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Harry Hole #6
Спасителя
Осло в блясъка на коледните светлини, един безжалостен убиец и един инспектор, чийто живот излиза извън релси...
Кой е Спасителя? Исус? Баща, който изземва функциите на Бог и отнема живота на сина си, за да го спаси от агонията на наркоманията? Или хърватски войник, който взривява сръбски танкове, за да въздаде справедливост?
Кой е Спасителя? Исус? Баща, който изземва функциите на Бог и отнема живота на сина си, за да го спаси от агонията на наркоманията? Или хърватски войник, който взривява сръбски танкове, за да въздаде справедливост?
534 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Jo Nesbø
160 books21.8k followersJo Nesbø is a bestselling Norwegian author and musician. He was born in Oslo and grew up in Molde. Nesbø graduated from the Norwegian School of Economics with a degree in economics. Nesbø is primarily famous for his crime novels about Detective Harry Hole, but he is also the main vocals and songwriter for the Norwegian rock band Di Derre. In 2007 Nesbø also released his first children's book, Doktor Proktors Prompepulver.
Series:
* Harry Hole
* Doktor Proktor
For exclusive content about Jo Nesbø and his books, register for the official fan newsletter: https://jonesbo.com/newsletter/
Series:
* Harry Hole
* Doktor Proktor
For exclusive content about Jo Nesbø and his books, register for the official fan newsletter: https://jonesbo.com/newsletter/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,726 reviews
May 28, 2012
562 pages of brilliance.
The English-speaking publication industry has destroyed Jo Nesbo's fantastic Harry Hole (pronounced "Hula" like Hula Hoop) series, not only by omitting the first two books in this series by starting it on the third book (The Redbreast), but also by switching the order of a few books in the series. Whatever the case, make sure you are reading these in order: they are brilliant. Did I say that already?
It's understandable then why I had a hard time finding this book. Not only is this book the only one missing from this series at my local library, but it is also missing from the libraries in nearby counties as well as in e-book downloads. In the end, I had to purchase this used and wait for it to arrive. Even then, I was hesitate about starting the novel simply because The Devil's Star blew my mind and I was convinced that nothing could top it.
I was, fortunately, mistaken.
If you are not a fan of the series, become one. I was glad that this book was so thick since I didn't want to put it down (and I didn't - I finished it within 24 hours). I'm too excited and can't wait to start on the next one. It is easy to say that Jo Nesbo is the master of plot, the MC of words, and the ringleader of exceptional narrative.
The English-speaking publication industry has destroyed Jo Nesbo's fantastic Harry Hole (pronounced "Hula" like Hula Hoop) series, not only by omitting the first two books in this series by starting it on the third book (The Redbreast), but also by switching the order of a few books in the series. Whatever the case, make sure you are reading these in order: they are brilliant. Did I say that already?
It's understandable then why I had a hard time finding this book. Not only is this book the only one missing from this series at my local library, but it is also missing from the libraries in nearby counties as well as in e-book downloads. In the end, I had to purchase this used and wait for it to arrive. Even then, I was hesitate about starting the novel simply because The Devil's Star blew my mind and I was convinced that nothing could top it.
I was, fortunately, mistaken.
If you are not a fan of the series, become one. I was glad that this book was so thick since I didn't want to put it down (and I didn't - I finished it within 24 hours). I'm too excited and can't wait to start on the next one. It is easy to say that Jo Nesbo is the master of plot, the MC of words, and the ringleader of exceptional narrative.
May 13, 2017
Θα το χαρακτήριζα επιεικώς τέλειο, ανατρεπτικό,πολυεπίπεδο, αγωνιώδες!
Ο λατρεμένος μου επιθεωρητής Χολε καλείται και παλι να λύσει μια παράξενη δολοφονία που διαπράττεται σε δημόσιο χώρο ωρα αιχμής και κατάσταση γιορτινή!
Πλησιάζουν Χριστουγεννα και η νορβηγική αστυνομία με νέο πλέον αρχηγό προσπαθεί να βρει έναν πληρωμένο δολοφόνο που πυροβολεί εν ψυχρώ έναν ένστολο του Στρατού Σωτηρίας και τον σκοτώνει μπροστά στα ματια εκπληκτων πολιτών σε μια συναυλία!
Ο άνθρωπος που πέφτει νεκρός δεν ειναι ο στόχος και οταν το αντιλαμβάνεται ο δολοφόνος αρχίζει όλη η πλοκή να γινεται ανεξάντλητα ενδιαφέρουσα.
Ο Χολε ξεκινάει την έρευνα απο το μηδέν. Χωρίς στοιχεία,χωρίς κίνητρα,χωρίς αποδείξεις οδηγείται μαθηματικά σε αδιέξοδο.
Το κυρίαρχο σκοτάδι στην ιστορια πέφτει απο τη στιγμή που ο δολοφόνος κυκλοφορεί με πλαστά στοιχεία!
Σιγά σιγά αλλα καθόλου κουραστικά το κουβάρι αρχίζει να ξετυλίγεται με απρόσμενες εξελίξεις!
Οι αναφορές του συγγραφέα στις βαλκανικές πολεμικές αναταραχές και στις συνέπειες αυτών με έμφαση στους πρόσφυγες,τα ναρκωτικά που εξαθλιώνουν,τη φτώχεια και την παρακμή κάποιων ανθρώπων μας εμπλέκουν συναισθηματικά σε ενα παιχνίδι συνείδησης και αξιών.
Ο δολοφόνος ειναι ένας παράξενα θαυμαστός χαρακτήρας πιστός και αφιερωμένος σε αξίες και ιδεώδη που εχει και ειναι ορκισμένος ψυχικά με φόρο τιμής να πληρώσει ,να ξεπληρώσει,να ΛΥΤΡΩΣΕΙ στο παρόν του ότι δεν κατάφερε στο παρελθόν του!
Απο την αλλη πλευρά βρίσκονται τα θύματα - θύτες υπεράνω υποψίας αλλα και υπεράνω οποιασδήποτε αξιας και τιμής αφού γίνονται έρμαια των παθών τους υλικών και μη!
Στο τελος η ΛΥΤΡΩΣΗ έρχεται τόσο ανατρεπτικά και απρόσμενα αλλα και τόσο τέλεια μελετημένα με οδηγό και πρωτοπόρο τον λατρεμένο και αντισυμβατικό Χάρι Χολε!
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
Ο λατρεμένος μου επιθεωρητής Χολε καλείται και παλι να λύσει μια παράξενη δολοφονία που διαπράττεται σε δημόσιο χώρο ωρα αιχμής και κατάσταση γιορτινή!
Πλησιάζουν Χριστουγεννα και η νορβηγική αστυνομία με νέο πλέον αρχηγό προσπαθεί να βρει έναν πληρωμένο δολοφόνο που πυροβολεί εν ψυχρώ έναν ένστολο του Στρατού Σωτηρίας και τον σκοτώνει μπροστά στα ματια εκπληκτων πολιτών σε μια συναυλία!
Ο άνθρωπος που πέφτει νεκρός δεν ειναι ο στόχος και οταν το αντιλαμβάνεται ο δολοφόνος αρχίζει όλη η πλοκή να γινεται ανεξάντλητα ενδιαφέρουσα.
Ο Χολε ξεκινάει την έρευνα απο το μηδέν. Χωρίς στοιχεία,χωρίς κίνητρα,χωρίς αποδείξεις οδηγείται μαθηματικά σε αδιέξοδο.
Το κυρίαρχο σκοτάδι στην ιστορια πέφτει απο τη στιγμή που ο δολοφόνος κυκλοφορεί με πλαστά στοιχεία!
Σιγά σιγά αλλα καθόλου κουραστικά το κουβάρι αρχίζει να ξετυλίγεται με απρόσμενες εξελίξεις!
Οι αναφορές του συγγραφέα στις βαλκανικές πολεμικές αναταραχές και στις συνέπειες αυτών με έμφαση στους πρόσφυγες,τα ναρκωτικά που εξαθλιώνουν,τη φτώχεια και την παρακμή κάποιων ανθρώπων μας εμπλέκουν συναισθηματικά σε ενα παιχνίδι συνείδησης και αξιών.
Ο δολοφόνος ειναι ένας παράξενα θαυμαστός χαρακτήρας πιστός και αφιερωμένος σε αξίες και ιδεώδη που εχει και ειναι ορκισμένος ψυχικά με φόρο τιμής να πληρώσει ,να ξεπληρώσει,να ΛΥΤΡΩΣΕΙ στο παρόν του ότι δεν κατάφερε στο παρελθόν του!
Απο την αλλη πλευρά βρίσκονται τα θύματα - θύτες υπεράνω υποψίας αλλα και υπεράνω οποιασδήποτε αξιας και τιμής αφού γίνονται έρμαια των παθών τους υλικών και μη!
Στο τελος η ΛΥΤΡΩΣΗ έρχεται τόσο ανατρεπτικά και απρόσμενα αλλα και τόσο τέλεια μελετημένα με οδηγό και πρωτοπόρο τον λατρεμένο και αντισυμβατικό Χάρι Χολε!
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
August 3, 2023
Detective Harry hole book No. 6 sees a once again single but also trying to stay off of the wagon Harry Hole get caught up in the hunt for The Redeemer a clinical and very professional hit-man targeting a prminennt member of the Salvation Army. Set in a snowy and cold Oslo in setting filled with junkies, junkie support, police and police politics and enlighteningly the Salvation Army, Nesbø yet again weaves such a detailed, complex multi-character driven story that all wraps up in the end giving me the reader great satisfaction with their effort s as always. Although a multi-volume series, it must be one of the consistently well written/translated reads in the wonderful sub-genre of Nordic Noir.
