Ashes to Dust [Paperback]

This book has a very similar premise to what I consider to be Peter Robinson's best Inspector Banks novel, In A Dry Season, in that they both involve murder victims being discovered when a village that has been 'buried' for decades becomes exposed.

This is the third in the series featuring lawyer/sleuth Thora Gudmundsdottir. Although I did enjoy the first two, with some reservations, I get the impression the author is still trying to decide what she wants the series to be. The first, Last Rituals, was rather gruesome in places and found Thora working in partnership with a male German visitor to Iceland who of course becomes her love interest. In the second, My Soul to Take, the nasty element had been toned down, the male character, Matthew, was very much relegated to a supporting role, and Thora's young daughter, teenage son and his very pregnant girlfriend provided a sub-plot which was so bad it would be absurd in an American sitcom. Thankfully in this latest book that 'comic' element has almost gone, but so has Matthew who is little more than a telephone tag bit part player who might or might not be moving to Iceland. His role of sidekick is taken by Thora's secretary, who until now has been completely useless, and only kept her job as it was a condition of the terms of the lease of the office Thora rented. This fact is made plain in the earlier books but not mentioned in this one, just in case you are wondering why she would be tolerated. It looks as if Yrsa Sigurdardottir may be looking to reader reaction to determine the outcome of the, 'will they/won't they', romance element of Thora and Matthew, and who should get the nod as the sidekick.

Ashes to Dust has a great opening, and probably just pips the aforementioned, In A Dry Season, by the fact that it is based around real events in Iceland in 1973, when a volcanic eruption destroyed and buried most of an island village and caused it to be evacuated. However while the Robinson book builds up from the victim discovery, this one goes downhill faster than the lava flow central to the plot. It gets convoluted enough for the author to throw in a résumé, in the form of a review of case notes, about three quarters of the way through to remind you who everyone is and what is going on. (Just like Sam asking questions at the end of an episode of Quincy). I know it is fiction but the solution when it comes is so ludicrous it makes Murder On The Orient Express seem plausible.

If there is a fourth in the series I will read it in the hope that the author will have stopped experimenting and concentrate instead on the key elements that made her first book the best by far. For anyone considering Ashes To Dust who hasn't yet read the Peter Robinson book, I would recommend the latter as the better option.

Yrsa Siguršardóttir uses a historical event as the underpinning of her melancholy novel, "Ashes to Dust." On the morning of January 23, 1973, at 1:55 AM, an eruption began on Heimaey Island in Iceland. Although approximately 250 million cubic meters of lava and ash were spewed forth, the islanders were able to escape, many by boat. In July of 2007, as part of a project known as "Pompeii of the North," archaeologists excavated some of the houses that were in the volcano's path on that fateful day.

Markús Magnusson retains a lawyer, Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, to stop archeologists from digging up his parents' former home in the Westmann Islands. Although he no longer has a legal claim to the property, he manages to negotiate a compromise. After the house is "dug up and aired out," Markús will be the first to enter the basement and retrieve whatever it is he is looking for. Shockingly, he finds grisly human remains that have been in the basement for thirty-four years. Adding to the puzzle is the apparent suicide of a woman whom Markus had adored. The police interrogate Markús and he soon becomes their prime suspect. Thóra, who is a divorced single mother, has her work cut out for her. To exonerate her client, she will have to learn the entire history of the eruption and interview everyone who knew Markús and his family. At first, Thóra makes little progress since so many people are either lying or withholding key information.

Siguršardóttir depicts Iceland as a breathtakingly beautiful place, but she also creates a sinister atmosphere that is relieved by occasional traces of humor. It seems that volcanoes and people have something in common: Just as volcanoes can remain dormant for long periods and then violently erupt, men and women sometimes conceal damning information for decades--until gnawing guilt and outside pressures force them to reveal the truth.

In spite of Philip Roughton's rather awkward translation from the Icelandic, "Ashes to Dust" holds our attention. It is reminiscent of a Greek tragedy--complete with dysfunctional families, murders, and madness--set in an isolated northern country. The intriguing cast includes Markús's wealthy and influential brother, an amoral accused rapist, elderly people who recall the disaster of '73 in detail, a pathetic young woman bent on self-destruction, and the indomitable Thóra, who will not be deterred in her determination to see that justice prevails. The conclusion is shocking, convoluted, and not altogether convincing. Nevertheless, Siguršardóttir has created a powerful morality tale. When the dust finally settles, we see the dark side of human nature fully exposed in all of its horror.

On the whole I enjoyed this and it was an interesting plot. However, it did drag a bit in the last chapters and you felt Thora was a bit dense that she did not guess where things were heading earlier. I am not sure the lawyer device works. I find it a bit hard to see a lawyer taking such an active investigative role. Also, does she really only have one case at a time? It must be very expensive to have your lawyer do all the leg work! I also do not like the secretary character. Who on earth would put up with her.
All this sounds very critical. Don't let it put you off. This is not Henning Mankell, Peter Robinson or their ilk but still out ranks a lot of thriller authors.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 6 reviews  3.5 out of 5 stars