Betrayal | Lilja Sigurðardóttir | translated by Quentin Bates | Review

Blurb

Burned out and traumatised by her horrifying experiences around the world, aid worker Úrsula has returned to Iceland. Unable to settle, she accepts a high-profile government role in which she hopes to make a difference again.

But on her first day in the post, Úrsula promises to help a mother seeking justice for her daughter, who had been raped by a policeman, and life in high office soon becomes much more harrowing than Úrsula could ever have imagined. A homeless man is stalking her – but is he hounding her, or warning her of some danger? And why has the death of her father in police custody so many years earlier reared its head again?

As Úrsula is drawn into dirty politics, facing increasingly deadly threats, the lives of her stalker, her bodyguard and even a witch-like cleaning lady intertwine. Small betrayals become large ones, and the stakes are raised ever higher…

Exploring the harsh worlds of politics, police corruption and misogyny, Betrayal is a relevant, powerful, fast-paced thriller that feels just a little bit too real…

Review

Pitch-perfect, Icelandic noir!

Betrayal is brilliantly weaved throughout this novel, Úrsula is both the betrayer and the betrayed. The characters are well-drawn and intriguing. 

The short, sharp chapters give the story a real sense of pace and Sigurðardóttir has certainly perfected the art of the hook line at the end of each chapter making it so so easy to say okay just one more chapter and very hard to actually put down.

This thrilling, tense read is engaging from beginning to end. I loved the taste of Iceland with it's pages. I can't wait to see what Sigurðardóttir does next!

A huge thanks to Anne Cater & Orenda Books for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