The Darkness

Author Ragnar Jónasson
Narrator Amanda Redman
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Publish Date 15 March 2018
Run Time 5 hours and 33 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Crime and mystery fiction, Crime and mystery: police procedural, Crime and mystery: women sleuths, Fiction in translation, Psychological thriller, Thriller / suspense fiction.

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What to expect

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson, read by Amanda Redman.

Before Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir of the Reykjavik Police is forced into early retirement she is told to investigate a cold case of her choice, and she knows just the one. A young woman who was looking for asylum found dead on remote seaweed-covered rocks. Her death ruled a suicide after a cursory investigation.

But Hulda soon realizes that this was not the only young woman to disappear around that time. And no one is telling the whole story. When her own force tries to put the brakes on the investigation Hulda has just days to discover the truth. Even if it means risking her own life . . .

Critics Review

An intelligent, provocative whodunit with a killer twist

Ian Rankin

Superb

100 Best Crime Novels since 1945, The Times

Icelandic detective Hulda Hermannsdottir is the best tragic heroine our reviewer has read for years

The Times, Must Read List

A superb thriller

Summer Reads, The Sunday Times

A complex, fascinating mix of Icelandic community and alienation, atmospheric tension, and timely issues (immigrant exploitation and vigilante justice), Jonasson’s latest series is another must-read for crime fans who follow the work of Arnaldur Indridason and Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Booklist

I’ve ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax

Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For

If you have ever doubted the appropriateness of the phrase ‘Nordic noir’, The Darkness will dispel any hesitation . . . in what way this happens (and how badly) is the strength of the book. There are ever-darker surprises, culminating in a finish that leaves one with a highly disturbing image.

The Press

The wait was worthwhile and The Darkness first in the new trilogy, is a very efficient piece of work. Jonasson has the full measure of the Nordic noir genre, and pushes all the requisite buttons

Barry Forshaw, Financial Times

To read Ragnar Jonasson is to plunge into snowy Iceland . . . much of its atmosphere and subtle pacing to the traditional ‘golden age’ detective fiction as the mystery unfolds and builds to a startling climax, elegantly handled.

The Witness

Superb . . . Chilling . . . and establishes her as a great tragic heroine of modern detective fiction

Crime Book of the Month, Sunday Times

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