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Harry Hole #2
Žohari
Norveški veleposlanik pronađen je mrtav u motelskoj sobici u Bangkoku s raskošno ukrašenim tajlandskim nožem zabodenim u leđa. U njegovu automobilu na parkiralištu otkriven je kovčeg jezovita sadržaja koji bi mnogima mogao nauditi. Tek što se vratio iz Australije, Harry Hole odlazi u Aziju u kojoj mu je sve nepoznato – njezina tisućljetna tradicija, njezine tajne i njezin kriminalni milje. Još uvijek jednako ciničan i emocionalno povrijeđen, Harry Hole hvata se ukoštac s tom drevnom kulturom zahvaćenom dubokim promjenama. Ne prestaje ga proganjati mjesni nasilnik i plaćeni ubojica i slučaj se komplicira do neslućenih razmjera. Bangkok je osebujan grad, misterij za svakoga tko se ondje zadrži. Hole će ići do kraja, zaviriti u samu srž ljudske duše i doći do nevjerojatnih otkrića…
332 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
2754 people are currently reading
17709 people want to read
About the author
Jo Nesbø
174 books22.8k 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 3,693 reviews
May 8, 2018
Review was originally published on my Blog Through the Chapters
New country. A dark case. The demons that Harry Hole has to fight; to stay sane; to keep moving.
It is like having a déjà vu where the theme is the same but the details have changed. The Norwegian ambassador to Thailand is found dead in a Bangkok brothel, and the Inspector Harry Hole is dispatched from Oslo to help hush up the case.
However, is the distance enough to escape from the thoughts that have converted to his demons?
The second installment presents us an Inspector who’s trying to sooth his inner battle, his conscience and the ghosts that keep coming to him at nights, by drowning himself in alcohol. This addiction is considered as unique opportunity for the head of the Police to send him to Bangkok to investigate the crime.
Being as suspicious as an exceptional detective should be, the readers are motivated to go into the complex process of decoding the above phrase; for knowing the real motives of this premeditated move. Clearly, he wasn’t sent to Bangkok seeing that he had just solved a laborious case in Sydney. On the contrary, the intention was to use him as a means to pull the wool over the eyes of the media.
Moving on, in this book Nesbo shows the real Hole. Harry becomes who he really is. And the truth is, he is a compassionate, emotional, benevolent and at the same time strong, determined person ready to help.
Being said that, Harry behaves humanly towards wounded people, the misfits, those who are going through hell, since he is recognizing that his own hell is in close proximity to theirs and not much different. “I’m crap at judging people” Harry told somewhere in the middle of the investigation. Is it so? I perceive it as a «Tragic Ιrony», as we know that the only one who has drawn false impressions was Harry’s chief. During the case Hole is acting as a responsible, audacious and sober man.
I adored how skillfully Nesbo put his ideas across. He developed a well-plotted story giving the insights into people, culture and the geography of Thailand. Throughout the story he demonstrated us the source of evil that keep haunting his inspector, making him the person who is displaying to be. A reflection. Not who he really is. What is more, he brings up important issues such as pederasty, pedophilia and sex industry that bothers not only Bangkok but also a great variety of countries all over the world.
The writing is eloquent, fluent and lively, giving the opportunity to the readers to go deep into Harry’s inner world and to bond with him.
The characters were well-developed, believable, and multidimensional. I had a tough time making assumptions, who might be the murderer as they all had advantages, disadvantages and motives. To be honest, I was really surprised when the killer was revealed. Perhaps, it wasn’t such a big deal for other readers but I truly didn’t see that coming. I was impressed how Hole managed to fit the pieces of the puzzle and give me a reasonable explanation at the end.
In the final analysis, this case broke him a little bit more. He collapsed again into this hopeless darkness letting the memories, the ghosts and the demons to keep him company. Perhaps he is feeling alive this way; or perhaps he knows that only by falling apart he will learn to live again.
“No persons or events mentioned in this book should be confused with real persons or events. Reality is far too strange for that.”
New country. A dark case. The demons that Harry Hole has to fight; to stay sane; to keep moving.
It is like having a déjà vu where the theme is the same but the details have changed. The Norwegian ambassador to Thailand is found dead in a Bangkok brothel, and the Inspector Harry Hole is dispatched from Oslo to help hush up the case.
“The further the better”
However, is the distance enough to escape from the thoughts that have converted to his demons?
The second installment presents us an Inspector who’s trying to sooth his inner battle, his conscience and the ghosts that keep coming to him at nights, by drowning himself in alcohol. This addiction is considered as unique opportunity for the head of the Police to send him to Bangkok to investigate the crime.
Being as suspicious as an exceptional detective should be, the readers are motivated to go into the complex process of decoding the above phrase; for knowing the real motives of this premeditated move. Clearly, he wasn’t sent to Bangkok seeing that he had just solved a laborious case in Sydney. On the contrary, the intention was to use him as a means to pull the wool over the eyes of the media.
Moving on, in this book Nesbo shows the real Hole. Harry becomes who he really is. And the truth is, he is a compassionate, emotional, benevolent and at the same time strong, determined person ready to help.
Being said that, Harry behaves humanly towards wounded people, the misfits, those who are going through hell, since he is recognizing that his own hell is in close proximity to theirs and not much different. “I’m crap at judging people” Harry told somewhere in the middle of the investigation. Is it so? I perceive it as a «Tragic Ιrony», as we know that the only one who has drawn false impressions was Harry’s chief. During the case Hole is acting as a responsible, audacious and sober man.
I adored how skillfully Nesbo put his ideas across. He developed a well-plotted story giving the insights into people, culture and the geography of Thailand. Throughout the story he demonstrated us the source of evil that keep haunting his inspector, making him the person who is displaying to be. A reflection. Not who he really is. What is more, he brings up important issues such as pederasty, pedophilia and sex industry that bothers not only Bangkok but also a great variety of countries all over the world.
The writing is eloquent, fluent and lively, giving the opportunity to the readers to go deep into Harry’s inner world and to bond with him.
The characters were well-developed, believable, and multidimensional. I had a tough time making assumptions, who might be the murderer as they all had advantages, disadvantages and motives. To be honest, I was really surprised when the killer was revealed. Perhaps, it wasn’t such a big deal for other readers but I truly didn’t see that coming. I was impressed how Hole managed to fit the pieces of the puzzle and give me a reasonable explanation at the end.
In the final analysis, this case broke him a little bit more. He collapsed again into this hopeless darkness letting the memories, the ghosts and the demons to keep him company. Perhaps he is feeling alive this way; or perhaps he knows that only by falling apart he will learn to live again.
“If you’re dying and you think no one can save you, just go out and stretch your arms into the air and absorb some of the energy. You can have eternal life.”
February 28, 2014
I confess that I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s the second in Jo Nesbo’s series featuring Norwegian homicide detective Harry Hole, and as those who follow the series know, for whatever reason, Nesbo’s publishers did not release the books in order here in the U.S. Rather, they jumped into the middle of the series first. I assumed that this was because they felt that the first couple of books were not as good as the latter ones and so wanted to put Nesbo’s (and Harry’s) best foot forward in introducing the series in the U.S.
The first book in the series, The Bat, was finally released here last year and seemed to confirm the suspicion. It’s a solid effort, and not bad for a first book, but it’s not up to the standards of the later ones. I expected the same from Cockroaches, which was finally released here last month, but as I suggested above, I was surprised by how much I liked it.
The book opens when Norway’s ambassador to Thailand is found stabbed to death in a sleazy motel in Bangkok, while apparently awaiting the arrival of a young prostitute. This is not the sort of thing that reflects favorably on an ambassador or on the government that posted him to Thailand. The Powers That Be in the Norwegian government are much more concerned about avoiding a scandal than they are in finding the guilty party, but they have to put up a good front.
To accomplish these ends, the government assigns Detective Harry Hole to go to Bangkok and assist the locals in the investigation. Hole has just gained some notoriety for solving a difficult case involving the death of a Norwegian citizen in Australia and thus to all outward appearances, seems an ideal choice. At the moment, however, Harry can most often be found in an alcoholic fog and not at his detecting best. The expectation is that Harry will go to Thailand for a few days, drink himself into a stupor, and allow the locals to sweep the whole embarrassing incident under the rug.
Of course, as everyone who’s ever read a crime novel understands, that’s not about to happen. Our intrepid hero will instead sober up and pursue the case to the ends of the earth, or at least to the ends of Thailand, no matter where the chips may fall. And in the process, of course, he will exasperate the hell out of his superiors.
The ambassador’s death turns out to be a murky and complex case, involving a large cast of intriguing and well-drawn characters. Hole is a great protagonist, and there are a lot of unexpected twists and turns. There are also a lot of interesting insights into the people, culture and geography of Thailand. The story moves along at a good clip, and all in all, it was a very entertaining read. As I suggested in my review of The Bat, it does seem a little odd that a series involving a Norwegian detective would begin with two books set in foreign countries, but in the end, I enjoyed them both and am relieved that I can finally read all of the books in this series in order. I’m sure that I'm going to enjoy Harry’s journey.
The first book in the series, The Bat, was finally released here last year and seemed to confirm the suspicion. It’s a solid effort, and not bad for a first book, but it’s not up to the standards of the later ones. I expected the same from Cockroaches, which was finally released here last month, but as I suggested above, I was surprised by how much I liked it.
The book opens when Norway’s ambassador to Thailand is found stabbed to death in a sleazy motel in Bangkok, while apparently awaiting the arrival of a young prostitute. This is not the sort of thing that reflects favorably on an ambassador or on the government that posted him to Thailand. The Powers That Be in the Norwegian government are much more concerned about avoiding a scandal than they are in finding the guilty party, but they have to put up a good front.
To accomplish these ends, the government assigns Detective Harry Hole to go to Bangkok and assist the locals in the investigation. Hole has just gained some notoriety for solving a difficult case involving the death of a Norwegian citizen in Australia and thus to all outward appearances, seems an ideal choice. At the moment, however, Harry can most often be found in an alcoholic fog and not at his detecting best. The expectation is that Harry will go to Thailand for a few days, drink himself into a stupor, and allow the locals to sweep the whole embarrassing incident under the rug.
Of course, as everyone who’s ever read a crime novel understands, that’s not about to happen. Our intrepid hero will instead sober up and pursue the case to the ends of the earth, or at least to the ends of Thailand, no matter where the chips may fall. And in the process, of course, he will exasperate the hell out of his superiors.
The ambassador’s death turns out to be a murky and complex case, involving a large cast of intriguing and well-drawn characters. Hole is a great protagonist, and there are a lot of unexpected twists and turns. There are also a lot of interesting insights into the people, culture and geography of Thailand. The story moves along at a good clip, and all in all, it was a very entertaining read. As I suggested in my review of The Bat, it does seem a little odd that a series involving a Norwegian detective would begin with two books set in foreign countries, but in the end, I enjoyed them both and am relieved that I can finally read all of the books in this series in order. I’m sure that I'm going to enjoy Harry’s journey.
December 20, 2021
Als in Bangkok der norwegische Botschafter ermordet wird, schickt man den Polizisten Harry Hole nach Thailand, um den Mord aufzuklären. Harry ist schnell klar, dass in Bangkok Moral und Gesetz nicht viel wert zu sein scheinen…
* Meine Meinung *
Ein sehr durchdachter und sehr spannender Krimi, der den Leser in die Abgründe Thailands entführt. Die Figuren, die Jo Nesbo hier zum Leben erweckt, sind alles andere als oberflächlich. Der Autor beschreibt seine Charaktere – besonders den Polizisten Harry – sehr detailliert, so dass man sich ein genaues Bild machen kann.
Auch kann dieser Krimi durchaus gelesen werden, wenn man die Vorgeschichte von Harry nicht kennt.
Die Geschichte ist spannend bis zum Ende. Man erfährt erst am Schluss, wer hinter dem Mord steckt. Der gesamte Krimi ist intelligent aufgebaut und nicht unbedingt für zwischendurch geeignet. Man sollte sich schon richtig auf das Buch und die Geschichte einlassen.
Jo Nesbo hat einen sehr guten Schreib- bzw. Erzählstil. Man kommt leicht in die Geschichte hinein, und je mehr man erfährt, desto spannender wird es. Ich mochte das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen.
* Meine Meinung *
Ein sehr durchdachter und sehr spannender Krimi, der den Leser in die Abgründe Thailands entführt. Die Figuren, die Jo Nesbo hier zum Leben erweckt, sind alles andere als oberflächlich. Der Autor beschreibt seine Charaktere – besonders den Polizisten Harry – sehr detailliert, so dass man sich ein genaues Bild machen kann.
Auch kann dieser Krimi durchaus gelesen werden, wenn man die Vorgeschichte von Harry nicht kennt.
Die Geschichte ist spannend bis zum Ende. Man erfährt erst am Schluss, wer hinter dem Mord steckt. Der gesamte Krimi ist intelligent aufgebaut und nicht unbedingt für zwischendurch geeignet. Man sollte sich schon richtig auf das Buch und die Geschichte einlassen.
Jo Nesbo hat einen sehr guten Schreib- bzw. Erzählstil. Man kommt leicht in die Geschichte hinein, und je mehr man erfährt, desto spannender wird es. Ich mochte das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen.
June 4, 2024
This second published book in the detective Harry Hole series was not translated into English (10th published in the English translated series!) until 13 years after its original Norwegian publishing date; yet more proof of how out of touch mainstream publishing can be! Harry Hole is sent to Thailand to investigate the murder of the Norwegian ambassador, with a brief to keep a low profile; man, do these people not know Harry Hole! With a retro expats abroad meets modern Thailand feel, this yet another Harry Hole scorcher of a read with a great Thai and expat supporting cast and an almost Agatha Christie-ish list of suspects. Some of these Scandi serials are peerless, and this series is one of them. 8 out of 12, Four Star read, that's up one whole star after reading it a second time ten years from my first read :)
2024 and 2014 read
2024 and 2014 read
March 10, 2019
Norwegians living and dying in Bangkok.
And lots of cavorting too.
Whether you’re a Dirty Harry Callahan fan or prefer your super sleuths wearing a deer slayer hat, fans of the crime mystery genre have hit on a cool fact: Scandinavians make good crime fiction.
Certainly the late Stieg Larsson has captured the lion’s share of the recent market, but Norwegian writer Jo Nesbo has found a winning formula with his Harry Hole stories. Published in 1998, Cockroaches (Kakerlakkene in its original title) the second novel in the Hole books, finds Hole traveling to Thailand to investigate the murder of the Norwegian ambassador.
Bangkok has a bad reputation for the sex trade and Nesbo makes the most of this setting to deliver a gritty, often painfully brutal thriller. Hole, too, is a character that Nesbo can get some mileage out of, he has many of the cliché traits of the modern detective: alcoholism, social ineptitude, dogmatic and earnest searching for the truth – while still being written as a believable character. Nesbo’s talent is in fulfilling thematic prerequisites of the genre, while mixing in enough twists and turns to keep readers interest.
A good mystery, and Nesbo’s talent is evident, but it seems to me as if his best is yet to come.
And lots of cavorting too.
Whether you’re a Dirty Harry Callahan fan or prefer your super sleuths wearing a deer slayer hat, fans of the crime mystery genre have hit on a cool fact: Scandinavians make good crime fiction.
Certainly the late Stieg Larsson has captured the lion’s share of the recent market, but Norwegian writer Jo Nesbo has found a winning formula with his Harry Hole stories. Published in 1998, Cockroaches (Kakerlakkene in its original title) the second novel in the Hole books, finds Hole traveling to Thailand to investigate the murder of the Norwegian ambassador.
Bangkok has a bad reputation for the sex trade and Nesbo makes the most of this setting to deliver a gritty, often painfully brutal thriller. Hole, too, is a character that Nesbo can get some mileage out of, he has many of the cliché traits of the modern detective: alcoholism, social ineptitude, dogmatic and earnest searching for the truth – while still being written as a believable character. Nesbo’s talent is in fulfilling thematic prerequisites of the genre, while mixing in enough twists and turns to keep readers interest.
A good mystery, and Nesbo’s talent is evident, but it seems to me as if his best is yet to come.
May 29, 2024
Alright, folks, if you're ready for a whirlwind adventure with Inspector Harry Hole, this book's got your name on it. Harry's not at his absolute best here—he's grappling with some heavy stuff, like his sister's trauma. But despite all his baggage, Harry is a character you can't help but love.
Jo Nesbo weaves a gripping tale that pulls you in from the first page. His storytelling is top-notch, painting vivid pictures in your mind and backed by meticulous research. You can feel the effort and detail that goes into every scene.
So, what's the scoop this time? The Norwegian ambassador to Thailand turns up dead in a Bangkok brothel, and Harry is sent from Oslo to clean up the mess. But once he gets there, he quickly realizes this isn't just about one murder. There's something much more sinister lurking in the shadows. Imagine it like this: for every cockroach you see, there are hundreds more hiding behind the walls. Creepy, right?
Harry finds himself navigating the chaotic streets of Bangkok, surrounded by the constant noise of traffic, go-go bars, temples, opium dens, and tourist traps. He digs deeper into the ambassador's death, even though no one really wants him to—least of all Harry himself.
In a nutshell, if you're in the mood for a thrilling mystery set against the vibrant and gritty backdrop of Bangkok, this Harry Hole novel won't disappoint. It's a wild ride of intrigue and suspense, with our flawed yet endearing detective leading the charge.
Jo Nesbo weaves a gripping tale that pulls you in from the first page. His storytelling is top-notch, painting vivid pictures in your mind and backed by meticulous research. You can feel the effort and detail that goes into every scene.
So, what's the scoop this time? The Norwegian ambassador to Thailand turns up dead in a Bangkok brothel, and Harry is sent from Oslo to clean up the mess. But once he gets there, he quickly realizes this isn't just about one murder. There's something much more sinister lurking in the shadows. Imagine it like this: for every cockroach you see, there are hundreds more hiding behind the walls. Creepy, right?
Harry finds himself navigating the chaotic streets of Bangkok, surrounded by the constant noise of traffic, go-go bars, temples, opium dens, and tourist traps. He digs deeper into the ambassador's death, even though no one really wants him to—least of all Harry himself.
In a nutshell, if you're in the mood for a thrilling mystery set against the vibrant and gritty backdrop of Bangkok, this Harry Hole novel won't disappoint. It's a wild ride of intrigue and suspense, with our flawed yet endearing detective leading the charge.
May 11, 2013
I love Harry Hole. That's the only thing I have to say.
November 23, 2019
An embassy official has been found murdered in a brothel in Thailand,Harry Hole has been sent to investigate the murder byJagfin Torhus from the ministry of affairs.
He teĺls Harry that its top secret and to not tell anyone, the autopsy report shows that he was stabbed in the heart, but when Hole looks for finger prints there are none,nor were there any witnesses?
When Hole digs deeper he finds that Atle Molners may be involved in a child trafficking ring.
Is this a coverup or is there something more sinister!!
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book gt was a page turner,tha pacing and prose was fast moving. The more you found out about Hole and his character development the more i grew to like him. A solid 4 star read.
He teĺls Harry that its top secret and to not tell anyone, the autopsy report shows that he was stabbed in the heart, but when Hole looks for finger prints there are none,nor were there any witnesses?
When Hole digs deeper he finds that Atle Molners may be involved in a child trafficking ring.
Is this a coverup or is there something more sinister!!
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book gt was a page turner,tha pacing and prose was fast moving. The more you found out about Hole and his character development the more i grew to like him. A solid 4 star read.
April 16, 2019
Much better than "The Bat," the first book in the series.
May 13, 2020
It's commonly known that the first two Harry Hole novels not really that great.
With me being a complesionist I still wanted to start at the beginning, reading both within 3 weeks of each other probably didn't help as I struggled to enjoy this one.
Detective Harry Hole is again sent abroad to uncover a case, this time Bangkok and the murder of a Norwegian diplomat.
Nesbø certainly captures the seedy side of Thailand's capital, in a way it's a perfect fit for heavy drinking Hole.
There's no denying that the writing is stronger in this novel, just the case didn't quite resonate with me.
I've enjoyed the first two books more than I was led to believe, but glad that I've reached the good ones now!
With me being a complesionist I still wanted to start at the beginning, reading both within 3 weeks of each other probably didn't help as I struggled to enjoy this one.
Detective Harry Hole is again sent abroad to uncover a case, this time Bangkok and the murder of a Norwegian diplomat.
Nesbø certainly captures the seedy side of Thailand's capital, in a way it's a perfect fit for heavy drinking Hole.
There's no denying that the writing is stronger in this novel, just the case didn't quite resonate with me.
I've enjoyed the first two books more than I was led to believe, but glad that I've reached the good ones now!
March 11, 2025
Extrañaba este sentimiento de reencanto, de disfrutar un libro a tope y leerlo cada vez que tenía tiempo (incluso en el baño). Si no hubiera sido por mis responsabilidades en la vida, lo hubiese teminado mucho antes.
Sin embargo, estos dos últimos días finalmente tuve un poco más de tiempo libre y pude leer las 170 páginas que me quedaban por leer. Hay pocas cosas que se comparan a cuando un libro me tiene atrapado como una droga y no poder dejar de leerlo. El contexto, los pesonajes, la cantidad de "plot twists"... todo! Sé que es muy fácil y aburrido saber quien es el asesino sin dificultad y por ende los autores lo hacen más interesante suponiendo que primero es una persona, y después otra y después otra. La forma en que Nesbo cuenta la historia y va cambiando el rumbo de ésta es genial. Ya me gustó mucho el libro "El Murciélago", pero este me atrapó aún más. Me gusta mucho el personaje de Harry, su personalidad y lo antihéroe que es. También, tal como en la primera parte, también me gustan los personajes secundarios, tal como Liz, Nho, Jens, Runa, Hilde, Loken... todos! Cada una tiene un rol en la historia y todos sun muy distintos, por lo que empiezo a analizar cada personalidad. No haré "spoilers", pero la historia es genial y el poder político junto al poder económico también encaja muy bien aquí.
Quiero desatacar lo principal de la historia: la pedofilia. Un tópico asqueroso, pero en el contexto de esta historia se trata de una forma muy interesante y quizás desde otro ángulo y Nesbo no deja dudas en transmitir que la pedofilia es algo asqueroso y repugnante por donde se le mire.
Tal como en la primera parte que me gustó mucho que la historia tuviera como lugar Sidney, también me gusta mucho que todo haya sucedido en un lugar tan lejano (para mí) como Bangkok.
Sin embargo, estos dos últimos días finalmente tuve un poco más de tiempo libre y pude leer las 170 páginas que me quedaban por leer. Hay pocas cosas que se comparan a cuando un libro me tiene atrapado como una droga y no poder dejar de leerlo. El contexto, los pesonajes, la cantidad de "plot twists"... todo! Sé que es muy fácil y aburrido saber quien es el asesino sin dificultad y por ende los autores lo hacen más interesante suponiendo que primero es una persona, y después otra y después otra. La forma en que Nesbo cuenta la historia y va cambiando el rumbo de ésta es genial. Ya me gustó mucho el libro "El Murciélago", pero este me atrapó aún más. Me gusta mucho el personaje de Harry, su personalidad y lo antihéroe que es. También, tal como en la primera parte, también me gustan los personajes secundarios, tal como Liz, Nho, Jens, Runa, Hilde, Loken... todos! Cada una tiene un rol en la historia y todos sun muy distintos, por lo que empiezo a analizar cada personalidad. No haré "spoilers", pero la historia es genial y el poder político junto al poder económico también encaja muy bien aquí.
Quiero desatacar lo principal de la historia: la pedofilia. Un tópico asqueroso, pero en el contexto de esta historia se trata de una forma muy interesante y quizás desde otro ángulo y Nesbo no deja dudas en transmitir que la pedofilia es algo asqueroso y repugnante por donde se le mire.
Tal como en la primera parte que me gustó mucho que la historia tuviera como lugar Sidney, también me gusta mucho que todo haya sucedido en un lugar tan lejano (para mí) como Bangkok.
July 28, 2016
Harry Hole (as in the hula of the hula hoop) is quite the guy. He’s fighting his demons simultaneously with the bad guys. He is seconded to Thailand this time (book number one was Sydney) to hunt down the killer of the Ambassador to Norway. I really love this character affectionately known as Hula, but the stories aren’t doing it for me. I will keep persisting though to try and get a better grip of Harry. I did the audio again, as my library doesn’t have a great range to choose from and this time around it was quite distracting listening. I’m used to this it seems as I still knew what was going on. Sean Barrett is the capable narrator, and I found him to be great. I’m not happy with Harry in the last scene though, it seems his demons got the better of him this time round. I cross fingers for him to do better next episode and am assuming we’ll find the identity of his sister’s attacker at some stage. Harry, I really want you to do better the next time I catch up with you, let’s chase those demons away. I care for Harry and want to know more than I’m hearing so far. I think Jo Nesbø has it in him.
June 11, 2025
Година след приключването на случая в Австралия, Хари Хуле е почти развалина. Пие твърде много, а шансовете за напредък в кариерата му на полицай са илюзиорни. Има и личен проблем, който не е в състояние да реши и това го тласка още повече към дъното.
Но се случва нещо необичайно - норвежкия посланник в Банкок е намерен убит в местен бардак и на Външно министерство е нужен човек, който да разследва заедно с тайландската полиция. Случайно или не, нашият човек е избран и заминава за Тайланд.
В този роман криминалната интрига е с по-голяма тежест при изграждането на сюжета, но това не пречи на автора да вкара и допълнителни щрихи и факти от живота в тази далечна азиатска страна.
По-добра е от първата част и съответно получава и по-голяма оценка от мен.
Наред е "Червеношийката".
Цитат:
"Овцете са си съвсем прилични животни." :)
Но се случва нещо необичайно - норвежкия посланник в Банкок е намерен убит в местен бардак и на Външно министерство е нужен човек, който да разследва заедно с тайландската полиция. Случайно или не, нашият човек е избран и заминава за Тайланд.
В този роман криминалната интрига е с по-голяма тежест при изграждането на сюжета, но това не пречи на автора да вкара и допълнителни щрихи и факти от живота в тази далечна азиатска страна.
По-добра е от първата част и съответно получава и по-голяма оценка от мен.
Наред е "Червеношийката".
Цитат:
"Овцете са си съвсем прилични животни." :)
June 3, 2025
Who killed the Norwegian ambassador in a Thai brothel? Harry Hole is investigating in all directions and comes up with a surprising denouement. Page turning action here, well crafted characters, exotic settings, good dialogues and numerous suspects. Heaven for every hard crime fan. Absolutely enjoyed this one. Fully worth your time and highly recommended!
July 11, 2016
This book adds nicely to my growing affection for Oslo Detective Harry Hole and admiration for Nesbo. This is the second in the series, though only published in English in 2013. It’s an away game like the first one, set in Bangkok this time, Sydney for the first. Odd as that seems for founding a series, it works for me to effectively highlight Harry’s essential character as a lone man deserving to brought in out of the rain before he gets too alienated.
The case here concerns the murder of the Norwegian ambassador to Thailand, who is found with a knife in his back in a brothel. As a close associate of the Prime Minister, the potential scandal calls for a quick resolution with a reasonable spin. Harry is reluctant to go as he is still reeling from the brutal events in Australia and struggles to support the recovery of his beloved sister with Downs syndrome from a sexual assault. The case has Harry at a big disadvantage as he has to figure out a lot about this exotic city with its paradoxical mix of the modern and the ancient, the elite wealthy and teeming poor, the corrupt and the spiritual. His partner on the case is a fascinating American immigrant woman on the Thai police, Liz Crumley, who is as huge as Harry and hairless from alopecia, but attractive to Harry as a partner. Along the way, Harry bonds with some charming characters among the downtrodden and makes enemies with some weird and dangerous underworld types. He is constantly surprised by hot zingers in his soup and taken aback by the cockroaches that come out at night.
As dark and seedy such elements sound, you will be surprised by the emotional lift you can get from Harry’s perspective when he is put at sea here. Somehow his own tenuous hold on life makes him a perfect avatar to thresh out the hidden motives of his wide array of suspects and serve as a midwife to moral reckoning and justice. Nesbo doesn’t try to thrill you with thrills or mystify you with mystery; instead his focus seems to be on a story that tries to plumb some of the humanity in the human animal. Harry may be a bit stereotyped as a cop with a mix of the tough and the tender, and the books are no literary wonders, but they have enough nutrition to absolve any guilt I might feel over eagerly making a periodic meal out of them.
The case here concerns the murder of the Norwegian ambassador to Thailand, who is found with a knife in his back in a brothel. As a close associate of the Prime Minister, the potential scandal calls for a quick resolution with a reasonable spin. Harry is reluctant to go as he is still reeling from the brutal events in Australia and struggles to support the recovery of his beloved sister with Downs syndrome from a sexual assault. The case has Harry at a big disadvantage as he has to figure out a lot about this exotic city with its paradoxical mix of the modern and the ancient, the elite wealthy and teeming poor, the corrupt and the spiritual. His partner on the case is a fascinating American immigrant woman on the Thai police, Liz Crumley, who is as huge as Harry and hairless from alopecia, but attractive to Harry as a partner. Along the way, Harry bonds with some charming characters among the downtrodden and makes enemies with some weird and dangerous underworld types. He is constantly surprised by hot zingers in his soup and taken aback by the cockroaches that come out at night.
As dark and seedy such elements sound, you will be surprised by the emotional lift you can get from Harry’s perspective when he is put at sea here. Somehow his own tenuous hold on life makes him a perfect avatar to thresh out the hidden motives of his wide array of suspects and serve as a midwife to moral reckoning and justice. Nesbo doesn’t try to thrill you with thrills or mystify you with mystery; instead his focus seems to be on a story that tries to plumb some of the humanity in the human animal. Harry may be a bit stereotyped as a cop with a mix of the tough and the tender, and the books are no literary wonders, but they have enough nutrition to absolve any guilt I might feel over eagerly making a periodic meal out of them.
March 8, 2014
Book Review
For readers new to Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series, I would say that most of the reviews and comments you see here on GR regarding this second installment in the series are fairly spot-on.
First, what most of us experience as readers is a sense of frustration at having the Nesbo novels published out of sequence (in that respect, most of us started with #3 in the series). You'll read about this. The explanation, from the point of view of the publishers, is that all of them including Nesbo's publisher were and are still caught up in the Nordic wave of translated Scandinavian novels that have hit our shores and consideration was given to these first two Harry Hole novels in what to publish of his work within this tidal wave. It so happens that The Bat and Cockroaches take place in Australia and Thailand respectively and as a way to showcase the best of Nordic fiction it was decided to not publish these first two novels initially. Norway is not a factor in either of these novels.
Second, it is fairly well agreed-upon that within these first two novels Nesbo is honing his skills; as a writer, a budding genius where it concerns crafting a plot, and his setting the stage for what will later become, in my opinion, the best presentation of what exactly constitutes a flawed hero: the fabulous Harry Hole. But do not be dissuaded! If you've read later Nesbo's novels and have become a fan, it's fascinating to see this progression actually take place within these two novels. You can clearly observe the ladder up as you move from The Bat to Cockroaches. Actually, it was while sitting on a plane enroute to Australia that Nesbo decided to be an author and began to write his first novel, squeezed firmly in place among the other plane's passengers. In any case, you'll read about this progression too in the various reviews.
Aker Church
So, what tickled my fancy in this, the second Hole novel as compared to the first? In retrospect (I've read all of the novels to date) what intrigues me and what makes Nesbo my favorite author within this Nordic genre is his mastery over plot and characterization. And we begin to see clear evidence of this within this second novel. There is nothing superfluous in a Nesbo novel: period. He does not author a single line without it somehow being relevant to the story or to his characterization down to the minutest detail we'd normally skim over. Nesbo will hone this skill even further in his subsequent novels. For example: in terms of characterization - at the beginning of the novel we find Harry having a drink in his favorite watering hole. In the prose, Nesbo simply tells us that as the officers approach Harry in his watering hole, they find him sitting beneath a picture of Aker Church hanging directly above the bar. That's it. What we may not know as American readers is that Aker Church is a place of worship, located in Norway, that in real life has been several times pillaged and ravaged by fire. Nesbo is giving us a glimpse into Harry's future, as an alcoholic, pointing to the place where Harry worships...and prophesies how Harry's devotion upon this alter will pillage and render his own life into flames. Any fan of Nesbo's will know the truth of this.
And as any fan of the genre knows, it is the Nordic crime genre that most comments on politico/socio issues of the day. Nesbo is no exception and it makes reading his work immensely valuable to me. In this novel, Nesbo explores the question of how to reconcile politics with ethics and justice. He spells it out at the very beginning as his superior, Møller, finds himself in a quandary. If politics is an abstract theory meant to identify and evaluate the trend of events and societal issues, to discover their causes, project their consequences, define the problems and offer the solutions then what is one to do when politics contradicts ethics and justice? Møller is new to the politics within his police department, a political position made all the more difficult by his honed instincts as an investigative police officer. His instinct veers towards truth and justice, his new role towards the evaluation of consequences to society. Unfortunately, as Møller is quick to find out...the consequences to society may indicate a road that defies truth and justice. Nesbo explores this seething contradiction throughout the novel. Politics suggests that the events ought to be presented in the best possible light, no matter the truth. What is needed is an investigator who will not dig too deeply into a politician's murder when that politician's actions were potentially embarrassing to Norwegian society and Harry's name is proffered by the politicians: who better than a drunk who will not dig too deeply?
Trygve Lie
And of course, in typical Nesbo fashion: as Møller makes his decision as to whom to send to Thailand, indubitably feeling coerced by his political superiors, he glances at a portrait of Trygve Lie, former UN secretary General (known for his stubbornness and arrogance) and Møller in a masterful move says "yes", to sending Harry Hole. After all, who is more stubborn and arrogant than his own Harry Hole and if so chosen by his superiors (albeit with some feelings of trepidation) who is he to stand in the way of his superiors?
Cockroaches to most anyone are revolting. Cockroaches just exist. But, are they bad? Subsequent descriptions of Thailand become associated with cockroaches, how a single cockroach in Harry's Thai apartment is symptomatic of bulging and flimsy walls that hide giant hordes of them hiding in the comfort of darkness. Or, as I saw it: how the individual is symptomatic of a larger society in which the individual lives and how Nesbo drives this point home using the cockroach. This vision of hordes later becomes associated with traffic and the Thai multitudes moving on the streets of Bangkok as if part of an installation to be observed. Nesbo makes frequent use of symbolism, particularly where it concerns rodents, insects, and predators and Cockroaches is no exception.
and I do agree with my friend James who mentions it's nice to now be able to read them in order!
Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------
Series Review
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.
Jo Nesbo
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 n(though Nesbo seems to be moving away from this towards Romanticism as the series progress). Still, 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.
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 milieus', 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.
For readers new to Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series, I would say that most of the reviews and comments you see here on GR regarding this second installment in the series are fairly spot-on.
First, what most of us experience as readers is a sense of frustration at having the Nesbo novels published out of sequence (in that respect, most of us started with #3 in the series). You'll read about this. The explanation, from the point of view of the publishers, is that all of them including Nesbo's publisher were and are still caught up in the Nordic wave of translated Scandinavian novels that have hit our shores and consideration was given to these first two Harry Hole novels in what to publish of his work within this tidal wave. It so happens that The Bat and Cockroaches take place in Australia and Thailand respectively and as a way to showcase the best of Nordic fiction it was decided to not publish these first two novels initially. Norway is not a factor in either of these novels.
Second, it is fairly well agreed-upon that within these first two novels Nesbo is honing his skills; as a writer, a budding genius where it concerns crafting a plot, and his setting the stage for what will later become, in my opinion, the best presentation of what exactly constitutes a flawed hero: the fabulous Harry Hole. But do not be dissuaded! If you've read later Nesbo's novels and have become a fan, it's fascinating to see this progression actually take place within these two novels. You can clearly observe the ladder up as you move from The Bat to Cockroaches. Actually, it was while sitting on a plane enroute to Australia that Nesbo decided to be an author and began to write his first novel, squeezed firmly in place among the other plane's passengers. In any case, you'll read about this progression too in the various reviews.
