The Body in the Bath by Ragnar Jónasson: Book Review

The Body in the Bath is Ragnar Jónasson’s latest book translated into English. Releasing in North America on November 10, 2026, it is the third book in the Helgi trilogy. The second book, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer, ended with a tragedy, and this one picks up a few weeks later. While grieving, Helgi finds himself at the center of a murder investigation.

I want to thank Minotaur Books, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Body in the Bath. All opinions presented here are my own.

Synopsis from Goodreads

As snow blankets Reykjavík and Christmas approaches, young detective Helgi is looking forward to a quiet holiday―until those plans are torn away in a flash. One month after his girlfriend Aníta is killed in a car accident, he returns to work in Reykjavík, haunted by loss and rage. The driver- Helgi’s ex-girlfriend Bergþóra, a violent alcoholic whose abuse he kept secret- insists Aníta’s death was an accident and walks free.

To escape his mounting despair, Helgi throws himself into the unsolved disappearance of his predecessor, Hulda, a retired officer long presumed dead. But as he follows the traces she left behind, the lines between her past and his present begin to blur…

When Bergþóra is later found lifeless in her bath, suspicion falls squarely on Helgi. With his own colleagues turning against him, can he uncover the truth in time?

My Opinions

The Body in the Bath was an instant addition to my TBR. Why? Two reasons: I had to know what happened next for Helgi, and I love Jónasson’s writing style. He’s become a favorite author of mine, and I don’t say that lightly. I can say I wasn’t disappointed with this book.

Before you say, “Wait, you just said the ending was a negative!” I mean that I want more; the ending of this book wasn’t enough. I need more about Helgi; will he ever succeed with his side quest?

The Body in the Bath is the third book in the Helgi series, or what I hope will be a series and not just a trilogy. Unlike other mystery series, I highly recommend starting this one from the beginning. I read the first book in the series, Death at the Sanatorium, two years ago. You can find my review here. If you don’t read the first two books, some of the events discussed in this one will confuse you.

Without spoiling the ending, I was surprised, but also not surprised. Jónasson follows the method of many writers from the Golden Age of mystery, introduces you to all of the suspects, and you discover information at the same time the main characters do. Nothing is hidden from the reader.

If you love reading mysteries with twists and turns, you should read the Helgi trilogy. Trust me, it’s so worth it!

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.