Review of Last Rituals

Last Rituals: A Novel of Suspense by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


On the recommendation of author Elizabeth Bear I ordered this book. It proved to be a good recommendation. Writing in her native Icelandic, Yrsa Sigurdordottir produced a very interesting murder novel, as well as a look at the culture of modern Iceland. Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, a local lawyer, is asked by the family of a murdered German student to investigate, as they are not confident that the police have the right person.

The prose is merely serviceable, which may be an artifact of the translation process. The content, however, is quite good. Thora is not a detective and as a single mother she has a slew of family issues to deal with. She's also got some money issues - namely not enough - and the secretary at her law office serves as some comic relief. I found the story engrossing enough to read it in a single evening.



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