It seems there is no limit for how good the Icelandic literature can be. The latest title published by Corylus Books, Deceit, the first book by journalist and writer Jónína Leósdóttir to be translated into English by Sylvia Bates and Quentin Bates is just another example of ´Noir´ perfection.
Set in Reykjavik during the Covid outbursts it follows the trace of gruesome crimes and dark secrets. Detective Soffía is trying to trace the culprit(s) with the help of her ex-psychologist husband Adam.
Personally, I didn´t know what to expect from this book and my appetite for surprise was fully rewarded until the very end of the book. The scenery may look busy and overwhelmed - both in terms of action and characters - but there is nothing and no one out of place. However, some of the scenes and characters cannot be enough developed because they might have take too much place from the crime plot anyway. But there is definitely a plan according to which the details of the story were set, although the reader may feel at times as wandering blindly through a labyrinth of perfect darkness. Definitely, the dystopic Corona landscape adds even more thrilling to the story, as it integrates perfectly within the framework.
Despite of sharing fears and new society and human relationships, we are now, after two years, all of us familiar with, the ambiance is though very local and although I haven´t been to Reykjavik I can relate to the realm of the book as an unique particular place from the literary point of view.
The relationship between Soffía and Adam suits very well the dynamic of the story and even set the tone for various story developments. Both of them are very interesting characters, well defined, and through their interaction the story develops in unexpected ways. ´Noir´, including Icelandic one, can be written in so many ways, after all.
Deceit is just another example of extraordinary Icelandic writers of crime fiction and one of the many outstanding titles the courageous Corylus Books publishes. I can only hope that more books by Jónína Leósdóttir will be soon published and even more titles of Icelandic ´Noir´ fiction. I feel like there is an impressive amount of fiction from this country that we not even imagine how good it could be. I am open to the challenge.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
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