When a man is found murdered in a Reykjavik flat, the only real clues are a cryptic three word message on the body and the photo of a child's grave. His team suspect he's chasing a red herring, but Inspectur Erlendur thinks the key to the mystery lies in a rape case from a quarter of a century ago, and his search leads him to the national Genetic Research Centre. Meanwhile, his daughter has a drug problem.

The plot offers no real surprises, but Tainted Blood is a fast-paced and entertaining read. It also has some local detail, with depictions of the seamier side of life in Iceland.

Note: Tainted Blood was published as Jar City: A Reykjavik Thriller in the United States. Indridason should of course be Indriđason.

July 2008

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