With his character Kornelius Jakobsson, the French writer Ian Manook (who is behind Yeruldelgger and other novels written under various pseudonyms) always draws us into slightly crazy stories where we sometimes wonder what strange planet we have landed on.
After Heimaey And Askjathis new title is the third installment in his series with the Icelandic inspector. In this new investigation, however, Kornelius is no longer a police officer, as he was forced into early retirement due to his tendency to cheerfully break the rules.
But this big guy with the appearance of a troll is the only witness when a block of ice containing three bodies breaks away from a glacier; the police therefore hire him as a consultant on this case which draws us into the machinations of an unscrupulous deputy and the top-secret projects of the American forces stationed on the island.
With his irreverent tone and eccentricities, Kornelius is a unique character – you either love him or hate him, like everyone who crosses his path. He is also the linchpin of this twisting plot which, although set in the land of volcanoes and glaciers, is hardly reminiscent of the cold and familiar atmosphere familiar to Icelandic crime fiction fans.
Note that while it is not necessary to have read the previous titles to follow the investigation, it is still preferable so as not to lose any of the dynamics between the characters.
Krummavisur
Flammarion Quebec
384 pages