2023 and 2012 read
2023 and 2012 read
December 18, 2018
”And for one vulnerable moment Harry felt nothing but sympathy. Not the sympathy he could feel for the victim or for the next of kin, but for the person who for one heartrending moment sees his own pathetic humanity.”
Harry Hole has looked in the mirror many times and seen the stark pitiful vision of his own existence. His own human frailty too real to bear, but there is always a new case to keep him from drowning in despair.
Something smells fishy in the ranks of the Salvation Army in Oslo, Norway, and it isn’t just the odor coming from the investigating officer’s tennis shoes.
”’You should get yourself a couple of new insoles for the sneakers you’ve got in there,’ she said, pointing.
He eyed her in astonishment.
‘You don’t have to be Jean-Baptiste Grenouille to recognize the smell,’ she added.
‘Patrick Suskind,’ he said. ‘Perfume.’
‘A policeman who reads,’ she said.
‘A Salvation Army soldier who reads about murder,’ he said. ‘Which leads us back to the reason for my being here, I’m afraid.’”
An attractive woman in a snappy, Salvation Army uniform who references the main character of the cult classic Perfume would turn the head of any man of discerning taste, but for a lonely man like Harry Hole, it is like seeing an unexpected blue haze of water in the middle of the Sahara desert. He is intrigued, maybe even a bit besotted. I’d chastise Harry because he is in love with another woman and barely hanging onto a few months of sobriety, but I was right there with him, wanting to keep this woman talking to see what other interesting literary allusions might fall from her pretty lips.
Martine.
And so young.
Harry has a new boss who keeps a cast on his desk of the pinky finger of a fanatical, Japanese officer from WW2 who cut off his finger when his superior did not allow him to counterattack.
The pinky says it all.
This is going to be a difficult working relationship.
Harry has a lack of social survivability skills. He says what he means without a filter. He pushes things to the breaking point when he should let it go. He likes being alone, or so he says, but really he is just still searching for the person who will complete him. The person who will make him want to stay sober. He sees things and makes connections that others do not make. He is the best detective in the department, and if he weren’t, he’d have already been bounced out of the department, and we would be reading about Harry the Truck Driver or Harry the Bouncer.
He has caught an interesting case involving the very public, very professional shooting of a mid-level officer in the Salvation Army. Who would want to kill someone in God’s army?
Harry soon finds himself in a desperate chase that has him running through the streets of Oslo, trying to catch up with the killer who is called The Little Redeemer. The case has him meeting with the mother of a Serbian, resistance fighter to trade a life for a life. He finds himself searching through empty, shipping containers on the docks and is nearly eaten by a rare, but vicious Metzner guard dog. There are junkies who know seemingly insignificant pieces of the plot. The twists and turns of the changing truth would leave most investigators’ minds corkscrewed into a babbling mess of incoherent suppositions. Harry’s mind just continues to refine what he knows, sets aside what is confusing, until finally the facts become incontestable.
And the new partner assigned to Harry learns very quickly to just let him work and not to try to keep up with the jumps in logic. Sometimes, Harry leaps Grand Canyons. Who wants to flail and fall through the long darkness to only find Harry’s painful grin waiting for you at the bottom so he can elucidate for you who and why? Drive him where he wants driven. Do what he asks and enjoy the front row view of not only the reveal of the killer, but also of the mastermind behind it all.
Oh, and Tom Waaler, from The Devil’s Star, the series entry before this one, is a phantom continuing to lurk on the edges of every Harry inspired success. Some things are just never put to bed.
As always Jo Nesbo delivers an exciting thriller that scratches that Nordic Noir itch I get at least once a month. Next for me is Snowman to be properly prepared to watch Michael Fassbender metamorphose into Harry Hole in the movie release on October 20th, 2017.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visithttp://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
Harry Hole has looked in the mirror many times and seen the stark pitiful vision of his own existence. His own human frailty too real to bear, but there is always a new case to keep him from drowning in despair.
Something smells fishy in the ranks of the Salvation Army in Oslo, Norway, and it isn’t just the odor coming from the investigating officer’s tennis shoes.
”’You should get yourself a couple of new insoles for the sneakers you’ve got in there,’ she said, pointing.
He eyed her in astonishment.
‘You don’t have to be Jean-Baptiste Grenouille to recognize the smell,’ she added.
‘Patrick Suskind,’ he said. ‘Perfume.’
‘A policeman who reads,’ she said.
‘A Salvation Army soldier who reads about murder,’ he said. ‘Which leads us back to the reason for my being here, I’m afraid.’”
An attractive woman in a snappy, Salvation Army uniform who references the main character of the cult classic Perfume would turn the head of any man of discerning taste, but for a lonely man like Harry Hole, it is like seeing an unexpected blue haze of water in the middle of the Sahara desert. He is intrigued, maybe even a bit besotted. I’d chastise Harry because he is in love with another woman and barely hanging onto a few months of sobriety, but I was right there with him, wanting to keep this woman talking to see what other interesting literary allusions might fall from her pretty lips.
Martine.
And so young.
Harry has a new boss who keeps a cast on his desk of the pinky finger of a fanatical, Japanese officer from WW2 who cut off his finger when his superior did not allow him to counterattack.
The pinky says it all.
This is going to be a difficult working relationship.
Harry has a lack of social survivability skills. He says what he means without a filter. He pushes things to the breaking point when he should let it go. He likes being alone, or so he says, but really he is just still searching for the person who will complete him. The person who will make him want to stay sober. He sees things and makes connections that others do not make. He is the best detective in the department, and if he weren’t, he’d have already been bounced out of the department, and we would be reading about Harry the Truck Driver or Harry the Bouncer.
He has caught an interesting case involving the very public, very professional shooting of a mid-level officer in the Salvation Army. Who would want to kill someone in God’s army?
Harry soon finds himself in a desperate chase that has him running through the streets of Oslo, trying to catch up with the killer who is called The Little Redeemer. The case has him meeting with the mother of a Serbian, resistance fighter to trade a life for a life. He finds himself searching through empty, shipping containers on the docks and is nearly eaten by a rare, but vicious Metzner guard dog. There are junkies who know seemingly insignificant pieces of the plot. The twists and turns of the changing truth would leave most investigators’ minds corkscrewed into a babbling mess of incoherent suppositions. Harry’s mind just continues to refine what he knows, sets aside what is confusing, until finally the facts become incontestable.
And the new partner assigned to Harry learns very quickly to just let him work and not to try to keep up with the jumps in logic. Sometimes, Harry leaps Grand Canyons. Who wants to flail and fall through the long darkness to only find Harry’s painful grin waiting for you at the bottom so he can elucidate for you who and why? Drive him where he wants driven. Do what he asks and enjoy the front row view of not only the reveal of the killer, but also of the mastermind behind it all.
Oh, and Tom Waaler, from The Devil’s Star, the series entry before this one, is a phantom continuing to lurk on the edges of every Harry inspired success. Some things are just never put to bed.
As always Jo Nesbo delivers an exciting thriller that scratches that Nordic Noir itch I get at least once a month. Next for me is Snowman to be properly prepared to watch Michael Fassbender metamorphose into Harry Hole in the movie release on October 20th, 2017.
If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visithttp://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at:https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten
July 3, 2021
In this 6th book in the 'Harry Hole' series, the detective is on the trail of a wily hitman. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
As the story opens, it's 1991 and the 14-year-old daughter of a high official in the Norwegian Salvation Army is raped by someone she knows.
This apparently goes unreported as there seem to be no consequences. During that same year - during the break-up of Yugoslavia - a Croatian youth is dubbed "Little Redeemer" for his brave deeds against Serbian militias.
Fast forward a dozen years and the "Little Redeemer" - now a hitman for hire - goes to Norway and kills Robert Karlsen, a respected young member of the Norwegian Salvation Army.
The hitman soon discovers he mistakenly assassinated the wrong guy. He then goes after Robert's brother Jon Karlsen, the true target. Enter Inspector Harry Hole and his team of detectives, whose job it is to capture the murderer and prevent further deaths.
A great deal of the book involves the hitman chasing Jon Karlsen and Hole's team chasing the killer.
Much happens along the way: the killer demonstrates clever skills in escaping the cops and hiding out; Hole travels to Croatia; a police officer is stabbed; a woman is murdered in a horrifying way; another girl is raped, and much more.
Of course there are plenty of side issues: Robert Karlsen has a reputation for liking young girls and seems to have gotten friendly with a 15-year-old Croatian refugee.
Jon Karlsen has a girlfriend but is also involved with a married woman whose husband wants to purchase Salvation Army properties.
Hole develops a relationship with the pretty Salvation Army worker, Martine, who was raped at the beginning of the book.
And there are lots more interesting characters who interact in a variety of ways.
Jo Nesbo loves to include lots of misdirection and unexpected twists in his books, and he outdoes himself here. The book is chock full of surprises. This is a complex, engaging story. A good mystery thriller.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
April 23, 2018
3.5 stars
I know what to expect from Nesbø, but I keep going back for more hoping it gets at least slightly better. At times, I thought the book was great. At other times I could not wait for it to end. That is how every Nesbø book I read so far is, and I wish it wasn't!
