REVIEW BY LJ FOX - THE COMMANDMENTS
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 October 2021
Tight and twisty
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 October 2021
Tight and twisty
Váá what a belter! I should have paced myself but I just *devoured* this gripping book - what a nail biter! Dark, disturbing, and a difficult subject of abuse, which may of course be triggering for some, but handled well, I thought. The story was compelling, with plausible, likable characters, which makes it all the harder when you start to feel suspicious of everyone and don't know who you can trust! Salka, the lead character, has come back to the area and is dealing with her own grief from the past, when she's called in to assist the local police with a murder because of her past dealings with the victim. I found the book to be well paced, building up the tension perfectly towards its unexpectedly twisty denouement - criminally good! No wonder Óskar's an award winner in Iceland! Masterful translation as always in Quentin Bates' capable hands, he understands the location and genre perfectly having lived there and published excellent crime novels of his own. My only disappointment is that it's a standalone - I'd like to read more of Salka! But I understand I'm not alone in this and gentle, enthusiastic pressure is being placed on the author to consider bringing her back for more - fingers crossed! Whether you particularly like Iceland, police procedurals or just being on the edge of your seat, this book is thoroughly recommended. I'm very excited to see what Óskar brings us next after this excellent introduction to his work - thanks to Corylus Books, indie publishers with a big heart and excellent taste!
REVIEW BY BOLO BOOKS - THE COMMANDMENTS
‘Like Alfred Hitchcock, Guðmundsson understands that
anything he writes on the page would pale in comparison
to the horrors created in the reader’s own imagination’
‘Like Alfred Hitchcock, Guðmundsson understands that
anything he writes on the page would pale in comparison
to the horrors created in the reader’s own imagination’
Review by Hrafn Jökulsson - Writer and journalist
In my youth there was no more laughable literature than Icelandic thrillers. Unbelievable but true. Now Icelandic thriller authors make a breakthrough in many parts of the world and constantly new authors show themselves on the writing stadium with their bloody plots.
I was reading Hilma by Óskar Guðmundsson and had to ask Google itself for many times before I was convinced this was the author´s first book. What a start!
Here we have an real author in his first attempt. The book is written by wit and vitality, the persons become immediately close to one --- or provoke horror.
The main person Hilma is the coolest character I have seen for a long time in Icelandic thrillers.
Congratulations Óskar. This is a four star novel.
Review by Kristjón K. Guðjónsson - Journalist Pressan
Hilma hits the target!
Hilma is Óskar Guðmundsson´s first novel but it is certainly not like this thriller is a beginners experiment. It is extremely well written and composed of great sport and ingenuity.
The main character is the police woman Hilma, who is one of the most memorable characters who Icelandic authors in the thriller literature have conjured the past years.
She is cool with touch of social fobia and remindes in that manner of Lisbeth Salander. However Hilma gives in every way more human impression besides she is greater humorist than the Swedish punk amazon.
It is never an good idea to trace the plot in a thriller but in short Hilma deals with a ruthless murderer who is determined to get a revenge on characters who made his live miserable all his youth. At the same time Hilma is fighting a major criminal from Lithuania who does not let anything stop him in his criminal actions. Not all problems are solved in the end of the novel as the book is clearly the first part of a dual-play.
The book was published this spring and clearly has got lot of readers with regards to a lot of positive discussions and comments on Hilma in Facebook and other parts of the internet.
Oskar writes a very interesting and compact style which
keeps the readers tight through the 440 pages.
The horror is seldom as a main subject, the author discusses many matters in connection with the financial ruin and reform of the Icelandic society the last years.
However the characterization is most prominent. Hilma is a huge succsess character and the same goes for many secondary characters even those who only are visible for a moment.
Conclusion: Extremely exciting and well written novel by a new author. It will be interesting to watch him in the future. He starts his career in the elite of Icelandic authors. Four stars.
Review by Steinþór Guðbjartsson - journalist Morgunblaðið
"Truth and pain"
"The thriller 'Hilma' by Óskar Guðmundsson certainly has plenty of thrills, more than can be found in most Icelandic novels in the same genre that were published last year." (2015)
"Hilma isn't just one of the best crime thrillers released in the summer, it's one of the best crime thrillers I've ever read. A fantastic first release."
Þórunn Elva Halldórsdóttir
*****
Þórunn Elva Halldórsdóttir
*****
"Just finished reading Hilma. The best crime thriller I've read since Stieg Larsson's books. Hilma sets up a sequel and I can't wait!"
Ingibjörg H. Elíasdóttir
*****
Ingibjörg H. Elíasdóttir
*****
"It's a very exciting book – I'm still reading it and I don't want it to ever end. I'm tormenting myself by reading it in short bursts. I eagerly await more from Óskar."
Erla Guðmundsdóttir
*****
Erla Guðmundsdóttir
*****
Interview in Morgunbladid - Ottó Geir Borg Screenwriter:
Signing a movie-contract to HILMA between Oskar and the film-production company NEW WORK ehf.
Rewiew in frettanetid.is about the HILMA cover-making
