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Hildur Knútsdóttir

Biography

Hildur Knútsdóttir

Hildur Knútsdóttir was born in Reykjavík, Iceland, in 1984. She has lived in Spain, Germany and Taiwan, and studied literature and creative writing at The University of Iceland. She writes fiction both for adults and teenagers, as well as short fiction, plays and screenplays. Hildur is known for her evocative fantastical fiction and spine-chilling horror. Her books THE NIGHT GUEST and DEAD WEIGHT have been translated into English. She lives in Reykjavík with her husband, their two daughters, and a puppy called Uggi.

Hildur Knútsdóttir

Books by Hildur Knútsdóttir

Dead Weight
written by Hildur Knútsdóttir, translated by Mary Robinette Kowal - Fiction, Horror, Psychological Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller

Unnur was living a normal, if lonely, life until a black cat showed up at her door. When she tracks down the cat’s wayward owner, she finds a young woman just as lost and in need of help. Like a gust of cold air in a Reykjavík night, Ásta and her pet slip into Unnur’s life. It’s unexpected, but welcome. Unnur likes the company, and she begins to rely on Ásta in turn. But like a black cat, trouble has been tailing her new friend, and Unnur is the only one there for Ásta when things take a violent turn. The two women quickly learn: nothing tests a friendship like blood on your hands.

The Night Guest
written by Hildur Knútsdóttir, translated by Mary Robinette Kowal - Fiction, Horror, Psychological Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller

Iðunn is in yet another doctor's office. She knows her constant fatigue is a sign that something is not right, but practitioners dismiss her symptoms and blood tests haven't revealed any cause. When she talks to friends and family about it, the refrain is the same: Have you tried eating better? Exercising more? Establishing a nighttime routine? She tries to follow their advice, buying everything from vitamins to sleeping pills to a step-counting watch. Nothing helps. Until one night Iðunn falls asleep with the watch on and wakes up to find she has walked over 40,000 steps in the night. What is happening when she’s asleep? Why is she waking up with increasingly disturbing injuries? And why won’t anyone believe her?