At the beginning of the book, he starts off with a scene I understand and then follows it up by jumping around to a bunch of seemingly unrelated scenes. Now, you might say, "but, Matthew, that is what a mystery is and the fun is in the journey bringing them together!" I agree wholeheartedly! However, Nesbø is really good at muddying the waters to the point of distraction before things become clear. Just when I think I am getting what's happening, a scene starts and I am all like, "who is this, where are we, and how does this relate at all". I am hoping some of you out there understand what I am saying about good confusion vs. bad confusion.
I will say that one of the best parts of this book was the ending. So, it is worth all of the confusion to get there.
Side note: I got a chance to read this whole book in under 24 hours on a business road trip for work. As a road trip book, I give it 6 out of 10 stars because a road book should keep me engaged and awake. The confusing jumping around was causing me to lose interest and I kept checking how much time was left.
I know what to expect from Nesbø, but I keep going back for more hoping it gets at least slightly better. At times, I thought the book was great. At other times I could not wait for it to end. That is how every Nesbø book I read so far is, and I wish it wasn't!
At the beginning of the book, he starts off with a scene I understand and then follows it up by jumping around to a bunch of seemingly unrelated scenes. Now, you might say, "but, Matthew, that is what a mystery is and the fun is in the journey bringing them together!" I agree wholeheartedly! However, Nesbø is really good at muddying the waters to the point of distraction before things become clear. Just when I think I am getting what's happening, a scene starts and I am all like, "who is this, where are we, and how does this relate at all". I am hoping some of you out there understand what I am saying about good confusion vs. bad confusion.
I will say that one of the best parts of this book was the ending. So, it is worth all of the confusion to get there.
Side note: I got a chance to read this whole book in under 24 hours on a business road trip for work. As a road trip book, I give it 6 out of 10 stars because a road book should keep me engaged and awake. The confusing jumping around was causing me to lose interest and I kept checking how much time was left.
June 9, 2024
Oh boy, did this Jo Nesbo book take me on a wild ride! At first, it felt like we were crawling uphill, super slow and steady. I almost wanted to shout, "Hurry up already!" But then, bam! The ending hit like a thrilling drop on a rollercoaster.
Honestly, by the time I reached the last page, I was relieved it was over. It was good, but it took its sweet time getting there. Once I'm done with the "The Snowman," I think I need to take a breather before diving back into this series. A little break might just help me fall in love with it all over again!
Honestly, by the time I reached the last page, I was relieved it was over. It was good, but it took its sweet time getting there. Once I'm done with the "The Snowman," I think I need to take a breather before diving back into this series. A little break might just help me fall in love with it all over again!
August 10, 2016
This is a great step up from a mystery serving just as entertainment. Though some might quibble over whether Nesbo should be shelved with “literature”, I felt like I was treated to a serious tour of complex social issues. As pointed out so well by Harry Roolaart here on Goodreads, the new genre of Nordic Noir can often tagged as “natural realism” with its coverage of the failing side of the progressive dream of these counties to become an egalitarian paradise . Here the topics include the problems of drug addiction and prostitution and the more hidden crimes among certain leading members of the society, in this case the vaunted Salvation Army. As usual with crime fiction, we become invested with the mission of the detective to serve as a proxy physician to address the ills of society. In this case, our hero Harry Hole has to deal with whether he is willing to assume the role of “redeemer”, which by one definition is “a person who brings goodness, honor, etc., to something again.”
The book starts with the rape of a 14-year old girl at a Salvation Army summer camp. Not grossly wrought, just a mysterious background to the events in the story 12 years later. We are put into the mind of an assassin who executes a member of the Salvation Army on a public street in Oslo. We are soon given the knowledge that he is known as “The Little Redeemer” for his role as a boy soldier who blew up Serbian/Yugoslavian tanks in the siege of Vukovar in Croatia in the 1991 war. Harry Hole is working on the death of a heroin addict when the case comes up, which involves him already familiarizing himself with the wonderful work of the Salvation Army in serving these folks. Much of the novel covers his slow and brilliant efforts to solving both the whodunit, that the reader already knows, and the whydunnit, which is a deep mystery. As it soon becomes clear that the hitman is not done and has another target, the pressures mount, terrible mistakes are made, and the stress and guilt Harry feels leads him to struggle with staying on the wagon with respect to his drinking problem.
The Christian concept of redemption under Protestant schemes is a relatively passive affair of accepting Christ as the son of God who experienced human death to atone for our sins. But in Nesbo’s book the theme of redeemer is of a more active and violent means of achieving divine justice, as if to redeem is a transitive verb. At one point one character poses the question: “If God doesn’t do His job, though, someone has to do it.” The epigram at the start of the book is from Isaiah which speaks of the Messiah in warrior terms: “Who is this that comes from Edom, coming from Bozrah, his garments stained with crimson? Who is this, in glorious apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? ‘It is I, who announce that right has won the day, it is I,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am Mighty to save.’ “ The Salvation Army is not known for operating in this retributive mode, although I have always been perplexed by the martial metaphor in the hymn “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war …”; I suppose that dates back to their temperance activities in the 19th century. This book is no indictment of the mission of the Salvation Army, which does great humanitarian work in 126 countries (Wikipedia tells me that in the U.S. alone they help over 32 million people a year with a budget over $3 billion). However, the tale does delve into how an upbringing in a Salvation Army family can twist some members’ personalities.
The plot is fascinating enough, but I got more pleasure from Harry’s character development. I am at some disadvantage reading this out of series order, but it is clear that Hole is more isolated than usual due to his role in a violent solution of a case of pervasive police corruption in the prior book. Yet at one point as he is getting close a woman in the Salvation Army community, she gets him to admit that he has always been lonely and a loner. I am still simmering over his self-assessment on that:
“Bjarne Moller, my former boss, says people like me always choose the line of most resistance. It’s in what he calls our ‘accursed nature.’ That’s why we always end up on our own. I don’t know. I like being alone. Perhaps I have grown to like my self-image of being a loner, too. …”
Another character puts her finger on the true challenges Harry faces in negotiating the moral gray zones of the modern world he inhabits:
You’ve discovered that guilt is not as black-and-white as you thought when you decided to become a policeman and redeem humankind from evil. As a rule there’s little evil but a lot of human frailty. Many sad stories you can recognize in yourself. However, as you say, one has to live. So we start lying. To those around us and to ourselves.
The book starts with the rape of a 14-year old girl at a Salvation Army summer camp. Not grossly wrought, just a mysterious background to the events in the story 12 years later. We are put into the mind of an assassin who executes a member of the Salvation Army on a public street in Oslo. We are soon given the knowledge that he is known as “The Little Redeemer” for his role as a boy soldier who blew up Serbian/Yugoslavian tanks in the siege of Vukovar in Croatia in the 1991 war. Harry Hole is working on the death of a heroin addict when the case comes up, which involves him already familiarizing himself with the wonderful work of the Salvation Army in serving these folks. Much of the novel covers his slow and brilliant efforts to solving both the whodunit, that the reader already knows, and the whydunnit, which is a deep mystery. As it soon becomes clear that the hitman is not done and has another target, the pressures mount, terrible mistakes are made, and the stress and guilt Harry feels leads him to struggle with staying on the wagon with respect to his drinking problem.
The Christian concept of redemption under Protestant schemes is a relatively passive affair of accepting Christ as the son of God who experienced human death to atone for our sins. But in Nesbo’s book the theme of redeemer is of a more active and violent means of achieving divine justice, as if to redeem is a transitive verb. At one point one character poses the question: “If God doesn’t do His job, though, someone has to do it.” The epigram at the start of the book is from Isaiah which speaks of the Messiah in warrior terms: “Who is this that comes from Edom, coming from Bozrah, his garments stained with crimson? Who is this, in glorious apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? ‘It is I, who announce that right has won the day, it is I,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am Mighty to save.’ “ The Salvation Army is not known for operating in this retributive mode, although I have always been perplexed by the martial metaphor in the hymn “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war …”; I suppose that dates back to their temperance activities in the 19th century. This book is no indictment of the mission of the Salvation Army, which does great humanitarian work in 126 countries (Wikipedia tells me that in the U.S. alone they help over 32 million people a year with a budget over $3 billion). However, the tale does delve into how an upbringing in a Salvation Army family can twist some members’ personalities.
The plot is fascinating enough, but I got more pleasure from Harry’s character development. I am at some disadvantage reading this out of series order, but it is clear that Hole is more isolated than usual due to his role in a violent solution of a case of pervasive police corruption in the prior book. Yet at one point as he is getting close a woman in the Salvation Army community, she gets him to admit that he has always been lonely and a loner. I am still simmering over his self-assessment on that:
“Bjarne Moller, my former boss, says people like me always choose the line of most resistance. It’s in what he calls our ‘accursed nature.’ That’s why we always end up on our own. I don’t know. I like being alone. Perhaps I have grown to like my self-image of being a loner, too. …”
Another character puts her finger on the true challenges Harry faces in negotiating the moral gray zones of the modern world he inhabits:
You’ve discovered that guilt is not as black-and-white as you thought when you decided to become a policeman and redeem humankind from evil. As a rule there’s little evil but a lot of human frailty. Many sad stories you can recognize in yourself. However, as you say, one has to live. So we start lying. To those around us and to ourselves.
