Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 2
First Line: The head caretaker, Tryggvi, stood by the coffeemaker.
Lawyer and single mother Thóra Gudmundsdóttir is contacted by Matthew Reich, an ex-German police officer, for help. A wealthy German family's son has been studying at university in Reykjavík, Iceland. His body was found with his eyes cut out and strange symbols carved into his chest. His family doesn't believe that the Reykjavík police have the right man in custody. Since Thóra's law practice is struggling, she needs the money and agrees to conduct her own investigation.
It quickly comes to light that the murdered student was studying Iceland's history of torture, execution and witch hunts, and the more that Thóra and Reich investigate, the more likely it seems that his studies played a part in his murder.
I was greatly anticipating this book. One of the reasons why I love reading mysteries set in other countries is because I'm an armchair traveler. I love learning about other countries, and a feeling of place can add so much to a story. Sadly, there was very little sense of place in Last Rituals, and the plot didn't have much that was new either.
What I did enjoy a great deal was the character of Thóra, her dual careers of lawyer and mother, her dedication to both, her stubbornness, and her sense of humor that would flash unexpectedly and make me laugh. If not for Thóra, I doubt very much that I would read the next book in the series. Thóra sparkled to such a degree that I know I will be reading more about her in future.
Lawyer and single mother Thóra Gudmundsdóttir is contacted by Matthew Reich, an ex-German police officer, for help. A wealthy German family's son has been studying at university in Reykjavík, Iceland. His body was found with his eyes cut out and strange symbols carved into his chest. His family doesn't believe that the Reykjavík police have the right man in custody. Since Thóra's law practice is struggling, she needs the money and agrees to conduct her own investigation.
It quickly comes to light that the murdered student was studying Iceland's history of torture, execution and witch hunts, and the more that Thóra and Reich investigate, the more likely it seems that his studies played a part in his murder.
I was greatly anticipating this book. One of the reasons why I love reading mysteries set in other countries is because I'm an armchair traveler. I love learning about other countries, and a feeling of place can add so much to a story. Sadly, there was very little sense of place in Last Rituals, and the plot didn't have much that was new either.
What I did enjoy a great deal was the character of Thóra, her dual careers of lawyer and mother, her dedication to both, her stubbornness, and her sense of humor that would flash unexpectedly and make me laugh. If not for Thóra, I doubt very much that I would read the next book in the series. Thóra sparkled to such a degree that I know I will be reading more about her in future.
LecClier K. (SierraK) -
Helpful Score: 1
Very suspenseful murder mystery set in Iceland. A German student studying at the University of Iceland is found murdered in a most gruesome manner. The police quickly arrest a suspect, but the victim's family hires Icelandic attorney Thora Gudmundsdottir to independently investigate the death. Lots of connections to witchcraft in Iceland, which I found interesting.
The book does contain lots of graphic details and is not for the squeamish!
The book does contain lots of graphic details and is not for the squeamish!
Helpful Score: 1
Wow what a great book. Love the setting and some of the cultural background on Iceland. Well written mystery. Will keep you guessing through out. History and rituals of 16th century witches is spin chilling. Highly recommend now I need book 2.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed Last Rituals (Thora Gudmundsdottir, Bk 1) on + 1713 more book reviews
I was intrigued with this story line and was soon a bit bogged down by details that didn't seem to move the story along as quickly as I thought it should.
It was very well done, characters were developing and back stories filled in nicely.
Was hoping for a bit more suspense and action.
Will give the second book a go and see how it reads.
It was very well done, characters were developing and back stories filled in nicely.
Was hoping for a bit more suspense and action.
Will give the second book a go and see how it reads.
Enjoyed the main characters dealing with the challenges of everyday life, while solving the murder mystery. The peripheral characters little conceits and deceits are actually characters in and of themselves and contribute to the deepening mystery. Definitely a whodunnit (and WHY? always the biggie) with a surprise at the end.
In addition the country Iceland is intriguing also. I'm looking forward to other books by Y. S.
In addition the country Iceland is intriguing also. I'm looking forward to other books by Y. S.
Christin R. (raksha38) reviewed Last Rituals (Thora Gudmundsdottir, Bk 1) on + 203 more book reviews
This novel was originally written in Icelandic and its set in Iceland. A German student at the university in Reykjavik is gruesomely murdered and the family is convinced the police arrested the wrong person, so they send a family employee (who happens to be a former detective with the German police force) to work with local lawyer Thora Gudmundsdóttir to find out who did it.
I liked this a lot. Iceland was more than where the story happened to be set, it was really a part of the story itself. The murdered man was a grad student in history who was fascinated with the witchburnings in Icelands past and it was his investigations into theis past, which intersected with a particular obsession of his, that caused his murder. Thora is a great character. Shes smart and capable, but in a real-person kind of way. Like, shes trying to deal with being a divorced single mother of two juggling her family life with her work. Its hard and she doesnt always get it right. But she always tries! And a lot of the time, she gets it right.
Also, Thora is a freaking awesome name. In fact, all the names in this book are awesome. I love Icelandic naming conventions.
I liked this a lot. Iceland was more than where the story happened to be set, it was really a part of the story itself. The murdered man was a grad student in history who was fascinated with the witchburnings in Icelands past and it was his investigations into theis past, which intersected with a particular obsession of his, that caused his murder. Thora is a great character. Shes smart and capable, but in a real-person kind of way. Like, shes trying to deal with being a divorced single mother of two juggling her family life with her work. Its hard and she doesnt always get it right. But she always tries! And a lot of the time, she gets it right.
Also, Thora is a freaking awesome name. In fact, all the names in this book are awesome. I love Icelandic naming conventions.
