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Book Review: Such a nice girl by Andrea Mara

Such a Nice Girl by Andrea Mara was my first book by this author, and the premise immediately drew me in. The idea behind the story was intriguing and I found myself hooked from the start, eager to discover what had actually happened. One of the strengths of the novel is its twists. For much of the book I believed I had figured out the direction the story was heading in, only to be proven wrong. Mara does a great job keeping the reader guessing, and the tension around the mystery kept me turning the pages. However, the characters didn’t work quite as well for me. While the fear and desperation of parents whose daughters have gone missing is understandable, the behaviour of the two mothers sometimes felt exaggerated and unrealistic. At times their actions felt more frustrating than believable. I also found the opening section a bit repetitive, and there were a few plot elements that felt slightly far-fetched, seemingly included to create additional twists. Despite these issues, I still ...
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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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