Author:Ragnar Jónasson,Victoria Cribb
FEATURED IN THE SUNDAY TIMES CRIME BOOKS OF THE YEAR
'The ending really took my breath away' IAN RANKIN
Discover The Island - Agatha Christiemeets Nordic noir. . .
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Four friends visited the island. But only three returned . . .
Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir is sent to the isolated island of Elliðaey to investigate a disappearance.
But she finds haunting similarities to an old case - the murder of a young woman ten years ago.
Has a patient killer struck again?
Hulda is soon caught in a web of deceit, convinced everyone is lying, even those closest to her.
What secrets is the island hiding?
And what price will she pay for uncovering the truth?
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THE MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
'One of the greatest tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction' Sunday Times
'Dark, chilling and utterly gripping, The Island is Nordic noir at its best, and is destined to become a classic of the genre. I couldn't put it down' Shari Lapena, bestselling author of The Couple Next Door
'Riveting' Sunday Times
'Brilliantly effective. Each book enraptures us' The Times Literary Supplement
'Magnificently dark and twisted' C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man
'Ragnar Jónasson writes with a chilling, poetic beauty - a must-read' Peter James, bestselling author of Love You Dead
'Out of all of Ragnar's books this is the one I like the most . . . The book of his which reminds me most of Agatha Christie' Kilian
Praise for Ragnar Jonasson
'A distinctive blend of Nordic noir and golden age detective fiction . . . atmospheric and evocative prose' Guardian on Nightblind
'Jonasson's books have breathed new life into Nordic noir . . . all the skilful plotting of an old-fashioned whodunit although it feels bitingly contemporary in setting and tone' Sunday Express
'His clues are traditional and beautifully finessed - and he keeps you turning the pages' Independent on Snowblind
Dark, chilling and utterly gripping, The Island is Nordic noir at its best, and is destined to become a classic of the genre. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the rest of the Hulda series!
—— Shari Lapena, bestselling author of The Couple Next DoorFew writers at work today conjure atmosphere with such power, or plot their mysteries with such craft. The Island is his best book yet, an unflinching thriller that braids past and present, good and evil, love and loss. I can't wait for Hulda Hermannsdóttir's next case
—— A. J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the WindowNo one does isolation better than Ragnar Jonasson, who is superb at portraying Iceland's stark landscape and savage beauty . . . [Hulda Hermannsdottir is] an excellent addition to the growing band of top-class women detectives
—— The TimesPrepare to be swept away to the beautiful yet unforgiving island of Elliðaey in Jónasson's latest Icelandic noir. Atmospheric and creepy, Jónasson successfully keeps you guessing till the bittersweet end
—— HeatA chilling novel about people with dark secrets, protecting themselves without a thought for the consequences.
—— Sunday TimesRiveting
—— Sunday TimesWe heart the melancholy Hulda
—— Sunday Times Crime ClubA strikingly evoked picture of Iceland's forbidding beauty...Hulda Hermansdottir is a striking character - both gloomy and tenacious - and she is a key reason for the success of this atmospheric novel
—— Barry ForshawExtraordinary, the three books in that series are all amazing . . . very moving all the way through
—— Ian RankinThis kept me guessing right up until the final pages. I loved the vivid landscapes, brilliant characterisation and intricate plotting. Bravo!
—— Liz Nugent, bestselling author of Skin DeepConsider this one of the author's best plots, layered with that dour Scandinavian atmosphere we love
—— New York TimesRagnar Jonasson is the Stephen King of Icelandic thrillers
—— Reader ReviewRagnar's best written book, filled with psychological horror and underlying rage. Hulda Hermannsdottir is a welcome addition to the selection of Icelandic crime fiction protagonists . . . It is almost impossible to put the book down until the last word has been read
—— FréttablaðiðRagnar's best book yet
—— Kiljan, literary TV showThe threads lie in various places, the plot is well woven and the pieces in the puzzle come
together well in the end. The structure is good, the main characters are believable, the story flows
well, everyone is a suspect á la Agatha Christie and the solution unveils the mystery and leads the
readers to the truth. But not all the truth, as some things are better left hidden
Inventive and original, atmospheric and chilling . . . Fans of Christie's work will feel right at home; fans of Nordic Noir will similarly find the atmosphere right up their alley
—— 5 ***** Reader ReviewPraise for Ragnar Jónasson
—— -Jónasson is an automatic must-read for me . . . possibly the best Scandi writer working today
—— Lee ChildPraise for The Darkness
—— -It will get your pulse racing and keep you hooked to the last page
Magnificently dark and twisted! That ending - blimey!
