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Snowblind

By: Ragnar Jónasson
Narrated by: Thor Kristjansson
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Summary

Siglufjörður: an idyllically quiet fishing village in Northern Iceland where no one locks their doors - accessible only via a small mountain tunnel.

Ari Thór Arason: a rookie policeman on his first posting, far from his girlfriend in Reykjavik - with a past that he’s unable to leave behind.

When a young woman is found lying half naked in the snow, bleeding and unconscious, and a highly esteemed, elderly writer falls to his death in the local theatre, Ari is dragged straight into the heart of a community where he can trust no one, and secrets and lies are a way of life.

An avalanche and unremitting snowstorms close the mountain pass, and the 24-hour darkness threatens to push Ari over the edge, as curtains begin to twitch, and his investigation becomes increasingly complex, chilling and personal. Past plays tag with the present, and the claustrophobic tension mounts while Ari is thrust ever deeper into his own darkness – blinded by snow and with a killer on the loose.

Taut and terrifying, Snowblind is a startling debut from an extraordinary new talent, taking Nordic noir to soaring new heights. Author of the best-selling Dark Iceland crime series, Ragnar Jonasson was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 1976 and works as a lawyer. He also teaches copyright law at Reykjavik University and has previously worked on radio and television, including as a TV news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.

Before becoming a writer, Ragnar translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic and has had short stories published in international literary magazines. Ragnar is a member of the UK Crime Writers' Association (CWA) and recently set up the first overseas chapter of the CWA, in Reykjavik. He is also the cofounder of the Reykjavik international crime writing festival Iceland Noir, which was selected by the Guardian as one of the 'best crime-writing festivals around the world'. Ragnar has appeared on panels at festivals worldwide, and he lives in Reykjavik with his wife and daughter.

©2015 Ragnar Jonasson (P)2015 Audible, Ltd
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Critic reviews

"Is King Arnaldur looking to his laurels? There is a young pretender beavering away, his eye on the crown: Ragnar Jónasson." (Barry Forshaw)

What listeners say about Snowblind

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hugely atmospheric setting & palpable tension!

What did you like most about Snowblind?

The narration brought the story and setting to life for me perfectly! The reader conveys a brilliant sense of place and his slightly chilling narration adds to the tension the listener feels. I would hope this narrator continues with future books. I felt all the claustrophobia and anxiety of Ari Thór living alone in the remote fishing village and Smowblind became compulsive listening. I really could have finished this in one sitting (believe me, I would have liked to)!

A clever plot and some distinctive characters kept me thoroughly engaged and this certainly rates as one of my favourite Audible listens since joining.

What did you like best about this story?

It captured perfectly the plight of Ari Thór - rookie cop, remote posting, far away from his girlfriend and how very isolated he felt. I liked the character and the fact that I felt drawn to him certainly made for an emotionally involving listen.

Which character – as performed by Thor Kristjansson – was your favourite?

Certainly Ari Thór - he is at the heart of this story and Thór Kristjansson manages to convey every emotion he feels superbly, ensuring that I really cared how this book ended. Secondly, I did love the portrayal of Tomas as the gruff sergeant in charge of Ari Thór.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Every bit as dazzling as the title implies!

Any additional comments?

A clever plot, low on blood and gore for the more gentle listener. Without a doubt one of the crime fiction debuts of 2015 and the narration makes for a hugely satisfying listen.. Definitely one of my favourites since joining. Do not miss out - a gem!

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Atmosphere in spades

I had read this years ago and enjoyed it but Thor's interpretation really improved it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Worth a listen

I quite enjoyed this book, although I did find out rather slow going and disjointed in parts.

Overall the narration was good, but English obviously wasn't the narrator's mother tongue and he paused in odd places in sentences. He had a very pleasant voice and on the whole was pretty good.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Highly recommended

Absorbing and occasionally thrilling story. My favourite part was the very relaxing voice of the narrator who reminded me of the children's programme "Bod". I'll definitely be buying the next instalment.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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FANTASTIC Narrator:)))))))

for me the narrator makes the audio books and he was brilliant, i could imagine him in a log cabin with candles on just telling storys. the book was really good and felt cold listening to it.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Snow Blind - Really Enjoyed!

I really enjoyed this book.

The story takes place in Siglufjörður: a quiet fishing village in Northern Iceland.

Nobody locks their doors! Had they done so the story would have changed!

Ari Thór Arason is a young policeman on his first posting. He is far from his girlfriend in Reykjavik...

I actually liked this narrator.

As it ended I went straight to book 2!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Sense of isolation really comes through

Would you try another book written by Ragnar Jonasson or narrated by Thor Kristjansson?

Yes, already have.

What other book might you compare Snowblind to, and why?

I've not read a great deal of Scandie lit.

What three words best describe Thor Kristjansson’s performance?

Unemotional but authentic

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Yes, that would probably be an excellent medium for it actually.

Any additional comments?

The narration was at times a little jilted it was enjoyable. It helps enormously to have the narrator use different voices for characters in the book, and this narrator didn't do that. I wouldn't go so far as to say they were 'flat' but they didn't express much emotion in their presentation and at times - coupled with the unfamiliar proper nouns - it was difficult to keep track of the characters.

Despite this, when I wasn't listening I wished I was - and that's really great. There was something appealing about the town, and the geographic isolation, and I bought the next 2 books in the Dark Iceland series.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

excellent narrator

loved the narrator's voice. shame there seems to be nothing more from him on audible library.
agree with other listeners tho I haven't listened to other Ari Thor stories - this narrator nailed it!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable scandidrama

I bought this on a daily deal and enjoyed the story - I love Iceland, so enjoyed the setting and storyline. Some reviews mention poor narration but I disagree. Having an Icelandic reader was essential in my mind, to hear the names correctly and the intonation is different to an English ear, but no less enjoyable. The delivery is quite unemotional but fits the content. This book whiled away a couple of days’ decorating whilst my imagination travelled to the North…

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The narrator was excellent and added to the tension through his very quietness

Having just visited Iceland, I wanted to read a novel about such an extraordinary place. I really liked the notion of the small intense community in such an inhospitable place for months of the year. I very much liked the character of the young police officer and hope there will be another story!

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