There’s something particularly irresistible about an Autumn crime novel set against a landscape of snow, darkness and long winter nights. For November, we wanted to embrace that atmosphere completely and The Body in the Bath by Ragnar Jónasson delivers the perfect chilling mystery that feels made for the season.
As snow blankets Reykjavík and Christmas approaches, young detective Helgi is struggling to come to terms with the death of his girlfriend, Aníta. Still haunted by her fatal car accident, he finds an escape in investigating the disappearance of his predecessor, Hulda, a retired officer who has long been presumed dead. But when the woman believed responsible for Aníta's death is discovered lifeless in her bath, Helgi suddenly finds himself at the centre of a murder investigation with his own colleagues beginning to question whether he could be responsible.
What drew us to The Body in the Bath is the way Ragnar Jónasson combines a tightly plotted mystery with the brooding atmosphere that has become a hallmark of Nordic crime fiction. As Helgi attempts to clear his name, two investigations begin to intertwine, with the secrets of Hulda's past increasingly connected to the turmoil of his present. The result is a tense, twisting thriller where suspicion can fall in any direction.
Ragnar Jónasson has become one of the biggest names in modern Icelandic crime fiction, with five million copies of his books sold across 36 territories. His bestselling Hulda and Dark Iceland series have established him as a master of Scandi noir, while his work has also made the leap to screen, with The Darkness adapted for television by CBS Studios and starring Lena Olin. His novel Outside is also currently being developed for the screen by Ridley Scott.
With its snow-covered Reykjavík setting, haunted detective, missing predecessor and murder that threatens to destroy Helgi's career, The Body in the Bath is exactly the kind of atmospheric, addictive mystery we love bringing to our Crime Collective members.
Why Become a Goldsboro Crime Collective Member?
Crime Collective is more than a monthly book subscription, it's a membership for readers who love discovering exceptional crime fiction alongside a community of fellow mystery and thriller enthusiasts.
Every month, our team carefully selects a standout crime novel that we genuinely believe deserves a place on your shelves. As a member, you'll receive an exclusive signed first edition with bespoke collectible features, but you'll also become part of a community of readers who share recommendations, exclusive content and a passion for outstanding crime writing.
Membership includes our exclusive Uncovered newsletter, members-only content, behind-the-scenes features and access to your dedicated member dashboard. You'll also enjoy 15% off all crime books, the flexibility of two opt-outs every six months, and the opportunity to build a carefully curated collection of exclusive editions that simply aren't available elsewhere.
At £24.99 per month (+ shipping), Crime Collective isn't just about receiving a beautiful book; it's about joining a community of readers who trust our curation and share a love of discovering the very best in crime fiction.
If The Body in the Bath sounds like your kind of winter mystery, we'd love to welcome you as a Crime Collective member.
