Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.

This book had a great premise and I really enjoyed the multiple storylines from different time periods and from different character perspectives.

I loved how seamlessly the author intertwined the stores of Helgi, Hulda and Elin and I enjoyed this book up until the end. The end absolutely ruined it for me. The ending was abrupt and there were so many loose ends that weren’t tied up AT ALL. I was literally clicking the kindle page to turn to the next chapter because I couldn’t believe the book just ended. The author did a great job building the story/plot and it felt like his book was due so he wrapped it as fast as possible and turned it in. Overall, a total bummer.

When crime writer Elin S. Jonsdottir goes missing, detective Helgi Reykdal is assigned to the case. As he interviews the people around her, an accountant, publisher, and a retired judge. Some are willing to share information with him, while others hold things back. I thought maybe she would show up like Agatha Christie had but this time it’s fiction. I liked that it kept me guessing.

While this is going on, in the background we are introduced to Helgi’s girlfriend Anita and his ex-girlfriend, Bergthora. Helgi had been in an abusive relationship with Bergthora who now had decided to harass Anita.

If that wasn’t enough, Helgi finds himself investigating a cold case where his predecessor Hulda Hermannsdottir has disappeared and never been found. (Yes the names are difficult.)

Helgi owns a bookstore and is a bibliophile. He loves nothing better than to escape to the bookstore and read. I loved that he mentioned books he is reading to help him with the case, books about missing people. I wish I’d kept a list of all the books mentioned.

Helgi investigates by researching Elin. He finds a loose string and pulls until he finds an answer. I pictured an Icelandic sweater slowly unravelling the answers to the murder.

Ragnar is great at descriptions. I felt the cold temperatures and the rain. It made me feel like a wimp when he talked about sitting outside to drink his coffee when it wasn’t a perfect day for it.

I had heard of this author before, but this is the first time I have read one of his novels.

I enjoyed watching the pieces fall into place leading to a satisfying ending. Except that it didn’t solve all the storylines. It left me with a cliffhanger that wasn’t acceptable. I hate the thought of waiting for who knows how long for the next book to solve that cliffhanger. It didn’t make me want to read the next book, it made me feel like it was a cheap trick, and I might struggle to trust this author in the future. He might get by with it one time but if I were to read more and it happened every time, I would consider giving up on his series. Out of curiosity, I might read a backlist book to find out if it was a one off or if he makes a habit of it. I might even read more reviews to find out what other readers think and if they reveal that he is known for cliffhangers.

I loved the setting, but the names were a real struggle. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the names, but I did struggle to read them. At least I didn’t have to try to pronounce them.

I did notice that Ellery Adams had read and reviewed this book. She did give it a good rating. She did note that not all the clues were dispersed until the end, so she felt it cheated the reader a little. I do agree with that.

I did like the characters. Helgi is someone I would like to read more about. Elin was depicted as a lonely novelist and that seemed genuine. I might have rated the book higher if there had been a better resolution without the cliffhanger.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries. I would read more by this author maybe once I’ve gotten over his betrayal with the cliff hanger.

This book will be released on September 9th.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of a new release by one of my favorite authors. Ragnar Jonasson is a solid favorite of mine. A golden-age-style mystery, harkening back to Agatha Christie and one of my favorite characters from The Hidden Iceland series. His plot development with twists and turns is always a delight for me. The translation is well done too and I appreciate the Icelandic setting and atmospheric storytelling.

A crime novel writer goes missing and Helgi is assigned to the case. There isn't anything to suggest that harm has come to her and many of her friends believe she just decided to go away for awhile. But Helgi continues to investigate, while also engaging in his favorite pastime - reading mysteries and sitting with his books. He has a new love interest which develops interestingly, and there are shadows of former characters that keep popping up here and there.

I read this quickly as it was very fast paced and easy to follow. While there are some references to the past and to Detective Hulda in particular. At times, it was a bit confusing for me but I was able to follow nicely once I realized what was happening.

