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Yrsa Sigurðardóttir
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My Soul to Take: Thora Gudmundsdottir Book 2 (Thóra Gudmundsdóttir Crime Series) Kindle Edition

by Yrsa Sigurdardottir (Author), Bernard Scudder (Translator), Anna Yates (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 2,102 ratings

A chilling crime novel from the Queen of Icelandic crime and author of the highly-acclaimed LAST RITUALS.

If I die before I wake . . .

A grisly murder is committed at a health resort situated in a recently renovated farmhouse, which turns out to be notorious for being haunted. Attorney Thora Gudmundsdottir is called upon by the owner of the resort - the prime suspect in the case - to represent him. Her investigations uncover some very disturbing occurrences at the farm decades earlier - things that have never before seen the light of day . . .

MY SOUL TO TAKE is a chilling, dark and witty crime novel, and a welcome return for Thora, the heroine of the highly-acclaimed LAST RITUALS.

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  1. Book 2 of 6
    Thora Gudmundsdottir
  2. Print length
    468 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Hodder & Stoughton
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    29 April 2010
  7. File size
    2.3 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 6 books in this series.

Product description

Review

The second book from Yrsa Sigurdardottir is funny as well as being a taut and accomplished novel. (Books of the Year Independent)

Yrsa Sigurdardottir brilliantly conjures an atmosphere of creeping menace and unreality. (Guardian)

Sigurdardottir delivers terrific clammy atmosphere and frequent frissons of fear; she is entitled to join the front rank of Nordic crime writers. (The Times)

The numerous twists and turns are worthy of Agatha Christie and keep the reader guessing until the very end. (Sunday Telegraph)

From the Back Cover

In the mystical Snæfellsnes region on Iceland's west coast--at a New Age health resort in a renovated farmhouse--the body of a young woman is discovered, savagely beaten, with pins inserted into her feet. Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, lawyer and single mother of two, has been retained to represent the resort's owner and prime suspect. But a fresh corpse is not the only abomination Thóra encounters here--for local legend says this place is haunted . . . and a bizarre series of inexplicable occurrences soon suggests it is so.

As Thóra digs deeply into the farm's past, she unearths a shocking history of evil and depravity--and her once-solid view of reality begins to waver. But a second murder, shockingly similar to the first, pulls Thóra back to earth by making two inescapable truths abundantly clear: the killer she seeks is very real . . . and is not finished yet.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003LPV104
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hodder & Stoughton
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 29 April 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 468 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1848947672
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 6 ‏ : ‎ Thora Gudmundsdottir
  • Customer reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 2,102 ratings

About the author

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Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
2,102 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book addictive and thoroughly enjoyable, praising its complex plot with lots of twists and turns. They appreciate the nice touches of humor woven throughout the story, and one customer notes its dark comedy elements. Customers love the characters, particularly the heroine, and find the book gripping.

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36 customers mention ‘Readability’33 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and entertaining, describing it as addictive and a great addition to the series.

"...a fizzle but a small puff, but I would still reccomended it as a well worth read" Read more

"The second Thora Gudmundsdottir book is a satisfying and engaging read...." Read more

"...Very addictive reading!" Read more

"...thriller by Sigurdardottir and though I enjoyed it and found it a quick read, I didn't think it was as good as her first book "Last Rituals"...." Read more

31 customers mention ‘Plot’31 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as enthralling with complex plotting and easy-to-follow narrative flow.

"...The description of the land and beliefs in Iceland are excellent and you find yourself engaging into the landscape as if you were there...." Read more

"...chaos, and the ever patient Matthew add to the richness of a good story well delivered." Read more

"...after Indridason, it was nice to get my teeth into a meaty, enthralling plot even if the outcome this time is too convoluted." Read more

"Enjoyed this book more than the first. The plot is excellent and keeps you guessing...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Wit’7 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the wit of the book, with one noting it is sprinkled with humor, while another describes it as wonderfully charming.

"...of the storyline together with the usual dark comedy and witty observations that characterise Yrsa’s novels. This is another good one." Read more

"Another interesting read with at times, weird and wonderful undertones. Think you know Aloe vera? Think again!!!!..." Read more

"...the whole less gruesome than the first novel, the style has still not been completely harmonised with the light jokey tone clashing with the grisly..." Read more

"...novel,but it is the characterisation of the likeable,sane and witty Thora ,that makes it stand out." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Character development’8 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, particularly appreciating the heroine, with one customer noting how Thora's character is developing.

"...The plot is simple but well laid out, the characters within the story are believable and help carry the plot, sometimes with humour...." Read more

"...author has become a firm favourite in a short time, the character of Thora is developing along with her family and relationship with Matthew, and..." Read more

"...This is an enjoyable and engaging novel,but it is the characterisation of the likeable,sane and witty Thora ,that makes it stand out." Read more

"I really enjoy this writer and the characters created. Lots of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages!" Read more

5 customers mention ‘Humor’4 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the humor in the book, with nice touches woven throughout.

"...conveys the dark atmosphere of the storyline together with the usual dark comedy and witty observations that characterise Yrsa’s novels...." Read more

"...her family and relationship with Matthew, and there are nice touches of humour woven in. Can't wait to get hold of the next in series." Read more

"Tense, mysterious, sad, gripping and with some funny moments thrown in!..." Read more

"...It is not so much humorous as it is sarcastic (in a rather juvenile fashion) and jokey...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Grip’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book gripping.

