But Hulda's job as a detective, solving crimes and seeking justice for the victims, has given her life a purpose. Hulda doesn't know what she will do once she retires although she has been getting close to her neighbor Petur who is kind, a great cook and a good listener. Maybe Petur is the future Hulda has been hoping for and deserves.
Before Hulda retires the head of her department informs her that she can choose whatever cold case she wants to investigate. Hilda chooses the case of a young Russian woman, Elena, who came to Iceland seeking asylum and wound up dead a year ago. The police ruled it a suicide but Hulda doesn't agree and so her investigation begins.
I loved so much about The Darkness. Ragnar Jonasson is a wonderful writer and his mysteries are international bestsellers. The Icelandic setting is haunting and cold and adds so much to this novel. And Hulda is such a well drawn and relatable character that I pretty much forgot about Elena's murder. It was Hulda's life story and my hopes for her future that gripped me.
But should you read The Darkness? This novel is certainly a fair play mystery in that the clues will lead you to the killer. But if you are waiting for a satisfying ending like I was (SPOILER ALERT) it doesn't come for Hulda, the victims or justice.
That came as a shock by the time I got to the end of the novel. A believable shock probably closer to what happens in real life. Justice doesn't always prevail and people don't always get a second chance at happiness. But do I really want to be reminded of this in my mystery novels?
I do intend to try another book by Ragnar Jonasson but maybe something a little more conventional.
Oh, the ending of this was an absolute shocker! I was not expecting it. It made me not want to read any more in the series, took me ages to get over it. I thought Snow Blind by the same author was rather good.
ReplyDeleteI might try Snowblind and yes that ending was shocking. I agree with you Cath. Hulda's life was so sad. I wanted some happiness for her in retirement.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great review. I just started to read Snowblind by Jonasson.I don't know yet if it will be more conventional than The Darkness.
ReplyDeleteThanks James I will read Snowblind at some point too and Ragnar Jonasson is a very fine writer. I just have to find a mystery of his that is more conventional.
DeleteOOH this one looks good!
ReplyDeleteHe's a very good writer be prepared for the ending though. Some will be okay with it. Others may not be.
DeleteYeah I like happier endings where there's justice and piece of mind. Hulda has quite a long name. I like the setting aspect of it ... and years ago we watched the mystery-crime show Trapped set in Iceland ... I think it had three seasons ... it was crazy but also enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteIt is a long name and how do you even pronounce it. I do want justice in my mystery novels and true crime books. It's why I enjoy reading them.
DeleteThis does sound really good, and I love the setting, but I am wondering if the lack of justice might not sit well with me right now. I agree that that outcome is probably realistic, but maybe not want I want to experience in fiction.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, btw.
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DeleteThanks Jane and there is a lack of justice at the end for sure. Cath said she read Snowblind and liked it so maybe that's the book to try.
DeleteI am so glad you reminded me of this book. I have read Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson, in the Dark Iceland series, and have another in that series to read. But I also have The Darkness, which is the start of another series. I should locate my copy of that and read it.
ReplyDeleteHe is a very good writer but the ending of The Darkness came as a shock.
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