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One of the best books I've read in years.

There are three narrative threads: the present-day investigation, Erlendur's private life, and the story of a family sometime in the past. As these threads are visited in turn, each begins to affect the others, and the timing and dramatic tension gradually increase right up to the book's very last page. The characters are well drawn and each speaks with their own voice. But most of all, the author's burdensome empathy with the tragic lives of the characters is tangible and gripping.

Highly recommended.

A very enjoyable yarn. This was my first Lord Peter Wimsey book, and I didn't find him to be a very believable character. He seems to be brilliantly talented at everything, with no discernible character flaws.

But that aside, this was a good story very well told. Some of the prose, especially the little set-pieces comprising multiple cross-cutting conversations, was impressively well constructed, and quite reminiscent of some of Virginia Woolf's.

So, not bad overall.

A very enjoyable, fast-paced read. Starts off as a classic "locked room" murder and then turns into a Boy's Own ripping yarn. I couldn't put it down once I had started reading.

No real surprises, but still a cracking good read. And the finale in the brickworks is terrific. Loved this and the other two in this trilogy.