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Title: Snowblind
Author: Ragnar Jónasson
Narrator: Will Damron
Format: Unabridged
Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
Language: English
Release date: 01-31-17
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 100 votes
Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective
Publisher's Summary:
Siglufjördur: an idyllically quiet fishing village in Northern Iceland where no one locks their doors - accessible only via a small mountain tunnel.
Ari Thór Arason: a rookie policeman on his first posting, far from his girlfriend in Reykjavík - with a past that he's unable to leave behind.
When a young woman is found lying half-naked in the snow, bleeding and unconscious, and a highly esteemed, elderly writer falls to his death in the local theater, Ari is dragged straight into the heart of a community where he can trust no one and secrets and lies are a way of life.
Past plays tag with the present and the claustrophobic tension mounts as Ari is thrust ever deeper into his own darkness - blinded by snow and with a killer on the loose. Taut and terrifying, Snowblind is a startling debut from an extraordinary new talent.
Members Reviews:
Unexpected and different
The telling of this story reminded me of Before the Fall. It's not exactly linear, not a lot of action or suspense, and the big reveal is deflating. However, I liked it. I liked it for teh same reasons I didn't love it. Examples:
Pro - A large group of characters with rich details and backgrounds
Con - Too many characters to follow
Pro - Not an easy who-done-it, keeps you intrigued until the end
Con - What is going on???
Pro - Lack of one single hero/heroine
Con - Do I like anyone in this book?
Pro - Can't wait to go to Iceland
Con - Not enough parkas in the world
All in all I rate this book a strong 3 stars. I liked it and would be willing to try another one from this author.
Ups and Downs
There's real potential here for this new writer from Iceland. I very much enjoyed the atmosphere - the listener can almost feel the cold and the claustrophobic nature of snow piling up, the darkness, the isolation described.
But, even considering that the city described was once known for its fish production, there are way too many obvious red herrings here. The mystery has ups and downs, and the conclusion is less than riveting and a little bit rushed.
Don't know how much of the occasional awkwardness of language is due to translation, but I hope additional works by this author (and I do hope there will be more) will flow more smoothly.
The narrator is quite good - I love his ease with the Icelandic place and people's names.
This is my idea of a perfect mystery
What did you love best about Snowblind?
Setting was a character in itself. Main character thoroughly likeable and believable. Interesting supporting characters, well developed. Mysteries were interesting and conclusion was believable.
What did you like best about this story?
There was no sexual violence, as with so many mysteries today. Possibility of accident and suicide was also considered tragic outcomes (not every death was a murder).
What about Will Damrons performance did you like?
Did not detract from the story- barely noticed the narration, it was like I was reading the story in my head!
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Relationship between the young couple raised a lot of interesting issues, left me feeling deeply for both of them.
Okay, not great.
Difficult at times to follow the story.
