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The Grímur Karlsson Mysteries #1
On A Small Island
In the space of just a few short days, Ylfa Einarsdóttir sees her peaceful existence in downtown Reykjavík turned on its head. Some unexpected news from one of her sisters and a brutal murder that’s far too close to home for comfort leave her wondering why life has turned on her so suddenly.
When the police fail to take her seriously, her hands-on approach to the investigation soon lands her in hot water. Following a string of biblical messages left behind by a mysterious nemesis she stumbles upon a dark secret that has finally come home to roost. As she is about to find out, on a small island, what goes around, comes around.
When the police fail to take her seriously, her hands-on approach to the investigation soon lands her in hot water. Following a string of biblical messages left behind by a mysterious nemesis she stumbles upon a dark secret that has finally come home to roost. As she is about to find out, on a small island, what goes around, comes around.
- GenresCrimeNordic NoirThriller
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2014
41 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Grant Nicol
8 books12 followersGrant left New Zealand over twenty years ago to settle in Australia but after many years spent maintaining electric guitars for a variety of indie rock bands in Sydney he found himself moving again, this time to Northern Ireland, where he first started toying with the idea of writing crime fiction. After ten years in Belfast he switched venues to Iceland where his first four books are set. ‘On A Small Island’, ‘The Mistake’, ‘A Place To Bury Strangers’ and ‘Out On The Ice’ are the result of a lot of time spent indoors watching the weather pass him by one North Atlantic storm front at a time.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 1, 2014
Once I started reading Grant Nicol's On a Small Island, I could not stop. A well-written, claustrophobic (in a good way), and very tense read with a terrible crime. However, I ended up feeling sadness for the 'bad' guys and the ending was quite poignant, with redemption and hope. A thrilling read...highly recommended.
May 1, 2015
On a Small Island by Grant Nicol
Written entirely in the first person from the point of view of one of three sisters, you're drawn immediately into the sudden onset of Ylfa Einarsdóttir's living nightmare as, with frustratingly little help from the Reykjavík detective assigned to her mysterious case, she starts tracking down an obsessed, horribly violent murderer whose sole intent seems to be the destruction of her entire family.
Because you're inside Ylfa's head, you can hear her thinking. Her honesty is startling: 'Most of my friends were sluts. That was a lie; they all were…' Her observation is wry: 'He looked as if his years of seeing the worst possible sides of people had left him enjoying the times now when his misgivings about how rotten they all were inevitably proved to be correct…' - and, as her despair compounds, you feel her self-knowledge sharpen as she knowingly ploughs on toward an inescapable, grimly portentous end: 'In this torment there would be an abyss that I either would see in time and avoid, or be consumed by…'
You feel her heart beginning to ache - and you flinch when it breaks.
It's observantly written as intimate party to the reasoning behind the dangerous investigative steps Ylfa takes - so as her determination and her desperation mount, although you fully understand what she's doing and why she's doing it, you still want to yell 'No! Don't! Don't go there…'
But Ylfa can't help herself. And she takes you with her.
The creepy biblical messages left at every murder scene foreshadow a killer with their own twisted tormented depths - but, though Ylfa can't yet open her eyes to it, it's a torment that Ylfa and the killer actually share - and they're on the same enslaving path to self-destruction.
It's a good - disquieting - read; for the most part because you're entirely locked within Ylfa's world, the minutiae of which - the sandwiches in the car, the cold within her boots, her double cappuccinos - begin to bear auras of frightful magnitude because you can't help but feel that each of the simple things she does, she may never do again.
I don't want to spoil the ending - but it's very poignant. Indeed, 'Whatever you do in this life, be it good or not so good, it will chase you down through the long lonely years of your life,' Ylfa forewarns. 'And it will catch you up.'
Written entirely in the first person from the point of view of one of three sisters, you're drawn immediately into the sudden onset of Ylfa Einarsdóttir's living nightmare as, with frustratingly little help from the Reykjavík detective assigned to her mysterious case, she starts tracking down an obsessed, horribly violent murderer whose sole intent seems to be the destruction of her entire family.
Because you're inside Ylfa's head, you can hear her thinking. Her honesty is startling: 'Most of my friends were sluts. That was a lie; they all were…' Her observation is wry: 'He looked as if his years of seeing the worst possible sides of people had left him enjoying the times now when his misgivings about how rotten they all were inevitably proved to be correct…' - and, as her despair compounds, you feel her self-knowledge sharpen as she knowingly ploughs on toward an inescapable, grimly portentous end: 'In this torment there would be an abyss that I either would see in time and avoid, or be consumed by…'
You feel her heart beginning to ache - and you flinch when it breaks.
