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Jar City
Jar City: An Inspector Erlendur Novel | Arnaldur Indridason
25 posts | 37 read | 16 to read
From Gold Dagger Award--winning author Arnaldur Indridason comes a Reykjavk thriller introducing Inspector ErlendurWhen a lonely old man is found dead in his Reykjavk flat, the only clues are a cryptic note left by the killer and a photograph of a young girl's grave. Inspector Erlendur discovers that many years ago the victim was accused, but not convicted, of an unsolved crime, a rape. Did the old man's past come back to haunt him? As Erlendur reopens this very cold case, he follows a trail of unusual forensic evidence, uncovering secrets that are much larger than the murder of one old man.An international sensation, the Inspector Erlendur series has sold more than two million copies worldwide.
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CaitlinR
Jar City | Arnaldur Indriason
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Pickpick

Arnaldur Indriðason uses the term “jar city” to describe a collection of human organs kept for research purposes. The modern iteration is a genetic database. Both loom large in this great Icelandic novel that introduces us to Detective Erlendur Sveinsson. The plot: an aging rapist is murdered. Solving the crime involves tracing a genetic disease back to his victims. Beautifully translated. Erlendur, his colleagues and family are fascinating

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Jilly6183
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Pickpick

A Nordic noir from 2000 that involves geneology databases and really holds up today. This was particularly interesting to me because in-laws are Icelandic and I‘ve heard a lot about the Íslendingabók (“Book of Icelanders”). The book did feel a little off to me at first and I wasn‘t sure if that was a translation issue, but it turns out this is the third in a series, so I think it was a lack of main character background that gave me that feeling.

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bookandbedandtea
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Pickpick

As I read I kept feeling like I should understand Erlandur & his relationships better so I'm not really surprised to now discover that this book is the third in the series. It's listed as the first but investigation indicates that the true 1st & 2nd books haven't been translated to English. That makes sense of what I was feeling. Other than that this was good. I liked the way he investigated his case & the compassion he (mostly) felt for people.

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CharlesSwann
Pickpick

One of the best entries in the series.

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Butterfinger
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this new-to-me #NordicNoir. It was succinct and I liked the serious down-to-earth Erlendur. You could tell how moved he was over the victims' pain Audur ❤️It wasn't all business though. There were lighter moments especially with fellow investigator S. Oli Trigger Warning for rape.

@Tove_Reads @AnneCecilie @EadieB @Andrew65

Crazeedi I just picked this out of my tbr stack to take on vacation 4y
Andrew65 Hoping to get to this soon. 4y
Butterfinger @Crazeedi @Andrew65 I hope you like it too. 4y
46 likes3 comments
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Andrew65
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#3Books #BorrowedFromTheLibrary

These are the three books I currently have out from the library. Finished Magnus Chase and currently reading Redemption.

OriginalCyn620 Awesome! 4y
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Tove_Reads
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gradcat I don‘t really have a good answer for that. He is what policemen & policewomen refer to as their “rabbi,” the person who really shows them the ropes and teaches trainees how to be great detectives, right? Sorry, I know Briem is a character in several of the Erlendur books, so I guess he will come onto the main character stage eventually. Great questions, @Tove_Reads ... thanks for doing this! ♥️ 4y
Butterfinger I don't know. I just saw him as a mentor to Erlandur. 4y
6 likes2 comments
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Tove_Reads
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gradcat I think the way it was handled was pretty typical...if not for only for Iceland, but in the US as well. I think the hashtag “me too” movement, among other pressures brought to bear on police departments, have made the experience somewhat better today. ♥️ 4y
Butterfinger Sickened me. Especially the cop who harassed the woman when she reported it. Did you have a chance to read it? 4y
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Tove_Reads
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gradcat I think the plot is fantastic—twisting and thrilling, and I think it holds up well. I mean, it was written about 20 years ago...and it‘s still relatable & relevant. ♥️ 4y
Butterfinger Not many diversions. I liked how thorough he was. Even when his assistants doubted, he still followed his instincts. 4y
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Tove_Reads
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gradcat I think they‘ll be okay, but it always seems like these brooding, Nordic noir detectives end up with drug-addicted sons and/or daughters...kind of a trope with Nordic noir, right? ♥️ 4y
Butterfinger They certainly have a love-hate relationship. They're trying. 4y
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Tove_Reads
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gradcat I like him, but I‘ve only read the first book... I think I might have seen some show as well, either movie or tv—can‘t remember...♥️ 4y
Butterfinger I liked him. He loves his daughter even though she drives him crazy. And he showed empathy to the women and children that the rapist ruined. Up, till the end, he cared for Einar. So sad. 4y
5 likes2 comments
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Tove_Reads
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Help me out here! This is the third book in the series. Amazon 🇬🇧 says it‘s the first. Have the first two not been translated? I think I‘ve seen them in German and Dutch.

Butterfinger When I Google Detective Erlendur books in order Jar City is first.