January 12, 2016
In the sixth novel from the Harry Hole series, Nesbø adds a slight religious flavour to the story, with strong symbolism throughout. When Robert Karlsen, a member of the Salvation Army, is gunned down during a public concert, the identity of the shooter remains a mystery, baffling the authorities. Harry Hole leads the investigation, though there is little on which to act, except a description that includes a red neckerchief. Unbeknownst to them, a Croatian soldier-cum-hitman, Stankic, was been paid for the shooting, but soon realises that he struck the wrong Karlsen. Rather than leaving town, Stankic doubles back and tries to kill Jon Karlsen to set things right. It is at this point that Hole begins to learn a little more and almost captures the elusive Stankic. Heading to Croatia to tie up some loose ends in the form of clues, Hole realises that Stankic is being handled by his mother. Hole makes a promise to ensure the authorities do not kill her son if Hole is told who ordered the hit. All is revealed to Hole, as well as a substantial motive. Returning to Norway, Hole must track down not only the killer but those who have been committing other heinous crimes within the Salvation Army and bring it all to an end before there are more casualties. However, Hole suffers a devastating event of his own, which focusses his attention to solve the case and get justice for all. In a way that only Hole can do, all cases converge and lead to a suspense-filled finale where there will be blood, but whose? Nesbø fascinates his readers yet again with this explosive tale.
The Hole series finds new and impressive ways to get better with each story. I find myself enthralled the more I read and cannot rest when Hole is on the prowl. Told from a more complex and darker perspective than North American thrillers, Nesbø thickens this book with significant character development (as he has in all the other novels) and inserts powerful story arcs that punish the reader for skimming or skipping books in the series. Nothing is more refreshing than seeing an author use all their skills to weave a book of much worth together as the breadcrumbs lead to an ultimate crime that only the master storyteller could construct. Jo Nesbø knows how to tell a story and does so with such ease!
Kudos Mr. Nesbø for another gem. Your ideas are ceaseless, which makes me want to keep reading.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
The Hole series finds new and impressive ways to get better with each story. I find myself enthralled the more I read and cannot rest when Hole is on the prowl. Told from a more complex and darker perspective than North American thrillers, Nesbø thickens this book with significant character development (as he has in all the other novels) and inserts powerful story arcs that punish the reader for skimming or skipping books in the series. Nothing is more refreshing than seeing an author use all their skills to weave a book of much worth together as the breadcrumbs lead to an ultimate crime that only the master storyteller could construct. Jo Nesbø knows how to tell a story and does so with such ease!
Kudos Mr. Nesbø for another gem. Your ideas are ceaseless, which makes me want to keep reading.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 12, 2017
Ανατρεπτικό,πολυεπίπεδο, αγωνιώδες!
Ο λατρεμένος μου επιθεωρητής Χολε καλείται και παλι να λύσει μια παράξενη δολοφονία που διαπράττεται σε δημόσιο χώρο ωρα αιχμής και κατάσταση γιορτινή!
Πλησιάζουν Χριστουγεννα και η νορβηγική αστυνομία με νέο πλέον αρχηγό προσπαθεί να βρει έναν πληρωμένο δολοφόνο που πυροβολεί εν ψυχρώ έναν ένστολο του Στρατού Σωτηρίας και τον σκοτώνει μπροστά στα ματια εκπληκτων πολιτών σε μια συναυλία!
Ο άνθρωπος που πέφτει νεκρός δεν ειναι ο στόχος και οταν το αντιλαμβάνεται ο δολοφόνος αρχίζει όλη η πλοκή να γινεται ανεξάντλητα ενδιαφέρουσα.
Ο Χολε ξεκινάει την έρευνα απο το μηδέν. Χωρίς στοιχεία,χωρίς κίνητρα,χωρίς αποδείξεις οδηγείται μαθηματικά σε αδιέξοδο.Το κυρίαρχο σκοτάδι στην ιστορια πέφτει απο τη στιγμή που ο δολοφόνος κυκλοφορεί με πλαστά στοιχεία!
Σιγά σιγά αλλα καθόλου κουραστικά το κουβάρι αρχίζει να ξετυλίγεται με απρόσμενες εξελίξεις!
Οι αναφορές του συγγραφέα στις βαλκανικές πολεμικές αναταραχές και στις συνέπειες αυτών με έμφαση στους πρόσφυγες,τα ναρκωτικά που εξαθλιώνουν,τη φτώχεια και την παρακμή κάποιων ανθρώπων μας εμπλέκουν συναισθηματικά σε ενα παιχνίδι συνείδησης και αξιών.
Ο δολοφόνος ειναι ένας παράξενα θαυμαστός χαρακτήρας πιστός και αφιερωμένος σε αξίες και ιδεώδη που εχει και ειναι ορκισμένος ψυχικά με φόρο τιμής να πληρώσει ,να ξεπληρώσει,να ΛΥΤΡΩΣΕΙ στο παρόν του ότι δεν κατάφερε στο παρελθόν του!
Απο την αλλη πλευρά βρίσκονται τα θύματα - θύτες υπεράνω υποψίας αλλα και υπεράνω οποιασδήποτε αξιας και τιμής αφού γίνονται έρμαια των παθών τους υλικών και μη!
Στο τελος η ΛΥΤΡΩΣΗ έρχεται τόσο ανατρεπτικά και απρόσμενα αλλα και τόσο τέλεια μελετημένα με οδηγό και πρωτοπόρο τον λατρεμένο και αντισυμβατικό Χάρι.
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
Ο λατρεμένος μου επιθεωρητής Χολε καλείται και παλι να λύσει μια παράξενη δολοφονία που διαπράττεται σε δημόσιο χώρο ωρα αιχμής και κατάσταση γιορτινή!
Πλησιάζουν Χριστουγεννα και η νορβηγική αστυνομία με νέο πλέον αρχηγό προσπαθεί να βρει έναν πληρωμένο δολοφόνο που πυροβολεί εν ψυχρώ έναν ένστολο του Στρατού Σωτηρίας και τον σκοτώνει μπροστά στα ματια εκπληκτων πολιτών σε μια συναυλία!
Ο άνθρωπος που πέφτει νεκρός δεν ειναι ο στόχος και οταν το αντιλαμβάνεται ο δολοφόνος αρχίζει όλη η πλοκή να γινεται ανεξάντλητα ενδιαφέρουσα.
Ο Χολε ξεκινάει την έρευνα απο το μηδέν. Χωρίς στοιχεία,χωρίς κίνητρα,χωρίς αποδείξεις οδηγείται μαθηματικά σε αδιέξοδο.Το κυρίαρχο σκοτάδι στην ιστορια πέφτει απο τη στιγμή που ο δολοφόνος κυκλοφορεί με πλαστά στοιχεία!
Σιγά σιγά αλλα καθόλου κουραστικά το κουβάρι αρχίζει να ξετυλίγεται με απρόσμενες εξελίξεις!
Οι αναφορές του συγγραφέα στις βαλκανικές πολεμικές αναταραχές και στις συνέπειες αυτών με έμφαση στους πρόσφυγες,τα ναρκωτικά που εξαθλιώνουν,τη φτώχεια και την παρακμή κάποιων ανθρώπων μας εμπλέκουν συναισθηματικά σε ενα παιχνίδι συνείδησης και αξιών.
Ο δολοφόνος ειναι ένας παράξενα θαυμαστός χαρακτήρας πιστός και αφιερωμένος σε αξίες και ιδεώδη που εχει και ειναι ορκισμένος ψυχικά με φόρο τιμής να πληρώσει ,να ξεπληρώσει,να ΛΥΤΡΩΣΕΙ στο παρόν του ότι δεν κατάφερε στο παρελθόν του!
Απο την αλλη πλευρά βρίσκονται τα θύματα - θύτες υπεράνω υποψίας αλλα και υπεράνω οποιασδήποτε αξιας και τιμής αφού γίνονται έρμαια των παθών τους υλικών και μη!
Στο τελος η ΛΥΤΡΩΣΗ έρχεται τόσο ανατρεπτικά και απρόσμενα αλλα και τόσο τέλεια μελετημένα με οδηγό και πρωτοπόρο τον λατρεμένο και αντισυμβατικό Χάρι.
Καλή ανάγνωση.
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
August 12, 2015
Number six in the Harry Hole series and another fantastic book from Jo Nesbø. I struggled a bit at the beginning as the POV switched from one person to another with no explanation as to who each person was. However it soon became clear that there was a good reason for this and it certainly helped to prolong the sense of mystery. Harry is his usual self, smarter than the average cop, always refusing to bow down to authority and in a constant battle with alcoholism. The story is gripping and it is almost impossible to guess what will happen next.I found it to be a really great read and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good, gritty police thriller.
June 17, 2024
Actual rating: 2,5
Maybe if I wasn't Croatian I would like it more. But as I am Croatian I can see that the author didn't do the best job.
Maybe if I wasn't Croatian I would like it more. But as I am Croatian I can see that the author didn't do the best job.
January 14, 2019
Soy bastante fan de Jo Nesbo, pero tengo que reconocer que, normalmente, me cuesta adentrarme en sus complejas tramas, que suelen tardar una buena porción del libro en desenmarañarse. Esta no ha sido una excepción. Tampoco ayudan mucho los complejos nombres y topónimos noruegos, aunque a estas alturas ya debería estar acostumbrado. No consigo visualizar la Oslo que Harry vive a diario con la que yo conocí como turista, afortunadamente, sin esas temperaturas que los nórdicos deben sobrellevar so pena de volverse locos o morir de frío.
La sexta entrega de “El redentor” es anterior a “El muñeco de nieve”, que yo leí antes (desafortunadamente) para poder ver la película (la cual no me gustó, dicho sea de paso). Eso se nota, pues se habla de personajes que en la próxima novela tendrán un papel protagonista. Así que recomiendo no cometer el mismo error, y leerlas en orden cronológico, cosa que las editoriales se suelen saltar a la torera cuando les viene en gana.
