Big Brother (2022)

Winner — Blood Drop, the Icelandic Crime Fiction Award

2022

526 pages

Crime Fiction

Thriller

Big Brother (2022)

Big Brother is a tale of revenge and justice, of love and loss, violence, and old sins. A figure dressed in black lurks in the shadows, stalking a man by Rauðavatn lake and vanishing like a ghost into the night. No one knows who the assailant is or what lurks in his wake.

The journalist Emil Thorsteinsson believes the attack is connected to other attacks in Reykjavik and that the black-clad figure carefully chooses its victims. Emil's investigation reveals that the assailant sees himself as an agent of justice for those who have suffered; he wants to mete out justice on their behalf.

Big Brother is an exciting and blood-soaked crime story that takes unexpected turns when least expected, a thrilling crime story that keeps the reader captivated from beginning to end.

From the Jury’s Review, the Blood Drop, the Icelandic Crime Fiction Award

SS, literary critic

Reviews

Big Brother is a skillfully crafted tale of violent crime and a carefully orchestrated revenge with a long buildup, which is gradually revealed as the depth of the narrative increases. The diverse character development and deliberate use of different perspectives not only heighten the suspense but also illustrate how one can justify atrocities to oneself (and even endure them without speaking out). At the same time, the compelling internal reasons for revenge become credible. The many interwoven plot threads are expertly managed, combined with a broad societal description and an exposure of institutional violence against boys – which plays a major role in the story's eeriness and impact.

From the Jury’s Review, the Blood Drop, the Icelandic Crime Fiction Award

Big Brother is genuinely a scary and thrilling tale. A journalist and a sympathetic old police officer are chasing an avenging angel called Big Brother who is punishing those responsible for the bad treatment of young boys in a notorious boy school in the 90’s. I was really touched by Big Brother's story. Moreover, the plot is skilfully created and the ending of the book phenomenally hair-raising.

Maria Säntti, Publishing Manager, Docendo, Finland

The story is exciting, and there is a crescendo from beginning to end, but the final violent scene is tremendous. […] It's an exciting crime story that is somewhat lurid at times but, as a result, is more striking and has great entertainment value.

PW, MORGUNBLADID

The events are written so well that even the most hardened reader might feel uneasy.

KIRJAROUVAN ELÄMÄÄ

Big Brother by Skuli Sigurdsson is a very well-crafted crime novel. Maintaining the reader's curiosity over more than 500 pages, especially and particularly after it becomes clear who the murderer is, is quite an art. But Skuli accomplishes this, and does it well. He creates believable characters and enjoyable personalities.

SS, literary critic

Awards

Won

Blood Drop, the Icelandic Crime Fiction Award

Rights Sold

Translation rights sold

FinlandMinerva

SwedenModernista

TV RightsAct 4