and I proclaim here in black and white that im a thriller-aficionada ,so no surprises there when I tell you that I abandoned two books mid-way to pick this one up.I love the process of choosing what to read next.The anticipation is thrilling and I never know what ill be reading until the last minute.There was something really compelling about this book which made me pick it up and finish reading it in a couple of sittings.Besides I had been really wanting to read something by Jo Nesbo since quite a while now.
Just what is it about Scandinavian crime writers that they get it right every single time?!First Stieg Larsson and now Jo Nesbo.They really are at the top of their game.But let me not jump the gun.
So coming to the plot:-
This is the seventh book in the Harry Hole series.Set in Oslo.Its the first snow of the season and a boy named Jonas wakes in the night to find his mother gone.Out of his window he sees a snowman that mysteriously appeared in the yard with his mothers pink scarf around its neck.
Hole is assigned the case and suspects a link between a letter he has recieved and the diasppearances.The course of the investigation unearths more unsolved murders happened over the years always with the first snowfall and all clues point towards the diabolical machinations of a serial killer.
As the investigation deepens,the plot gets murkier,with the killer always being a step ahead in the game.
My Views:
Theres a debate about whether these books should be read in order, this being the seventh book in the series.But I dont believe in playing by the rules so I did not and in my opinion this one is pretty much a stand alone novel. I have previously read and loved Stieg Larsson and just like him Jo Nesbo doesnt disappoint.
The hero is just the way I love them-flawed.There is something about perfect characters that I find terribly annoying.So Harry Hole was perfect in an imperfect kind of way.He is eccentric,defies authority,struggles with alcoholism,has trouble with his romantic life,lives alone,fiercely pursues whatever it is he's chasing and lives for his job.
I found the reference to American politics in the 90's a bit out of place but I chose to see beyond that and soon got lost in Holes world
The book managed to create an electrifying atmosphere.The investigation takes the reader on a wild chase ,the plot is really intricate and you dont see whats coming next--the hallmark of a smashing thriller.The story does not waver from the main plot for even a minute and unnecessary details are avoided.The tension runs high throughout and there are red herrings thrown in for good measure.So its cool to see that even the hero goes wrong before he gets it right.
I hated the fact that I couldnt figure out the case before Harry Hole did and at one point I began suspecting everyone in the book.
The letter he recieves is bizarre.The killer is someone who thinks that he is the best in Norway and does everything he can to prove that point.Totally edge of the seat thriller with a satisfying ending.
And as if this werent enough the movie with Michael Fassbender as Harry Hole is slated for release this year.
The book was totally worth my time.
I rate it a 4 out of 5.
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