Silence of the Grave

Reykjavik Murder Mysteries, Book 2

By: Arnaldur Indridason

Narrated by: George Guidall

Inspector Erlendur returns in this gripping Icelandic thriller

When a skeleton is discovered half-buried in a construction site outside of ReykjavIk, Inspector Erlendur finds himself knee-deep in both a crime scene and an archeological dig. Bone by bone, the body is unearthed, and the brutalizing history of a family who lived near the building site comes to light along with it. Was the skeleton a man or a woman, a victim or a killer, and is this a simple case of murder or a long-concealed act of justice?

As Erlendur tries to crack this cold case, he must also save his drug-addicted daughter from self destruction and somehow glue his hopelessly fractured family back together. Like the chilly Nordic mysteries of Henning Mankell and Karen Fossum, Arnaldur Indridason delivers a stark police procedural full of humanity and pathos, a classic noir from a very cold place.

©2002 Arnaldur Indridason, English translation ©2005 by Bernard Scudder (P)2012 Recorded Books

Powerful and overwhelming

An interesting Icelandic tale the best and worst of humanity A story of survival suffering hate strength and dignity and murder of souls!

Keep me hanging!!!!

What did you love best about Silence of the Grave?

I apologize this must be over my head but why would I love where the grave is ????.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

there was a movie that kept me like that it was presidio this movie had me til the end. This is my 2nd book there isn't much this days that can do that but so far this books are, I love it keep me in that zone.!!!

Which scene was your favorite?

when she found love and got to see what that really feel like.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

cry.!!!

Any additional comments?

I didn't think I would like a book that was translated from another country but I really love this one it give me a insite of how my are other brother and sister are to me that is the bast thing that can happen don't stop I would love to know more about Iceland and the surrounding Country in your books. Thank you for your life in book or what your country like.

Wanted to review another book : Artic Chill

Should have taken reviews of Artic Chill to heart! It was awful and BORING. I was so disappointed because I have loved the author and of course, George Guidall is the BEST!
I returned Artic Chill. I plan to order another book by Indridason because I do not want to give up just because of one bad story. Honestly, the same questions were asked over and over and the story just never went anywhere. I was surprised to learn about racism being an issue. I have been fascinated with Iceland and have just begun to explore its history and culture. I have a lot to learn.

Excellent story.

Any additional comments?

For those of us that experienced the "soul murder" of domestic violence, this book describes it accurately.

shocking

this book was tense and humbling it was something that will stay with Me for awhile.

DREARY

Any additional comments?

I used to be a fan of 'Nordic Noir' but it is getting awfully predictable. This is just plain lugubrious and dreary - with A LOT of social preaching ( yes - we all now get that the Scandinavian model of society has its downside) while more or less completely forgetting the actual story. Readers/listeners are NOT just punching bags for long social commentary masked as realist noir fiction. This was slow, depressing and felt like wading through mud. Not helped by this narrator - who I have heard and had trouble with before. Slow, and too 'folksy'. Very little variation. That was OK - just - in the Longmire books; but the combo in this one sinks the ship.

Painful Life

This is a story about life that's hardest to live. Battered women beware, all females will be triggered by this story line. At times difficult to hear, but the story line moves along with twists n turns and one keeps up.

Terrible violence against women and children

This book had some of the most depressing parts to it that I have ever read/listened to. If u, like me, have a low tolerance for scenes where women and children r being tortured, especially over years by the male head of household, then u may want to skip this book and try another by this author. The book moves a little slowly, which for me were unbearable during these grotesquely cruel parts. I finally had to fast forward some through the last one. The narrator, George Guidall, is excellent, and a little too good in this particular book. I am going to read some other books by this author though. I think he writes well, though there r some parts where u can see things coming so clearly and the detective doesn't that it seems silly. I think there was a point to be made with the violence, tho I sure didn't need so much of it. How violence against women and children goes on and on, in every culture, and no system of "justice" does a thing for them. .

The killer is....first, let's visit my brother...

Any additional comments?

The writing was excellent, the characters were well developed, and George Guidall's performance of the story was outstanding. I'll definitely be looking for more books narrated by Mr. Guidall.

The story was very suspenseful (which I usually like), but this book was suspenseful in the most annoying and not very believable way. For example - and don't worry, no spoilers here - the book goes a little like this:

"Do you know who the victim is?"

"Yes, I do."

"Who is it?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

"Do you know who the killer is?"

"Yes, I do."

"Who is it?"

"Let's visit my brother."

No kidding. It's A LOT like that. ^

Still, excellent character development and exploration into the psychology surrounding domestic violence from the perspective of the abuser, abused, and authorities/witnesses.

Exactly what I needed

Although there were parts that were very sad and depressing, this kind of story grounds me to reality. There are people out there that have to go through similar if not worse situations than the characters in this story. Hearing these types of stories helps me as a career public servant. Sick, depressing and all too real. Pretty good read.