This book is just not for me. It takes itself way too seriously. To me, crime fiction isn’t some deep dive into the concept of justice. It’s a lark—a fun puzzle to solve.

I’m sure there’s an audience for this book, but I am not it. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I enjoyed the mystery aspects of this story, but I had not read the previous books in this series and felt a bit confused by all of the tangled threads of Helgi's past and present relationship. I did like the interview parts that were interspersed throughout, and the mystery itself was very intriguing. I probably would have given this a bit of a higher rating, but at the very last moment, the ending came to a very abrupt halt. So abrupt that I thought something must be wrong with my digital copy, only realizing it wasn't when I went and looked at other reviews and saw others comment on the same issue. I don't mind an open ending, but this one left a lot to be desired for me. Although it's doing its job, I'll probably pick up the next one just to see how the ending plays out.

📚 E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer By Ragnar Jonasson
Publication Date: September 9, 2025
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙 (4.25⭐)
(Rounded Down to 4⭐)

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, the SMP Early Readers program, and NetGalley for this #gifted e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer is a clever whodunnit read featuring multiple mysteries told through dual timelines in alternating chapters. There's a slow-burning tension to the mysteries in this read, and the suspense builds gradually and effectively as the book goes on.

The short chapters made for a quick read, though initially there were a lot of new characters and different timelines popping in that took time for me to acclimate to.

Taking place in Reykjavik, the main mystery surrounds the sudden and unexpected disappearance of famous author Elin Jonsdottir. The case is being headed up by Helgi, who has his hands full. His mother's medical needs have her in recovery, his new girlfriend Anita seems perfect, but his unhinged ex-girlfriend Bergthora seems to think she and Helgi are still together -- and she's a bit stalkerish. Then there's the mystery of Hulda, a female police officer who seems to have inexplicably disappeared decades ago and whose office Helgi now uses at the station.

Once I got used to the jumping timelines between chapters, I really became engrossed in the multiple mysteries happening in these pages. But heads-up: you'll need to pay attention while reading this one to ensure you're picking up the nuances of each mystery. Some were really suspenseful, others seemed to be more Christie-like and cleverly crafted.

I didn't know this was the second book in a series until I finished it. I didn't feel like I had to read the first one to understand this book, but because I loved the author's writing style so much, I'll definitely be going back and reading the first book. This ending surprised me with how abruptly it just ended, as in, "Wait, what?! That's how it ends?!" It was so abrupt that I thought maybe there were some pages missing in my copy. 🤣 Now that I know it's part of a series, I'll just be patiently waiting to see what comes next.

If you're a fan of clever writing, whodunnit mysteries, Icelandic settings, and memorably quirky characters, be sure to grab this read when it publishes on September 9th!

#TheMysteriousCaseoftheMissingWriter #RagnarJonasson #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks #SMPEarlyReaders #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #eARC #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #mysteryreads #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs

My thanks to Net Galley and St Martin's Minotaur for allowing me this arc.

This was an enjoyable read. A famous Icelandic author disappears and Helgi from previous books comes into investigate. It took me a bit to figure out why was the robbery story put in ? Why was Elin s interview put in between chapters as well? A bit confusing but it did tie in well. I could have done without the crazy ex stalking girlfriend but did enjoy this.

Bestselling crime author Elín S. Jónsdóttir has gone missing. Despite being considered a national treasure, Elín lived relatively under the radar after wrapping up her series over a decade ago. Her disappearance is not even total cause for alarm, as it is something she has done in the past. Perhaps she will just turn up again? After all, there are no clues to indicate that her disappearance was under suspicious circumstances. However, as the days pass, and the ambitious detective Helgi begins to reach out to her close circle of friends, more slowly begins to unfold. While simultaneously working through his own personal turmoil, Helgi finds that this case, and his life, have many hidden twists and turns. Dark and atmospheric, this book will be one many crime lovers will enjoy.

I'm thinking I'll sit at a 3 star here with this one, which is a real shame. I wanted to like this one very much because, for the first 95%, I liked it very much. But things came to a screeching halt in that last 5% of the story. I can handle endings that are "unsatisfactory." I do prefer things to be wrapped up in a tidy little bow, but I can get on board with unsettling or off-kilter. However, this book took this a little to the extreme in that it felt as though chapters (both before and after the ending) were missing. The entire revelation of the mystery felt totally unfounded and as if Helgi pulled it out of thin air. Literally, when he revealed what happened, it was done so in a way that I thought he was bluffing to get a suspect to talk. No, turns out that is what actually happened and we just missed him getting to that point. And the ending...yikes. I could have been more okay with the ending being so abrupt if the revelation of our missing author wasn't already so abrupt. It left me feeling really unbalanced with the story.

Oh boy, well, I have not read the previous stories in this series. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the missing author, but there were so many webs to untangle regarding the robbery, Helgi's past girlfriend and his present girlfriend, Anita, that it became confusing.

For the author mystery, I thought it was an interesting story by giving us readers the interview she gave. We got a good look into her writing psyche.

But, in the end everything was sort of connected and the ending was abrupt without answering a few things.