It's observantly written as intimate party to the reasoning behind the dangerous investigative steps Ylfa takes - so as her determination and her desperation mount, although you fully understand what she's doing and why she's doing it, you still want to yell 'No! Don't! Don't go there…'
But Ylfa can't help herself. And she takes you with her.
The creepy biblical messages left at every murder scene foreshadow a killer with their own twisted tormented depths - but, though Ylfa can't yet open her eyes to it, it's a torment that Ylfa and the killer actually share - and they're on the same enslaving path to self-destruction.
It's a good - disquieting - read; for the most part because you're entirely locked within Ylfa's world, the minutiae of which - the sandwiches in the car, the cold within her boots, her double cappuccinos - begin to bear auras of frightful magnitude because you can't help but feel that each of the simple things she does, she may never do again.
I don't want to spoil the ending - but it's very poignant. Indeed, 'Whatever you do in this life, be it good or not so good, it will chase you down through the long lonely years of your life,' Ylfa forewarns. 'And it will catch you up.'
January 16, 2015
This is a complicated story with a crime story the detectives never really come close to solving; therefore at times it reads more as an autobiography rather than a complex plot unrivalling where anything could happen.
At times the use of the first person narrative doesn't carry the story for me, it lacks conviction and didn't fully engage me emotionally or with the horror of the crimes as they enfold.
I understand that the motive within this story is best understood from Ylfa Einarsdóttir's perspective and within the restrictions of writing in the first person Grant Nicol has produced an excellent novel.
The trade off appears to have been the sense that I felt that you cannot empathise with the main characters or invest in the police investigation.
To say more about the book would bring spoiler alerts; sufficient to say it is a about historical crimes which find their natural unfolding in present times.
A book to make you think but perhaps not fully move you.
However here is an author you should remember as he is a real talent.
At times the use of the first person narrative doesn't carry the story for me, it lacks conviction and didn't fully engage me emotionally or with the horror of the crimes as they enfold.
I understand that the motive within this story is best understood from Ylfa Einarsdóttir's perspective and within the restrictions of writing in the first person Grant Nicol has produced an excellent novel.
The trade off appears to have been the sense that I felt that you cannot empathise with the main characters or invest in the police investigation.
To say more about the book would bring spoiler alerts; sufficient to say it is a about historical crimes which find their natural unfolding in present times.
A book to make you think but perhaps not fully move you.
However here is an author you should remember as he is a real talent.
March 31, 2014
A complex and chilling tale: an unusual evil plot with a horrific murder scene. The whole story revolves around Ylfa one of Einar Dagsson’s daughters. Ylfa is an independent thinker however in truth she is downright foolhardy and blunders in where fools fear to tread. Characterisation is limited by the author’s style of writing i.e. in the first person and parts are related somewhat clinically as an outsider looking in. However, saying that, the complex plot made it well worth reading.
September 21, 2014
This was an amazing read! Three sisters Elin,Ylfa and Kristjana live in Reykjavik. Although not close they do stay in contact with each other. When first Elin then Kristjana disappear Ylfa's life is turned upside down. Her sister's murders are just the beginning of this incredible mystery. I loved the story and the author has a terrific writing style that keeps the reader mesmerized until the very end of this fantastic tale of not just murder and mystery but life survival.
January 29, 2015
I liked this book a lot, now the question is can Grant turn this into a series. I hope so. It was completely noir.
June 24, 2017
Several series taking place in Iceland in the crimi/thriller/detective mode are currently available. Whether you like this one will depend on the type of content you are looking for. I gave this two stars not because it is poorly written, for the writing is fine. But the nature and level of violence is not what I want in a book for recreational reading. In addition, the worldview of the characters, if not the author, provides little basis for actually determining what is right and wrong, hence adding a layer of uncertainty to judgments one might make about the actions of both protagonists and antagonists. Perhaps that it the author's goal. While the book is not consistently presenting violence, when it does it rivals the films of Mel Gibson or fantasy and science fiction series by Steven R. Donaldson.
Additionally, I found little to admire about the main character - or any of the characters for that matter. They are not a bunch of people I'd like to hang out with. Add to that an ending that affirms virtually no hope for value in life, and you have a real downer. Even though Jean-Paul Sartre wrote existentialist literature with much the same outlook, in his life, at least, he strongly supported a variety of important causes. Whether the protagonist could do that seems doubtful. You'd have to ask the author what his outlook is.
I got the second book in this series at the same time as the first and doubt that I will read it. This is a matter of personal preference, not of quality. You will need to decide to what extent you want to subject yourself to violence and gratuitous sexuality as you determine whether to read this book. I can't think of anyone I would suggest it to without being embarrassed.
