My Soul to Take

Shamus Award, 2010

Paperback / ISBN-13: 9780340920664

Price: £9.99

ON SALE: 29th April 2010

Genre: Crime & Mystery / Fiction In Translation / Suspense

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A chilling crime novel from the Queen of Icelandic crime and author of the highly-acclaimed LAST RITUALS.

If I die before I wake . . .

A grisly murder is committed at a health resort situated in a recently renovated farmhouse, which turns out to be notorious for being haunted. Attorney Thora Gudmundsdottir is called upon by the owner of the resort – the prime suspect in the case – to represent him. Her investigations uncover some very disturbing occurrences at the farm decades earlier – things that have never before seen the light of day . . .

MY SOUL TO TAKE is a chilling, dark and witty crime novel, and a welcome return for Thora, the heroine of the highly-acclaimed LAST RITUALS.

Reviews

Dark, rich and satisfying.
<i>Woman & Home</i>
The second book from Yrsa Sigurdardottir is funny as well as being a taut and accomplished novel
<i>Independent</i>, Books of the Year
'Yrsa Sigurdardottir brilliantly conjures an atmosphere of creeping menace and unreality.'
<i>Guardian</i>
This is well-written, pacey and wonderfully atmospheric, but the USP here is the character of Gudmundsdottir. Wry, very funny and valiantly trying to balance the demands of her private life with her work - she is a joy. I'm looking forward to number three.
<i>Guardian</i>
Sigurdardotittir delivers terrific clammy atmosphere and frequent frissons of fear; she is entitled to join the front rank of Nordic crime writers.
<i>The Times</i>
Both frightening and funny - a terrific trick if you can pull it off.
<i>Observer</i>
Distinguished by superb evocations of extraordinary landscapes and . . . rivetingly gruesome inventiveness.
<i>Independent</i>
The numerous twists and turns are worthy of Agatha Christie and keep the reader guessing until the very end.
<i>Sunday Telegraph</i>
A suspenseful, sophisticated story
<i>Sunday Telegraph</i>
A welcome second outing for the good-natured lawyer-sleuth Thora Gudmundsdottir . . . Yrsa Sigurdardottir's lightness of touch is refreshing
<i>Daily Telegraph</i> on MY SOUL TO TAKE
The novel is both spooky and gruesome. But Thora's distinctly chaotic private life provides a welcome contrast and moments of very black humour . . . It's rare to find a crime novel that's both chilling and witty - an agreeable combination
Andrew Taylor, <i>Spectator</i>
Yrsa Sigurdardottir has arrived, fully formed, it seems, as something of a unique talent in the field . . . [She] matches Tess Gerritsen and Kathy Reichs in the bloodchiller stakes.
<i>Waterstone's Books Quarterly</i>
'Iceland is fast becoming a hotbed of fine crime writing, and Sigurdardottir is at the front of the pack. This second novel builds on her already impressive reputation . . . brilliantly paced and expertly constructed.'
<i>The Big Issue</i>
More splendidly accomplished - and involving - fare from Sigurdardottir
<i>Good Book Guide</i>
Sigurdardottir delivers terrific clammy atmosphere and frequent frissons of fear; she is entitled to join the front rank of Nordic crime writers.
The Times
The second book from Yrsa Sigurdardottir is funny as well as being a taut and accomplished novel.
Books of the Year, Independent
Yrsa Sigurdardottir brilliantly conjures an atmosphere of creeping menace and unreality.
Guardian
The numerous twists and turns are worthy of Agatha Christie and keep the reader guessing until the very end.
Sunday Telegraph