the isolated, yet intriguing country of Iceland as a unique setting. The attitudes of journalists in the Icelandic capital, and of its politics, are discussed briefly, for information purposes only, but Jonasson does not delve into intense detail, focusing solely on the suspenseful plot.
Jonasson creates a slow-building tension as, one-by-one, characters are introduced as suspects, leading up to the final reveal, which packs an unexpected punch. “Reykjavik” had an ending I did not see coming! Jonasson ensures that readers are engaged, with several twists and turns along the way, bringing “Reykjavik” to a powerful and satisfying conclusion. “Reykjavik” will appeal to readers across the globe and Jonasson has marked a solid path into the Nordic fiction market with his newest release.

Excellent mystery. I truly had no idea where the story would go and enjoyed the POV of the two main characters. The only downside is, like so many books about missing/exploited/dead girls is that we learn so little of them. They become a victim twice and I hope that authors start to move away from that. I can't fault that here, essentially bc it was also a cold case and relevant players wouldn't talk to the journalist but still. It wàs def well done overall

I enjoyed the place and setting for this, it was my first Icelandic mystery and that was very enjoyable. The twist at the end surprised me, and I thought it was well done.

🔍 An UNSOLVED mystery gets begrudgingly revisited in “Reykjavik” by Ragnar Jonasson and Katrin Jakobsdottir 🔎

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

In 1956, fourteen year old Lara ventured to the island of Videy, off the coast of Reykjavik, to work as a maid for the summer. This was supposed to be opportunity to branch out and gain some independence … until she mysteriously disappears without a trace and becomes one of Iceland’s infamous unsolved cases. Police never found out if she ever made it off the island or if foul play was involved. This case has haunted the police officer in charge for 30 years … what REALLY happened to Lara??

Flash forward thirty years later, and journalist Valur Robertsson is determined to dig up the past and attempt to crack the case! Certain aspects of Lara’s disappearance must have been overlooked throughout the years, so Valur begins to investigate on his own! However, those involved seem to be very tight lipped about the past and it becomes obvious that someone wants this case to remain UNSOLVED 👀. Will the truth finally surface?? Or has Valur become a target for being silenced??

I am a huge fan of Ragnar Jonasson and all books that are Nordic / Icelandic / Scandi Noir 🖤!! This genre is dark, gritty and insanely atmospheric and I find myself always completely immersed in these kinds of books!

Thank you kindly to @ragnarjo @katrinjakobsd @minotaur_books @stmartinspress @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This crime story releases on September 5, 2023 and is perfect for crime junkies and fans of gritty police procedurals!

Excellent book. Learned a lot about Iceland. Interesting characters. Reykjavik came to life. Recommend for everyone.

This cold case story kept me turning the pages. The story was riveting and I loved the Icelandic setting. A reported decides to try to uncover what happened 30 years ago to a 15 year old girl on an island off the coast of Reykjavik. The story had mesmerized the public for years as this type of thing doesn't often happen in Iceland.

It doesn't take long for our suspicions to grow as he uncovers clues to what happened. There are players here that have long been untouchable.

I enjoyed the setting taking place in the 80s before cell phones and internet. There was some old fashioned detective work at play. We also heard about some historical events that took place in Iceland.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way it was written. It kept my interest throughout with a variety of memorable characters. I would recommend this book to most anyone who enjoys a good story. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

I discovered Nordic Noir late into my reading journey and it hooked me. The setting is a big draw as I’ve never traveled to any place with a climate like Iceland. The twenty year old unsolved case regarding the disappearance of then fifteen year old Lára Is reopened. It isn’t by the current detectives or the now retired policeman, Kristján. A young, eager newspaper investigative reporter, Valur, begins asking questions and following new leads into the cold case. He’s as much a part of the plot as Lára. Many prominent names surface connected to the case including a barrister and his wife, an entrepreneurial developer and a wholesaler. Besides the amount of time since Lára vanished, she had been on the small island of Videy. It was an intriguing case with some characters I enjoyed. Valur’s sister, Sunna, was my favorite as her unplanned involvement in the case grew. The references to real people and events during the time period made it even more atmospheric. I wasn’t surprised by the identity of the perpetrator, there are little clues throughout the story. I still raced through the pages and found it to be an overall interesting mystery. I’m sure the audiobook would be an asset for pronunciation of names and such. I nearly wore out the translate feature, laughing at some of the meanings. There is a Pronunciation Guide in the book.
Thanks so much for the digital advance reader copy of “Reykjavík” provided by NetGalley, and to Ragnar Jónasson and Katrín Jakobsdóttir, published by Minotaur Books. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

I loved this book. Lots of intrigue and mystery. Very well written. For anyone who loves stories about Iceland this is it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Reykjavik, which could be regarded as a slow burner, although I found it compulsive reading. There is something about the gradual accumulation of information and the further questions that poses that really appeals to me and keeps me turning the pages.

The novel is named after the city, but it seems to me that geography doesn’t play a large part in it as it is more concerned about its social values and iconic history, after all the novel is set against a background of the 200 years of independence celebrations and the Reagan-Gorbachev summit. It also revisits a favourite topic, that of wealthy cliques and their self serving behaviour.

The plot itself is interesting. It starts in 1956 with the investigating detective, who is willing to conduct a thorough investigation but is warned off by his superiors because the couple Lára was working for and his prime suspects are influential in the right circles. Fast forward to 1986 and Valur is working the case hard. An anonymous informant steers him in the right direction and after that the dominoes start to fall, one by one. There are twists, a bit of serendipity and some serious persuasion and determination involved and they add up to an unflashy but compelling read. I was blindsided by one of the twists and the perpetrator’s identity. What more could a reader ask for, than not knowing what will come next?

Reykjavik is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Really well written collaboration.I have read books by Ragnar Jonasson and have always enjoyed them.Katrin adds to the story.I was drawn into the thirty year mystery and enjoyed following the clues the twists and turns.#netgalley #Reykjavik.

A teenage girl goes missing from a remote island off the coast of Iceland in the 1950s, and the case quickly grows cold. Thirty years later, it still haunts the country — what happened to sweet, innocent Lára? Did she run away, or did something tragic befall her? One investigative journalist decides to start digging up the past in a new series of articles about the case, and as he gets closer to the truth, things will take a dangerous twist.

Full disclaimer, I am an absolute sucker for Nordic crime fiction. Any other sub-genre of crime, meh. But a Scandinavian author? Gimme! So I knew I had to read this one, and I'm glad I did. I loved the way the beginning of the book established Lára's disappearance with chapters set in the preceding decades, building up to the present-day 1980s setting. I was fully shocked by part of Valur's story, and even more shocked by the reveal at the end! This is crime fiction, not a thriller, but to me, it was un-put-down-able, and I finished it very quickly.

Highly recommend this engaging translated novel! Thank you to Ragnar Jónasson, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Minotaur/SMP, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy.