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Phantom (Harry Hole #9)

4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 · rating details · 5,268 ratings · 868 reviews

Following from Jo Nesbø's electrifying international best-sellers The Snowman and The Leopard, now comes Phantom, which plunges the brilliant, deeply troubled, now former police officer Harry Hole into a full-tilt investigation on which his own tenuous future will come to depend.

When Harry left Oslo again for Hong Kong—fleeing the traumas of life as a cop—he thought he was...more

Hardcover, 378 pages

Published October 2nd 2012 by Knopf (first published 2011)

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Nov 19, 2012 Miles rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

How on earth do I do justice to a book of this magnitude, the simple and honest answer is I cannot, I’m not even going to try. Phantom is a terrific novel, one that will keep you turning the pages and on the edge of your seat from the very first moment you pick up the book right up until the powerful ending, the author placing you smack bang in the middle of a city torn by drug addiction, murder and corruption - politicians and policeman alike. Trust is at a premium and betrayal the key word of...more How on earth do I do justice to a book of this magnitude, the simple and honest answer is I cannot, I’m not even going to try. Phantom is a terrific novel, one that will keep you turning the pages and on the edge of your seat from the very first moment you pick up the book right up until the powerful ending, the author placing you smack bang in the middle of a city torn by drug addiction, murder and corruption - politicians and policeman alike. Trust is at a premium and betrayal the key word of the day, believe me, you don’t want to miss this novel, it will shock and surprise. I certainly didn’t see the twist coming and I’m still reeling!

Very few authors write better than Nesbo in my eyes – aided once again by a superb translation by Don Bartlett - and I am so grateful I’ve had the chance to read and review three of his novels namely The Snowman (still my favourite book), The Leopard and now Phantom, the latest in a mesmerising series featuring the damaged Harry Hole. Alcoholic. Drug Addict. Policeman. Husband. Father.

I really have to make time to read his previous titles.

Phantom isn’t your typical Jo Nesbo novel; this is all about drugs and the devastation they cause both directly and indirectly. Everyone is affected in one way or another but Nesbo pulls no punches as he paints a different kind of Oslo from the one politicians and the tourist boards would like to promote. The streets are full of pushers and gangs hell-bent on cornering the market no matter the cost or who gets in the way; they certainly don’t take kindly to Harry Hole’s interference.

You won’t find an unhinged serial killer in Phantom but you will find murder most foul and an ex-policeman in Hole struggling to secure the release of Oleg - his son - who has been arrested for the murder of a drug addict, a supplier and someone who just happens to be his best friend. Things are never clear cut and the way Nesbo weaves his magic is incredible. Take it as read, Nesbo mentions a character for a reason, there is no dead wood in this novel.

I’m not even going to mention the narrative there really is no point – you know what you’re going to get and you certainly won’t be disappointed! Suffice to say it’s both powerful and gripping and although this is a steady read without too much gore – certainly compared to The Snowman - for the first two thirds of the book, you’ll find with 120 pages to go the pace moves up a number of gears and you’ll struggle to put the book down. The way he hooks you in is sublime to say the least. This is Nesbo at his very best.

Harry is back in Oslo after a three year exile living in Hong Kong. No longer a policeman, he returns wearing the only suit he owns and has cleaned up his act and as a recovering alcoholic he faces temptation on every corner. This is personal and only Harry has the determination to see it through but is he ready to meet the truth. Can he handle the truth? Only time will tell.

A compelling read, Phantom is a taut and multi-layered thriller that simply deserves to be read and although a rather sombre read it will most definitely entertain. Rush out and get this one, it’s a cracker!
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Mar 26, 2012 Nancy Oakes rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: scandinavian-crime-fiction-and-myst, translated-fiction

I'd quite forgotten how tense I get while reading one of Nesbø's Harry Hole novels; a little while into the novel upon Harry's return to Oslo and it all came back to me. Harry is a character I've become rather attached to over the years, but I've also become used to things not going so well for him over the course of the series. Phantom is the ninth installment of this series and the seventh to be translated into English; if you've been a faithful follower of Nesbø's novels, you definitely do no...more I'd quite forgotten how tense I get while reading one of Nesbø's Harry Hole novels; a little while into the novel upon Harry's return to Oslo and it all came back to me. Harry is a character I've become rather attached to over the years, but I've also become used to things not going so well for him over the course of the series. Phantom is the ninth installment of this series and the seventh to be translated into English; if you've been a faithful follower of Nesbø's novels, you definitely do not want to miss this one. If you are just beginning with Nesbø, do not, I repeat, do not make this your first experience.

A few years have passed since Harry Hole was last in Oslo; when we last saw him he was on his way back to Hong Kong, where he retreated to clean himself up and deal with the demons plaguing his life, having to do mainly with his relationship with Rakel. Now he's back and it's personal: Rakel's son Oleg is in prison, after being incarcerated for killing a heroin addict named Gusto. Everything points to Oleg as the shooter; Harry doesn't believe it and returns to clear his name. Having been officially warned to stay away from this particular case by his former colleagues, Harry being Harry is not content to sit idly by and finds himself in the middle of his own private investigation that leads him into the murky depths of drug addiction and production, gang wars, corruption and a reclusive but powerful Russian known as Dubai. Dubai, "a kind of phantom ... like the wind, impossible to catch," has worked to corner the market on a new drug called Violin, which offers its users a prolonged euphoria, making it the newest high of choice among heroin users, a "junkie's dream," "stronger than heroin, longer effect, and little chance of OD'ing."

The story is related through different viewpoints, one of which is from a dying Gusto. It is here where the reader discovers how Oleg becomes involved in events that will ultimately lead him to prison. Normally I dislike the "voice from the grave" approach, or actually in this case the "as I lay dying" device, but here it is engaged to provide necessary backstory and it works as a focal point for bringing together the various storylines as they are played out individually throughout the novel -- at least, up to a point.

Phantom is an intensely bleak read -- from the sadness of the addicts on the streets doing whatever is necessary to score to the final moments of the novel, the atmosphere Nesbø creates is one of sheer darkness, alleviated here and there with some humorous moments, including a neck wound held together by duct tape, or the running gags about his one and only suit. And Harry's back with his trademark angst, this time ruminating over his shortcomings with Oleg who looked on him as a dad in years past, and the "curse" he's carried with him in which he realizes that all of those he loves eventually suffer at his hands.

At the same time, it's a very compelling read; so much so that it's easy to overlook a few other standard Nesbø trademarks, including the sometimes over-the-top verbosity, sometimes clunky dialogue, scenes that could have been easily shortened with no damage to the overall story, and related plot lines that capture your interest then sort of fade out. The second half of the book is where the action really picks up and where the story becomes its most intense, with many twists and turns that I never saw coming, and writing that maintains a tightly-strung tension, literally up until the very last moment.

Die-hard Harry Hole fans should consider a kleenex as a necessary accompaniment to this novel, and you'll seriously feel the need to put the book down, get up, go outside and find some sunlight as you get into the story. I'm happy to see that the Stieg Larsson comparison is gone from the cover (yay!); Nesbø has no need of putting his work up against that of anyone else -- his standing in crime fiction, Scandinavian or otherwise, needs no bolstering by setting his work against that of others. Do not miss this book if you are continuing the series, and as I noted above, you should absolutely NOT start the series with this story. To the book's naysayers I can only answer with the following: this is not great literature, but it's a hell of a ride. (less)

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Oct 24, 2012 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, bookcrossing

Really, really good.
If you haven't read any Harry Hole books yet, do yourself a favor, and read them in order. The people and the places and things that happen or have happened will make much more sense that way. The first two books of the series have not yet been translated in English (hopefully soon though), so for the English language readers, this is the correct way to proceed (so far): The Redbreast -> Nemesis -> The Devil's Star -> The Redeemer -> The Snowman -> The Leopard...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Cathy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nesbo is often lauded as the next (or at least still living) Stieg Larsson, and the two have a lot in common: Nesbo's writing is often wooden and/or overwrought, but his plotting is excellent and his characters are satisfyingly complex. Hard to put down, and Harry Hole is hard not to love.

I don't believe Hole is dead. Nesbo goes to too much trouble to leave it ambiguous, and there are too many baddies left to bring down.

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Apr 07, 2013 Harry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: detective-mystery, favorites

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 cours...more

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May 17, 2013 Thom Swennes rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“Such is the end of evil-doer; the death of a sinner always reflects his life” Don Giovanni.
It took me awhile to get into this book (probably because I’m not used to seeing things from the eyes, mind and perspective of a mother rodent) but once that was over the story took off like a run-away horse. Harry Hole, the man with the vulgar name, is a man on the outside but he solves his cases from the inside out. Sex, drugs, rock and roll are served as appetizers and assignation and murder is the mai...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

OMG!!!
Can't really comment without spoiling the book. But it's terribly good.

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Mar 27, 2012 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Such a good book but only because I've read all the previous Harry Hole books so I know the back story which is REALLY important...
FUCKING CLIFFHANGER!!!!!

7 likes · like · see review

Mar 15, 2013 Barbara Tiede rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I could kick myself for reading this book out of sequence. That said, it’s one of Nesbo’s best. Harry Hole returns to Oslo from Hong Kong after a three-year absence when Rakel’s son, Oleg, is charged with the murder of Gusto Hanssen, a drug dealer and user who was also Oleg's friend. Although no longer a police officer, Harry sets out to investigate the case against his surrogate son, and the investigation soon leads to the discovery of other criminal activity. In particular, Harry tries to iden...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Doreen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Whew! What a roller coaster ride! For all fans of Harry Hole and Jo Nesbo, this is a must-read.

Harry returns to Oslo from Hong Kong after a three-year absence. Oleg, the son of Rakel (Harry's one, true love), has been charged with the murder of Gusto Hanssen, a drug user who was also Oleg's friend. Although no longer a police officer, Harry sets out to investigate the case against his surrogate son; this investigation soon leads to the discovery of other criminal activity. In particular, Harry t...more Whew! What a roller coaster ride! For all fans of Harry Hole and Jo Nesbo, this is a must-read.

Harry returns to Oslo from Hong Kong after a three-year absence. Oleg, the son of Rakel (Harry's one, true love), has been charged with the murder of Gusto Hanssen, a drug user who was also Oleg's friend. Although no longer a police officer, Harry sets out to investigate the case against his surrogate son; this investigation soon leads to the discovery of other criminal activity. In particular, Harry tries to identify a mysterious figure known as Dubai who is responsible for the sale of violin, a potent, synthetic drug.

Harry is still Harry, though perhaps more cynical and less hopeful. He is a gifted detective who has been emotionally and physically scarred by all he's seen and done: "He was undoubtedly a very damaged person" (360). At one point he is compared to another man who is "totally, totally alone with his own guilt, his own ghosts, his own loneliness, his own decisions" (350). Harry may think of it as a deficiency but the reader can only admire him for his inability "to tell himself he didn't care, to forget, to clear off" (360).

The plot, as one would expect from Jo Nesbo, is complex. A long list of characters makes an appearance, many involved in drug smuggling and sales and/or corrupt officialdom. There is always more than one person with a credible motive for a crime.

Suspense is kept at a maximum, especially as Harry's investigation takes him into the realm of dangerous people who will stop at nothing to avoid exposure. Harry no longer has the protection of a policeman's badge and does not have easy access to police resources, although he does receive assistance from former colleagues. The use of Gusto, a voice from the grave, as a narrator in certain sections adds to the suspense. Will Harry be able to piece together the information that the reader is given by Gusto?

There are numerous twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, the ending being perhaps the most shocking. Nonetheless, there is ample foreshadowing which suggests the appropriateness of what happens. The book is worthy of a second read to pick up on some of the clues that may have been overlooked on first reading.