Aker Church
So, what tickled my fancy in this, the second Hole novel as compared to the first? In retrospect (I've read all of the novels to date) what intrigues me and what makes Nesbo my favorite author within this Nordic genre is his mastery over plot and characterization. And we begin to see clear evidence of this within this second novel. There is nothing superfluous in a Nesbo novel: period. He does not author a single line without it somehow being relevant to the story or to his characterization down to the minutest detail we'd normally skim over. Nesbo will hone this skill even further in his subsequent novels. For example: in terms of characterization - at the beginning of the novel we find Harry having a drink in his favorite watering hole. In the prose, Nesbo simply tells us that as the officers approach Harry in his watering hole, they find him sitting beneath a picture of Aker Church hanging directly above the bar. That's it. What we may not know as American readers is that Aker Church is a place of worship, located in Norway, that in real life has been several times pillaged and ravaged by fire. Nesbo is giving us a glimpse into Harry's future, as an alcoholic, pointing to the place where Harry worships...and prophesies how Harry's devotion upon this alter will pillage and render his own life into flames. Any fan of Nesbo's will know the truth of this.
And as any fan of the genre knows, it is the Nordic crime genre that most comments on politico/socio issues of the day. Nesbo is no exception and it makes reading his work immensely valuable to me. In this novel, Nesbo explores the question of how to reconcile politics with ethics and justice. He spells it out at the very beginning as his superior, Møller, finds himself in a quandary. If politics is an abstract theory meant to identify and evaluate the trend of events and societal issues, to discover their causes, project their consequences, define the problems and offer the solutions then what is one to do when politics contradicts ethics and justice? Møller is new to the politics within his police department, a political position made all the more difficult by his honed instincts as an investigative police officer. His instinct veers towards truth and justice, his new role towards the evaluation of consequences to society. Unfortunately, as Møller is quick to find out...the consequences to society may indicate a road that defies truth and justice. Nesbo explores this seething contradiction throughout the novel. Politics suggests that the events ought to be presented in the best possible light, no matter the truth. What is needed is an investigator who will not dig too deeply into a politician's murder when that politician's actions were potentially embarrassing to Norwegian society and Harry's name is proffered by the politicians: who better than a drunk who will not dig too deeply?
Trygve Lie
And of course, in typical Nesbo fashion: as Møller makes his decision as to whom to send to Thailand, indubitably feeling coerced by his political superiors, he glances at a portrait of Trygve Lie, former UN secretary General (known for his stubbornness and arrogance) and Møller in a masterful move says "yes", to sending Harry Hole. After all, who is more stubborn and arrogant than his own Harry Hole and if so chosen by his superiors (albeit with some feelings of trepidation) who is he to stand in the way of his superiors?
Cockroaches to most anyone are revolting. Cockroaches just exist. But, are they bad? Subsequent descriptions of Thailand become associated with cockroaches, how a single cockroach in Harry's Thai apartment is symptomatic of bulging and flimsy walls that hide giant hordes of them hiding in the comfort of darkness. Or, as I saw it: how the individual is symptomatic of a larger society in which the individual lives and how Nesbo drives this point home using the cockroach. This vision of hordes later becomes associated with traffic and the Thai multitudes moving on the streets of Bangkok as if part of an installation to be observed. Nesbo makes frequent use of symbolism, particularly where it concerns rodents, insects, and predators and Cockroaches is no exception.
and I do agree with my friend James who mentions it's nice to now be able to read them in order!
Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------
Series Review
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.
Jo Nesbo
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 n(though Nesbo seems to be moving away from this towards Romanticism as the series progress). Still, 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.
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 milieus', 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.
May 20, 2017
This is the second book in the Harry Hole series. Cockroaches is a notch up from "The Bat" from the standpoint of intrigue and depth. I shall carry on with the Harry Hole adventures and see where the next story takes him.
June 28, 2016
I may be the only person on Goodreads who hates this series. But I do. I so, so do.
The narrator is an alcoholic who somehow manages to stumble his sodden way into solving murders. He isn't very well characterized, and I don't much care about him or his reasons for being a drunk.
The female characters of these books (and I read and didn't like The Bat, too) are stereotypes. They're all hookers, or junkies, or in love with the "hero," or ugly and butch, like the description of the "main" female character in Cockroaches. There is not a single admirable female character in sight, and that just doesn't sit well with me. Their descriptions are based solely on how they look and how Hole feels about them, without any descriptions of who they are as people. Because they're not really people. They're just foils for the MC to react to.
Not cool.
So, yeah, I'm done with this series. Not reading it any more. And that's okay. Even if I'm the only one.
TL;DR: Not for me. So, so not for me. You all enjoy, but I quit.
***********************************
Yeah, I'm finished with this series. I had so been looking forward to it, but it's just not for me. More elaborate reasons to come.
September 30, 2017
Harry Hole is a train-wreck. I think that is pretty clear. He is chosen to investigate a crime/murder in Thailand. He is chosen mainly because he is an alcoholic and the powers that be hope that perhaps Hole will bumble the investigation and it can be swept under the rug if you will. The Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand has been found dead in a Bangkok brothel with a knife sticking out of his back. Instead of bumbling the case, Hole gets to Thailand and, although he has his demons, he gets to work with Thai detectives.
As he investigates the Norwegian Ambassador's murder, he learns that the murdered man has secrets as does various members of his family. This is not going to be your average case after all. This is set in Bangkok an while investigating the case, Harry gets the attention of some crime lords and sees the seedy/dangerous underbelly of the city - prostitution, drugs, child pornography, etc.
I found this book to be a fast read after an initial slow start - don't get me wrong, the opening scene was great but I found some other parts to drag a little. It was not my first Jo Nesbo book nor was it my first in the Harry Hole series. I started reading the series with the book, Redbreast and have read others since. I find it interesting to go back and read earlier books in the series. I think this book was Nesbo getting warmed up. My favorite in this series is still Redbreast.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
As he investigates the Norwegian Ambassador's murder, he learns that the murdered man has secrets as does various members of his family. This is not going to be your average case after all. This is set in Bangkok an while investigating the case, Harry gets the attention of some crime lords and sees the seedy/dangerous underbelly of the city - prostitution, drugs, child pornography, etc.
I found this book to be a fast read after an initial slow start - don't get me wrong, the opening scene was great but I found some other parts to drag a little. It was not my first Jo Nesbo book nor was it my first in the Harry Hole series. I started reading the series with the book, Redbreast and have read others since. I find it interesting to go back and read earlier books in the series. I think this book was Nesbo getting warmed up. My favorite in this series is still Redbreast.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
July 26, 2017
Pise iznad "What did (do) you think?"
Mislim da je ovo najlosiji krimi triler koji sam ikad procitao.
Dosadna prica, predvidljiva, puna klisea a tek plot holes, omg...
Jako jako lose, a ovog puta za razliku od Slepog misa nije bilo niti jednog zanimljivog sporednog lika.
Likovi su uopste najslabija strana obe knjige, papir do papira, pogotovo zenski likovi.
Mozda su bubasvabe bile jedini likovi vredni pomena jer se pominju u nekoliko navrata i to mi je bilo i najzanimljivije od svega. A zavrsnica je bila losa kopija Slepog misa.
Da, moram da pomenem da ono sto je Hari provalio, ni Serlok Holms ne bi. Toliko je dobar. Da. Hmm...
Hule, ne znam sta da ti kazem, vidim ja da se tvoj lik fino razvija, da cemo saznati jos neke stvari iz tvoje proslosti ali ova dva slucaja su ti bila dosadna i jeftina i ako me famozni Crvendac ne razuveri bojim se da cemo morati da
prekinemo saradnju...
Mislim da je ovo najlosiji krimi triler koji sam ikad procitao.
Dosadna prica, predvidljiva, puna klisea a tek plot holes, omg...
Jako jako lose, a ovog puta za razliku od Slepog misa nije bilo niti jednog zanimljivog sporednog lika.
Likovi su uopste najslabija strana obe knjige, papir do papira, pogotovo zenski likovi.
Mozda su bubasvabe bile jedini likovi vredni pomena jer se pominju u nekoliko navrata i to mi je bilo i najzanimljivije od svega. A zavrsnica je bila losa kopija Slepog misa.
Da, moram da pomenem da ono sto je Hari provalio, ni Serlok Holms ne bi. Toliko je dobar. Da. Hmm...
Hule, ne znam sta da ti kazem, vidim ja da se tvoj lik fino razvija, da cemo saznati jos neke stvari iz tvoje proslosti ali ova dva slucaja su ti bila dosadna i jeftina i ako me famozni Crvendac ne razuveri bojim se da cemo morati da
prekinemo saradnju...
December 12, 2018
Σαφέστατη η βελτίωση της γραφής μετά το χλιαρό πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς. Αρχίζει να εμφανίζεται εδώ η προσωπικότητα του Χάρη, όπως τη γνωρίζουμε από τα επόμενα βιβλία της σειράς.
December 21, 2017
Περισσότερα στο μπλογκ για όποι@ ενδιαφέρεται.
Περιέργως ξεκίνησα από το 2ο βιβλίο της σειράς με τον επιθεωρητή Χόλε, αν και εικάζω ότι λίγη σημασία έχει αυτό στην κατανόησή του ως χαρακτήρα. Αρχικά βρήκα ενδιαφέρουσα την επιλογή του Νέσμπε να απομακρυνθεί από την Σκανδιναβία, με δεδομένο μάλιστα ότι πρόκειται για γεωγραφικό χώρο-brandname στην αστυνομική λογοτεχνία, και να τοποθετήσει την ιστορία στην Μπανγκόκ. Ψάχνοντας περισσότερο με το τέλος της ανάγνωσης, βρήκα ότι έμεινε στην πρωτεύουσα της Ταϋλάνδης για μήνες. Το έναυσμα για το ταξίδι του Χάρι εκεί, είναι η δολοφονία του Νορβηγού πρέσβη υπό μυστηριώδεις συνθήκες και η πιθανή σύνδεσή του με κυκλώματα παιδεραστίας.
Η υπόθεση στον πυρήνα της έχει δουλευτεί αρκετά και η παρακολούθησή της κυλάει ευχάριστα για τον αναγνώστη, ωστόσο θεωρώ ότι το πλούσιο αστικό τοπίο της Μπανγκόκ και οι χαρακτήρες, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του Χάρι, δεν αξιοποιούνται για να εμπλουστεί η εμπειρία της ανάγνωσης. Οι διάλογοι μόνο σποραδικά μας δίνουν κάτι το αξιοπρόσεκτο, ενώ ο ίδιος ο Χόλε δεν έχει αρκετές στιγμές για να ξεχωρίσει ως χαρακτήρας παγκόσμιου λογοτεχνικού μεγέθους.
Το βιβλίο έχει καλές στιγμές, συνολικά όμως το βρήκα αναντίστοιχο με τον θόρυβο που το συνοδεύει. Ακούγοντας τον ίδιο Νέσμπε να μιλάει γι' αυτό, αντιλαμβάνομαι ότι δεν το θεωρεί τόσο καλογραμμένο. Διάβασα και το αμέσως επόμενο, Ο κοκκινολαίμης, οπότε σας προτείνω να ξεκινήσετε κατευθείαν από εκεί.
Περιέργως ξεκίνησα από το 2ο βιβλίο της σειράς με τον επιθεωρητή Χόλε, αν και εικάζω ότι λίγη σημασία έχει αυτό στην κατανόησή του ως χαρακτήρα. Αρχικά βρήκα ενδιαφέρουσα την επιλογή του Νέσμπε να απομακρυνθεί από την Σκανδιναβία, με δεδομένο μάλιστα ότι πρόκειται για γεωγραφικό χώρο-brandname στην αστυνομική λογοτεχνία, και να τοποθετήσει την ιστορία στην Μπανγκόκ. Ψάχνοντας περισσότερο με το τέλος της ανάγνωσης, βρήκα ότι έμεινε στην πρωτεύουσα της Ταϋλάνδης για μήνες. Το έναυσμα για το ταξίδι του Χάρι εκεί, είναι η δολοφονία του Νορβηγού πρέσβη υπό μυστηριώδεις συνθήκες και η πιθανή σύνδεσή του με κυκλώματα παιδεραστίας.
Η υπόθεση στον πυρήνα της έχει δουλευτεί αρκετά και η παρακολούθησή της κυλάει ευχάριστα για τον αναγνώστη, ωστόσο θεωρώ ότι το πλούσιο αστικό τοπίο της Μπανγκόκ και οι χαρακτήρες, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του Χάρι, δεν αξιοποιούνται για να εμπλουστεί η εμπειρία της ανάγνωσης. Οι διάλογοι μόνο σποραδικά μας δίνουν κάτι το αξιοπρόσεκτο, ενώ ο ίδιος ο Χόλε δεν έχει αρκετές στιγμές για να ξεχωρίσει ως χαρακτήρας παγκόσμιου λογοτεχνικού μεγέθους.
Το βιβλίο έχει καλές στιγμές, συνολικά όμως το βρήκα αναντίστοιχο με τον θόρυβο που το συνοδεύει. Ακούγοντας τον ίδιο Νέσμπε να μιλάει γι' αυτό, αντιλαμβάνομαι ότι δεν το θεωρεί τόσο καλογραμμένο. Διάβασα και το αμέσως επόμενο, Ο κοκκινολαίμης, οπότε σας προτείνω να ξεκινήσετε κατευθείαν από εκεί.
August 7, 2022
Втората книга ми хареса сравнително повече от първата. Случаят тук беше много по-заплетен и интригуващ от предшественика си, което доведе и до значително по-солидна и напрегната развръзка. Сюжетът беше съпътстван и от много политически игри и бизнес машинации, което допълнително подсили историята.
Тайланд като дестинация ми беше доста по-екзотична, отколкото Австралия. И атмосферата на Банкок ми допадна, по начина по който Ю Несбьо е пресъздал града и живота в него.
А пък самият Хари Хуле тук е по-концентриран към работата си и поверения му случай и не е така разпилян като в първата книга. Определено започва да ми става много симпатичен като персонаж.
Категорично останах доволен от историята сега и тази книга я намирам за далеч по-добра от „Прилепът“.
Оценка: 4.35 ⭐
Тайланд като дестинация ми беше доста по-екзотична, отколкото Австралия. И атмосферата на Банкок ми допадна, по начина по който Ю Несбьо е пресъздал града и живота в него.
А пък самият Хари Хуле тук е по-концентриран към работата си и поверения му случай и не е така разпилян като в първата книга. Определено започва да ми става много симпатичен като персонаж.
Категорично останах доволен от историята сега и тази книга я намирам за далеч по-добра от „Прилепът“.
Оценка: 4.35 ⭐
February 23, 2018
Το 2ο βιβλίο της σειράς του Χάρι Χολε δε με τρέλανε. Γεγονός. Υπήρχαν αρκετά οικονομικά αλισβερίσια και δε καταλάβαινα τι γινόταν σ ' αυτά τα σημεία. Άσε που όλοι οι χαρακτήρες (πλην του Χολε) ήταν καινούριοι οπότε έπρεπε να μάθω πόσα νέα ονόματα (και να σημειωθεί ότι επισήμως με μπερδεύουν τα νορβηγικά ονόματα...Μπρεκε, Μουλβες, Βιιγκ..φτααανει,μη μου λες άλλα).
Απ την άλλη είχε το σασπένς του,είχε το αίνιγμα του,είχε την αγωνία του...πανέξυπνος ο Νεσμπο. Τη δουλειά του την έκανε,άδικη να μην είμαι.
Στα θετικά βάζω επισης ότι αυτή τη φορά μας ταξίδεψε στην Μπανγκόκ...μ' αυτά και μ' αυτά πολυταξιδεμενος ο Χολε, πολυταξιδεμενος και ο αναγνώστης!
Απ την άλλη είχε το σασπένς του,είχε το αίνιγμα του,είχε την αγωνία του...πανέξυπνος ο Νεσμπο. Τη δουλειά του την έκανε,άδικη να μην είμαι.
Στα θετικά βάζω επισης ότι αυτή τη φορά μας ταξίδεψε στην Μπανγκόκ...μ' αυτά και μ' αυτά πολυταξιδεμενος ο Χολε, πολυταξιδεμενος και ο αναγνώστης!
June 30, 2023
Cel mai slab volum din serie, nu am înțeles ce legătură are titlul cu subiectul. Mi-a părut mai mult o înșiruire de dialoguri decât acțiune.
October 19, 2019
I loved The Bat by Jo Nesbo so I was excited to read Cockroaches. Cockroaches is the second book in the Harry Hole series, but I’ve seen many people say to skip directly to the third book because the first two aren’t as good as the rest of them. I genuinely hate skipping books in a series and find that missing out on character progression just isn’t for me, so I began my relationship with Harry with the first book.
In Cockroaches, a body is found in a brothel in Thailand and the deceased is determined to be the The Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand. Harry is sent from Oslo to Thailand to figure out why on earth the Ambassador was at a brothel to begin with and to handle the case (hopefully) quietly. As Harry digs for clues, he finds that the Ambassador had ties to illegal activity, including involvement in the sex industry. So naturally Harry sets out to find the truth at all costs.
Harry was sent to Thailand because of his prior behaviors as a detective, and also I think the Norwegian department where he works is just looking for a way to get rid of him for a while. Harry has major issues with alcohol and this, along with his dark past, makes him a real pain to work with even though his detective skills are fantastic. Thailand is the perfect place for him to indulge his demons and his attraction to violence where it concerns cracking the case: it’s far enough away from Norway that he isn’t being constantly monitored by his peers and also this part of Thailand seems to give off a vibe that just about anything goes.
