This is the story of "Toxic"; a seriously violent Croatian hitman who makes a mistake and kills the wrong guy (an undercover FBI agent) and is forced to go on the run. He (accidentally) runs away to Iceland and ends up in the most peaceful, crime-free capital in the world, posing as a priest. It sounds hilarious - and in parts, it is - but it's not all that funny. The problem is, Toxic just isn't all that likeable. He's okay - and he gets better as he adapts to his new peaceful life and the reader also comes to understand him more as you realise just what he's been through in the Croatian/Serbian war to make him like he is... but he's still not all that likeable. Plus the end is a bit indecisive. I got the feeling that the author was leaving it open for a sequel. Trust me on this - one book is enough; a sequel is definitely not required. Came by this book accidently. It was the title that intrigued and compelled me to read it. It is an interesting premise for sure. A dreaded hitman has to run away from New York and go underground somewhere. A mix-up and a crime lead to him landing up in Iceland of all the unlikeliest of places he would have chosen for himself. The rest of the story is about his redemption and how Iceland surprises him. Funny in parts.
Very good, somewhat unusual, both in content and literary style, but very enjoyable.
—linda
Pointless.I barely even learned anything about Iceland.
—Annie13
In the process of reading it in Icelandic....
—Nicky
