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Book Review: The Drowning Place by Sarah Hilary

This was my first experience reading Sarah Hilary, and I went into it hoping to discover a new detective series to follow. Overall, this turned out to be an enjoyable read, though one that clearly feels like a series opener. The beginning was on the slower side, focusing heavily on introductions, backstory, and the private lives of the characters. While this is often necessary in the first book of a series, it did make the pacing feel a bit drawn out at times. One aspect that didn’t fully work for me was the inclusion of characters seeing and speaking to ghosts. I understand the intention behind it, showing how the past lingers and haunts, but I personally felt there were more effective ways this could have been conveyed. Where the book really worked for me was in its twists and character work. The writing was strong, the mystery kept me engaged, and both the DI and DS felt layered and well-developed. By the end, I was invested enough to want to see where the series goes next. Overall,...
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The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jónasson

 

I was lucky to receive an e-ARC of this book and, having read previous novels by Ragnar Jónasson, I was curious to see what atmosphere he would create this time. One of the things I admire about his writing is the way he manages to make a small, cold Icelandic setting feel both intimate and unsettling.


This novel begins with the sudden disappearance of Elín S. Jónsdóttir, a famous Icelandic crime writer. One winter evening she simply vanishes. The case falls to Helgi, a young detective who is not only obsessed with crime fiction but also eager to prove himself. At first the case looks straightforward, but very soon it becomes clear there is more beneath the surface.


Helgi is also dealing with the disappearance of his predecessor, a young policewoman who went missing while investigating a decades-old bank robbery. The two cases seem unconnected, yet both weigh heavily on him. At the same time he tries to build a new relationship while still carrying unresolved personal struggles.


What I enjoyed most about this book were the elements that have become Jónasson’s hallmark: the closed community where everyone seems to know everyone else, the small cast of characters with secrets, the atmospheric winter setting, and the way the story moves between past and present. Multiple mysteries run side by side and the reader is constantly asking whether they are connected. And, of course, the central question remains throughout: is Elín still alive.


Although I found some aspects of the plot predictable, I still found myself intrigued and turning the pages quickly. It is not action heavy, relying more on conversations with witnesses and the slow uncovering of hidden truths, but it kept my attention throughout. The writing style makes it an easy and quick read.


I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys small town mysteries that are engaging without being overly graphic. It is atmospheric, satisfying and solid.


Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5


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