The reader should be warned that this is a sombre read. The subject matter, with its focus on the damage done by drugs, is certainly serious. The number of lives ruined by substance abuse keeps piling up, as does the number of people involved in aiding and abetting addiction.

The reader would also be advised to read the Harry Hole novels in order. This is the seventh to be translated into English and, although it can be read alone, a knowledge of Harry's previous relationships and cases will add much depth to one's understanding and enjoyment of this book.

This is a first-class, breathlessly fast-paced, multi-layered thriller. It is perfectly understandable why millions of Nesbo's books have sold worldwide.
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Nov 25, 2012 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: detective, crime, mystery, nordic-noir, thriller, favorites, police-procedural

The best of the Harry Hole novels. Oleg, the son of his former girlfriend Rakel, is arrested for murder of a drug dealer and Harry returns from Hong Kong to investigate. Sober and cleaned up, longing for Rakel the love of his life, Harry is still fighting against his love for Jim Beam. The story is told from two viewpoints: a third person narrative and by the dying junkie Gusto, whose entire story is told during the duration of chiming church bells. Old characters from previous novels (Redeemer,...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Joe Maguire rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

Harry Hole is back in the ninth book of the series. First off, if you haven't read the series so far, don't start here. Knowledge of the back-story is critical to this book so go back and start at the beginning of the series and watch Harry develop along the way; you'll be glad you did. On the other hand, if you have been reading the series this is one you will not want to miss.

So Harry has been away from Norway for three years after the events of The Leopard in an effort to get himself together...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought this book was brilliant and couldnt't put it down. I've read all the Harry Hole books and enjoyed them all but I blasted through this one in about 48 hours! I thought that I had it all worked out, but Jo Nesbo continues to surprise and lay red herrings to trick you!

I found the general story about drug users and the whole importing/exporting/selling thing very interesting and liked how some of the narrative was from a dead character!

This is a book that will haunt you for a long time af...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Simon Gosden rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Harry Hole is back in a superb crime thriller set once again in Oslo. Arriving from Bangkok, Harry finds himself trying to find out who killed the junkie his son has been charged with murdering. This convoluted and atmospheric tale involves Russian gangsters, sexy sirens and a lot of bloodshed and grief. A stunning novel....

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Apr 17, 2013 Carol rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 18, 2013 Cher rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really love this series! Harry is a character that comes across as a real person-which makes the books that much more gripping. Read this one last if you haven't met Harry yet....

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Jan 14, 2013 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime, favourite-authors

Harry Hole is back, several years after The Leopard and no longer a Policeman. He has been living in Hong Kong and working as a Debt Collector. The arrest for murder of someone close to him, however, means that he must return to Oslo.

Once back, he is denied the right to re-open the case - it is (as far as the Oslo police are concerned) open and shut - but he is asked to look into the death of an undercover policeman. As this is Harry Hole, he decides to do what he wants, not what he is asked. C...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Sudeshna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Having read all the books Sheldon has written, you feel no other book, no other author can do justice to mystery, thriller or crime the way he did. Having picked up The Phantom and now after reading the book, I know how wrong I was. This man is a genius. This book is the ninth in what essentially is the Harry Hole series. Now I had no idea that such a man existed who is such a terrific writer.

In this book, Harry Hole returns to Norway after a three year long vacation to Hong Kong. His ex-girlfr...more

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Dec 19, 2012 Everyday eBook rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Everyday by: Peter Fritz

"Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing ... after they have exhausted all other possibilities," said Winston Churchill. But what is "the right thing"? The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy defines moral dilemma as: "Situations in which each possible course of action breaches some otherwise binding moral principle." When faced with a moral dilemma, introspective people consider, ponder, and sometimes agonize over the perplexity until ultimately deciding to do what they believe is...more "Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing ... after they have exhausted all other possibilities," said Winston Churchill. But what is "the right thing"? The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy defines moral dilemma as: "Situations in which each possible course of action breaches some otherwise binding moral principle." When faced with a moral dilemma, introspective people consider, ponder, and sometimes agonize over the perplexity until ultimately deciding to do what they believe is the right thing. Others follow their instincts without much thought. Harry Hole is a lot like the latter. And in Jo Nesbo's latest gripping novel, Phantom, we find Harry faced with a moral dilemma. Actually, two. The first is difficult. The second is devastating.

