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Where The Shadows Lie (2009)

by Michael Ridpath(Favorite Author)

3.66 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1848873972 (ISBN13: 9781848873971)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

Corvus

series

Fire and Ice

review 1: The strength of Where the Shadows Lie are the lead character, the outsider-insider storyline, and contextualisation with respect to the Tolkein and Lord of the Rings. Magnus Jonson is a strong and engaging lead character who has been unsettled by the corruption case in Boston, the move back to Iceland, and splitting with his long-term partner. Born in the country, able to speak and read the language, and being familiar with its lore, but having left for the US when he was twelve, Magnus is both an insider and outsider; a square peg looking to fit a round hole, but nevertheless a peg. The other characterisation is also generally good, with an interesting cast. The link between Tolkein and a long lost Icelandic saga seems both plausible and credible, though the plotline ... moreconcerning the ring, as opposed to the manuscript, seemed a little ridiculous and over-wrought. Indeed, the plot does lack credibility at a number of different points, including the premise for him being sent to Iceland (which should rest on the months of FBI case building and not him witnessing one exchange), and his relationship with Colby (which seemed long over). Moreover, the writing is often quite pedestrian and flat, lacking in engaging prose and with too much show rather than tell. Overall, an interesting lead character and I’d try the second book in the series, in which the plotting is hopefully a little less fanciful.
review 2: A Nordic crime novel set in Iceland. A clever American cop who irritates his peers and occasionally drinks too much. Beautiful girls who aren't sure they like him or not. A serial murderer on the loose. A bleak, dark, wet, cold setting. Names like Slólavördustígur and Ásgrímsdóttir. Nothing too weird happens, but there is talk of sagas and rings. A few people really like J. R. R. Tolkien. I enjoyed the book. It would be fun to see a video adaptation with good location shots from Iceland, but I'm not ready to go for a visit yet. less

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