Only Death Was a Witness (2024)

The Grimsson Series #12 A stand-alone series

Blóðdropinn, The Icelandic Crime Award 2024 The Best Crime Novel of the Year 2024, selected by Morgunbladid Daily

Only Death Was a Witness is the twelfth gripping installment in the series featuring the unorthodox detective Hordur Grimsson, a character who has become a standout in contemporary crime fiction.

Detective Hordur Grimson’s days are far from thrilling. Stuck investigating corporate price-fixing, he longs for the days of solving real crimes. But during a routine lunch break, he intercepts a strange message from an unknown voice on the police's private radio channel. Is it a genuine threat or a twisted prank? His superior dismisses it as a joke, but Hordur isn't so sure. When the mysterious broadcast repeats the next day, Hordur is given a green light to dig deeper into the enigma. Who is using the police frequency to make these cryptic declarations, and what are they planning? With only a sliver of a lead, Hordur dives into a relentless investigation, chasing clues through Iceland's darkest corners. As time ticks away, the day of reckoning looms ever closer. A fierce westward storm is forecasted, but Hordur senses a more sinister force gathering strength. Could this be the prelude to a terrorist attack on Icelandic soil?

English translations available

ABOUT THE SERIES Hordur Grimsson, a relentless detective in Reykjavik, is known for his striking emerald green eyes, rust-red hair, and muscular build. He balances a demanding career with family life, using unconventional methods and a unique sensitivity that allows him to sense events before they happen. His intense focus on work often strains his relationship with his wife and son, despite his deep love for them.

Hordur's intuition and physical presence make him a formidable detective, but the emotional burden of having taken a life adds to his psychological strain. The series explores his growth as a detective and family man, delving into his internal conflicts and emotional journey, and highlighting themes of justice versus personal sacrifice, the toll of duty on relationships, and balancing strength with sensitivity.

The Grimsson Series #12 A stand-alone series

Only Death Was a Witness is the twelfth gripping installment in the series featuring the unorthodox detective Hordur Grimsson, a character who has become a standout in contemporary crime fiction.

Detective Hordur Grimson’s days are far from thrilling. Stuck investigating corporate price-fixing, he longs for the days of solving real crimes. But during a routine lunch break, he intercepts a strange message from an unknown voice on the police's private radio channel. Is it a genuine threat or a twisted prank? His superior dismisses it as a joke, but Hordur isn't so sure.

English translations available

ABOUT THE SERIES Hordur Grimsson, a relentless detective in Reykjavik, is known for his striking emerald green eyes, rust-red hair, and muscular build. He balances a demanding career with family life, using unconventional methods and a unique sensitivity that allows him to sense events before they happen. His intense focus on work often strains his relationship with his wife and son, despite his deep love for them.

Hordur's intuition and physical presence make him a formidable detective, but the emotional burden of having taken a life adds to his psychological strain. The series explores his growth as a detective and family man, delving into his internal conflicts and emotional journey, and highlighting themes of justice versus personal sacrifice, the toll of duty on relationships, and balancing strength with sensitivity.