∀lfa (Alfa) by Lilja Sigurðardóttir (translated by Larissa Kyzer)

I said yes immediately when I was invited onto the blog tour for Lilja Sigurðardóttir's new one, translated into English by Larissa Kyzer, because I have always enjoyed her books. Welcome to my review of ∀lfa (Alfa), a speculative mystery set in 2052. Huge thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invitation and to Orenda Books for my review copy.

The Blurb

Reykjavík, 2052. Europe is peaceful, prosperous and almost crime-free, governed by Ɐlfa, the artificial intelligence that manages infrastructure, safety and daily life. Mekkín works at the Ministry, close to the core of the system that keeps society running. She lives with her partner, Sabína, an artist.

When Sabína’s brother Birkir, a committed dissident who lives beyond the reach of Ɐlfa, is found brutally murdered, that fragile sense of order begins to fracture. Violent crime has effectively been eliminated, and Birkir’s death is not just shocking, but inexplicable. What was he involved in, and who would dare to commit murder in a world designed to prevent it?

As the investigation unfolds, Sabína is drawn ever deeper into the case. Mekkín’s position at the Ministry brings scrutiny she cannot escape, their relationship begins to fracture, and their teenage son’s recent integration into the system places him uncomfortably close to the forces now circling the family.

As Sabína pieces together Birkir’s final days, the answers begin to point far closer to home than either of them ever expected, forcing her to decide what she is prepared to sacrifice to uncover the truth…

My Review

As I said above I said yes immediately when asked to review this book. I didn't even read the blurb. Lilja Sigurðardóttir is one of those authors whose books I know I'm going to enjoy. So I was surprised, and intrigued, to see that it was a speculative thriller, as it was so different from the other books of hers that I've read. 

It's 2052. Iceland, and the rest of Europe, are ruled by ∀lfa, an AI, constantly monitored by the Seven, a team of IT  developers and coders and their team. Mekkín is one of the Seven, and she doesn't approve of her brother-in-law's off grid existence. Her partner Sabrína loves her brother and tries to help him where she can. Their son Júlíus has turned sixteen and will be learning the future that Alfa has chosen for him. Sabrína's brother Birkir's murder in a supposedly crime free world throughs everything into question, as do events at Mekkín's work party...

I really warmed to Sabrína, who seems a gentle, loving soul, and the women's son, Júlíus, who, to me, seems to be more like Sabrína. I found Mekkín harder to relate to. She seems more into herself, less emotional, outwardly anyway. But I loved Sir Simon, an old, dysfunctional house robot! ∀lfa, I have very mixed feelings about. Whilst I can see a place for artificial intelligence, it scares me. The amount it can already do, the damage it might be doing to our environment and the taking away of people's livelihoods, just look at the creative industries. So it was interesting reading about a world where people generally are happy to be governed by an AI, a world where people don't need to make decisions about their own future, where their health is monitored, where they don't need to drive because an AI powered car will take you where you need to go, where they  don't need cash or card. I don't think it's for me! But Iceland has been governed peacefully since ∀lfa was created 25 years ago, and everything has run smoothly. Until now. 

There are a few flashbacks to 2027 where we meet young teenager Sesselia, who hides out in the basement of a building used by a group of computer guys and girls. She runs errands for them and generally gets rewarded with food. I felt sorry for her as her situation was sad but I couldn't see where she fitted in and the bringing together of the two timelines was very great. And unexpected, for me.

∀lfa was a great read, an idea of a possible future. Of an outwardly perfect system that perhaps isn't exactly what it seems. But whilst one of the main characters is an AI, this is a book about people and relationships. All the characters are well drawn with believable relationships. The book looks at love and trust and the bonds that bond us, but does so in a world ruled by AI. The denouement is tense and scary, and challenges the main characters as to what is really important. A really interesting and enjoyable read. 

The Author

Icelandic crime-writer Lilja Sigurðardóttir was born in the town of Akranes in 1972 and raised in Mexico, Sweden, Spain and Iceland. An award-winning playwright, Lilja has written eleven crime novels, including Snare, Trap and Cage, making up the Reykjavík Noir trilogy, and her standalone thriller Betrayal, all of which have hit bestseller lists worldwide. Snare was longlisted for the CWA International Dagger, Cage won Best Icelandic Crime Novel of the Year and was a Guardian Book of the Year, and Betrayal was shortlisted for the prestigious Glass Key Award and won Icelandic Crime Novel of the Year. The film rights for the Reykjavík Noir trilogy have been bought by Glassriver. Cold as Hell, the first book in the An Áróra Investigation series, was published in the UK in 2021 and was followed by Red as Blood, White as Snow, Dark as Night and Black as Death. TV rights to the series have been bought by a major studio. Lilja lives in Reykjavik with her partner and a brood of chickens.