Nesbø, Jo--The Bat informal buddy read starts May 26, 2018

[Suzanne]

Oh thanks - good to know! Then I won't be too far behind.

[Suzanne]

Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Chpt 31 -

[spoilers removed]"

I agree - finally some twists and turns. (view spoiler)[ The Otto/Andrew deaths really surprised me. Certainly something was going on there - and I'm not curious.

Harry's story was sad, and a good explanation of why he wasn't drinking. You were right - not cool at all to blame it on the partner - although I'm sure that kind of thing happens a lot in real life. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 39 (view spoiler)[ I'm hating reading about the whole drunken disintegration - it frustrates me because while Harry is clearly smart, he's missing a lot because of the drinking. I just want to shake him. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

And finished! (view spoiler)[ I think I mentioned the alcoholism earlier - that bugged me. I know Harry has personal problems, but yeah - I personally didn't like that.

I did not guess the killer. I wasn't actively trying to guess, but he didn't really cross my mind as a suspect.

One part I liked (I know it's small) is how Harry twigged in to figuring out Andrew was murdered by the light being turned off. That was classic mystery + observation, and I appreciated that.

I felt like some of the transitions between scenes were very abrupt - lots of them happened mid chapter and I had a hard time following some of them.
(hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Yay Suzanne, you finished!

(view spoiler)[I had a problem with those drinking chapters as well. I guess because it was already known that he had been an alcoholic, we should've seen that coming in a way. Like something was going to trigger it. And he didn't just get drunk. He was stupid belligerent sloppy drunk! And that scene with Sandra *sigh* So disappointing. I feel like he could've gotten where he did without those scenes because it's like those chapters were almost wasted! So I guess the alcoholism is something that's going to be a recurring issue? Not sure I'll be up for that...

Yea I don't think I was really looking for the culprit either (was actually just trying to get thru the book!). When he initially met Toowoomba and the boxing group, I actually thought What's the point of this?!?!

That was probably the coolest part of the investigation - the cord. Reminded me of CSI :)

And THANK YOU! That's what I was saying when I first started - it just did not flow well from one scene to the next. I can see why the publishers skipped this one at first. But at least there is room for improvement! (hide spoiler)]

[Jammin Jenny]

So I am up to Chapter 44 now. I like the book, but sometimes it seems to be taking a bit long to get to the chase. (view spoiler)[I feel bad that Harry jumped off the wagon...I hope he gets back on again soon (hide spoiler)]

[Jammin Jenny]

Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Chpt 31 -

[spoilers removed]"

I agree! Those were very unexpected for me too.

[Jammin Jenny]

Just finished. Didn't suspect the killer, or the ending...

[Jammin Jenny]

I loved all the allegories and fables told in this novel.

[Suzanne]

I did too - I think those were my favorite part.

[Cathy M.]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "So I am up to Chapter 44 now. I like the book, but sometimes it seems to be taking a bit long to get to the chase. [spoilers removed]"

Yes, the pacing of the book really needed work. The first half was just strolling along, barely making any headway in the case, and the 2nd half was almost it's polar opposite!

[Cathy M.]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "I loved all the allegories and fables told in this novel."

Those were my ONLY favorite parts!

[Mary X]

I liked the Australian lore too but it felt off to be reading that in a the first book in a series about Norway. The book felt more like the set-up for an Australian series to me.

[Jammin Jenny]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I liked the Australian lore too but it felt off to be reading that in a the first book in a series about Norway. The book felt more like the set-up for an Australian series to me."

That's true!