Look, I didn’t enjoy Cockroaches as much as The Bat. It breaks my heart to say this because I love Harry so much. If I’m being honest, I’ve (sadly) had low expectations for these first two books in the series because of what so many of the reviews say about them. Despite not really loving the story, I did like some of the characters in this one and there were plenty of surprises for me. But I just found myself unable to read and digest this one as easily as The Bat. Maybe this is because the plot meandered all over the place or perhaps it is because I had a hard time with the large cast and the setting. Either way-
I still love Harry to pieces. I say it all the time: I’m so attracted to the detective stories where the detective is flawed or broken and lets his private life mix with his work. Harry does this exactly; he tends to blur the lines and to act in ways that aren’t always okay or legal. I’m always excited to see how he’ll untangle himself from trouble when it happens. I have high hopes that he’ll be able to work through his demons as I move along through the books. I just want Harry to be happy and healthy. But I have loved the progression of his story so far.
I doubt that I’ll ever reread this one. With The Bat, I didn’t completely understand why reviews kept saying to skip it — I thought the story was good. With Cockroaches, I absolutely understand it. It felt like it took forever to get invested in this case and, honestly, outside of wanting to know more about Harry himself, I’m not sure that I ever was. I’ll continue the series with The Redbreast and I’m excited to see what successes and messes Harry has in future installments.
Audiobook Notes: I knew that I’d listen to Cockroaches on audiobook after loving John Lee’s narration when I listened to The Bat. John Lee is so great at being able to pronounce words that I just don’t know how to pronounce and I always love listening to him narrate books. Even so, I sped this one up so I would finish sooner.
I do plan to keep pairing the audiobooks with the print copies as I move through this series although I’m sad to see that the narrator is different for the next few books.
Title: Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo
Series: Harry Hole #2
Published by: Random House Audio
Publish Date: 2-11-14
Length: 9 hours, 48 minutes, Unabridged
Narrator: John Lee
In Cockroaches, a body is found in a brothel in Thailand and the deceased is determined to be the The Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand. Harry is sent from Oslo to Thailand to figure out why on earth the Ambassador was at a brothel to begin with and to handle the case (hopefully) quietly. As Harry digs for clues, he finds that the Ambassador had ties to illegal activity, including involvement in the sex industry. So naturally Harry sets out to find the truth at all costs.
Harry was sent to Thailand because of his prior behaviors as a detective, and also I think the Norwegian department where he works is just looking for a way to get rid of him for a while. Harry has major issues with alcohol and this, along with his dark past, makes him a real pain to work with even though his detective skills are fantastic. Thailand is the perfect place for him to indulge his demons and his attraction to violence where it concerns cracking the case: it’s far enough away from Norway that he isn’t being constantly monitored by his peers and also this part of Thailand seems to give off a vibe that just about anything goes.
Look, I didn’t enjoy Cockroaches as much as The Bat. It breaks my heart to say this because I love Harry so much. If I’m being honest, I’ve (sadly) had low expectations for these first two books in the series because of what so many of the reviews say about them. Despite not really loving the story, I did like some of the characters in this one and there were plenty of surprises for me. But I just found myself unable to read and digest this one as easily as The Bat. Maybe this is because the plot meandered all over the place or perhaps it is because I had a hard time with the large cast and the setting. Either way-
I still love Harry to pieces. I say it all the time: I’m so attracted to the detective stories where the detective is flawed or broken and lets his private life mix with his work. Harry does this exactly; he tends to blur the lines and to act in ways that aren’t always okay or legal. I’m always excited to see how he’ll untangle himself from trouble when it happens. I have high hopes that he’ll be able to work through his demons as I move along through the books. I just want Harry to be happy and healthy. But I have loved the progression of his story so far.
I doubt that I’ll ever reread this one. With The Bat, I didn’t completely understand why reviews kept saying to skip it — I thought the story was good. With Cockroaches, I absolutely understand it. It felt like it took forever to get invested in this case and, honestly, outside of wanting to know more about Harry himself, I’m not sure that I ever was. I’ll continue the series with The Redbreast and I’m excited to see what successes and messes Harry has in future installments.
Audiobook Notes: I knew that I’d listen to Cockroaches on audiobook after loving John Lee’s narration when I listened to The Bat. John Lee is so great at being able to pronounce words that I just don’t know how to pronounce and I always love listening to him narrate books. Even so, I sped this one up so I would finish sooner.
I do plan to keep pairing the audiobooks with the print copies as I move through this series although I’m sad to see that the narrator is different for the next few books.
Title: Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo
Series: Harry Hole #2
Published by: Random House Audio
Publish Date: 2-11-14
Length: 9 hours, 48 minutes, Unabridged
Narrator: John Lee
December 2, 2013
First a clarification: While the translation is marketed as 'an early Harry Hole case' Cockroaches is the second Hole novel by Mr Nesbo.
Second the answer to: Is it worth going backwards through time to read this one?
Yes indeed.
Sent to Thailand in the hopes of being too drunk to solve a murder too sensitive to be solved, Harry finds himself drunk sweating and out of his depth in Bangkok. The novel balances Harry's personal life, own demons and the murder mystery well. Focusing mostly on the action and intrigue (and some the most intense violence read by this reader for a while) with just enough contact with 'Sis' and Harry's father to tug at heart strings and drive Harry onward.
My only beef is that the epilogue is a little light - with so much carnage in this story one wants a little more loose end tying and (at far as I can recall) Redbreast does not confront these at all (aside from searing criticisms from various colleagues which is a common feature of Hole novels)
In short, while many may be worried that Cockroaches won't sit well with them after being further through the series, Harry's trip to Thailand has an almost episodic feel to that prevents discombobulation from the timeline jumping. Also unlike some of the more dry Hole plots, Cockroaches mixes business with pleasure and mayhem in perfect balance.
Recommended.
Second the answer to: Is it worth going backwards through time to read this one?
Yes indeed.
Sent to Thailand in the hopes of being too drunk to solve a murder too sensitive to be solved, Harry finds himself drunk sweating and out of his depth in Bangkok. The novel balances Harry's personal life, own demons and the murder mystery well. Focusing mostly on the action and intrigue (and some the most intense violence read by this reader for a while) with just enough contact with 'Sis' and Harry's father to tug at heart strings and drive Harry onward.
My only beef is that the epilogue is a little light - with so much carnage in this story one wants a little more loose end tying and (at far as I can recall) Redbreast does not confront these at all (aside from searing criticisms from various colleagues which is a common feature of Hole novels)
In short, while many may be worried that Cockroaches won't sit well with them after being further through the series, Harry's trip to Thailand has an almost episodic feel to that prevents discombobulation from the timeline jumping. Also unlike some of the more dry Hole plots, Cockroaches mixes business with pleasure and mayhem in perfect balance.
Recommended.
October 28, 2021
[7/10]
‘Excuse me, Hole, but are you suffering from heatstroke? A man has been found with a knife in his back, a knife which could have been bought anywhere in northern Thailand. We tell you to tread carefully and you’re telling me you’re thinking of trying to crack organized crime in South-East Asia?’
In this second instalment for the long-running series, Harry Hole is send to Thailand to investigate the death of the Norwegian ambassador to that country. The Foreign Office stresses the need for discretion and for cooperation with the local police, but Harry has his own way of doing things.
Harry might have some reputation in the press as a good detective, after catching a serial killer in Australia [‘The Bat’] , but in his current state he makes a very poor initial impression. After his mentally handicapped sister gets raped by an unidentified assailant, Harry sinks into a crippling depression that he tries to drown by heavy drinking in his local pub. His trip to Bangkok might be the last chance he has to save his job, or just an empty gesture from political actors who are setting him up to fail.
‘Why didn’t you just let it go, Hole? You’ve known for a long time that your job here was to tie things up neatly and avoid a fuss, so why couldn’t you have bent with the wind and saved yourself and us a whole lot of trouble?’
The case is anything but neat: the Ambassador, heir to an important fortune and intimate friend of the current prime minister, is found in a Bangkok bordello with a knife stuck in his back. Very soon Harry discovers he was a closeted homosexual, he had massive debts from his gambling addiction and in the trunk of his car he hides child pornography pictures. A dysfunctional family, links to amoral investment bankers, secret meetings with corrupt industrialists and with local drug lords add further complications to a case everybody wants classed as a simple robbery gone wrong.
‘Harry, there are probably more perverts in Thailand per square inch than in the whole world, people who have come here because we have a sex industry that meets all needs. And I do mean ‘all’ needs. How the hell should I know who’s behind a few pictures?’
Culture shock, the oppressive heat and the nightmare of traffic in the gridlocked metropolis contribute to the already pulsing headache from jet-lag and from alcohol withdrawal. But Harry has the same stubborn streak and pragmatic, methodical attitude of so many other Nordic crime investigators. He has been challenged with a puzzle, and he will push all the buttons at his disposal until something breaks.
Perhaps it was just stupid ambition that prevented him from allowing the case to be shelved, that made him so keen to catch someone, no matter who, so long as he could find damning evidence and stamp the file ‘Solved’.
‘You never know what anything means. Ninety-nine per cent of the information you gather during a case is worthless. You just have to hope you’re alert enough for the one per cent under your nose.’