—— C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk ManExpertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news
—— The GuardianI've ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax
—— Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For , Anthony HorowitzSuperb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction
—— Sunday Times Crime Book of the MonthCrime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdóittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year.
—— BOLO Books ReviewBestselling author Lisa Jewell’s twisty psychological thriller unravels the tale of two complicated families, unlocking a mystery that keeps the reader captivated until the final page.
—— Hello! magazineYet another brilliant novel... Lisa Jewell is the new Ruth Rendell or Barbara Vine. Just mesmerising.
—— Julia Llewellyn SmithIt’s SO GOOD!
—— India KnightThe excitement, the intrigue, the sheer pleasure of reading taboo-breaking work!
—— Liz NugentIt’s absolutely bloody brilliant and I can’t tell you much I wish I’d written it.
—— Tammy CohenFrom a stack of amazing crime novels in 2019, I have to choose The Family Upstairs…Jewell is brilliant at twisting plot strands from the past and present into a tense story that I read in one sitting. I'm still thinking about the ending!
—— Jane Casey , Irish IndependentSuper-readable with twisty turns, this is a stay-up-to-finish-in-the-early-hours read.
—— Sun on SundayJust finished The Family Upstairs and I’m telling you it’s her best book yet – human, gripping, deeply felt, seriously twisty and skilfully plotted. Bravo!
—— Paul BurstonI had hoped to save The Family Upstairs for my holiday, but failed miserably by devouring it as soon as it arrived. I was hooked from the first page, I think it's her best yet and hands down my favourite book so far this year.
—— Alice FeeneyWhat. A. Book! 2019’s best thriller and a one-sitting read.
—— Red MagazineBrilliantly dark and unsettling, Lisa Jewell’s latest novel might just be her best yet.
—— CultureflyA work of utter genius ... you’re going to love it.
—— Mark EdwardsLisa Jewell is the most wonderful writer, and funnily enough we've written about a similar theme with our new books - cults, in microcosm and macrocosm. I can't rant enough about how brilliant The Family Upstairs is.
—— Alex MarwoodI absolutely loved The Family Upstairs. Intriguing, absorbing, unputdownable with characters so real they jump from the page.
—— Laura MarshallCouldn’t put it down. Wish I’d written it. With characters that light up the pages, a twisty plot which unravels at perfect pace, and a house rammed with the darkest secrets, it’s brilliant.
—— Amanda JenningsBrilliantly dark and disturbing ... Absolutely couldn’t put it down, it’s so good!
—— B.A. Paris‘Outstanding. So compelling, twisty-turny and riveting. I just couldn’t stop reading.’
—— Mel SherrattAll I want to do for the rest of the day is find out what’s at the bottom of it all. Too good.
—— Fanny BlakeUtterly compelling. Deliciously dark and twisty with characters who live on in your head. Lisa Jewell just keeps getting better and better.
—— Jane CorryCompelling and suspenseful for a long and chilly autumn night’s reading.
—— My WeeklyA gripping psychological thriller.
—— Choice magazineThis is without a doubt one of my favourite reads of the year.
—— Ronnie Turner (Blog)Featuring two entangled families and a house with the darkest of secrets, this is a compulsive new thriller from Lisa Jewell.
—— Sheer LuxeFrom the first page we were hooked. If you’ve got a lazy day planned over the Christmas break, this is the type of novel you could read in a day…It makes us shiver just sharing the plot and we guarantee you’ll be on the edge of your seats throughout.
—— Yahoo! Style UKOf the crop of great thrillers out this year, this is my pick [...] Lisa Jewell is brilliant at creating a menacing atmosphereand this is almost unbearably tense at times, with a knock-the-wind-out-of-you ending.
—— Good HousekeepingAn enthralling tale rich in psychological suspense that mixes family saga with domestic noir.
—— VouchercodesPart family saga and part-psychological thriller, this is an exceptional read.
—— Sunday ExpressBreathtaking thriller
—— i PaperPerfect book to inhale by the fire. Had no idea how creepy and nuanced it would be but couldn’t put it down and stayed up half the night reading it. Highly recommend.
—— iNews