I would like to go back and read the previous stories because I think Helgi is an interesting detective.

This is perfect Nordic Noir for those who have read the previous books in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-copy of THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING CRIME WRITER to review.

I rate THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING CRIME WRITER three out of five stars (only because I have not read the previous installments).

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jónasson

This is the second book that Helgi Reydal appears in, as the detective who has taken the position of Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir when she retired and disappeared (Jónasson’s Hidden Iceland series). Despite being the second of the series, it can be read as a standalone novel. It is written in a few timelines - Hulda’s decades old investigation of a bank robbery/murder and the search for the convicted man’s accomplice; and Helgi’s current investigation into the disappearance of crime writer, Elín S. Jónsdóttir.

Helgi finds himself pulled back from a visit to his ill mother to investigate the disappearance of Elín Jónsdóttir. As a fan of mysteries, he is intrigued by the case and as a new member of the team, hopes to make a name for himself by solving it. Her friend and publisher, contacted the police when Elin couldn’t be reached and another friend reported that she had missed a planned coffee date.

At the same time, he wonders what happened to his predecessor – where did she disappear to? Having taken over her office, he has a box of her things that he would like to return. He visits a close friend of hers to learn they had plans which she missed.

Are the cases connected? How? Does Helgi find Elín? This was a quick, enjoyable read.

Thank you to Ragnar Jónasson, St. Martins Press/Minotaur books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this ebook.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a pre-release copy of The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer and the opportunity to review this book.
I am steadily becoming a big fan of Icelandic crime procedurals. Ragnar Jónasson's detective Helgi Reydal (introduced in 2023's Death at the Sanatorium) is winning me over with his police work and his love of old school detective novels. The book even opens with Helgi's Reading List! This particular mystery unravels through 4 different story lines, shifting back and forth through time. The strength of the book lies in the characters. The plot moves at a slower pace as nothing in Iceland can race through the gales of winter. Intrigue and a steadfast trust in Helgi's skills will keep the reader invested until the very end. Plus Icelandic names, geographical references, and cultural glimpses are a true treat for an Icelandic-American like myself. Did the name of a character remind me of my grandmother's old friend and neighbor Einar Einarrson? Yes it did. Did I find coffee with dinner usual? No I did not. I feel overall this book was a 3.5⭐️ and also enjoyable on other levels 4.25⭐️ (personal). I will read more Ragnar Jónasson books, both back list and moving ahead. Finally, I recommend The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

I was curious about this book, so I was excited to listen to it (and read the physical copy as well). I enjoyed the multiple POVs especially on audio, because it's always easier to tell the characters apart. I did feel as though it ended quite abruptly and didn't exactly feel resolved, but I appreciated that it was a little more lighthearted than usual "murder" mystery-type books.

Thanks again for the ARC!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer
Author: Ragnar Jónasson
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: September 9, 2025

One evening, a highly successful Icelandic crime fiction writer goes missing. Enter young detective Helgi, who embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of the missing writer. This brilliantly written novel employs four alternating subplots. The first begins with the disappearance of a crime writer and the concern of her fiercely protective friends. In contrast, the second delves into a decades-old bank robbery and is followed by the story of a missing woman detective. The fourth timeline explores the sordid personal life of the lead detective, Helgi.

It is worth noting that the Icelandic detectives portrayed in this book are initially almost as inept as the Canton, Massachusetts, police department. Their incompetence is evident in the stories’ chaotic and disjointed investgations, which unfold slowly. This book differs from other Ragnar books and incorporates some similarities to Agatha Christie’s writing style. While I greatly admire Ragnar’s other novels, this one unfolds in a way that kept me engaged and in suspense. As usual, Ragnar does not disappoint, and I was particularly impressed by one plot twist, which made me gasp.

I am an avid reader of Icelandic writers and books in translation, but this author stands out as an exceptionally talented crime writer. Well done, Mr. Jonasson.

#mystery #thriller #crime #crimefiction #bookaboutbooks #crimefiction #abuse #missingWriter #pastCrimes #suspense #thriller #fiction #iceland @ragnarjonasson @minotaur_books #TheMysteriousCaseoftheMissingCrimeWriter #netgalley #netgalleyreader #netgalleyreviewer #wearebookish @netgalley 🇮🇸

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.

This was an interesting case about an author who goes missing. Detective Helgi Reykjavik is a shy detective who loves to read. So when a famous author goes missing, his boss assigns him the case. The story is told in a few time lines from multiple perspectives, adding to the mystery of what has happened. I really enjoyed this book up until the end. So much of the book is spent in the build up, that the resolution of the mystery felt very rushed and anticlimactic. And the way the book ended was awful. A very interesting book with great build up and so many great interconnected ideas, that fell flat at the end for me. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙧 𝙅ó𝙣𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙣 is my #MysteryMonday recommendation from @minotaur_books via @netgalley which comes out on September 9th.

This was an interesting mystery where the detective Helgi must parse out what happened to the famed crime author Elín S. Jónsdóttir. As he begins his investigation, he discovers quite a bit more about this woman, which seems like a fiction in itself!