>>><<<>>><<<
I liked the story, but for some reason I never got emotionally involved in the proceedings. Jo Nesbo clearly deserves to be at the top of the bestsellers list: he is combining a police procedural with a James Bond-style action thriller. His clear, hard-edged prose and clever dosage of revelations are leading to the genre required plot twists and life-threatening chases to catch the killer. His lead detective has a strong personality combined with enough character flaws to make the struggle with his inner demons interesting.
Another plus, in this episode, is the lived in / convincing and informative portrait of Bangkok, in particular the criminal underworld that prompted the comparison with cockroaches that need stamping out. Secondary characters are well integrated in the plot, and Nesbo creates good backstories for each: from his boss in Oslo to the secretary of the embassy in Bangkok, his liaison with the Thai police, Liz Crumley, and an expatriate mercenary/spy named Loken. Each, in his own way, adds to the complexities of the case.
Social commentary is present, in an understated way that makes it work better than the way other authors who try to hammer the point and let it dominate the story. Beside the sex industry, the novel touches on the themes of economic boom-bust cycles, corruption at government level and greed at the personal level.
And if you ask me, growth for growth’s sake is the logic of a cancer cell.
It’s not a question of morality. If you’re a target striker in a football team you’ll always be in a semi-offside position. Rules are there to be bent.’
‘And those who bend the rules furthest win?’
‘When Maradona scored with his hand people accepted that as part of the game. Anything the ref doesn’t see is fine.’
This last quote is taken from a conversation Harry has with an investment banker named Jens Brekke, a witness in the case and an intimate friend of the ambassador’s wife.
After all my praise for the quality of the presentation I find it difficult to explain why I never really cared about Harry Hole and his troubles, not in the way I cared for example for Martin Beck and the whole ‘Story of Crime’ arc from Wahloo and Sjowall. Probably it is the same cleverness of the plot and the commercial vibe of the action scenes: as if this was written from the start to become a bestseller. Even the oblique hints about the mastermind behind the murder seem designed to give the reader a sense of accomplishment for guessing the name well in advance of the final plot twist.
I have a slight suspicion I will forget the details of this case in a couple of years as the novel will become indistinguishable from a long list of other well-written and fast-paced thrillers I keep picking up.
‘Excuse me, Hole, but are you suffering from heatstroke? A man has been found with a knife in his back, a knife which could have been bought anywhere in northern Thailand. We tell you to tread carefully and you’re telling me you’re thinking of trying to crack organized crime in South-East Asia?’
In this second instalment for the long-running series, Harry Hole is send to Thailand to investigate the death of the Norwegian ambassador to that country. The Foreign Office stresses the need for discretion and for cooperation with the local police, but Harry has his own way of doing things.
Harry might have some reputation in the press as a good detective, after catching a serial killer in Australia [‘The Bat’] , but in his current state he makes a very poor initial impression. After his mentally handicapped sister gets raped by an unidentified assailant, Harry sinks into a crippling depression that he tries to drown by heavy drinking in his local pub. His trip to Bangkok might be the last chance he has to save his job, or just an empty gesture from political actors who are setting him up to fail.
‘Why didn’t you just let it go, Hole? You’ve known for a long time that your job here was to tie things up neatly and avoid a fuss, so why couldn’t you have bent with the wind and saved yourself and us a whole lot of trouble?’
The case is anything but neat: the Ambassador, heir to an important fortune and intimate friend of the current prime minister, is found in a Bangkok bordello with a knife stuck in his back. Very soon Harry discovers he was a closeted homosexual, he had massive debts from his gambling addiction and in the trunk of his car he hides child pornography pictures. A dysfunctional family, links to amoral investment bankers, secret meetings with corrupt industrialists and with local drug lords add further complications to a case everybody wants classed as a simple robbery gone wrong.
‘Harry, there are probably more perverts in Thailand per square inch than in the whole world, people who have come here because we have a sex industry that meets all needs. And I do mean ‘all’ needs. How the hell should I know who’s behind a few pictures?’
Culture shock, the oppressive heat and the nightmare of traffic in the gridlocked metropolis contribute to the already pulsing headache from jet-lag and from alcohol withdrawal. But Harry has the same stubborn streak and pragmatic, methodical attitude of so many other Nordic crime investigators. He has been challenged with a puzzle, and he will push all the buttons at his disposal until something breaks.
Perhaps it was just stupid ambition that prevented him from allowing the case to be shelved, that made him so keen to catch someone, no matter who, so long as he could find damning evidence and stamp the file ‘Solved’.
‘You never know what anything means. Ninety-nine per cent of the information you gather during a case is worthless. You just have to hope you’re alert enough for the one per cent under your nose.’
>>><<<>>><<<
I liked the story, but for some reason I never got emotionally involved in the proceedings. Jo Nesbo clearly deserves to be at the top of the bestsellers list: he is combining a police procedural with a James Bond-style action thriller. His clear, hard-edged prose and clever dosage of revelations are leading to the genre required plot twists and life-threatening chases to catch the killer. His lead detective has a strong personality combined with enough character flaws to make the struggle with his inner demons interesting.
Another plus, in this episode, is the lived in / convincing and informative portrait of Bangkok, in particular the criminal underworld that prompted the comparison with cockroaches that need stamping out. Secondary characters are well integrated in the plot, and Nesbo creates good backstories for each: from his boss in Oslo to the secretary of the embassy in Bangkok, his liaison with the Thai police, Liz Crumley, and an expatriate mercenary/spy named Loken. Each, in his own way, adds to the complexities of the case.
Social commentary is present, in an understated way that makes it work better than the way other authors who try to hammer the point and let it dominate the story. Beside the sex industry, the novel touches on the themes of economic boom-bust cycles, corruption at government level and greed at the personal level.
And if you ask me, growth for growth’s sake is the logic of a cancer cell.
It’s not a question of morality. If you’re a target striker in a football team you’ll always be in a semi-offside position. Rules are there to be bent.’
‘And those who bend the rules furthest win?’
‘When Maradona scored with his hand people accepted that as part of the game. Anything the ref doesn’t see is fine.’
This last quote is taken from a conversation Harry has with an investment banker named Jens Brekke, a witness in the case and an intimate friend of the ambassador’s wife.
After all my praise for the quality of the presentation I find it difficult to explain why I never really cared about Harry Hole and his troubles, not in the way I cared for example for Martin Beck and the whole ‘Story of Crime’ arc from Wahloo and Sjowall. Probably it is the same cleverness of the plot and the commercial vibe of the action scenes: as if this was written from the start to become a bestseller. Even the oblique hints about the mastermind behind the murder seem designed to give the reader a sense of accomplishment for guessing the name well in advance of the final plot twist.
I have a slight suspicion I will forget the details of this case in a couple of years as the novel will become indistinguishable from a long list of other well-written and fast-paced thrillers I keep picking up.
March 9, 2018
9/10
Για τους περισσότερους από τους φίλους μου αυτό ήταν ένα βιβλίο κάπου στο 7/10 αλλά εμένα με κέρδισε για τα καλά. Κάπου ίσως οι χαρακτήρες να μην ήταν τόσο αψεγάδιαστοι όσο σε μεταγενέστερα βιβλία του Νέσμπο, αλλά νομίζω ότι το αντισταθμίζει η υπόθεση και κυρίως η ροή της. Μπορεί κανείς να κάτσει και να γράψει ένα σωρό επιχειρήματα, αλλά εγώ θα σταθώ στο πιο απλό:
Ήθελα να μάθω συνεχώς τι θα γίνει παρακάτω.
Συμπέρασμα. Το βιβλίο πέτυχε τον σκοπό του.
Για τους περισσότερους από τους φίλους μου αυτό ήταν ένα βιβλίο κάπου στο 7/10 αλλά εμένα με κέρδισε για τα καλά. Κάπου ίσως οι χαρακτήρες να μην ήταν τόσο αψεγάδιαστοι όσο σε μεταγενέστερα βιβλία του Νέσμπο, αλλά νομίζω ότι το αντισταθμίζει η υπόθεση και κυρίως η ροή της. Μπορεί κανείς να κάτσει και να γράψει ένα σωρό επιχειρήματα, αλλά εγώ θα σταθώ στο πιο απλό:
Ήθελα να μάθω συνεχώς τι θα γίνει παρακάτω.
Συμπέρασμα. Το βιβλίο πέτυχε τον σκοπό του.
August 16, 2021
summer readathon 16
country NORWAY
Δεύτερη περιπέτεια του Χάρι κ φαίνεται. Θέλει ακόμα πλάσιμο ο χαρακτήρας κ η ιστορία. Καλό αλλά τα επόμενα ακόμα καλλίτερα (χιονάνθρωπος, κοκκινολαίμης κλπ). Έχω ακόμα 4-5 στην άκρη να μου κρατάνε συντροφιά! Χάρι θα σε ξαναδώ σύντομα ;)
country NORWAY
Δεύτερη περιπέτεια του Χάρι κ φαίνεται. Θέλει ακόμα πλάσιμο ο χαρακτήρας κ η ιστορία. Καλό αλλά τα επόμενα ακόμα καλλίτερα (χιονάνθρωπος, κοκκινολαίμης κλπ). Έχω ακόμα 4-5 στην άκρη να μου κρατάνε συντροφιά! Χάρι θα σε ξαναδώ σύντομα ;)
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