Reykjavik Nights

Some fans may deplore the lack of chronology of this series re original date of publication and year of translation. Much of this is the author’s own choice and doing: it enabled Arnaldur to link certain crimes with unique Icelandic historical facts or major incidents and events. His recent ‘prequel’ was partly an indictment of its horrific pre-WW II treatment of TB, introducing series hero Elendur in its last sentence as a young uniformed cop. Another thriller occured on the margins of the epic Reykjavik chess match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in 1972. In a later book, Iceland’s unique genetic pool and excellent medical and death records attracted new crime forms. By then Elendur had become fat, long divorced and father of two children going nowhere.
In this recent installment, Elendur is 28 again, fit, single, still in uniform and always on nightshifts. It is hard to date. One clue re a key national celebration, suggests 1974. A reference to a serialized work in Icelandic by writer duo Sjöwall & Wahlöö, points to 1968 or -69, well before fast food invaded Iceland. With roadside restaurants still serving boiled sheep heads (and Elendur preserving other traditional delicacies in a covered bucket) I think the earlier years are correct.
This book’s unique Icelandic angle focuses on alcohol and its rich literature, often dealing with its terrible climate and people disappearing as a result, described in prose and verse over centuries. Over time, young Elendur has amassed a collection of works dealing with Iceland’s frosts and blizzards and resulting disappearances. This book will disclose the reason for his interest in the genre…
This is largely a solo police procedural conducted by Elendur in daytime in street clothes into the death by drowning of an alky vagrant called Hannibal. It expands slowly and surely, covering any number of persons or institutions able to provide further information and clues, a feast to follow. Otherwise, expertly plotted with short chapters, occasional Nordic gloom and a few surprises along the way, esp. on the last straight to the finish.

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