I thought the plot was a bit forced but with the greats sense of place and an appealing investigative lawyer, My Soul to Take has many charms that warrant the read. It may be a bit of 'Girl's Own" adventure and rely on Agatha Christie type dialogue to solve the murderings, but the secluded spot locale substitutes for the drawing room well enough primarily because whodunnit aint an easy prediction.

As Icelandic crime fiction goes -- Siguardardottir is a long way from the mind encased meanderings and dark spaces on offer from Arnaldur Indridason -- but for a nation of so few people, the confidence and verve both writers display makes Icelandic noir worth the pursuit.

In contrast to her colleague's darkness Yrs Siguardardottir has created a heroine who is upbeat, feisty and optimistic with enough domestic back story to service a few sub plots and complications.

No thrills. Not much drama. Plenty of enjoyable procedural work throughs if you were into DIY crime solving.