4y
Butterfinger Silence of the Grave is second and Voices is third. https://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/discover-arnaldur-indridason/ 4y
Tove_Reads @Butterfinger But it‘s not, it‘s the third. Synir Duftsins is the original name of the first one. So very confusing. 4y
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Mrs_B Can you email/tweet the author or publisher? 4y
Tove_Reads @Mrs_B Checked some sites and apparently the first two can only be found in a few languages. Things I don‘t understand. Seems like the series starts with book nr 3 in most languages. @Butterfinger 4y
Butterfinger Suns of Dust isn't even in the Litsy Database. I won't give up. 4y
Sparklemn I had the same question about the true beginning of the series. Glad I wasn‘t the only one who was confused! 🤪💙 4y
Mrs_B Yeah, maybe try emailing penguin to see if they‘re going to be translated? 4y
andrew61 Yes i started with this one, it is not uncommon and there are a few nordic series where the English translations seem to start a couple of books in. 4y
Tove_Reads @andrew61 I can read all the Nordic languages except our old native ones. Usually we do translate everything that‘s Nordic to other Nordics, except Finnish books, so this one confuses me. 4y
Butterfinger I wasn't lost with starting this one. It seemed like a first in a series. 4y
26 likes11 comments
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Tove_Reads
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Mehso-so

In between pick and so-so. This is the third book in the series, but it has been impossible for me to get the first two. They only exist in a few languages. A dirty old perv is found dead at home. Turns out he was a really sick and twisted man and the police starts digging into his past. The Inspector has family problems of his own with his addict of a daughter. Might be a bit too vulgar for some people due to its sexual content. #Murder2020 11/14

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wintergeist
Nordermoor | Arnaldur Indriason
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Pickpick

Arnaldur at his best.

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gradcat
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#littenintro
1. Shreveport, Louisiana
2. Fred Vargas
3. Big...at least 9, I think...
4. In bed, naturally 😂
5. Based on a quick glance at your profile, I think you might like “Jar City” by Arnaldur Indridason, but Fred Vargas has a great series as well
Have fun reading!!

tessavi 9 is big? 😅 Thanks for the recommendations! 6y
gradcat @tessavi For me it it...I start to get nervous 😬 📚😂 6y
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cathysaid
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Entering hour 5 of #13inThree with Jar City (Icelandic crime novel). Fast paced and entertaining. Finished my #LMPBC book and need a break from the murder investigation taking place in Lost Girls. My "poor man's Sangria" is helping as well. ?

How is everyone's progress?

@Samplergal

Samplergal That‘s great! You‘re going to exceed 13 at that rate. I‘ve been doing an audiobook while doing other things. We‘ve got this! 7y
JHSiess Just finished #DreamsOfFalling & pondering what to start next . . . 7y
cathysaid @samplergal It was a great idea and an attainable goal, so thanks! Tomorrow I have to be social (😱) so I wanted to get a chunk in beforehand. 7y
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cathysaid @JHSiess Going to look that one up now! Do you recommend? 7y
JHSiess @cathysaid Yes, if you like Karen White. Has a YaYa Sisterhood vibe. Family secrets, romance, etc. Set in So. Carolina. Nonstrenuous beach reading. Which worked since I'm on Maui. 🌴 7y
Samplergal @cathysaid Social??? Ugh. Highly overrated. ( so glad daughter is at the movies and hubs at work). 7y
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Sensitivemuse
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Pickpick

Excellent novel! Dark, melancholy, moody the setting is wonderful and adds to the plot. It‘s an intricate web that‘s well written. I can‘t wait to read the next one.

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CAGirlReading
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So I've been a little MIA on Litsy lately, between life and reading I haven't had much time to post so I thought I would start catching up with posting some of my June reads! This was my book clubs June picks and for a crime novel I was pleasantly surprised. This took some twists and turns I did not see coming and ended up being a very thoughtful read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Velvetfur Hiya! You've been given to me as a Litsy penpal! I'm Vikki, pleased to meet you 😊 7y
CAGirlReading Hi @Velvetfur nice to meet you! My e-mail address is diseriosm@gmail.com so we can chat further! I'm out of town with limited service but I'll be back this evening 😄 7y
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ferskner
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I'm sensing a theme with my current reads...

Kalalalatja They both look rather creepy! 7y
ferskner Not so much creepy as moody...both have tortured detectives, for sure! 7y
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ferskner
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Lemon curd ice cream pie with a gingersnap crust for my mystery reading tonight.

Nat_Reads PIE! 👏⭐️ 7y
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Well-ReadNeck
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Mehso-so

Getting ready for snow in Atlanta, GA!! This was ok. A few translation glitches, I thought and a predictable outcome. Wish there had been more about Jar City itself the underlying mystery was just so-so. But entertaining.

Hooked_on_books I agree! I liked Yrsa Sigurdardottir much better, also Icelandic mystery. 8y
Well-ReadNeck @Hooked_on_books Yay! Excited to hear it. I have this one on my kindle!! 8y
Megabooks I've heard the roads are closed! 8y
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Amastonished
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Floresj
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Pickpick

Started slow but picked up steam! (Iceland gets a check as I attempt to read the world😊)

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CharlesSwann
Pickpick

One of the best books in the Reykjavik series. Erlandur is like Wallander in many ways, but the story is engrossing.

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LinusTheWonderPup
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Book 3 in an Icelandic thriller series (apparently no one has bothered to translate books 1 and 2 yet). I like to think of it as "the book where I cant pronounce any of the proper nouns."