Staff Picks Blog

 Voices by Arnaldur Indridason is the third mystery in a series starring Inspector Erlendur Sveinsson and it is set in Reykjavik.  In the midst of holiday festivities the doorman at an upscale hotel who plays Santa Claus is found stabbed — in his costume with his pants around his knees.  This is not a “cozy” mystery.  Erlendur is a dour loner, concerned over his drug-addicted daughter, bothered by memories of his brother’s death, and ignoring well-meaning co-workers who are trying to make holiday plans for him.  He discovers the victim was once a child singing star, but his life changed when his voice did and he has long been estranged from his family.

The cover of Voices calls this book a thriller, I would call it a dark pyschological study with a significant depression level evident in most of those involved–more Iowa Winter reading than sunny beach reading.  If you like Ian Rankin or Henning Mankell I think you’ll like this book.