Harry, a former police investigator, is on his way back to Oslo, Norway, after spending a period of self-exile in Hong Kong. Having previously concluded that his former lover, Rakel, would be safer, happier, and better off without him, Harry moved far from Norway, removing himself from her life. Although this has seemingly worked out to everyone's benefit, Harry recently learned that Rakel's son, Oleg, has been arrested for the murder of a drug-dealer back in Oslo. As a young boy, Oleg had always looked up to Harry as a father figure. So despite his new life in China, Harry feels a moral responsibility to do the right thing and try to help the young man. Thus, he is returning home. Unfortunately, he knows his presence will likely put the lives of Rakel and Oleg in mortal danger.

We soon find Harry immersed in the dangerous and sinister drug trade of Oslo. A powerful new substance has turned up on the streets destined to replace heroin as the high of choice -- it being more powerful, profitable, and instantly addictive. The dangerous mastermind behind it all is a darkly shrouded mystery. Picking up the scent of the trail, Harry's dogged determination soon leads to a seamy underworld of tunnels and cellars where shootings, stabbings, betrayal, and deceptions lead to deeper hatreds, torture, and death. Meanwhile, Rakel's new lover is drawn into this toxic brew, elevating Harry's confusion and anxiety over his complicated past with the woman and the future they almost had. Like syringes in a shooting gallery, crooked politicians, law enforcement agents on the take, violent drug traffickers, and sophisticated sales networks all plunge their deadly potions into this sinister arm of illegality. The results are a tantalizing tale of intrigue and mistrust, reported at an alarming pace.

Having first read Headhunters by Jo Nesbo, I became hooked on his imaginative and thrilling style of writing. Now having read many of his Harry Hole series, including The Snowman, Nemesis, and The Devil's Star, I found Phantom to be one of his best. Narrative pace, characterization, and plot are all solid, including many new characters and settings. And while Harry Hole is a particularly flawed individual who is often his own worst enemy, you can always count on him to do the right thing.

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Nov 28, 2012 Steve rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was a huge fan of Redbreast, the first book that I read by Jo Nesbo. I also very much enjoyed the next three books translated into English, Nemesis, The Devil’s Star and The Redeemer. I thought that The Snowman and The Leopard were too much over the top and “Hollywood” in nature (proof in point: Martin Scorsese has been signed up to direct Snowman, the first Harry Hole novel to be brought to the screen). I also thought that Headhunters was a disappointing read (the movie was very good, but tha...more

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Nov 13, 2012 Tony rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-crime-detection

PHANTOM. (2012). Jo Nesbo. ****.
This is Nesbo’s latest installment in his Harry Hole detective series. He is his usual gritty self as he finds himself back in Norway from his current job in Hong Kong to prove the innocence of his son who has been accused of murder. It seems that there is a new drug on the scene: violin. It is stronger than heroin and cheaper, but does not lead to overdoses and subsequent deaths. Hole thought that he would be in Hong Kong forever, working for the head of a carte...more

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Nov 03, 2012 Consuelo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: scandinavian-mystery

Ex-police officer Henry Hole, who has lived in Hong Kong for three years, returns to Oslo, Norway in "Phantom." He returns because Oleg, who is eighteen years old, is accused of killing his friend, Gusto, who is also a drug dealer. Harry had once been a father figure to a younger Oleg. He helped raised Oleg with the love of his life, Rakel. However, Harry deserted them when he moved to the Far East.

The structure of the story has two narratives that intertwine. First, Gusto is murdered. Second,...more

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Oct 16, 2012 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Note: There are no spoilers for this book.

