Ragnar Jonasson’s Dark Iceland series is a crime fiction collection set in the isolated small town of Siglufjörður in northern Iceland. The series follows Ari Thor Arason, a young and inexperienced police officer who relocates from Reykjavík to this remote area, where he investigates chilling crimes, including murder.

Ari grapples with feelings of isolation and loneliness in his harsh new environment. Though intelligent and dedicated, his lack of experience often leads him to doubt his abilities. As the series progresses, Ari gradually grows and evolves through his experiences.

Often referred to as “Nordic Noir,” Ragnar’s books are not gory but instead focus on the emotional and psychological impact of crime. Fans recommend reading the Dark Iceland series in order to fully appreciate Ari’s personal development. However, the reading order can be confusing for English readers, as the sequence in which the books were translated and published differs significantly from the Icelandic order. For instance, Nightblind is listed as the second book for English readers but is the sixth book in the Icelandic sequence.

We present the series in the order outlined by Ragnar and as they were originally published in Iceland. The Icelandic publication order is less confusing, as it follows the chronology Ragnar intended. The translated series currently consists of six books, with the prequel Fölsk nóta yet to be translated into English. The recommended reading order is:

1. Snowblind
2. Blackout
3. Rupture
4. Whiteout
5. Nightblind
6. Winterkill