The Girl Who Died
Ragnar Jónasson
Una is struggling to deal with her father's sudden, tragic suicide. She spends her nights drinking alone in Reykjavik, stricken with thoughts that she might one day follow in his footsteps.
So when she sees an advert seeking a teacher for two girls in the tiny village of Skálar - population of ten - on the storm-battered north coast of the island, she sees it as a chance to escape.
But once she arrives, Una quickly realises nothing in city life has prepared her for this. The villagers are unfriendly. The weather is bleak. And, from the creaky attic bedroom of the old house where she's living, she's convinced she hears the ghostly sound of singing.
Una worries that she's losing her mind. And then, just before Christmas, there's a murder...
So when she sees an advert seeking a teacher for two girls in the tiny village of Skálar - population of ten - on the storm-battered north coast of the island, she sees it as a chance to escape.
But once she arrives, Una quickly realises nothing in city life has prepared her for this. The villagers are unfriendly. The weather is bleak. And, from the creaky attic bedroom of the old house where she's living, she's convinced she hears the ghostly sound of singing.
Una worries that she's losing her mind. And then, just before Christmas, there's a murder...
GENRE
Crime; Mystery; Scandi-Noir; Thriller
UK PUBLICATION
April 2021
Crime; Mystery; Scandi-Noir; Thriller
UK PUBLICATION
April 2021
Praise
Sunday Times Top 5 Crime Books of the Year 2021
"A chilling psychological thriller, both literally and metaphorically, that will haunt the reader ... Nordic Noir, as usual, doesn't disappoint."
Canberra Times
"With his trademark elegant prose and atmospheric sense of place, Jónasson weaves a slow-burning, haunting tale with a chilling ending."
Sunday Express
"The novel is sophisticated, raising questions about the warped priorities of an embattled community."
Sunday Times
“Icelandic novelist returns with story that will make readers' blood run cold ... Ragnar Jónasson's impeccable plotting is really a wonder of the crime genre."
Dayton Daily News
"Ragnar Jonasson does an incredible job of explaining exactly what is happening, while still surprising you at the conclusion. Everything came together in the end to a point where I was surprised I hadn’t figured it out already. The finale is satisfying and there are no loose threads left, making The Girl Who Died and enjoyable read."
Mystery and Suspense
"If you haven't still read a Ragnar Jonasson's novel, this could be the best introduction to the author's magnificent body of work and it is also recommended to the many fans of Icelandic crime fiction. Jonasson remains on the forefront of the country's most significant crime writers and he has won the readers' hearts with his splendid mystery/thrillers during the last decade."
Tap the Line
"A chilling psychological thriller, both literally and metaphorically, that will haunt the reader ... Nordic Noir, as usual, doesn't disappoint."
Canberra Times
"With his trademark elegant prose and atmospheric sense of place, Jónasson weaves a slow-burning, haunting tale with a chilling ending."
Sunday Express
"The novel is sophisticated, raising questions about the warped priorities of an embattled community."
Sunday Times
“Icelandic novelist returns with story that will make readers' blood run cold ... Ragnar Jónasson's impeccable plotting is really a wonder of the crime genre."
Dayton Daily News
"Ragnar Jonasson does an incredible job of explaining exactly what is happening, while still surprising you at the conclusion. Everything came together in the end to a point where I was surprised I hadn’t figured it out already. The finale is satisfying and there are no loose threads left, making The Girl Who Died and enjoyable read."
Mystery and Suspense
"If you haven't still read a Ragnar Jonasson's novel, this could be the best introduction to the author's magnificent body of work and it is also recommended to the many fans of Icelandic crime fiction. Jonasson remains on the forefront of the country's most significant crime writers and he has won the readers' hearts with his splendid mystery/thrillers during the last decade."
Tap the Line
Also by Ragnar Jónasson
Rights Sales for THE GIRL WHO DIED
UK & Commonwealth: Michael Joseph Books
USA & Canada: Minotaur Books, St Martin's
USA & Canada: Minotaur Books, St Martin's