Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Review: Strange Shores (Inspector Erlendur #11) by Arnaldur Indriðason









  • Series: An Inspector Erlendur Series (Book 9)
  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Minotaur Books (August 26, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1250000408
  • ISBN-13: 978-1250000408



Book Description

A young woman walks into the frozen fjords of Iceland, never to be seen again. But Matthildur leaves in her wake rumours of lies, betrayal and revenge.

Decades later, somewhere in the same wilderness, Detective Erlendur is on the hunt. He is looking for Matthildur but also for a long-lost brother, whose disappearance in a snow-storm when they were children has coloured his entire life. He is looking for answers.

Slowly, the past begins to surrender its secrets. But as Erlendur uncovers a story about the limits of human endurance, he realizes that many people would prefer their crimes to stay buried.


About the Author

 Arnaldur was born in Reykjavík on 28 January 1961, the son of writer Indriði G. Þorsteinsson. He graduated with a degree in history from the University of Iceland in 1996. He worked as a journalist for the newspaper Morgunblaðið from 1981 to 1982, and later as a freelance writer. From 1986 to 2001, he was a film critic for Morgunblaðið.

His first book, Synir duftsins (Sons of Dust) came out in 1997, the first in the series with Detective Erlendur. Arnaldur is considered one of the most popular writers in Iceland in recent years — topping bestseller lists time and again. In 2004, his books were 7 of the 10 most popular titles borrowed in Reykjavík City Library. In 2006, his Erlendur novel Mýrin was made into a film, known internationally as Jar City, by Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur.

Arnaldur's books have been published in 26 countries and translated into at least 20 languages.



My Review

 Arnaldur Indriðason is a completely new author to me. I love a good story and Strange Shores is definitely that.  Indriðason is a well known author in Iceland and he will soon be well known in North America as well!


Indriðason brings the bleakness and the penetrating cold of Iceland to life with his words. Iceland which is now a modern European country was once a poverty stricken, barren land.  Indriðason goes back to the past in Strange Shores. Thoughts haunt Detective Erlendur as he makes a pilgrimage to the village he grew up in. Erlendur's mind is clouded with the disappearance of his brother when they were young as well as the disappearance of a young woman. He is riddled with survivor's guilt but needs to know what has happened in the past.

This is a haunting tale. It is beautifully written. Great story that the reader will find riveting.




 

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