Outside by Ragnar Jonasson

Ragnar Jonasson is one of the best-known authors contributing to what is a fast developing Icelandic crime noir. He has sold over five million books, which have been translated into multiple other languages other than his native Icelandic. Jonasson’s work includes the Dark Iceland series, followed by the Helgi Reykdal books, and the Hulda Hermannsdóttir trilogy, all set in Iceland.

But his talents are not limited to just writing best-selling novels. He is a practising lawyer, has worked as journalist and currently teaches at Reykjavik University. The Times (London) wondered aloud whether he is “the best crime writer in the world today.”

Outside is a compelling stand-alone novel centering on four friends who set out in winter sunshine on Iceland’s moors to seek and shoot ptarmigan. But the country’s notoriously fickle weather produces a tempestuous snowstorm, and the group struggle through the icy blast to seek refuge in an abandoned derelict hunting lodge, inside they receive a nasty surprise. As well as the shabby bunk beds and lack of power, supplies and phone connectivity, they are confronted with a mysterious silent man, armed with a loaded gun. As the blizzard settles in, they find themselves cramped into a tiny space with their very survival at grave risk.

Jonasson switches back and forth between the four hikers allowing them to steadily reveal their strengths, weaknesses, hopes and dark fears. The tensions rise and their mental states deteriorate over a 24-hour period of cold and dark isolation. Past fractures in relationships come to the surface, and long-held suspicions fester until inevitably violence erupts

The narrative is skilfully managed, as each of the four considers their life options and past choices, trying to understand just what has brought them to this point and how they might move forward. Gradually readers come to realise that while the four have kept in touch in a companionable way for some years, their “friendship” is perhaps overstated. How will all or any of them survive to return to their well-ordered and quite comfortable lives in the city?

Outside is a well written thriller, where the beautiful but threatening Iceland climate and landscapes are beautifully captured. The four protagonists are well drawn and believable and the ending is surprising but, on reflection, inevitable.

SMSA Library has a good collection of Jonasson thrillers, all of which should appeal to crime fiction enthusiasts.

Reviewed by Peter Maywald
SMSA Member