Lead Review (Red As Blood)
- Book: Red as Blood
- Location: Iceland
- Author: Lilja Sigurdardottir
Red As Blood by Lilja Sigur∂ardottir is the second in the Áróra Investigation series, set in Iceland. This is a book for those who like their Nordic Noir fascinating, spine-tingling but not too gritty. It is definitely not cosy crime but there is a warmth with which Lilja describes her characters that endears them to the reader. The police seem less cynical and hard bitten than in many noir novels. Although Áróra is ostensibly the heroine of the piece, the action is fairly evenly divided between the characters. The book is thoroughly engaging and maintains a good pace throughout, and the best of the drama is definitely saved ‘til the last.
When well-to-do businessman Flosi comes home, he finds that the kitchen, where his wife Gu∂rún had been preparing supper, is in disarray and a ransom note has been left on the table. She is missing, apparently kidnapped. Flosi’s funds are mainly overseas, and he needs to get together the ransom money quickly, so his accountant sends in financial investigator Áróra, who is licenced to transport money across international borders. Áróra advises Flosi, against the instructions on the note, to involve the police and hence she rekindles her connection with police detective Daniel. An undercover investigation begins, aiming to discover what has happened to Gu∂rún and return her safely to her family without alerting the kidnapper to the part the police are playing.
The sub-plot book continues the main theme of Cold As Hell: Áróra has relocated to Iceland from the UK in order to doggedly continue the search for her sister, who is missing, presumed dead. This aspect of the novel is not particularly well developed, and readers will need patience while waiting for a resolution. There’s also a ‘will they/won’t they’ possibility of a budding romance between Áróra and Daniel to keep you turning the pages.
Kidnapping is an almost-unheard-of crime in Iceland, so the Icelandic police initially seek advice from European forces. Flosi and Gu∂rún’s family life comes under scrutiny, as it appears that all is not as rosy as he initially described. Daniel calls discreetly on his specialist police colleagues, who look into Flosi’s financial affairs while piecing together the family’s movements. They also look into what motivation – if any – Flosi’s associates might have for the kidnapping. Might gangland criminals be responsible or are the perpetrators closer to home?
Lilja has also written a cast of colourful and entertaining characters, such as the industrious police officer Helena with her complicated love life and the exotic and amusing Lady Gúgúlú.
The author describes the settings of the novel so that the reader can easily visualise them, whether the action is taking place in the lava fields or the smaller towns near Reykjavik. She includes fascinating details, like the smell of Iceland, which is described when the outside air is warmed as enters Daniel’s apartment through the open window. Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit will instantly recall the muted sulphurous notes of the Icelandic countryside. There’s also a handy pronunciation guide, so that you can read the characters’ names authentically in your head, which I love.
Red As Blood is a lovely contradiction – a feel-good crime novel that will win over new fans to Lilja’s fiction.
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