Orentober - Snare by Lilja Sigurðardóttir (translated by Quentin Bates)

Another wee #Orentober (thanks again to Danielle and Kelly for the initiative) post from me. I was lucky enough to meet Lilja at the Bute Noir crime writing festival earlier this year and what a joy she was. I already had this on my kindle but was delighted to pick up a print copy, and also a copy of the follow up, Trap. Together with Cage, they make up Lilja's Reykjavík Noir series. All three are translated by Quentin Bates, and a very fine job he does. I so enjoy being able to read quality translated fiction - it opens so many new doors.

I caddied (well, carried her handbag) for Lilja at the putting competition for the Brookmyre Cup at Bute Noir, August 2019

The Blurb:

First in the Reykjavik Noir Trilogy. After a messy divorce, young mother Sonia is struggling to provide for herself and keep custody of her son. With her back to the wall, she resorts to smuggling cocaine into Iceland, and finds herself caught up in a ruthless criminal world. Things become even more complicated when Sonia embarks on a relationship with a woman, Agla. Once a high-level bank executive, Agla is currently being prosecuted in the aftermath of the Icelandic financial crash. Set in a Reykjavík still covered in the dust of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption, and with a dark, fast-paced and chilling plot and intriguing characters, Snare is an outstandingly original and sexy Nordic crime thriller, from one of the most exciting new names in crime fiction.

'This first novel of a planned trilogy is stylish, taut and compelling and a film adaptation is in the pipeline. With characters you can't help sympathising with against your better judgement, Sigurdardottir takes the reader on a breathtaking ride' - Daily Express.

'Snare will ensnare you' - Marie Claire.

Snare was published by Orenda Books on 1st October 2017. You can purchase it from the publisher, Waterstones, Amazon UK,  Amazon US and all good bookshops.


My Review:

Snare introduces us to Sonja, a drug courier and her lover Agla, who is being investigated for wrongdoing in the Icelandic banking crisis.

A drug courier isn't someone I would naturally feel sympathy for, but I couldn't help it with Sonja. She is a decent woman trapped, ensnared, into a life of crime. She is determined to escape her criminal life and make a future for her and her son Tómas, who lives mainly with his father. Everything she does is done with that aim.

Complicating things for her are vindictive ex husband Adam, who is trying to restrict her access to Tómas and her on/off girlfriend Agla. Sonja also comes to the attention of seasoned customs officer Bragi.

Sonja is immediately relatable, a likeable character. She could be any one of us, caught in a terrible situation after things spiral out of control. She is in a position which she will struggle to get out of, but that doesn't stop her making the most of it, living for her weekends with Tómas and the occasional night with Agla.

Snare doesn't glamorise crime at all - we see how vulnerable, scared and, at times, desperate Sonja is, but also determined to get out of that life. She is just beautifully written. Her relationship with son Tómas is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Their love for each other is so strong, every moment apart is a wrench.

Another beautifully written (actually, they all are, but I'm just picking out one or two) character is customs officer Bragi. Advancing in years and living alone after his wife's dementia out her in a care home, his love and tenderness for her just shines through, it's beautiful.

The second strand of the story features Agla who is embroiled in the Icelandic banking scandal and fighting for survival. She's such an interesting character, not immediately likeable and often displays self destructive behaviour. And whilst she is often almost consumed by her passion for Sonja she is also pretty repulsed by it. And it's a constant battle for her.

This is an original, intelligent and gripping thriller. Two fascinating story lines with such interesting, beautifully crafted characters. There's a shocking reveal - I actually gasped out loud - and a cliffhanger ending - what more could you ask for! I can't wait to move on to the next book.


The Author:

Rothesay putting green, Isle of Bute, August 2019

Icelandic crime-writer Lilja Sigurdardóttir was born in the town of Akranes in 1972 and raised in Mexico, Sweden, Spain and Iceland. An award-winning playwright, Lilja has written four crime novels, with Snare, the first in the Reykjavik Noir series, hitting bestseller lists worldwide. Trap was published in 2018, and a Book of the Year in Guardian. The film rights for the series have been bought by Palomar Pictures in California. Lilja lives in Reykjavík with her partner. Follow Lilja on Twitter @lilja1972 and on her website liljawriter.com