I felt like this was a much smoother read than the first book in this series, Jar City. I think that here, Indridason has smoothed out his story-telling and figured out more about who Erlendur really is. This book takes place a few months after the end of the first, and not only is Erlendur investigating a set of bones found buried in the outskirts of Reykjavik, but his pregnant, drug-addicted daughter is also missing. Erlendur’s familiar compatriots from the first novel are also there to aid in his search.

The story moves effortlessly back and forth from the present day to World War II era Iceland. Even with the extra clues you get that Erlendur doesn’t, you’re never quite sure (until you’re told) who the body next to the red currant bushes is. And along the way, you learn a little more about Erlendur and what makes him tick. I find him and his very dysfunctional family rather compelling, and I’m looking forward to Voices, the third book in the series. ( )

I see this book as a great tragedy. Yet, as I kept reading, I was hoping the family could escape. Killing the "monster" required great sacrifice from one of the characters. I'm looking forwardd to reading more of Mr. Indridason's books.

Sylvia ( )

I read this book without reading “Jar City”. I just happened to come across this book at our library. It was a most excellent find for me. This was also my first book that was translated into English. The conversion to English was different for me to read, but oddly interesting at the same time. I rather enjoyed this book, even though the outcome was pretty much a given from the beginning. I was intrigued by the characters, and of the account of the badly abused family. I would recommend this book only if you had the proper time to sit and read it all. I will agree with a previous review that this is not a book to read if you want something happy to read about, but it is definitely worth reading. ( )

After reading "Jar City", I went to the library and checked out all of Indridason's other books which had been translated into English. "Silence of the Grave" was every bit the page turner as its predecessor. I look forward to reading the next saga in the life of Inspector ( )

I can't help but feel something is lost in the translation of Silence of the Grave into English, beyond the obvious hiccups where idiomatic phrases posed problems. Nonetheless, the ongoing characterization of the three primary investigators (Erlendur, Elinborg, and Sigurdur Oli) sets this mystery apart from its peers. Compared to Jar City, we see how much more so Erlendur is dysfunctional. Sigurdur Oli appears to have been set up as a representation of American ideas and values. Only Elinborg remains opaque, perhaps because she is a woman. The mystery, whose skeleton has been found in a suburban construction site, has such low stakes that it effectively becomes secondary to the characterizations. The ending isn't as tidy as I would have liked (especially not knowing what happened to the American Soldier), but Silence of the Grave makes for excellent reading. ( )