Additionally, I found little to admire about the main character - or any of the characters for that matter. They are not a bunch of people I'd like to hang out with. Add to that an ending that affirms virtually no hope for value in life, and you have a real downer. Even though Jean-Paul Sartre wrote existentialist literature with much the same outlook, in his life, at least, he strongly supported a variety of important causes. Whether the protagonist could do that seems doubtful. You'd have to ask the author what his outlook is.
I got the second book in this series at the same time as the first and doubt that I will read it. This is a matter of personal preference, not of quality. You will need to decide to what extent you want to subject yourself to violence and gratuitous sexuality as you determine whether to read this book. I can't think of anyone I would suggest it to without being embarrassed.
March 15, 2018
What a waste of time. The main character was likable enough but she had a habit of explaining her same long story to several different characters. She explains the story of her sisters going missing step by step to her dad and then all over again to the police officer. I mean, we already heard the story! Do you really have to make us listen to it again with no updates or insights? Then, I nearly went mad when she told it AGAIN to her journalist friend. His response? Just to listen to her like we, the readers, were forced to.
This main character, one of three sisters, is like the Icelandic Nancy Drew who ignores the police and manages to get herself nearly kidnapped and killed several times. If someone snatched up MY sisters and then was after me, you’d better believe I’d be listening to the police and taking basic safety precautions!
I skimmed the last 30 pages. Literally. I was so disgusted. If the story was written without so much repetition, I could have tolerated it.
I LOVE most Icelandic thrillers but this was not a good book. I do not recommend it unless you need to hear the character tell the same story 5 times in order to remember it.
This main character, one of three sisters, is like the Icelandic Nancy Drew who ignores the police and manages to get herself nearly kidnapped and killed several times. If someone snatched up MY sisters and then was after me, you’d better believe I’d be listening to the police and taking basic safety precautions!
I skimmed the last 30 pages. Literally. I was so disgusted. If the story was written without so much repetition, I could have tolerated it.
I LOVE most Icelandic thrillers but this was not a good book. I do not recommend it unless you need to hear the character tell the same story 5 times in order to remember it.
January 22, 2018
Starts as a easy going "who dunnit" with dissapearing people and murder, but everything doesn't turn out as it should and the end you don't only know who did what but why and at the very end one has the impression of "whooo, it's already finished". Loved the book, reads fast, interesting people, interesting build and more than interesting plot!!
March 28, 2021
Struggled with the Icelandic names but really enjoyed the characters and the unfolding story. This is not a happy ending mystery/thriller book. The main character might make it through but she finds herself having lost everything but her life. Really enjoyed reading this one. Highly recommend the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2017
One of the most interesting and intriguing First person POV crime fiction I have ever read.
Ans also, One of the most realistic protagonist I have ever found in the form of Ylfa Einarsdóttir.
Absolutely loved it!
Ans also, One of the most realistic protagonist I have ever found in the form of Ylfa Einarsdóttir.
Absolutely loved it!
December 10, 2017
A great book and a wonderful surprise.
It's not often that I come across a new author who impresses me. Nicol writes great characters and very enjoyable books. Can't wait for the next one.
It's not often that I come across a new author who impresses me. Nicol writes great characters and very enjoyable books. Can't wait for the next one.
February 4, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable
I was unsure what to expect from this book, I am happy that I gave it a chance.
Although it was tragic, I enjoyed it immensely.
I was unsure what to expect from this book, I am happy that I gave it a chance.
Although it was tragic, I enjoyed it immensely.
January 26, 2018
Consistently interesting mystery that benefits from an offbeat setting, something that's always a positive for me. The plot held quite an unusual surprise.
March 4, 2017
I can't remember when I last gave a book 5/5? However I felt that this feat of Nordic Noir deserved it simply for leaving me feeling utterly hopeless! I found myself staring at the page, thinking 'he (Grant Nicol) wouldn't really do that... would he? well if you want to know, you'll have to read it and find out for yourself! If you're partial to crimes and emotions being resolved, loose ends nicely tied in bows, then maybe this isn't the book for you. Without giving too much away, this is a dark tale set in Reykjavik and the surrounding areas and centres on a young woman Ylfa, her two sisters and their elderly father. The story is told in the first person from Ylfa's perspective which works really well, and for all intents and purposes you would assume that she is the main character of the book. However as I was browsing the follow up books in the series, I noted that they are subtitled 'The Grímur Karlsson Mysteries' Grimur being the detective in this series. I have to admit it struck me as a little strange that someone who in all honestly played such a minor part in this initial book would be the defining character of the series, but we'll see - hopefully the character gets developed more in the follow up The MistakeI'm about to start...
