The Darkness Knows (2017)
2017
283 pages
Crime Fiction
Book nr 1 in the Konrád Series
A frozen body is discovered in the icy depths of Langjökull glacier, apparently that of a businessman who disappeared thirty years before. At the time, an extensive search and police investigation yielded no results—one of the missing man’s business associates was briefly held in custody, but there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him. Now the associate is arrested again and Konrad, the retired policeman who originally investigated the disappearance, is called back to reopen the case that has weighed on his mind for decades. When a woman approaches him with new information that she obtained from her deceased brother, progress can finally be made in solving this long-cold case.The start of a new series - a powerful and haunting story about the poisonous secrets and cruel truths that time eventually uncovers.
- The Times Best Crime Fiction for July 2021
- Shortlisted for the Vrij Nederland Crime & Suspense, Award for thrillers published in Dutch in 2019
- Nominated for The Drop of Blood – The Icelandic Crime Novel Award 2018
★★★★★ (five stars out of five possible) VN Detective & Thrillergids, The Netherlands
Reviews
REVIEWS
“The best crime fiction for July 2021 … Although he’s only 60, Arnaldur Indridason is the grand old man of Icelandic noir. … The Darkness Knows is a tragic tale of football, fathers and fear. Once again the intrepid Indridason reveals that the only escape from the past is death.”
Mark Sanderson, The Times
STARRED REVIEW “As in the old Icelandic sagas, the author strips bare such archetypal human concerns as revenge, honor, and family loyalty. Konrád, who still misses his beloved wife six years after she died of cancer, is an irresistible lead. Indridason is writing at the top of his game.”
Publishers Weekly
“Iceland is one of the safest places to live and visit in the world, except in Icelandic crime fiction. ... Arnaldur Indridason is, in this reviewer's opinion, the best of the current writers of Nordic Noir. ... a masterful storyteller. He uses his complex and clever detective story to explore issues that affect modern Iceland ... The Darkness Knows is a finely paced, multi-tiered story about guilt and remorse, with Iceland's bleak, cold landscape a perfect backdrop for dark secrets and emotional despair.”
Anna Creer, Canberra Times, Australia
“In this rewarding gumshoe investigation focused on complex deceptions and unlikely coincidences, introspective Konrád faces his failures, both in marriage and policing here, and finds resolution, if not peace.”
Christine Tra, Booklist
“Arnaldur Indridason has been one of my favorite crime writers since I first picked up his cult classic debut, Jar City ... His new novel, The Darkness Knows, has a truly Scandinavian setup...”
Molly Odintz, CrimeReads, August’s best international crime fiction
FOUR AND A HALF STAR “Many of Arnaldur Indridason’s books are special because his descriptions of settings and central characters are nearly flawless, interviews are especially well done, and nothing seems to be irrelevant to him. He leads the reader through the plotline, and in this book, he gladly brings humour into an otherwise extremely serious story... Konrad is a likeable sort – he is calm and relaxed, experienced, willing to admit mistakes, and certainly knows what he’s talking about. He has gotten into various situations, and still achieves his own ends. ... One simply has stars in one’s eyes after reading, tears even, as some have said. The novel’s pace doesn’t interfere with this low-key story which truly hits the spot.”
Steinthor Gudbjartsson, Morgunbladid daily, Iceland
“You can always turn to the steady flow of crime fiction from the Nordic countries when you need a break from the heat, and this dark Icelandic novel, crisply translated by Victoria Cribb, is a fine choice. ... Indridason, a well-seasoned writer, has created an intricate plot with a diverse cast of players, acutely probing the relationships within Iceland’s tightly knit communities.”
The Seattle Times
★★★★★ (five stars out of six possible) “... a brilliant crime novel ...”
Tarald Aano, Stavanger Aftenblad, Norway
Rights Sold
ItalyUgo Guanda
FinlandBlue Moon
NorwayCappelen Damm
HungaryCentral Kiadói Csoport
SwedenNorstedts
DenmarkGyldendal
RomaniaCrime Scene Press
RussiaAST
The NetherlandsUitgeverij Q
Germany/Switzerland/AustriaVerlagsgruppe Lübbe
USASt. Martin’s Press
France/Switzerland/Luxembourg/ CanadaMétailié
Czech RepublicBastei Moba
UK/Australia/New Zealand/South-AfricaPRH/ Harvill Secker
TV RightsGlassriver
World ArabicThaqafa
India/Malayalam languageDC Books