Ashes to Dust: Thora Gudmundsdottir Book 3 - Softcover

Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1444700065 ISBN 13: 9781444700060

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton General, 2010

Synopsis

Thóra peered at the floor, but couldn t see anything that could have frightened Markús that much, only three mounds of dust. She moved the light of her torch over them. It took her some time to realize what she was seeing and then it was all she could do not to let the torch slip from her hand. Good God, she said. She ran the light over the three faces, one after another. Sunken cheeks, empty eye-sockets, gaping mouths; they reminded her of photographs of mummies she d once seen in National Geographic. Who are these people?
I don t know, said Markús...

Bodies are discovered in one of the excavated houses at a volcanic tourist attraction dubbed 'The Pompeii of the North'.

Markús Magnússon, who was only a teenager when the volcano erupted, falls under suspicion and hires attorney Thóra Gudmundsdottir to defend him - but when his childhood sweetheart is murdered his case starts to look more difficult, and the locals seem oddly reluctant to back him up . . .

The third crime novel from international bestseller Yrsa Sigurdardottir, and the third featuring her popular heroine Thora, ASHES TO DUST is tense, taut and terrifying.

well-written, pacey and wonderfully atmospheric.' Guardian on MY SOUL TO TAKE

About this title

Review:

'This is well-written, pacey and wonderfully atmospheric, but the USP here is the character of Gudmundsdottir. Wry, very funny and valiantly trying to balance the demands of her private life with her work   she is a joy. I'm looking forward to number three.' (Guardian on MY SOUL TO TAKE)

 'Yrsa Sigurdardottir brilliantly conjures an atmosphere of creeping menace and unreality.'

(Guardian on MY SOUL TO TAKE)

'Sigurdardottir delivers terrific clammy atmosphere and frequent frissons of fear; she is entitled to join the front rank of Nordic crime writers. (The Times)

'Both frightening and funny   a terrific trick if you can pull it off.' (Observer on MY SOUL TO TAKE)

'Distinguished by superb evocations of extraordinary landscapes and . . . rivetingly gruesome inventiveness.' (Independent on MY SOUL TO TAKE)

'The numerous twists and turns are worthy of Agatha Christie and keep the reader guessing until the very end.' (Sunday Telegraph on MY SOUL TO TAKE)

'A welcome second outing for the good-natured lawyer-sleuth Thora Gudmundsdottir . . . Yrsa Sigurdardottir's lightness of touch is refreshing' (Daily Telegraph on MY SOUL TO TAKE)

'The novel is both spooky and gruesome. But Thora's distinctly chaotic private life provides a welcome contrast and moments of very black humour . . . It's rare to find a crime novel that's both chilling and witty - an agreeable combination' (Andrew Taylor, Spectator )

'Dark, rich and satisfying.' (Woman & Home )

'Glacially chilling and dark as an arctic winter, this gripping Icelandic page-turner will keep you guessing all the way.'

(Choice )

'An irresistible read. And very, very chilly indeed.' (City AM )

'Considering its population is only around 300,000, Iceland seems to have more than its fair share of good crime writers. Yrsa Sigurdardottir keeps up the standard . . . untypically, instead of the usual gloomy middle-aged man, her sleuth is a young woman . . . a personable heroine.' (Sunday Telegraph )

'Yrsa Sigurdardottir has arrived, fully formed, it seems, as something of a unique talent in the field . . . [She] matches Tess Gerritsen and Kathy Reichs in the bloodchiller stakes.' (Waterstone's Books Quarterly )

'Iceland is fast becoming a hotbed of fine crime writing, and Sigurdardottir is at the front of the pack. This second novel builds on her already impressive reputation . . . brilliantly paced and expertly constructed.'

(The Big Issue on MY SOUL TO TAKE )

'Dark, deep and icy as an Icelandic fjord; this is a rich and rewarding debut novel of ancient mysteries and very modern murder.' (Mark Billingham on LAST RITUALS )

'Given the dark subject matter, this is a surprisingly funny book . . . a quirky and interesting read.' (Guardian on LAST RITUALS )

'A satisfying mix of mystery and pure madness.'

--(Time Out )

Book Description:

Chilling Icelandic crime from the author of LAST RITUALS and MY SOUL TO TAKE

About this edition

• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton General
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1444700065
• ISBN 13: 9781444700060
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 464