Yrsa Sigurdardóttir's "The Reckoning," translated from the Icelandic by Victoria Cribb, is a complex and chilling tale of child abuse, corruption, and murder. Huldar, a detective who fell from grace after botching a high-profile inquiry, feels responsible for the fact that Freyja, a woman he cares for, was removed from her post as director the of Children's House. This is a social service agency that helps traumatized youngsters. Freyja is a child psychologist whom Huldar frequently calls upon for her insight into the wide range of human behavior that he encounters.

Huldar is assigned to look into a threatening letter written by an unnamed fourteen-year old ten years earlier. In it, the writer alluded to six murders that he predicted would occur in 2016, the year during which most of the action is set. Soon, body parts and corpses start cropping up in various locales, but no one knows the perpetrator's identity or motive. Huldar's tough boss, Erla, begrudgingly allows him to take part in the homicide investigation. Another issue is the fury that erupts when Jón Jónsson, who was convicted for assaulting and killing an eight-year-old girl in 2004, is freed from prison after serving a little more than a decade behind bars. Once again, Huldar asks Freyja to assist him with a tragic case that exposes the imperfections in Iceland's criminal justice system.

The flawed hero chain smokes, drinks too much, and is riddled with anxiety. In a moment of weakness and abject stupidity, he commits a blunder that he immediately regrets. The characters, with some notable exceptions, range from unlikeable to downright obnoxious. Among their odious traits are arrogance, ruthlessness, selfishness, and a craving for retribution. Although there are humorous and satirical passages that relieve the dour tone, there is an excess of gore, too many scenes about the emotional and physical harm inflicted on young people, and a bleak conclusion that is unlikely to lift your spirits. "The Reckoning" is engrossing and suspenseful, but its over-the-top plot requires a huge suspension of disbelief. Moreover, it is a harrowing to read about the horrific consequences of unbridled hatred and malevolence. We encounter too many wretched souls who could have profited from intensive psychiatric help. In some cases, however, it is unlikely that even the most skilled practitioner could have mended their fractured lives. ( )

Yrsa Sigurdardóttir's "The Reckoning," translated from the Icelandic by Victoria Cribb, is a complex and chilling tale of child abuse, corruption, and murder. Huldar, a detective who fell from grace after botching a high-profile inquiry, feels responsible for the fact that Freyja, a woman he cares for, was removed from her post as director the of Children's House. This is a social service agency that helps traumatized youngsters. Freyja is a child psychologist whom Huldar frequently calls upon for her insight into the wide range of human behavior that he encounters.

Huldar is assigned to look into a threatening letter written by an unnamed fourteen-year old ten years earlier. In it, the writer alluded to six murders that he predicted would occur in 2016, the year during which most of the action is set. Soon, body parts and corpses start cropping up in various locales, but no one knows the perpetrator's identity or motive. Huldar's tough boss, Erla, begrudgingly allows him to take part in the homicide investigation. Another issue is the fury that erupts when Jón Jónsson, who was convicted for assaulting and killing an eight-year-old girl in 2004, is freed from prison after serving a little more than a decade behind bars. Once again, Huldar asks Freyja to assist him with a tragic case that exposes the imperfections in Iceland's criminal justice system.

The flawed hero chain smokes, drinks too much, and is riddled with anxiety. In a moment of weakness and abject stupidity, he commits a blunder that he immediately regrets. The characters, with some notable exceptions, range from unlikeable to downright obnoxious. Among their odious traits are arrogance, ruthlessness, selfishness, and a craving for retribution. Although there are humorous and satirical passages that relieve the dour tone, there is an excess of gore, too many scenes about the emotional and physical harm inflicted on young people, and a bleak conclusion that is unlikely to lift your spirits. "The Reckoning" is engrossing and suspenseful, but its over-the-top plot requires a huge suspension of disbelief. Moreover, it is a harrowing to read about the horrific consequences of unbridled hatred and malevolence. We encounter too many wretched souls who could have profited from intensive psychiatric help. In some cases, however, it is unlikely that even the most skilled practitioner could have mended their fractured lives. ( )

A bit hard to believe there would be so many murders by unconventional means.
Could have done with some proofreading as the translation has some inconsistencies. ( )

Besta saga eftir Yrsu sem ég hef lesið hingað til og gaman að fylgjast með seinheppnu aðalsögupersónunum Huldari og Freyju. Ágætis plott og spenna. Morðin eru hroðaleg og allt snýst um óhugnalegt barnaníð. Hnaut aðeins um málfar og hnökra í rennsli en annars fín skemmtun. ( )

Part 2 of the Children's House series, the characters return to deal with the aftermath of earlier crime. Long planned vengeance is exacted. It is a good thriller, well-paced, and intriguing. There is also a simmering love story between a detective and a psychologist. Good read! ( )