Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 3/5/2018 + 1181 more book reviews

This is the second novel I have read in the Harry Hole series and as I sometimes do, I seem to be reading these out of order. I read the 7th book in the series, The Snowman, a few months ago and thought it was a pretty good thriller. Nemesis was also good but it seemed to be more routine than Snowman. Harry Hole is a police detective and recovering alcoholic who tends to fall off the wagon and who is not liked by some of his superiors and other detectives. In this novel, Harry is confronted with two cases. First, a bank is robbed by a man who is disguised in a body suit and a balaclava (ski mask) and who unmercilessly shoots and kills a female bank worker who was helping the manager place the stolen money in the robber's bag. So why was this woman killed unnecessarily? Secondly, one of Harry's old girl friends apparently commits suicide after Harry had visited her for the evening. But Harry wakes up with a headache, no cell phone, and no memory of what happened that night. So did she commit suicide or was she murdered? Harry of course looks into a possible murder even though the indications point to a suicide.

This novel was long but Nesbo keeps the narrative moving quickly and includes some very interesting characters to enhance the plot. These include a convicted bank robber who is also a gypsy that points Harry toward who may have been the bank robber and who also has an interest in the possible suicide victim; a fellow police detective who seems to be out to get Harry and who may be involved in illegal activity; a young female police detective who has a knack for recognizing faces and works at analyzing videos of crimes; and Harry's other superiors and co-detectives. The novel also had some unexpected twists at the end but it also left you hanging regarding the dirty cop who is after Harry. I believe the next in the series continues with this storyline and I look forward to reading it.

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