Letting Iceland out of the Jar

• Book: Jar City (1)
• Location: Reykjavik
• Author: Arnaldur Indridason

Review Author: Saredi

This Reykjavik murder mystery unfolds slowly in an Icelandic landscape that is soggy, uncomfortable and fascinating to read about. From the peculiarities of Icelandic naming conventions to the (very relevant!) Nordurmyri marsh land construction history, this book is chock-full of descriptions that help transport the reader to the boggy, rainy nights of the Island.

The story begins simply enough, with clear sentences spelling out the crime scene that launches the action, but partway through the novel it transforms from a simple murder mystery into a grotesque web of twisted desires and scandalous assaults. Meeting the seedy underbelly of Reykjavik’s druggies, lowlifes, and perennial thugs, and then seeing them as the older, aged yet raging versions of their younger selves, was discomforting but interesting. I certainly began feeling connected to the main detectives of the story and their personal plights which were only hinted and dripped out piecemeal to the reader, desperate for more context to their personalities and actions.

While not as openly profane as perhaps a certain “Dragon Tattoo” author’s works, Jar City remained engaging and surprising for the first half of the book, though it begins to drag in a predictable manner for the last third or so. While I don’t believe you get a full picture of Iceland’s outdoors and magnificent landscapes (since the vast majority of the story takes place in urban areas), there is an immersion into the cultural urban slang of the location that is enjoyable.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Tripfiction in exchange for an honest review.

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