January 7, 2015
A New Zealand born, Australian and Northern Ireland dwelling, now Iceland based author has written a book set in his adopted city of Reykjavík, with a central female character whose life is turned upside down in a very short space of time, that really works. Read ON A SMALL ISLAND so you can tick one off from your most unlikely working scenario list or simply read it because this is a really good book.
Ylfa Einarsdóttir has a relatively predictable, quiet life in downtown Reykjavík, even allowing for the friction between her elderly, grumpy farm dwelling father and her two sisters. The elder sister, always a bit of a handful, dramatically and suddenly announces that she's getting out of Iceland and she's going to blackmail her married lover for the cash to facilitate this move. Then she disappears. Her father's companion and worker, and one of their beloved horses on the farm are murdered one night - in full view of the old man, and the only connection between these things seems to be a series of cryptic Biblical messages left at the various scenes of the crime. Somehow the police seem to either be very slow off the mark, or somewhat underwhelmed by the possibility of connections between these two events, and an odd burglary, but obviously something is swirling around Ylfa's father and it's not going to end well.
Telling this story totally from Ylfa's viewpoint, creates a strong sense of urgency, and a rising feeling of fear as events start to escalate around her. It's a very realistic feeling - it's doubtful many people placed in the same position as her would cope, know what to do, not question, panic, thrash about a bit so everything about Ylfa's internal voice feels very realistic. Obviously telling things from her viewpoint also skews expectations and observations so it's possibly not fair to suggest police aren't using an appropriate sense of urgency, but it certainly could look that way when you're in the centre of the storm. It's also possible that clues and tips are there in the back of Ylfa's head, she just doesn't recognise them for what they are. Either way there's nothing overtly unreliable about Ylfa as a narrator, she's doing the best she can to keep her family, and herself, alive while also searching for an explanation.
Granted a fair bit of the explanation comes by way of confessions from the killer, but given the extent of the personal jeopardy, the personal feeling, that's not surprising, nor is it unfair or wrong. The reader is given plenty of opportunity to make some educated observations along the way after all.
Whilst there's not massive amounts of over the top or explicit violence in the book, this review should come with the obligatory crime fiction warning about the death of an animal. There is, however, hefty amounts of tension and fear, and a resolution that makes you wonder whether surviving sometimes isn't all it's cracked up to be.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Ylfa Einarsdóttir has a relatively predictable, quiet life in downtown Reykjavík, even allowing for the friction between her elderly, grumpy farm dwelling father and her two sisters. The elder sister, always a bit of a handful, dramatically and suddenly announces that she's getting out of Iceland and she's going to blackmail her married lover for the cash to facilitate this move. Then she disappears. Her father's companion and worker, and one of their beloved horses on the farm are murdered one night - in full view of the old man, and the only connection between these things seems to be a series of cryptic Biblical messages left at the various scenes of the crime. Somehow the police seem to either be very slow off the mark, or somewhat underwhelmed by the possibility of connections between these two events, and an odd burglary, but obviously something is swirling around Ylfa's father and it's not going to end well.
Telling this story totally from Ylfa's viewpoint, creates a strong sense of urgency, and a rising feeling of fear as events start to escalate around her. It's a very realistic feeling - it's doubtful many people placed in the same position as her would cope, know what to do, not question, panic, thrash about a bit so everything about Ylfa's internal voice feels very realistic. Obviously telling things from her viewpoint also skews expectations and observations so it's possibly not fair to suggest police aren't using an appropriate sense of urgency, but it certainly could look that way when you're in the centre of the storm. It's also possible that clues and tips are there in the back of Ylfa's head, she just doesn't recognise them for what they are. Either way there's nothing overtly unreliable about Ylfa as a narrator, she's doing the best she can to keep her family, and herself, alive while also searching for an explanation.
Granted a fair bit of the explanation comes by way of confessions from the killer, but given the extent of the personal jeopardy, the personal feeling, that's not surprising, nor is it unfair or wrong. The reader is given plenty of opportunity to make some educated observations along the way after all.
Whilst there's not massive amounts of over the top or explicit violence in the book, this review should come with the obligatory crime fiction warning about the death of an animal. There is, however, hefty amounts of tension and fear, and a resolution that makes you wonder whether surviving sometimes isn't all it's cracked up to be.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
February 26, 2017
This book held my attention to the end and the twist was very well thought out. I enjoyed the writing (the violence was handled very well) and the setting was strong, a real sense of place. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
January 7, 2017
A well constructed story from a writer I'm going to keep reading from now on. Another little gem from Fahrenheit Press.
February 13, 2017
A mystery that uncovers dark, disturbing secrets from the past, both distant and recent.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews