Thanks to the lovely Anne Cater on Random Things Tours, Orenda Books and the author Lilja Sigurðardóttir for my spot on the blog tour and also for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. So, let's start.
Name: Cold As Hell
Author: Lilja Sigurðardóttir
Genre: Crime Thriller
Publication Date: 28th October 2021
With rights sold in 14 countries, Cold as Hell is the first in the riveting, atmospheric and beautifully plotted five-book series An Áróra Investigation, from one of Iceland’s bestselling crime writers.
Estranged sisters Áróra and Ísafold live in different countries and are not on speaking terms. When their mother loses contact with Ísafold, Áróra reluctantly returns to Iceland to look for her. But she soon realizes that her sister isn’t avoiding her … she has disappeared, without a trace.
As she confronts Ísafold’s abusive, drug-dealing boyfriend Björn, and begins to probe her sister’s reclusive neighbours – who have their reasons for staying out of sight – Áróra is drawn into an ever-darker web of intrigue and manipulation.
Baffled by the conflicting details of her sister’s life, and blinded by the shiveringly bright midnight sun of the Icelandic summer, Áróra enlists the help of police officer Daníel, to help her track her sister’s movements, and tail Björn. But she isn’t the only one watching…
MY REVIEW
The book starts with Áróra being arrived in Iceland in search of her elder sister Ísafold. As she has been disappeared and didn't contact her mother for a time long enough to cause suspicion. Following this, Áróra arrives in Iceland to find her, for her mother's sake.
But as realities about Ísafold's life in Iceland begin to reveal, she realises this might be the most difficult trip she has ever been on. And what happens when she found out a huge opportunity for herself.
The thing I loved the most about this book was the characters are introduced to us at the onset. Giving away very little details about them. We don't even know what role do they play in the story until the very end.
The pace goes well with the storyline. Short chapters give each character sufficient time to evolve. And keeps the readers on the edge.
The book is written in the third person and shifts its focus to different characters. This was amazing when we can feel and understand what every character is going through. How they are fighting themselves emotionally. How vulnerable they are in their relationships. It's quite difficult and several times questioned by the characters themselves.
Áróra is that determined female protagonist who has always protected her sister even getting irritated by her sometimes but still standing strong with her. I wished we would get more about her in this book. But as it's a series we will be getting more of her in the succeeding books. So, I'll wait.
Though the book I read was a translated version (translated by Quentin Bates) the writing was outstanding. It still illustrated the beauty of Iceland as well as the spine-chilling tale revolving around the disappearance of Ísafold extremely well.
All in all, if you love dark crime thrillers set in a beautiful location like Iceland. Or you love crime thrillers. Or you love reading books in a gorgeous setting. Any reason is welcome. Just Read It.
You can buy this book here.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Icelandic crime-writer Lilja Sigurðardóttir was born in the town of Akranes in 1972 and raised in Mexico, Sweden, Spain and Iceland. An award-winning playwright, Lilja has written four crime novels, with Snare, her English debut shortlisting for the CWA International Dagger and hitting bestseller lists worldwide. Trap soon followed suit, with the third in the trilogy Cage winning the Best Icelandic Crime Novel of the Year, and was a Guardian Book of the Year. Lilja’s standalone Betrayal was shortlisted for the Glass Key Award for Best Nordic Crime Novel. The film rights have been bought by Palomar Pictures in California. Lilja is also an award-winning screenwriter in her native Iceland. She lives in Reykjavík with her partner.
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