Crime & Mystery
The Darkness is all atmosphere and very little fuss, which is a relief. Icelandic crime fiction can lean hard on the scenery, but this keeps the cold, uneasy mood doing the work.
It’s the sort of book that suits readers who want their mysteries lean and unsettling rather than noisy. The twist is the bit people will argue over, naturally. That’s half the fun.
It’s the sort of book that suits readers who want their mysteries lean and unsettling rather than noisy. The twist is the bit people will argue over, naturally. That’s half the fun.
Lean crime can be a virtue, but only if the atmosphere isn’t doing all the lifting. Some books mistake “cold and bleak” for actual tension, which is a bit of a cheat. This one’s been on my Want to Read list for a while, mostly because I’m curious whether the ending earns the mood or just sits there looking icy.