Random Things Tours: Cold As Hell by Lilja Sigurðardóttir

 

The pandemic and some extra unexpected health issues upsided down and delayed for at least 2 years my courageous travel plans around the world. On my top list of places to visit at least once - which is, honestly, the whole world - Iceland secured a very high place, also because I am very curious of hearing the language in the local environment. Until I will feel safe enough to be on the road again - hopefully soon - I am doing an intensive mind travel.

Cold As Hell by Lilja Sigurðardóttir, translated for Orenda Books by Quentin Bates, do have, indeed, many travel inspiring references about Iceland - the people, the food, the manners and, what interests me a lot, the pristine nature. For the language curious, it starts with a list of Icelanding words and their pronunciation. 

But there is more to this book that those ambiance details - otherwise I would happily recommend either a travel guide or an Icelandic language class. Namely, the story itself.

Estranged sisters Áróra and Ísafold have a long story of misunderstanding and conflict. Until their mother noticed the disappearance of Ísafold, a couple of weeks ago, Áróra a skillful private financial investigator, she would not have noticed that something really happened to her sister. After all, before, every time after she had a violent conflict with her boyfriend, she asked her help. This time, it seems that she just disappeared and back in Iceland, she is trying to figure out what really happened. 

But Cold As Hell is not your average crime novel. There are many bad or damaged people around, the action is mostly unfolding fast and brutally, neighbours behaving strangely, very strangely. Áróra even has some time for a bit of romance, ended up in a very lucrative-investigative way, and a flirt - maybe the only part of the story which for me looked a bit unconvincing - with an (ex)uncle. In additional to the search for Ísafold, there are intertwined thoughts about home and what does it mean to have parents belonging to two different cultures. Personally, I would have love to understand Ísafold - her motives, her personality - a bit more, as the main - and strongest voice is Áróra´s. 

But in the end, there are no winners and losers, not even enough corpses. However, there are enough open ways where the reader is left completely alone, to decide, suspect and further expect. It looks like the reader was offered a lot of cards, but the way in which those should be mixed and combined and turned into a win are left to the reader him/herself. 

It´s an unusual yet intelligent challenge and a reminder that ´noir´ can be written in so many (good and very good) ways. 

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review