"...read this second outing for the Icelandic detective - just as gripping as the first. An interesting and skillful addition to the genre." Read more

"Tense, mysterious, sad, gripping and with some funny moments thrown in!..." Read more

"...than some of the Nordic writers, they are very entertaining and keep you gripped" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • June
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 August 2009
    Verified Purchase
    My Soul to Take
    I read this whilst on holiday in just two days. It was a complete page turner and I just simply couldn't put it down.
    Icelandic customs/beliefs about ghosts is the start of this story, where the wealthy owner of the hotel/resort calls in his lawyer friend Thora Gudmundsdottir to help him solve some issues with the previous owners of the land, which then led to him being implicated in two gruesome murders.
    The plot is simple but well laid out, the characters within the story are believable and help carry the plot, sometimes with humour. The description of the land and beliefs in Iceland are excellent and you find yourself engaging into the landscape as if you were there.

    The only criticism was the ending, it sort of petered out, in not so much a fizzle but a small puff, but I would still reccomended it as a well worth read
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well plotted and weirdly charming
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 April 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The second Thora Gudmundsdottir book is a satisfying and engaging read. The set piece is fairly classic: a terrible, gothic act that prefaces a classic whodunnit in a new age spa hotel with a melee of misfit characters, made more sinister by a setting on a bleak Iceland coastline. However the characterisation is precise and non judgemental enough and the narrative flows easily. Thora’s own family chaos, and the ever patient Matthew add to the richness of a good story well delivered.
    One person found this helpful
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  • pierre
    3.0 out of 5 stars enthralling but convoluted
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Although on the whole less gruesome than the first novel, the style has still not been completely harmonised with the light jokey tone clashing with the grisly death of a young girl. Also, just because we have a female author and a female investigator does not mean that we should have to put up with women's magazine-style sub-plots (the relationship with the foreigner and the irritating family). I can't quite see Morse or Sherlock pausing a murder inquiry for a spot of babysitting! Given Thora's poor parenting skills (her kids are such a nuisance for her professional career -- mind you, Linden in The Killing is an even worse mother!), I'm really surprised that social services haven't already taken them off her busy hands. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she is a middle-class lawyer! However, after Indridason, it was nice to get my teeth into a meaty, enthralling plot even if the outcome this time is too convoluted.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Dakota 63
    5.0 out of 5 stars More Nordic Noir excellent
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed this book more than the first. The plot is excellent and keeps you guessing. Found the many Icelandic names slightly confusing, but didn't detract from the story. Would recommend for lovers of this genre, and have just ordered series 3. Very addictive reading!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • EMB
    4.0 out of 5 stars More murders in Iceland
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 June 2010
    Verified Purchase
    This is the second thriller by Sigurdardottir and though I enjoyed it and found it a quick read, I didn't think it was as good as her first book "Last Rituals". I like Thora, her unlikely sleuth, but didn't see much point in her German boyfriend this time round. I don't think her thrillers are in the same league as those by Arnaldur Indridason. If you like an undemanding thriller that's fun to read and has Icelandic colour, then do read this. If you really like an Icelandic background to your thrillers and want a more substantial story, then read all the books by Arnaldur Indridason.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Excellent quality. Keeps the bugs out
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 November 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed like this author
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  • John M
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another witty and readable Icelandic thriller from Yrsa
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is the second book featuring Thora, the Icelandic lawyer cum investigator.
    Here she investigates murders at a health spa offering alternative medicine treatments against a backdrop of intrigue concerning the family history of the owners of the surrounding farms. There are many red-herrings and subplots as Thora uncovers the culprits and how their actions relate to the historical events. The German ex-detective Matthew also features again providing a foil for Thora and his witty insights and asides.
    The story is well written and conveys the dark atmosphere of the storyline together with the usual dark comedy and witty observations that characterise Yrsa’s novels. This is another good one.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • nickiwb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fesselnder Krimi für lange Winternächte
    Reviewed in Germany on 28 December 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Spannender Krimi. Die chaotische isländische Anwältin Thora und ihr super pingeliger deutscher Gehilfe Matthew ermitteln in einem wirklich gruseligen Fall. Allein schon die Einleitung ist nichts für zarte Gemüter. Taugt nicht zum Einschlafen….
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  • Judy M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
    Reviewed in Australia on 31 July 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I totally enjoyed this second book in the Thora Gudmundsdottir series. The story was interesting and moved along at a nice pace without being too slow. Will move on to book number three now.
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  • Childless Animal Lady
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on 17 August 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great character development and a twisting plot made this novel a pleasure to read. The only things that disturbed me (spoiler alert), were the horses' reaction to a dead fox and the "baby's" cries. Most horses aren't terrified of anything dead. And as for the crying babies, I'm very skeptical.
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  • ET
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Canada on 4 February 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Great read. A bit confusing at times with the different names and characters. Had to go back a couple of times to get a sense of the Icelandic names.
    Good pace and the finish was perfect. My second book from this author and will try the next one.
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  • Heidemarie Puntschuh
    4.0 out of 5 stars Angenehm....
    Reviewed in Germany on 1 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    zu lesen ist dieser Roman. Anwältin Thora ist einfach eine sympathische Alleinerzieherin mit privaten "troubles" ohne Ende. Die Story selbst ist nachvollziehbar, allerdings wegen der vielen Rückblicke in die Vergangenheit manchmal etwas verwirrend. Der feine Humor hat mir auch sehr gut gefallen. Ich bleibe an der Autorin dran.
    One person found this helpful
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