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Daybreak

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'Daybreak' by author Viktor Arnar Ingolfsson is a slow-paced mystery set in Iceland, following the detectives Birkir and Gunnar as they investigate a series of murders targeting goose hunters. The book is praised for its unique presentation, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists in the plot. The story unfolds gradually, with intricate details and a writing style that allows readers to visualize the scenes and characters vividly.

Characters:

The characters are distinct and well-developed, with varying backgrounds contributing to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is direct and factual, with vivid descriptions that facilitate visualization of scenes.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around a serial killer targeting goose hunters, intertwined with themes of friendship and rivalry that lead to violence.

Setting:

The story is set in Iceland, particularly in Reykjavik, with the local context enhancing the plot.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and methodical, culminating in a somewhat abrupt ending.
In a remote spot in the western district of Dalasýsla sat a lone hunter. Sheltering behind a tumbledown stone wall—remnant of a long since ruined hut—he gazed across the waters of Hvammsfjördur toward...

Notes:

The book Daybreak is written by Viktor Arnar Ingolfsson and is set in Iceland.
It features a duo of detectives, Birkir and Gunnar, who are quite different from each other but work well together.
The plot revolves around a serial killer targeting goose hunters.
The story has elements of competition and rivalry among friends which turns deadly.
The ending felt abrupt to some readers, leaving them wanting more resolution and perhaps a sequel.
The translation from Icelandic to English may have lost some nuances, making it feel less engaging for some readers.
Daybreak has been adapted into an Icelandic TV miniseries, indicating its popularity.
Though it's a murder mystery, the story includes humor and character backstories that add depth.
Readers compared Ingolfsson's style to other Scandinavian authors but noted his unique take on the genre.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Daybreak may include themes of violence, murder, and psychological tension.

From The Publisher:

When the shotgun-blasted body of a goose hunter is discovered, the police believe they have a list of suspects who may have wanted the victim dead, from his young wife to the caretaker of his property. But then a second body, another hunter, is found with a similar fatal wound. And then a third. As the pattern emerges-all goose hunters, all shot at the break of dawn-Reykjavik policemen Gunnar and Birkir face the terrifying possibility that a serial killer is stalking the idyllic Icelandic countryside.

Gunnar and Birkir set a trap for the one they call "the Gander," but it quickly becomes a wild goose chase as the murderer plays some tricks of his own. With the clock running out and the discovery of another body all but guaranteed, the cops must determine if there is a thread connecting the victims or if the killings are all part of a twisted game.

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