Como ya he mencionado, me costó bastante engancharme, pero una vez subido al carro, ya no quise bajar, y me la terminé en tres días. Aun así, no creo que esta sea una de las mejores novelas de la serie. Pero está a la altura de las grandes de otros autores, tipo John Rebus o similares, así que mi calificación sigue siendo alta. Le pondría un tres y medio, pero por ese final tan logrado redondeo a cuatro estrellas. Además, ha hecho que investigue un poco sobre el Ejercito de Salvación, del cual conocía solo lo básico. Cuando una novela te deja con ganas de informarte sobre algo que haya reflejado, es una buena señal.
La sexta entrega de “El redentor” es anterior a “El muñeco de nieve”, que yo leí antes (desafortunadamente) para poder ver la película (la cual no me gustó, dicho sea de paso). Eso se nota, pues se habla de personajes que en la próxima novela tendrán un papel protagonista. Así que recomiendo no cometer el mismo error, y leerlas en orden cronológico, cosa que las editoriales se suelen saltar a la torera cuando les viene en gana.
Como ya he mencionado, me costó bastante engancharme, pero una vez subido al carro, ya no quise bajar, y me la terminé en tres días. Aun así, no creo que esta sea una de las mejores novelas de la serie. Pero está a la altura de las grandes de otros autores, tipo John Rebus o similares, así que mi calificación sigue siendo alta. Le pondría un tres y medio, pero por ese final tan logrado redondeo a cuatro estrellas. Además, ha hecho que investigue un poco sobre el Ejercito de Salvación, del cual conocía solo lo básico. Cuando una novela te deja con ganas de informarte sobre algo que haya reflejado, es una buena señal.
March 22, 2018
Δεν χρειάζεται να το γράψω εγώ για να ισχύει, πάντως ο Nesbo είναι αυθεντία στο αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα! Και λατρεύω τα μηνύματα που περνά και τα λόγια που βάζει στους χαρακτήρες των βιβλίων του. Αντιγράφω το πιο κάτω απόσπασμα από το βιβλίο. Τα λόγια είναι ενός ζητιάνου που απαντά στον Χόλε όταν τον ρωτά ποιες είναι οι σπουδαίες πράξεις στη ζωή.
«Η ελεημοσύνη. Το να μοιράζεσαι και να βοηθάς τον πλησίον σου. Η Βίβλος δεν μιλά για τίποτα άλλο. Σοβαρά, πρέπει να ψάξεις πολύ για να βρεις κάτι σχετικά με το σεξ πριν το γάμο, την έκτρωση, την ομοφυλοφιλία και το δικαίωμα της γυναίκας να ψηφίζει. Όμως, βέβαια, τους Φαρισαίους συμφέρει να αναλύουν δημοσίως τις υποσημειώσεις, αντί να διδάσκουν, αλλά και να κάνουν πράξη την αρχή για την οποία η Βίβλος δεν μας αφήνει καμία αμφιβολία: Πρέπει να δίνεις τα μισά απ´όσα έχεις σε κάποιον που δεν έχει τίποτα. Άνθρωποι πεθαίνουν κατά χιλιάδες καθημερινά χωρίς να ακούσουν τον λόγο του Θεού, επειδή οι χριστιανοί δεν θέλουν να απαρνηθούν τα επίγεια αγαθά τους.» http://anotherlookforyou.blogspot.com...
«Η ελεημοσύνη. Το να μοιράζεσαι και να βοηθάς τον πλησίον σου. Η Βίβλος δεν μιλά για τίποτα άλλο. Σοβαρά, πρέπει να ψάξεις πολύ για να βρεις κάτι σχετικά με το σεξ πριν το γάμο, την έκτρωση, την ομοφυλοφιλία και το δικαίωμα της γυναίκας να ψηφίζει. Όμως, βέβαια, τους Φαρισαίους συμφέρει να αναλύουν δημοσίως τις υποσημειώσεις, αντί να διδάσκουν, αλλά και να κάνουν πράξη την αρχή για την οποία η Βίβλος δεν μας αφήνει καμία αμφιβολία: Πρέπει να δίνεις τα μισά απ´όσα έχεις σε κάποιον που δεν έχει τίποτα. Άνθρωποι πεθαίνουν κατά χιλιάδες καθημερινά χωρίς να ακούσουν τον λόγο του Θεού, επειδή οι χριστιανοί δεν θέλουν να απαρνηθούν τα επίγεια αγαθά τους.» http://anotherlookforyou.blogspot.com...
September 10, 2017
Δυνατός, ανατρεπτικός και καυστικός Jo Nesbo, μου άρεσε πολύ και πάω με βήμα ταχύ για τον "Χιονάνθρωπο".
September 7, 2017
Jo Nesbo anticipates and writes an early, Harry Hole version of his brilliant 2014 novel The Son.
First published in Norwegian in 2005 as Frelseren, and then translated to English in 2007, The Redeemer blends elements of fundamentalist Christianity with street violence, drug culture and sex crimes.
The Salvation Army is structured as a war agent against sin and so this view from the front lines makes sense to some degree, but the discontinuity between the two extremes was at times unsettling. In the capable hands of a talented writer like Nesbo, though, the dichotomy is explored and mined for all its worth, and we see roles reversed and twists and turns revealed in an exciting and fast moving thriller.
Hole and his dysfunctional Oslo detectives are on the trail of an execution in broad daylight of a Salvation Army soldier when the trail gets deep into international crime and hidden secrets. Nesbo’s dynamic portrayal of the Oslo crime squad continues to entertain.
For Hole fans and for Nordic noir aficionados.
First published in Norwegian in 2005 as Frelseren, and then translated to English in 2007, The Redeemer blends elements of fundamentalist Christianity with street violence, drug culture and sex crimes.
The Salvation Army is structured as a war agent against sin and so this view from the front lines makes sense to some degree, but the discontinuity between the two extremes was at times unsettling. In the capable hands of a talented writer like Nesbo, though, the dichotomy is explored and mined for all its worth, and we see roles reversed and twists and turns revealed in an exciting and fast moving thriller.
Hole and his dysfunctional Oslo detectives are on the trail of an execution in broad daylight of a Salvation Army soldier when the trail gets deep into international crime and hidden secrets. Nesbo’s dynamic portrayal of the Oslo crime squad continues to entertain.
For Hole fans and for Nordic noir aficionados.
August 13, 2013
I love the character Harry Hole (pronounced “Hooley”). He’s the Norwegian”Dirty Harry”(if Client Eastwood was a 6’4” rangy Nordic blonde). This is the fourth Harry Hole book I’ve read, and Nesbo continues his masterful suspense writing. I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book because I didn’t pay attention to the dates. This book takes place a few years before “The Phantom” “The Leopard” and “The Snowman”, so there was a bit of character confusion for me. Also, it took about 25 pages to get into the rhythm of the book, but that is partly because it takes place in Norway and I’m not familiar with the geography or Norwegian names. After the first 25 pages (I’m a slow learner), the book was a thrill to read, with many twists and turns; I sailed through it. Nesbo always surprises me. It begins at a Salvation Army summer camp. In Norway the Salvation Army is a prestigious organization. There’s a rape of a young girl, of whom we don’t know the identity nor the identity of the raper. We also learn of a young Croatian boy who is fearless and is named “the redeemer” due to his work in the Croatian army. The story jumps 12 years to the murder of one of the Salvation Army’s powerful families. As the killer leaves Norway, he discovers he killed the wrong person. This was to be his last job as a contract killer; he determines he must stay in Norway to complete his job. In comes Inspector Harry Hole. Nesbo’s descriptions of Oslo and the Norwegian area are fascinating and easy to imagine. He is gifted in character development. Nesbo has a few far fetched coincidences that further his plot, but I didn’t mind. I was taken for a ride, and I didn’t care one bit. It’s over-the-top in a fun way(remember my Dirty Harry reference); you want to be drawn into the craziness. This is a great read. I thought I figured out the ending, and I was wrong, so very wrong. I love that in a thriller.
February 12, 2021
I'd been aware of Nesbø for awhile (the fact that the cover announces him as the next Larsson is laughable - he started published his series first), but it wasn't until the adaptation of The Snowman (Book 7) which I quite enjoyed even though it was plagued with production issues that I finally took the plunge to start reading these.
The common consensus was this is one series that needs to be read in order.
Whilst the first two (set in Australia and Thailand) didnt really showcase Scandinavian, they were enjoyable all the same.
The following three work as a trilogy and again I liked them but still found them to be 3 star ratings - which is still good!
Now the 6th had an intresting hook as a carol singer is shot down during a Christmas street concert and Harry Hole has little to go on.
I know I'm being super harsh with my rating for this one, but I'm finding so many elements tediously boring that I couldn't even try and push through anymore - with 100 pages left, I just didn't care.
I was under the impression that the series got better with each book...
The things I do like that this series is trying to achieve would work so much better as a TV show rather than an ill fitted movie series.
Each book has it's own case but the series has an overarching arc, I just think there's something in the translation that's not connecting with me.
The common consensus was this is one series that needs to be read in order.
Whilst the first two (set in Australia and Thailand) didnt really showcase Scandinavian, they were enjoyable all the same.
The following three work as a trilogy and again I liked them but still found them to be 3 star ratings - which is still good!
Now the 6th had an intresting hook as a carol singer is shot down during a Christmas street concert and Harry Hole has little to go on.
I know I'm being super harsh with my rating for this one, but I'm finding so many elements tediously boring that I couldn't even try and push through anymore - with 100 pages left, I just didn't care.
