Cold Comfort

In Quentin Bates' "Cold Comfort," newly promoted Detective Gunnhildur, now working in Reykjavík's Serious Crime Unit, is immediately confronted with two pressing and seemingly disparate cases. The first involves the murder of a former TV fitness guru, Svana Geirs, found dead in her city-center apartment. Simultaneously, an escaped convict named Long Ommi has begun a violent spree of retribution against those he holds responsible for his incarceration. As Gunna delves into the backgrounds of both the victim and the fugitive, she begins to uncover a web of inconvenient truths and influential individuals who connect the two seemingly unrelated crimes. The novel is set against the backdrop of Iceland grappling with the severe repercussions of its financial crisis, a theme that permeates the narrative and highlights the stark contrast between different social strata. Gunnhildur, a sensible and determined protagonist, navigates these challenging circumstances, unearthing secrets that powerful figures wish to keep buried. The story is compelling due to its intricate plotting, atmospheric portrayal of contemporary Reykjavík, and its sharp social commentary on corruption and the fallout from economic instability. Bates' ability to weave together elements of a classic procedural with the raw realities of a nation in recovery makes "Cold Comfort" a thought-provoking and engaging read, praised for its well-constructed mystery and its relatable, no-nonsense heroine.

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