I enjoyed Jar City by the same author, so when I saw this fair-condition softcover at a local Savers thrift shop I had to pick it up. And it's set at Christmas, so it counts for a current release challenge!

Later: Lots of dark aspects to this tale, which centers on the sordid murder of a hotel's Santa Claus - a man who has been living in a small room in the basement, with hardly anyone knowing that in his youth he was a world-class boy's choir singer. Moody Inspector Erlendur gets the case, and between its details and some personal baggage - including long-term survivor's guilt over the death of his little brother when they were both children, and some harsh scenes between him and his adult, on-again-off-again drug-addict daughter - he has a pretty rough time. The story features such things as collector-mania, dysfunctional families, and some very heinous criminal behavior - and yet when the truth comes out as to who did the murder and why, it feels vaguely unsatisfying. Not that every murder needs an insane master-criminal behind it, but when it's all very grubby and mundane and greed-based it's just... depressing. So, yes, a very good example of "Icelandic noir" {wry grin}!

I left this book in the Little Free Library in the park at around 3; hope the finder enjoys it! (There was a sign indicating that this LFL will be closed for the winter, fwiw.)

[See other recent releases in New Hampshire here.]

*** Released as part of the 2016 Christmas/Holiday release challenge, as it's set at Christmas and deals with a hotel Santa Claus. ***

Got this book from the Little Free Library. I read it shortly after Christmas. It was an okay read but not awesome. The fact that it took place in Iceland (if I'm remembering right!) may have had something to do with that., as detective work may progress differently. It just did not have an authentic ring to it. Released it in Concord at a book swap type thing. I hope it gets adopted!