I highly recommend this one and the Hidden Iceland series as well. Jonasson is a thriller and a keeper!

I enjoyed this Icelandic detective story about a crime write that disappears. I also listened to the audiobook which was very well done. While I love to read about other countries than my own, I find it helpful to both see and hear the character and place names. Complicated story with lots of twists and turns. I like 5he main character Helgi and the writing style.

I’ll lead with this…learned the hard way…apparently this book is considered part of a series or a spinoff of a series or something. And it’s not a very strong standalone.

I wanted to love a crime/detective/procedural novel set in Iceland by an Icelandic author. But there was very little detecting, basically zero procedure, and the only Icelandic descriptive details were related to it raining a lot.

There was a whole chapter where the missing author was inexplicably referred to by three different names. And the book ended so abruptly (without really resolving ANYTHING) that I thought my e-book was missing its second half!

Can’t recommend this one.

This was close to a five star read for me until the abrupt ending which left too many things undone. If this is to be a series, I could understand, but I can’t accept so many unanswered questions in a stand alone

Pro: great pacing with excellent prose.
This is a great puzzle read
Atmospheric Icelandic setting
Interesting story- line with a male Victim of domestic abuse

Cons: How Badly was Helge’s girlfriend injured?
As a policeman how did he not detect Berthora’s Sociopathy?
Did the Elin’s daughter ever get to meet her father?
Was the judge brought to justice? Was someone else involved in that crime?
What the hell happened to Helgi’s boss?

Good writing with three separate plot lines, but way too many unanswered questions. I need to be able to trust that a mystery story will be wrapped up or at the very least continued in the next novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When a famous reclusive mystery author Erin Jonsdottir is presumed missing, Helgi, a young detective hoping to make his mark and rise through the ranks, is called upon to solve the case. The first mystery is whether it is even a case, since it is not uncommon for the author to go off on her own. The clues add up, and the story, including Erin's life story, begins to resemble the classic mysteries that Helgi loves to read. Do not be fooled by the cover and title, the tenor of this book is much like Jonasson's Dark Iceland and Hidden Iceland series. I found this to be suspenseful, interesting, and very memorable. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance cop yin exchange for an honest review.

When a famous crime writer vanishes without a trace, Detective Helgi knows the truth will be colder — and darker — than anyone expects. Ragnar Jónasson delivers another taut and atmospheric mystery with The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer, the second outing for Detective Helgi. Helgi is no cookie-cutter sleuth — he’s flawed, deeply human, and quietly brilliant, the kind of character who lingers in your mind long after the final page. This time, Helgi is drawn into the baffling disappearance of a celebrated Icelandic author. As he follows the trail of clues, his personal life takes a hopeful turn: a new relationship offers him warmth and stability after years trapped in an abusive, volatile past. Jónasson masterfully balances the icy tension of the investigation with the emotional thaw of Helgi’s private life. The result is a suspenseful, character-rich novel that cements Helgi as one of Iceland’s most compelling fictional detectives.

OK. So while I enjoyed the story, the writing style was ROUGH. It was hard to stay focused and connected for most of the story. I'm not sure if that's just me not vibing with the way this author writes, or if I missed something. I did enjoy the characters and the story was interesting, but I felt like I was at battle to read it.

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer, by Ragnar Jónasson, from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

Y’all?

When I got to the end of this book—which I was reading electronically—I didn’t realize it was the end, so I swiped repeatedly trying to get to the next page/start of the next chapter.

Then, when I realized it was over, I was so stunned at how (and how abruptly) it ended that I hollered. Literally just HOLLERED out, not even a coherent word.

Dirty pool, everyone involved in getting this book into the hands of an English-speaking audience at this point is guilty of dirty pool……because they didn’t make it clear it’s the start in another series by this author.

Up until that travesty of an ending I was all in a 4 stars frame of mind. And, I enjoyed the book enough that were any more installments in this series available, I would drop everything and binge my way through. Alas, given that this one is not even formally on the market in the United States until next month (September of 2025), looks like I’m gonna have to wait a good long while for the resolution of those cliffhangers.

