Central protagonist Sigurdis remains the series’ strongest asset – damaged yet determined

For most runners, the biggest risk in tackling a marathon is the challenge of the distance itself, or the potential for injury. In Katrín Júliusdóttir’s Stop Dead, however, for one runner in the Reykjavik Marathon the stakes are far higher.

In her second novel – the second instalment of Júliusdóttir’s Iceland Mysteries series – we return to the work of trainee detective Sigurdis, first featured in 2023’s Dead Sweet.

The young detective is now studying in the USA but is drawn back to Iceland when the police investigation into the death of her father years earlier is reopened.

It may be the familial connection that draws her back to her homeland, but she is soon pulled into investigating the murder of local TV star Olga Einarsdottir, stabbed to death while running alongside thousands of others in the Reykjavik Marathon. The list of people who could have wished Olga harm is a long one.

Known as Iceland’s Jerry Springer, the controversial TV host had built up an impressive catalogue of enemies. As police begin probing into her background, however, they discover far more than professional animosity. Olga’s personal life is littered with fractured relationships – including her son, her business partner, and an ex-husband who died in questionable circumstances.

Against this investigation, Sigurdis faces painful parallels with the case surrounding the death of her own abusive father. Forced to relive a history she has done her best to bury, it soon becomes apparent that abusive childhoods continue to haunt more than one family decades later.

Olga’s destructive wake proves to be the backbone of Stop Dead – a woman we meet only after her death, but whose influence continues to destroy any chance of happiness for many who encountered her. She is a fascinating character, and Júliusdóttir cleverly ensures we experience the trajectory of her life only through the testimony of others.

There is no elaborate scene-setting or lengthy exposition before the murder – only the aftermath unfolding in grisly detail. Just when we think we have discovered the limits of Olga’s cruelty, Júliusdóttir digs deeper, plunging into ever darker depths of a woman who has been destroying lives since childhood. Olga dominates the novel even in death, leaving damage and suspicion in her wake.

As in Dead Sweet, Júliusdóttir’s plotting is ambitious. Multiple storylines and characters weave in and out with blistering speed. Threads emerge and disappear rapidly, creating a complex whirlwind of characters moving constantly in and out of focus.

That speed does come at a cost, however. Ideas and plot threads occasionally feel rushed, with some story arcs either resolved too quickly or abandoned without meaningful payoff. Again, as with Dead Sweet, the pace and complexity can require readers to revisit earlier chapters in order to fully grasp the detail and sequence of events.

Central protagonist Sigurdis remains the series’ strongest asset – damaged yet determined, with the added dimension of a burgeoning romance enriching her character further. Her backstory, particularly the childhood abuse and the evolving bond with her brother, offers emotional depth and leaves ample scope for future instalments.

Stop Dead certainly showcases Júliusdóttir’s flair for complex plotting and narrative momentum. Imperfect but compelling, it grips through atmosphere and character. A solid crime novel, elevated by strong character work but occasionally weighed down by structural excess.

Stop Dead is out now! You can order your copy today through your local independent bookshop or via major online book retailers including Orenda Books