Loretta Marion

Arctic Chill

Arnaldur Indriğason - Arctic Chill.jpegConsidering this has been the coldest, snowiest February on the books in Rhode Island, it seems appropriate to have just finished reading Arnaldur Indridason’s ARCTIC CHILL, the fourth in his Detective Erlendur series. But exposing myself to the frigid backdrop of Iceland is always a pleasure when my companions are the enigmatic Erlendur and his partners, Elinborg and Sigurdur Oli, as they set out to solve yet another mystery.

Erlendur is intensely private and socially awkward, but he is doggedly dedicated to solving his cases. His back story is guilt laden from a long ago failed marriage and an even more distantly past incident from his childhood, from which an obsession with missing persons has emerged. Still, the reader can’t help but like this lonely, misfit as he tries to navigate relationships, not only with his coworkers, but especially with his formerly estranged children. As they slowly return to his life, daughter Eva Lind and son Sindri bring with them problems of their own, adding a complicated dimension to Erlendur’s life. The road to reconciliation is as rugged as an Icelandic landscape and at times as unforgiving and harsh as its climate, but you will root for them to come through it united.

And although Erlendur’s obstinacy frustrates everyone around him, it is the trait which serves him best in unraveling the mysteries he’s entrusted to solve. And that tenacity, combined with his silent brooding nature, will bring him closer to thawing the inner ice storms that have tormented him his entire life.

If you wish to give Detective Erlendur and his sidekicks a chance, start with JAR CITY, the first of Indridason’s books to be translated into English, and follow in order. Each offers a separate, stand alone mystery, but the back story is easier to follow if you read them in chronological order. They also offer an opportunity to gain insight into Iceland’s richly unique culture.

HYPOTHERMIA is next on my list of Indridason’s novels. But having been undone by this winter, I might wait until the heat of summer to reach for it, when a nice dip in an Icelandic mystery will be just the chill I need.

PS ~ Special thanks to my sister-in-law, Lala, for introducing me to Erlendur.

 

12 Responses

  1. Thanks for the recommendation, Loretta. Sounds like a great series, but I might wait until summer, too! BRRRRR!

  2. Even though there is a bright blue sky reaching the snow out my window today, I still shivered when I read your terrific review of Arctic Chill.

    Must be your talent of capturing the setting!

    The book and the character sound intriguing.

    1. As always, thanks for your lovely comments, Barbie. Just for the heck of it, I checked the forecast for Reykjavik tomorrow and it’s going to be much warmer there than in Bristol. So glad we are enjoying sunshine today.

  3. Your description and choice of words in the review about the chill in Iceland and in the plot were an amazing use of words. You are like my own personal librarian & book reviewer. Keep on keeping on!

  4. Thanks for the reminder about JAR CITY, Loretta. I had downloaded the sample onto my Kindle but haven’t had a chance to look at it yet, so this will give me a good nudge.

    Speaking of murder mysteries, though, I did start the sixth book in Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series and continue to marvel at her incredible plot and character development. However, this story is taking place in Montreal in the middle of winter, so the setting is almost as cold as Iceland! A great read, though, if you are somewhere warm and toasty!

    Just finished reading Alison Weir’s Six Wives of Henry VIII which was quite good. I’m fascinated with this period in English history, and Weir has done an excellent job of documenting the tragic trajectories of Henry’s multiple spouses. Of course, Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies are also outstanding additions to this period viewed from Cromwell’s perspective.

    Ah, so many books, so little time!

    1. I share your fascination with that era of English history ~ especially the Tudor reign ~ and also enjoyed Alison Weir’s book. To me, it read more like a novel. I haven’t started reading Inspector Gamache yet, but hope to soon as several others have also endorsed the Loiuse Penny series. Thanks so much for your always insightful comments, Cia!

  5. Loretta,
    I love a good mystery and will definitely look for Arnaldur Indridason’s Artic Chill!
    It sure won’t be hard to imagine those cold scenes this winter!! Looking forward to walking again with you and Mr. P. once the ice
    melts.