In the meantime, I’ve got others by Ragnar Jónasson to read, so I reckon I’ll survive.

DESCRIPTION
The next thrilling golden-age-style mystery from #1 Icelandic bestseller Ragnar Jónasson, author of Death at the Sanatorium and Reykjavík.

One winter evening, bestselling crime author Elín S. Jónsdóttir goes missing.

There are no clues to her disappearance and it is up to young detective Helgi to crack the case before its leaked to the press.

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.

As the case of the missing crime writer becomes more mysterious by the hour, Helgi must uncover the secrets of the writer's very unexpected life.

I consider myself a fan of the author especially having enjoyed his Hidden Iceland series with Hilda Hermannsdottir so eager to read this ARC from NetGalley and Minotaur Books.
The book had three threads only one of which I enjoyed. I found the story of the actual missing crime writer interesting and Helgi a likeable if plodding character. The interest of this storyline as well as the wonderful setting of Iceland kept me reading eagerly.
I found the thread about Helgi’s romantic life horrifying and off putting. In a way this spoiled the book for me especially at the ending.
I found the inclusion of the bits about Hilda baffling and disturbing. I suppose that is one of the goals of Icelandic noir but yet…
My favorite part of the book was the brilliant cover - very enticing.
Overall I think readers will enjoy this book and will be interested in a Helgi series.
3.5 stars

This was a quick, entertaining read with a wonderful setting in Iceland. I enjoyed the mystery and really liked the story of the detective with she stalker girlfriend.

Ragnar Jónasson’s latest Helgi Reykdal mystery, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer, is a briskly paced and sharply crafted puzzle that builds on the events of Death at the Sanatorium while standing strong as a mystery in its own right.

Returning to his family’s bookshop in Akureyri, Helgi is drawn into the sudden disappearance of Elín S. Jónsdóttir, Iceland’s most famous crime novelist. As he interviews those closest to her — from her publisher and accountant to an aging judge — the investigation takes on the structured elegance of a Hercule Poirot case, each conversation peeling back another layer of motive and deception.

Fans of Death at the Sanatorium will appreciate how Jónasson subtly threads Helgi’s past into the new investigation, giving depth to his methods and personal stakes without overburdening the narrative.

Unlike some of Jónasson’s earlier slow-burn works, the pacing here is surprisingly swift, driven by crisp, dialogue-heavy chapters and a growing sense of urgency. The setting, with its wintry Icelandic charm, remains a vivid backdrop, grounding the cerebral whodunit in a tangible world.

Experiencing the novel in both ARC eBook and audiobook formats revealed an extra layer of craft. The narration’s understated delivery and subtle sound effects made the interview sections with the journalist feel even more immediate. This audio dimension complemented the text’s precision and made the mystery even more immersive.

Jónasson once again proves himself a master of merging golden-age detective style with the stark allure of Nordic noir. The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer is an intelligent, atmospheric mystery that rewards careful attention, making it a perfect choice for readers who relish intricate plotting, well-drawn characters, and the satisfaction of a case solved through wit rather than force.


Thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC/ ALC. This is my honest review.

This is the kind of terrific book that gets you to the middle and you aren’t sure what’s coming next. It’s the follow up to the excellent Death at the Sanatorium, though it’s billed as a standalone. In fact, it picks up right where Death at the Sanitorium left off, resolving the question of what happened to the main character, Helgi. In the last book, Helgi was working on a master’s thesis based on an old crime; in this novel, he’s no longer a student, but a member of the Icelandic police force.

As in the last book, Helgi is a fan of classic crime novels, and always has one to hand, even having a shelf of them in his office at the police station. Probably because of this, Helgi is given a big case: find missing crime writer Elín S. Jónsdóttir. She’s one of Iceland’s most famous writers, notoriously retired after ten bestsellers. Interspersed through the complex narrative is an interview between Elin and an unknown journalist, allowing the reader to get to know and understand her better.

