It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
Jar City

Jar City

The thrilling first installation of the Reykjavic Murder Mystery Series

Summary

An old man, murdered in his Reykjavik flat...

Only a cryptic note and a photograph of a young girl's grave are left behind..

DID THE DEAD MAN'S PAST COME BACK TO HAUNT HIM?

Inspector Erlendur discovers that several decades ago the victim was accused, but not convicted, of an unsolved crime. As he follows a fascinating trail of strange forensic evidence, Inspector Erlendur uncovers secrets that are much larger than the murder of one man - dark secrets that have been carefully guarded for many, many years...

The acclaimed first installation in the bestselling Reykjavik Murder Mysteries series, Jar City introduces us into the world of the quiet, complex and dryly witty Inspector Erlendur. Arnaldur Indridason's atmospheric, powerfully psychological novel is bursting with twists that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last.

'A fascinating window on an unfamiliar world as well as an original and puzzling mystery' Val McDermid

'A chilling Icelandic saga of the DNA age' Independent

FROM CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARD-WINNING CRIME WRITER ARNALDUR INDRIDASON

Reviews

  • A chilling read
    The Times

About the author

Arnaldur Indridason

Arnaldur Indridason worked for many years as a journalist and critic before he began writing novels. His books have since sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Outside Iceland, he is best known for his crime novels featuring Erlendur and Sigurdur Óli, which are consistent bestsellers across Europe. The series has won numerous awards, including the Nordic Glass Key and the CWA Gold Dagger.

The Shadow District – the first book in the Reykjavík Wartime Mystery series – won the Premio RBA de Novela Negra, the world’s most lucrative crime fiction prize.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more