I was under the impression that the series got better with each book...
The things I do like that this series is trying to achieve would work so much better as a TV show rather than an ill fitted movie series.
Each book has it's own case but the series has an overarching arc, I just think there's something in the translation that's not connecting with me.
April 23, 2024
Habiendo terminado el libro número 6 de la saga del ya querido y odiado Harry Hole, procedo a dar mi opinión puramente amateur: Tengo sensaciones encontradas, pero no significa que sea malo en absoluto. Partiendo por el final, que lo encontré buenísimo. Sin embargo, noté que a ratos me perdía en la historia ya que no sabía si saltaban en el tiempo, o lugar, o quizás incluían a nuevos personajes. Al cabo de unas 10 páginas después la historia volvía en donde había quedado. Entiendo que ese componente le agrega más mistario y otros puntos de vista al libro, pero de que me confundía, me confundía.
En cuanto a Harry, lo encuentro un tipo valiente y totalmente convencido de sus convicciones (valga la redundancia). Sin embargo, a veces siento que es demasiado e includo un poco irreal ser tan desobediente. De todas formas, debo decir que a lo largo de estos 6 libros lo he aprendido a querer, y mucho.
En cuanto a los otros personajes, este libro estuvo mucho mejor que los 2 anteriores ya que me metí mucho más en la vida de Beate, Hagen y en especial de Moller y las razones que lo llevaron a estar donde está y cómo está ahora.
En cuanto a lo histórico, se tocan temas sobre todo enfocándose en la ex Yugoslavia, con mayor énfasis en Croacia. Lo que me gusta mucho de Nesbo es que sus novelas nunca están centradas en una sola ciudad o país, si no que también fuera de los bordes noruegos y a veces europeos.
Y para terminar con esta reseña: Mi querido Jack Halvorsen. M!3erd4, casi me hizo llorar. Me encariñé con él desde que comenzó a trabajar con Harry. Te extrañaré :(
En cuanto a Harry, lo encuentro un tipo valiente y totalmente convencido de sus convicciones (valga la redundancia). Sin embargo, a veces siento que es demasiado e includo un poco irreal ser tan desobediente. De todas formas, debo decir que a lo largo de estos 6 libros lo he aprendido a querer, y mucho.
En cuanto a los otros personajes, este libro estuvo mucho mejor que los 2 anteriores ya que me metí mucho más en la vida de Beate, Hagen y en especial de Moller y las razones que lo llevaron a estar donde está y cómo está ahora.
En cuanto a lo histórico, se tocan temas sobre todo enfocándose en la ex Yugoslavia, con mayor énfasis en Croacia. Lo que me gusta mucho de Nesbo es que sus novelas nunca están centradas en una sola ciudad o país, si no que también fuera de los bordes noruegos y a veces europeos.
Y para terminar con esta reseña: Mi querido Jack Halvorsen. M!3erd4, casi me hizo llorar. Me encariñé con él desde que comenzó a trabajar con Harry. Te extrañaré :(
April 7, 2013
Here's the thing about the recent popularity of Scandinavian writers and if you're a Nordic Thriller aficionado you couldn't care less about the distinction: the novels are depressed, somber, filled with ennui, a lack of humor, with flawed characters if not suffused with a strong tendency towards determinism; in short, whether you're reading Stieg Larsson, Henning Mankell, or Jo Nesbo you are likely reading Literary Naturalism. If you live in Scandinavia you might consider this par for the course, ennui is imbued into the populace (as it is also reflected in the works of prominent Russian writers - Anna Karenina comes to mind). Just as we continue to struggle here in the States with our history of slavery and the resulting racial tensions, so do Europe and Scandinavia struggle in coming to terms with Nazism and the Bolshevik revolution (More than a few reviewers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Nordic writers' pre-occupation with Nazism). And yet, the rise in popularity of these Nordic thrillers here in the States is puzzling given our strong tendency towards literary Romanticism. We like for the good guys to win, we like emotion, we like our heroes (as opposed to anti-heroes) we enjoy free will, and in general consider ourselves in control of our own lives.
Having said that: there is excellence in Literary Naturalism. The above doesn't mean we can't enjoy a well written novel, an intriguing mystery, a flawed anti-hero, a well crafted story written in the style of literary Naturalism. It doesn't mean we can't enjoy the works of Jo Nesbo. I did.
In Jo Nesbo's words: "I come from a family of readers and story tellers." With a librarian mother and a father who sat before the fire and told the kids stories they wanted to hear (each repetition bringing something new to the tale) Jo's foundation was carved in stone. Again, in his own life story we sense the determinism filtering into his life: he wanted to be a soccer star but an injury put a quick stop to this; with a dreadful feeling of fate guiding his life he entered the military in the hopes something would happen (what happened was "Self-Discipline"); thinking he might want to be an economist he entered the world of finance which he abandoned as well; someone told him he could play guitar (he only knew 3 chords) and he formed several bands, Di Derre being the most successful; and finally he wrote (on an airplane to begin with) and he never stopped.
The Redbreast is Jo Nesbo's third Harry Hole (pronounced "Hooleh") novel (the other two not being translated for a US audience as of yet) and is Nesbo's claim to fame. So, this is where we start. Yes, the books should be read in order! For an American audience, Harry Hole can be likened to Harry Bosch; he defies authority, is an outcast within his own organization, is best left alone to do this job (his office is at the end of the hall), is more of an anti-hero than a hero, has trouble with his romantic life, lives alone, has a fierce propensity for justice (as opposed to the Law) and once let loose is like a pit bull with a bone fastened to his jaws. But perhaps the most compelling reason why Harry Hole has such a following is Nesbo's devastating characterization of what exactly comprises a flawed hero. Upon reflection, American hard-boiled writers don't come close to accomplishing the same. This is not too dissimilar to the way Nesbo sees himself.
Bjarne Møller, my former boss, says people like me always choose the line of most resistance. It's in what he calls our 'accursed nature'. That's why we always end up on our own. I don't know. I like being alone. Perhaps I have grown to like my self-image of being a loner, too....I think you have to find something about yourself that you like in order to survive. Some people say being alone is unsociable and selfish. But you're independent and you don't drag others down with you, if that's the way you're heading. Many people are afraid of being alone. But it made me feel strong, free and invulnerable.
And...ah, yes, there is the matter of plot! So how do we justify this decided streak of fate/determinism within the novels with Nesbo's apparent mastery of plot? The two seemingly ought to contradict each other. On the one hand, we have Nesbo's almost Shakespearean tendency to cast characters as marionette puppets on the strings of fate (the very opposite of plot), while on the other hand we are riveted by the very complex actions and reactions made by Harry Hole during his investigations (Nesbo is a master at not adding anything superfluous to his novels). Perhaps it is an unholy marriage between the two that transfixes us. His plots are intricate, very complex, the seemingly irrelevant details exposed throughout the novels become larger than life as the story closes, and they can weave through time, forward and backward, as the story unfolds. But, with a little alacrity, we can remember we are reading Naturalism and so it isn't always Harry Hole making events happen, but rather the reverse, it is the events that move Harry Hole. Again, it is a matter of preference but in Nesbo's case it is done with utter expertise as a writer.
The exposition/setting is often Scandinavia: the weather is somber, the descriptions grey-like, the people absorbed with alcohol and withdrawn, if not bundled and sequestered. And yet, the dialogue and scenes are full of references to other millieus', continents, languages, and cleverly hidden philosophical references that speak to a widely cultured audience (as opposed to American writers of this genre who rarely venture beyond the borders of their land, if not their own State). And as with plot, there are no superfluous details. Everything in the novels matters and Nesbo does not forget even the tiniest detail to which he's made a seemingly furtive reference earlier on in the story. This is one of the biggest reasons why I love Jo Nesbo.
I thoroughly enjoyed Jo Nesbo's The Redbreast and am currently reading the remaining Harry Hole novels. I remain intrigued by events left undone (such as the fate of our undiscovered villain in this and other stories). You'll just have to read the novels to find out more.
Oh, yes, as with other series this review is likely to be repeated for all (unless there is a drastic divergence from what I have written here). So, if you've read this review, you've read 'em all. Enjoy!
Having said that: there is excellence in Literary Naturalism. The above doesn't mean we can't enjoy a well written novel, an intriguing mystery, a flawed anti-hero, a well crafted story written in the style of literary Naturalism. It doesn't mean we can't enjoy the works of Jo Nesbo. I did.
In Jo Nesbo's words: "I come from a family of readers and story tellers." With a librarian mother and a father who sat before the fire and told the kids stories they wanted to hear (each repetition bringing something new to the tale) Jo's foundation was carved in stone. Again, in his own life story we sense the determinism filtering into his life: he wanted to be a soccer star but an injury put a quick stop to this; with a dreadful feeling of fate guiding his life he entered the military in the hopes something would happen (what happened was "Self-Discipline"); thinking he might want to be an economist he entered the world of finance which he abandoned as well; someone told him he could play guitar (he only knew 3 chords) and he formed several bands, Di Derre being the most successful; and finally he wrote (on an airplane to begin with) and he never stopped.
