My Soul To Take - a Novel of Iceland | Book Recommendation

This page discusses the book My Soul to Take - A Novel of Iceland, one of several novels in the series written by award winning crime writer Yrsa Sigurdardottir. The book features protagonist Thora Gudmundsdottir, an Icelandic lawyer and single mother who appears in several of Sigurdardottir's crime stories.

In her second novel featuring the adventures of lawyer Thora Gudmundsdottir, author Yrsa Sigurdardottir weaves a tale reminiscent of an old fashioned whodunit, but with a modern day setting. There are murders, plenty of suspects and a surprise ending that shall not be revealed here.

Set in Iceland, this fascinating tale takes place in a remote oceanfront hotel that according to local lore, is haunted with the ghosts of dead children. Add to the mix New Age philosophies, a sex therapist, an aura reader, a past scandal regarding Nazi supporters -- and you have an idea of the types of intrigues to be found in this book. Best yet, the murders, love affairs and sex scenes are described without the need for gratuitous violence and sexual descriptions that are favored in so many current crime scenes.

Equally fascinating is the fact that this book is written by an Icelander and is set in rural Iceland. The author's descriptions of the countryside and the Icelandic culture are compelling.

Yrsa Sigurdardottir is an award winning writer in the crime fiction genre. She has been called Iceland's Crime Queen.

What did you think?

Yrsa Sigurdardottir is a prolific writer. She tends to blend crime fiction with the unknown and the supernatural. These are some of her books, other than My Soul to Take:

1. I Remember You: A Ghost Story (2014)

This award winning book delves into the supernatural. Two friends investigating an isolated house discover more than they bargained for. Reviewers liken this to a blend of Steven King and John Ajvide Lindqvist.

2. Last Rituals (Thora Gudmundsdottir Book 1) (2009)

This book introduces protagonist Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, an attorney when a penchant for getting involved in solving mysterious murder mysteries. In this book, the parent's of a murdered university student ask Thora to investigate the case. Police have arrested a suspect, but the parents are convinced that the murdered was someone else. The book delves into Iceland's dark history of executions and witch hunts.

3. The Silence of the Sea

Some have likened this book to film noir. In this story, Thóra Gudmundsdóttir returns once again to investigate a mystery. This time, it's a ship traveling from Portugal to Iceland, but has mysteriously been set adrift. Much of the story happens at sea.

4. Ashes to Dust (A Thriller) (2012)

Protagonist Thóra Gudmundsdóttir is enlisted to help prevent a crew from excavating the site of a volcano that erupted in 1973. Bodies show up, Thora questions the motives of her client, exciting and unforeseen turns of event occur.

5. The Day is Dark (2011). Written with Philip Roughton

This is another Thóra Gudmundsdóttir story. In this one, Thora is hired to investigate two missing Icelanders who are working in Greenland. Missing people, ancient customs, hostile locals, colorful characters, and as always, a great mystery to be solved.

6. Someone to Watch Over Me (A Thriller) (Thora Gudmundsdottir) (2015) Available for pre-order

Sunday Times named this the Best Crime Book of the Year. In this, the fifth in the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series, Thora investigates a crime of arson in which several persons were killed. A young man with Downs Syndrome has been convicted of the crime, but there are those who believe he is an innocent pawn in someone else's game.

7. The Day is Dark (2013)

Appears to be an updated version of the one written in 2011.