The Quiet Mother (2019)

2019

306 pages

Crime Fiction

Book nr 3 in the Konrád Series

A woman is found murdered in her home, and on her desk is a note with ex-police officer Konrad’s phone number on it. It turns out that the woman contacted Konrad shortly before her death and asked him to find a child – the child she gave birth to nearly fifty years earlier and gave up or adoption. Distressed at having declined her request, Konrad vows to make up for it.

The Quiet Mother is a hard-hitting and ruthless depiction of shame and desperation, intense regret, and the enduring echo of evil deeds.

One of the 21 Best Reads Of The Year 2021 according to Télérama magazine – in the category of crime novels and SF, France

Reviews

REVIEWS

"A complex, compassionate mystery with mesmerizing paranormal trappings."

KIRKUS REVIEW

"The Quiet Mother is vintage Indridason... [and] solid proof that the crown [of Scandinavian crime writers] rests securely on King Arnaldur's head."

BARRY FORSHAW, FINANCIAL TIMES

"Arnaldur Indridason [is] the godfather of Icelandic crime .. From the very first page [of the Quiet Mother] it's clear we are in the hands of a master ... The Quiet Mother is a gripping tale about the coincidences that rule our lives and how they both create life and destroy it."

MARK SANDERSON, THE TIMES

"Indridason’s excellent third procedural featuring Reykjavík policeman Konrad ... Much of the book is prototypical Indridason—atmospheric, character-driven, and sleek—but everything kicks up a notch in a brutal finale that will sear itself into the minds of readers. This series continues to impress."

PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY

Five stars, full house “Arnaldur Indridason is indeed an expert storyteller. He is level-headed and meticulous, leaving no stone unturned, and he keeps the readers’ and listeners’ attention unabated. The Quiet Mother is yet another feather in the author’s cap. … a work of genius …”

STEINTHOR GUDBJARTSSON, MORGUNBLADID DAILY

Four stars “… opens on a scene that brings to mind a great movie classic by Alfred Hitchcock, Rear Window. … This opening scene is masterfully conceived, and a similar scene, just as masterful, is encountered towards the end of the book. … The book is a pleasure to read, and, as usual, Arnaldur is a master of style. … constantly takes the reader by surprise. … An exceedingly well-written and memorable detective story, the tale of a cruel destiny.”

KOLBRUN BERGTHORSDOTTIR, FRETTABLADID DAILY

“... thrilling and captivating ...”

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Rights Sold

NorwayCappelen Damm

FranceÉditions Métailié

SwedenNorstedts

DenmarkGyldendal

The NetherlandsUitgeverij Volt

Germany/Switzerland/AustriaVerlagsgruppe Lübbe

USASt. Martin’s Press

Czech RepublicMOBA

UK/Australia/New Zealand/South-AfricaPRH/ Harvill Secker

TV RightsGlassriver

World ArabicArab Scientific Publishers