Jonasson writes very complex books, but they are pleasant reads that aren’t confusing. It’s a deft trick to manage so many timelines and not leave the reader wanting to throw the book across the room. In one, the present – it’s 2012 and Helgi is investigating the case of the missing writer. In the past it’s 1965, where a crime is being planned; in another, it’s the mid 60’s where Helgi’s former supervisor Hulda is interviewing a bank robber in prison, trying to get him to name his accomplice; and the journalist’s interview with Elin takes place in 2005.

In the course of his search, Helgi interviews all of her friends and her one cousin (and only family member), fleshing out her character. One of her best friends is her editor and her husband; all of them were in school together. They are now in their 70’s.

Helgi’s personal life is not so great, however. In the last book, he had an abusive, alcoholic girlfriend. They are now broken up and he has a new girlfriend, but the old girlfriend is stalking the new one. The personal part is important (as well as suspenseful and scary) because it illustrates Helgi’s personality. He sets aside things he doesn’t want to deal with until “tomorrow,” and his horrible ex girlfriend falls into that category.
This is an intelligently plotted mystery, filled with excellently drawn characters and full of the kind of twists that come organically from the plot. Only a very gifted writer is able to do this. The part with the girlfriend, however, seems to hang over the story and it almost seems like it’s from a different novel than the one with the tricky and interesting mystery. I don’t mind the personal life of a character, but I feel the domestic part of the character’s life should sync with the professional part. And the ending (like the ending in the first book) was completely jarring. I want to know what happens, now! But I know I have to wait a year. This is a qualified recommendation. The mystery part is great; Helgi’s life, not so much. As it’s a small part of the novel you may feel, as I did, that the rest of the book was worth the read.

Although this book, was well written, I had a really hard time reading it and finishing it. It just wasn't my cup of tea, in the style that it was written. I had a hard time keeping up. Which is a shame. It had a really good eBook cover and a great plot idea. For me it was like something was missing in the translation though..

This was rather relaxing, for a crime novel. Jónasson’s books often aren’t edge-of-your-seat action - they’re more like settling into a leather chair by a cozy fire, figuratively puffing a cigar and saying, “that was clever!” Very Christie-esque. (Jónasson translated 14 Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic!)

Though not marked as a sequel, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer seems to pick up right where Death at the Sanatorium left off. The mystery stands alone, but the personal life of the detective, Helgi, is a continuation, so I think you’d get something out of reading Sanatorium first. It’s excellent, so you’re in for a treat if you do and then you can dive right into this book on September 9th!

An aging crime writer, Elin gives an interview to an almost unknown journalist with the instructions the interview is not to be published until her death. Years later Elin is reported missing and DCI Helig is tasked on finding her, before it is reported in the papers. DCI Helig’s character is thoughtful caring and tenacious as he distances himself from a cruel ex with doing harm. There are three time lines and three mysteries in this book which eventually tie together. The ending is sad and does have a cliffhanger. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books who for this suspenseful eARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Comments expressed in this review are my personal opinion.

2.5/5 stars rounded up
I loved this book up until the very last page. I was given a digital ARC of this book on Netgalley and was so excited to read it, and it lived up to the hype until the end. When I reached the last page the ending was so abrupt that I actually thought that I was sent an incomplete copy of the book! While the main mystery was solved and wrapped up nicely, the sub plots were not and it ended on a complete cliffhanger! This made my overall enjoyment of the book greatly diminish, and although I want to read a follow up book to see what happens, the sub plot is not wild or interesting enough to make me need to read it... Overall a bit disappointing, but still a solid storyline and plot.

I loved everything about this book except the ending. I was so surprised with the abrupt, unsettled ending and then frustrated and it seemed the author was setting him this novel to make sure that you read the sequel. All in all, a good read, especially if you like Icelandic noir but be prepared to be unsettled.

It took awhile to get into this story. Missing author or is she. The story weaves and turns as each clue must be followed. I found the twists and turns often lead another way. Well worth the time to read.