The Redbreast is Jo Nesbo's third Harry Hole (pronounced "Hooleh") novel (the other two not being translated for a US audience as of yet) and is Nesbo's claim to fame. So, this is where we start. Yes, the books should be read in order! For an American audience, Harry Hole can be likened to Harry Bosch; he defies authority, is an outcast within his own organization, is best left alone to do this job (his office is at the end of the hall), is more of an anti-hero than a hero, has trouble with his romantic life, lives alone, has a fierce propensity for justice (as opposed to the Law) and once let loose is like a pit bull with a bone fastened to his jaws. But perhaps the most compelling reason why Harry Hole has such a following is Nesbo's devastating characterization of what exactly comprises a flawed hero. Upon reflection, American hard-boiled writers don't come close to accomplishing the same. This is not too dissimilar to the way Nesbo sees himself.
Bjarne Møller, my former boss, says people like me always choose the line of most resistance. It's in what he calls our 'accursed nature'. That's why we always end up on our own. I don't know. I like being alone. Perhaps I have grown to like my self-image of being a loner, too....I think you have to find something about yourself that you like in order to survive. Some people say being alone is unsociable and selfish. But you're independent and you don't drag others down with you, if that's the way you're heading. Many people are afraid of being alone. But it made me feel strong, free and invulnerable.
And...ah, yes, there is the matter of plot! So how do we justify this decided streak of fate/determinism within the novels with Nesbo's apparent mastery of plot? The two seemingly ought to contradict each other. On the one hand, we have Nesbo's almost Shakespearean tendency to cast characters as marionette puppets on the strings of fate (the very opposite of plot), while on the other hand we are riveted by the very complex actions and reactions made by Harry Hole during his investigations (Nesbo is a master at not adding anything superfluous to his novels). Perhaps it is an unholy marriage between the two that transfixes us. His plots are intricate, very complex, the seemingly irrelevant details exposed throughout the novels become larger than life as the story closes, and they can weave through time, forward and backward, as the story unfolds. But, with a little alacrity, we can remember we are reading Naturalism and so it isn't always Harry Hole making events happen, but rather the reverse, it is the events that move Harry Hole. Again, it is a matter of preference but in Nesbo's case it is done with utter expertise as a writer.
The exposition/setting is often Scandinavia: the weather is somber, the descriptions grey-like, the people absorbed with alcohol and withdrawn, if not bundled and sequestered. And yet, the dialogue and scenes are full of references to other millieus', continents, languages, and cleverly hidden philosophical references that speak to a widely cultured audience (as opposed to American writers of this genre who rarely venture beyond the borders of their land, if not their own State). And as with plot, there are no superfluous details. Everything in the novels matters and Nesbo does not forget even the tiniest detail to which he's made a seemingly furtive reference earlier on in the story. This is one of the biggest reasons why I love Jo Nesbo.
I thoroughly enjoyed Jo Nesbo's The Redbreast and am currently reading the remaining Harry Hole novels. I remain intrigued by events left undone (such as the fate of our undiscovered villain in this and other stories). You'll just have to read the novels to find out more.
Oh, yes, as with other series this review is likely to be repeated for all (unless there is a drastic divergence from what I have written here). So, if you've read this review, you've read 'em all. Enjoy!
June 27, 2023
Încă un volum interesant din toate punctele de vedere. De la povestea polițistă, la subiectul interesant pe care-l abordează până la finalul neașteptat. Nesbo surprinde prin complexitate, prin modul în care face întâmplările să devină tot mai greu de acceptat cu cât te apropii de final. Justiția nu e alb și negru, e în funcție de cum alegi tu să fie.
November 16, 2021
Cu fiecare nouă carte a lui Jo Nesbo, dar, mai cu seamă, cu fiecare nouă aventură a lui Harry Hole, ajung să cred că asta e cea mai bună, cea mai reușită, cea mai complexă, cea mai desăvârșită poveste a sa. Și am ajuns să-l și „citesc” pe îndelete pe marele scriitor norvegian de romane polițiste printr-un renghi al sorții care m-a făcut să pierd nopțile din prima lună de iarnă.
Pe scurt, e cam în felul următor: un asasin plătit vine la Oslo ca să dea o ultimă lovitură, după care se va putea retrage într-un sătuc liniștit, alături de mama sa, la malul mării, pentru a se bucura de banii agonisiți prin asasinate; numai că acesta ucide pe cine nu trebuia, iar din cauza unei furtuni de zăpadă care ține avioanele la sol, el nu mai poate pleca acasă și află, pân�� la urmă, că a comis o imensă greșeală; iar dacă tot i-au mai rămas gloanțe în pistolul de care scăpase imediat după crimă, ei bine, cel mai logic lucru din lume ar fi fost să meargă și să-și termine treaba, nu? Adică să doboare ținta stabilită de la bun început.
Căci, vedeți voi, nu degeaba asasinului i se spunea Micul Mântuitor pe vremea când Croația era scena unui sângeros război dus cu sârbii, căci acesta... țineți-vă bine! Distrugea, la doisprezece ani, tancuri! Deci nu e de mirare că a crescut cum a crescut, din moment ce croații au fost printre cei mai de seamă soldați de-a lungul zbuciumatei lor istorii.
Numai că-n Oslo activează cel mai bun prieten al sticlelor cu tărie și copoiul cu nasul cel mai fin când vine vorba să adulmece cazuri îngrozitoare mascate în sinucideri sau asasini de talie internațională: nimeni altul decât Harry Hole.
Povestea, cum ne-a obișnuit deja Nesbo, nu că este întortocheată, ea este mama tuturor întortochelilor pe care le-ar fi putut scorni vreodată mintea unui autor de romane polițiste: Armata Salvării, un viol comis în urmă cu mulți ani, un câine criminal la ceas de noapte printre containerele din port unde se aciuiază dependenții de droguri, Halvorsen, Beate Lonn, fostul șef și protectorul lui Harry plecat la dracu'-n praznic, frați care se iubesc și nu prea și un carusel de întâmplări amețitoare care pur și simplu m-au lăsat mut de admirație.
Rămân la părerea inițială, acum, la aproape două luni după ce-am terminat această senzațională poveste despre răzbunare și polițe plătite peste ani: dacă Nesbo a scris o carte mai bună decât „Mântuitorul”, cu siguranță îl va detrona pe David Morrell din topul meu personal. Dacă nu, tot rămâne minunata poveste din „Mântuitorul”.
Pe scurt, e cam în felul următor: un asasin plătit vine la Oslo ca să dea o ultimă lovitură, după care se va putea retrage într-un sătuc liniștit, alături de mama sa, la malul mării, pentru a se bucura de banii agonisiți prin asasinate; numai că acesta ucide pe cine nu trebuia, iar din cauza unei furtuni de zăpadă care ține avioanele la sol, el nu mai poate pleca acasă și află, pân�� la urmă, că a comis o imensă greșeală; iar dacă tot i-au mai rămas gloanțe în pistolul de care scăpase imediat după crimă, ei bine, cel mai logic lucru din lume ar fi fost să meargă și să-și termine treaba, nu? Adică să doboare ținta stabilită de la bun început.
Căci, vedeți voi, nu degeaba asasinului i se spunea Micul Mântuitor pe vremea când Croația era scena unui sângeros război dus cu sârbii, căci acesta... țineți-vă bine! Distrugea, la doisprezece ani, tancuri! Deci nu e de mirare că a crescut cum a crescut, din moment ce croații au fost printre cei mai de seamă soldați de-a lungul zbuciumatei lor istorii.
Numai că-n Oslo activează cel mai bun prieten al sticlelor cu tărie și copoiul cu nasul cel mai fin când vine vorba să adulmece cazuri îngrozitoare mascate în sinucideri sau asasini de talie internațională: nimeni altul decât Harry Hole.
Povestea, cum ne-a obișnuit deja Nesbo, nu că este întortocheată, ea este mama tuturor întortochelilor pe care le-ar fi putut scorni vreodată mintea unui autor de romane polițiste: Armata Salvării, un viol comis în urmă cu mulți ani, un câine criminal la ceas de noapte printre containerele din port unde se aciuiază dependenții de droguri, Halvorsen, Beate Lonn, fostul șef și protectorul lui Harry plecat la dracu'-n praznic, frați care se iubesc și nu prea și un carusel de întâmplări amețitoare care pur și simplu m-au lăsat mut de admirație.
Rămân la părerea inițială, acum, la aproape două luni după ce-am terminat această senzațională poveste despre răzbunare și polițe plătite peste ani: dacă Nesbo a scris o carte mai bună decât „Mântuitorul”, cu siguranță îl va detrona pe David Morrell din topul meu personal. Dacă nu, tot rămâne minunata poveste din „Mântuitorul”.
December 5, 2020
Ο συγγραφέας και εγώ σήμερα παίρνουμε το τελειωτικό μας διαζύγιο.Δυστυχώς όσο κι αν προσπάθησα αυτή η σχέση δεν οδηγεί πουθενά.Δεν μου ταιριάζει σαν συγγραφέας,δεν είναι του στυλ μου τα δικά του βιβλία.Πιο αδιάφορο από τον χιονάνθρωπο.
May 18, 2022
Another solid Harry Hole book in the series. Glad I continued with the series although nothing quite stood out in this story. Intriguing plot and easy to get invested in
September 26, 2024
Тази част се попроточи, на моменти ми беше скучна, но не съжалявам, че я дочетох.
Изясниха се неща от предните книги, Хари най-после взе да се развива като личност и да поизлиза от циклещото клише, в което се бе превърнал.
Криминалната интрига бе добра, интересно бе и да се понадникне зад булото на Армията на спасението, аз например не знаех, че всъщност е протестантска църква и благотворителността е само една част от разнообразните ѝ дейности по света.
Не ми допадна превода, не са си направили труда добре да обяснят йерархията и системата в Армията на спасението, сърбо-хърватския е пълен с грешки - нескопосано изпълнение като цяло.