I enjoyed this deeper character mystery. I was not quite sure what I was getting with this story, and it took me a minute to settle into the flow. Helgi was an easy character to get attached to, so it didn't take long! I found the mystery to be compelling and the constant revelations of who she was and the secrets she held form a fully formed missing person, not just a flat name. I definitely did not guess the denouement!

For a good character strong mystery, I definitely recommend this story. If you have a tough time with Icelandic pronunciation, the audio is a nice addition, and being able to see the names in print helps me to learn as well making the combo a great fit for me.

I started this book last night and managed to finish it within a day. I found myself coming back to it over and over. The biggest thing I enjoyed was the pacing. The chapters are relatively short, and the story shifts from different perspectives and time frames, but it never felt confusing or frenetic.

This story does feature the young detective, Helgi, from "Death at the Sanitorium". You don't necessarily need to read that first to understand this story, but I would recommend it. However, everything will still make sense if you don't.

This story has the main mystery regarding Elín’s disappearance. But there is also a side story going on with Helgi's ex, and then another missing CID officer from years back. Normally, I wouldn't like that, but in this case, the story moved so quickly that I was just absorbed into all of it. It was a clever way to keep the reader engaged while the story continued to play out without getting too far into the weeds. Also, how poor Helgi hasn't had a heart attack by now is beyond me.

I would consider this story a true mystery, and I appreciated that. It doesn't stray into a psychological thriller or even dabble in anything overtly violent or graphic.

Overall, I enjoyed this. Based on how this one ended, I know I'll be dying for the next one to come out (immediately).

A missing popular crime author goes missing and Detective Helgi Reykdal is on the case. The book features multiple timelines and features the detective's personal challenges as well. At times, it was difficult to piece all of the parts together. The ending was a bit disappointing because it ended abruptly and seemed like it could have included a bit more to round it out. It kept me interested for most of it, but the ending disappointed me.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer follows Helgi as he investigates the disappearance of well-known crime writer, Elin. I learned after reading other people's reviews that this is the second book in a series which I think had I known, would have explained some of the plot points that seem to be taken as fact. I will say, though the title of the novel is about our missing crime writer, that case is the least interesting of all the intertwining cases presented. Helgi's ex is psychotic and somehow it took more of my attention than Elin. Not my favorite read of the year. 3/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

We get to meet up with Helgi Reykdal again, as he solves the case of a missing crime writer named Elín S. Jónsdóttir. As Helgi interviews the people closest to her (a publisher, an accountant, a retired judge) he realizes that Elín’s life wasn’t what it seemed. In fact, her past is even stranger than the fiction she wrote. I was totally invested in this story and could not believe the ending!

If you're a fan of Agatha Christie type books, with a Nordic flair, this one is for you!

This would be best described as a slow, suspenseful literary tale, which is part of a series. I picked this up as a (potentially) fast-paced, standalone mystery-thriller, and finding out that this was part of a series rather than a standalone after finishing the book was annoying.

The good: A famous crime writer, Elín S. Jónsdóttir, goes missing in Reykjavík, and a young bibliophile detective, Helgi, is assigned to investigate the case. The story intertwines several timelines and keeps you intrigued. There is also a deeply personal plot about Helgi's romantic life, which the author succeeds in getting you invested in. News articles and interviews are interspersed between the main storyline and have a somewhat satisfying meaning behind them. There are some beautifully written segments of the book, which I always tend to find in translated fiction, but was surprised to find in a whodunnit. I loved the dark, atmospheric winter setting, which added to the stakes. The audiobook was very well produced and is probably the better bet than the book for full immersion into the story.

The bad: There are a few other mysteries included in this book, and the main character involved in one of them is given a few POV chapters, which lead quite literally nowhere. I think they are part of another series by the author. I'm very into author-verses of any kind, but the book should stand on its own first. Yet another related mystery is solved, but it seems quite stupid in the resolution and the characters' motivations. The climax is intense, but a cliffhanger, and I hate that I'm invested in knowing what happens with no way of doing so in the near future.

Recommended grudgingly to fans of Nordic noirs and golden-age classic mysteries, but probably start from Death at the Sanatorium, and don't expect a great ending. Tallying up the good and the bad, I don't think this goes further than a 3.5

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jónasson. The story follows detective Helgi Reykdal as he investigates the disappearance of bestselling author Elín S. Jónsdóttir. The novel is told across three timelines, 2012, 2005, and 1976, which adds depth and intrigue to the mystery. Jónasson’s writing is atmospheric and engaging, and the layered storytelling kept me hooked from start to finish.

I've read Ragnar Jónasson's detective Hegli previous mystery and it was exciting to read about him again. I enjoy this character and his no nonsense way about him. This was a quick read and held me captivated the entire time. And even though the ending is pretty abrupt on this one, I look forward to the next Hegli mystery!

This book simply was not for me. I found it to be confusing from the get go. I’m not sure if it was the formatting or the different points of view but I just could not get into it so my review is not of the whole book, just partial as it was a DNF for me.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the ARC