This is the latest police detective thriller in the Harry Hole series, and it brings back a number of characters from earlier books. On the surface it is a dark, gritty tale about competing drug gangs in Oslo, but the story goes much, much deeper. The roiling passions spilling out from those who are involved suggest there may be more to the murders being committed than competition for territory. Harry, though ostensibly no longer on the police force, has...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Mary Manahan rated it 4 of 5 stars

SPOILER ALERT...

I feel like I'm in mourning. I will miss Harry Hole, but look forward to the Cohen brothers' depiction of him in future movies (as they bought the rights to the series), especially The Snowman.

Phantom has so many twists and turns and plots and subplots, it will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Not as gory as The Snowman, Phantom takes a close look at Oslo's drug culture and the psychological make-up of dealers, abusers, cops, and Harry's own relationship with addi...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Gloria Feit rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the three years since the conclusion of “The Leopard,” Harry Hole has been serving contentedly as a non-violent enforcer based in Hong Kong, collecting money owed to his employer. Then one day, he ups and returns to Oslo when he learns that Oleg, the drug-using son of the love of his life, has been arrested for the murder of a fellow junkie. The police consider the case closed, so Harry acts independently to investigate.

And along the way he finds himself immersed in the midst of Norway’s larg...more

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Feb 18, 2012 T. Edmund rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Aside a nagging suspicion that the title 'Phantom' looses some of its meaning in translation (the actual story isn't particularly Phantomesque) this is definitely one of the more bad-ass titles around.

I'm not familiar with earlier Harry Hole works, however Nesbo pens such a brilliant character I was just as attached as a die hard fan. Phantom is also free of annoying information dumps, Harry's past is explained seamlessly through the ongoing plot.

The story revolves around the death of a 'Gusto'...more

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May 19, 2012 Tanja Seppä rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: murder-mystery

"Gengångare" är den bästa Nesbø boken jag läst hittills och jag är djupt överraskad över hur bra den var. Temat - korrupta politiker och droger - är ett jag skyr som pesten. Hur tråkigt kan det bli?! Enda grunden till att jag köpte den här var att det var en Nesbø bok. Hade det varit vilken annan författare som helst hade jag sparat mig för det hela.

Som det är nu har jag läst hela boken på två dagar eftersom den var nästan omöjlig att lägga från sig. Harry Hohle är tillbaka i Norge eftersom sone...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Jim rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the 9th book (or so) about former detective Harry Hole, a sort of Norwegian John Rebus (in as much as he's a smoking alcoholic with authority issues). Two books prior to this book he walked away from the police, after a particularly interesting case, and has been enticed back twice now, once by his former boss, and once by a friend (in this book) to investigate a drugs murder.

Most of the story isn't bad (Hole does battle with a local drugs baron -even if the new "in drug" has a silly nam...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Bill rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved the novel through and through from beginning to end. Brilliant way Nesbo brought us back to the beginning at the very end. And Harry Hole was at his finest in this story. It's a must read.

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Feb 23, 2013 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Brilliant writing and translating - tho I don't know a bit of Norwegian so who can say. The plot is very complex but in the end it's all sorted, except perhaps for our anti-hero, Detective Harry Hole. Everyone finds the next hopeful spot in their lives - except Harry. Everyone somehow recovers from horror and fear, at least enuf to continue with living and finding meaning -- except perhaps Harry. Any other info would be a spoiler.

The first time the word "phantom" is used is as a way to describe...more

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About Jo Nesbø

Jo 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, Dokt...more

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Quotes from Phantom

“Everyone knew that fat had become the new cancer, yet they bellyached about the dieting hysteria and applauded the "real" women's body. As though doing no exercise and being overfed was some kind of sensible mold.” — 5 people liked it

“But perhaps that's why we take snaps...to provide false evidence to underpin the false claim that we were happy. Because the thought that we weren't happy at least for some time during our lives is unbearable. Adults order children to smile in the photos, involve them in the lie, so we smile, we feign happiness.” — 2 people liked it

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Phantom (Harry Hole #9)

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