Цитати:
"Човек е осъден на самота, ако иска да открие отговорите със собствения си ум."
"Случайностите и нюансите различават героя от престъпника."
P.S. Тия норвежци имат много изчанчени имена, неподлежащи на запомняне! :)
Изясниха се неща от предните книги, Хари най-после взе да се развива като личност и да поизлиза от циклещото клише, в което се бе превърнал.
Криминалната интрига бе добра, интересно бе и да се понадникне зад булото на Армията на спасението, аз например не знаех, че всъщност е протестантска църква и благотворителността е само една част от разнообразните ѝ дейности по света.
Не ми допадна превода, не са си направили труда добре да обяснят йерархията и системата в Армията на спасението, сърбо-хърватския е пълен с грешки - нескопосано изпълнение като цяло.
Цитати:
"Човек е осъден на самота, ако иска да открие отговорите със собствения си ум."
"Случайностите и нюансите различават героя от престъпника."
P.S. Тия норвежци имат много изчанчени имена, неподлежащи на запомняне! :)
September 26, 2024
Love him or hate him, Mr. Nesbø cannot let you indifferent.
His world is dark, violent, full of unhappy (at least...) people, Harry is far from being the healthiest person either, too many closed persons die around him, nobody is without problems.
At yet, there is some magic which makes you read and enjoy his products...
His world is dark, violent, full of unhappy (at least...) people, Harry is far from being the healthiest person either, too many closed persons die around him, nobody is without problems.
At yet, there is some magic which makes you read and enjoy his products...
March 27, 2020
Posle nazovi trilogije usred serijala, bilo je za ocekivati pad u kvalitetu, ideji i svemu ostalom.
Ali nije bilo dosadno u svakom slucaju. Jedino je negativac bio ocajan klise, no dobro...
Nesbø se u Snesku vratio dobroj prici i likovima pa ocekujem da ce tako biti i u sledecem nastavku...
Ali nije bilo dosadno u svakom slucaju. Jedino je negativac bio ocajan klise, no dobro...
Nesbø se u Snesku vratio dobroj prici i likovima pa ocekujem da ce tako biti i u sledecem nastavku...
November 22, 2014
4.5 Stars Rounded up to Five
Harry Roolaart, my Goodreads friend Harry, said Jo Nesbo is a must read for me and he was right. However, I didn't enjoy Harry Hole (pronounced, per Harry R. as Hoo-leh) near as much as "our Harry." But then, I'm not sure anyone loves and enjoys Nesbo's writing and his character Harry Hole, as much as "our Harry." (Harry Roolaart is from the Netherlands and he IS cosmopolitan. I'm not. I'm southern.)
Yes, Harry, yes, I enjoyed this book and enjoyed it a lot. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed it more than the first one I read, The Redbreast.
With that said, "our Harry" wrote an excellent review and I agreed with all he said excepting these few sentences:
But perhaps the most compelling reason why Harry Hole has such a following is Nesbo's devastating characterization of what exactly comprises a flawed hero. Upon reflection, American hard-boiled writers don't come close to accomplishing the same. This is not too dissimilar to the way Nesbo sees himself. (My boldface.)
Many American readers may disagree with that comment. I do. The first "flawed hero" who comes to my mind is Dave Robicheaux although as readers, we know he is married and less a loner than Harry Hole; another comes to mind, Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch.
I'm sure others have their own suggested "flawed heroes" who were created by American authors and may disagree with Harry's statement.
Other than that, please take a look at Harry's review...it's thoughtful and articulate and you can read the admiration Harry has for Jo Nesbo and his character, Harry Hole. Harry's review of The Redeemer is here.
My one complaint, and it's purely my personal problem, is the Norwegian names. They drive me crazy and yes, I know they can't be Tom, Dick and (oops, sorry, Harry) Harry. But from the names in Nesbo's books, I can't tell if the person introduced is a man or woman. So I'm reading along, and in my mind it's "he this" and "he that" then, come to find out, it's a woman! Crap...have to go back and re-read it with a a woman in mind.
Take a look at these names and see if YOU can absolutely, positively tell if they are a man or a woman. And no, I don't have the answer.
(I'm not by myself either on this. Reading some reviews of The Redbreast some time ago, a fellow was complaining about the names as well and asked "what's with those tiny zeros above some letters? And the slash through the "o's"...what's with that?" Poor guy has a point...what's with that? Damned if I know.)
Here we go....Jørgen Juve (George Juvie?); Ole Solskjær (Helloooo and one strange letter(s) of the alphabet combining a&e? huh?); Tore André Flo (feminine last name, I think); Stine Bredal Oftedal (what?); Pål Grotnes (Pal with tiny "o's" above the "a" and last name Grotnies?); Jan Åge Fjørtoft (sounds feminine to me); Odd Iversen (sounds odd to me); Marit Malm Frafjord (a woman?); Olav Nilsen (clueless); Ase Birkrem (how to pronounce that, ass?); Øyvind Leonhardsen (huh?)...get my drift?
No. Up front, no, I am not cosmopolitan needless to say. But I'm trying. Never mind, I've given up already. I speak southern. But will read another Nesbo. Strange names and all...it was a fantastic book.
Thanks, Ed...thanks, Harry.
Harry Roolaart, my Goodreads friend Harry, said Jo Nesbo is a must read for me and he was right. However, I didn't enjoy Harry Hole (pronounced, per Harry R. as Hoo-leh) near as much as "our Harry." But then, I'm not sure anyone loves and enjoys Nesbo's writing and his character Harry Hole, as much as "our Harry." (Harry Roolaart is from the Netherlands and he IS cosmopolitan. I'm not. I'm southern.)
Yes, Harry, yes, I enjoyed this book and enjoyed it a lot. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed it more than the first one I read, The Redbreast.
With that said, "our Harry" wrote an excellent review and I agreed with all he said excepting these few sentences:
But perhaps the most compelling reason why Harry Hole has such a following is Nesbo's devastating characterization of what exactly comprises a flawed hero. Upon reflection, American hard-boiled writers don't come close to accomplishing the same. This is not too dissimilar to the way Nesbo sees himself. (My boldface.)
Many American readers may disagree with that comment. I do. The first "flawed hero" who comes to my mind is Dave Robicheaux although as readers, we know he is married and less a loner than Harry Hole; another comes to mind, Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch.
I'm sure others have their own suggested "flawed heroes" who were created by American authors and may disagree with Harry's statement.
Other than that, please take a look at Harry's review...it's thoughtful and articulate and you can read the admiration Harry has for Jo Nesbo and his character, Harry Hole. Harry's review of The Redeemer is here.
My one complaint, and it's purely my personal problem, is the Norwegian names. They drive me crazy and yes, I know they can't be Tom, Dick and (oops, sorry, Harry) Harry. But from the names in Nesbo's books, I can't tell if the person introduced is a man or woman. So I'm reading along, and in my mind it's "he this" and "he that" then, come to find out, it's a woman! Crap...have to go back and re-read it with a a woman in mind.
Take a look at these names and see if YOU can absolutely, positively tell if they are a man or a woman. And no, I don't have the answer.
(I'm not by myself either on this. Reading some reviews of The Redbreast some time ago, a fellow was complaining about the names as well and asked "what's with those tiny zeros above some letters? And the slash through the "o's"...what's with that?" Poor guy has a point...what's with that? Damned if I know.)
Here we go....Jørgen Juve (George Juvie?); Ole Solskjær (Helloooo and one strange letter(s) of the alphabet combining a&e? huh?); Tore André Flo (feminine last name, I think); Stine Bredal Oftedal (what?); Pål Grotnes (Pal with tiny "o's" above the "a" and last name Grotnies?); Jan Åge Fjørtoft (sounds feminine to me); Odd Iversen (sounds odd to me); Marit Malm Frafjord (a woman?); Olav Nilsen (clueless); Ase Birkrem (how to pronounce that, ass?); Øyvind Leonhardsen (huh?)...get my drift?
No. Up front, no, I am not cosmopolitan needless to say. But I'm trying. Never mind, I've given up already. I speak southern. But will read another Nesbo. Strange names and all...it was a fantastic book.
Thanks, Ed...thanks, Harry.
January 13, 2020
This was reasonably good. Great twist and revelation at the end. But it does go on and on. Too many sub-plots and flashbacks. Too many suspects. Just like in The Snowman, there are instances where the case is thought to be solved but then there are more revelations and twists. I wonder whether this is Nesbo's formula. I have only read a couple of books by him so far.
The salvation army setting was interesting. I liked the way the book began with the account of life in a salvation army camp from the point of view of a girl who is waking up to her sexuality. The life of the assassin on the run was also quite entertaining. I was not satisfied with the police procedural aspects of the novel. Nobody does that like Thomas Harris.
I'm done with Nesbo for now. I might check out more of his work in the future.
The salvation army setting was interesting. I liked the way the book began with the account of life in a salvation army camp from the point of view of a girl who is waking up to her sexuality. The life of the assassin on the run was also quite entertaining. I was not satisfied with the police procedural aspects of the novel. Nobody does that like Thomas Harris.
I'm done with Nesbo for now. I might check out more of his work in the future.
February 21, 2018
This is one of the best Harry Hole series I have read. The twists and turns are excellent. Salvation Army, Croatian assassins, corruption, fancy watches and the coldness of an Oslo winter make for a gripping thriller. This story is excellent with the twists and surprises. Follow the money is the best clue. The two brothers and the complicated relationships are intriguing.
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