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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Mystery/thriller/detective novels are not my usual interest, but I like taking a vacation from my typical reads, sometimes. I've read reviews that say the first two books in this series are the weak links, and after reading both of them, I can see why that might be the case. There are plot points that seem to evaporate without being resolved, and women around the protagonist often die or get flaky in a way that annoys me. So yes, there are problems. But there's still something appealing about this series. I think it's what a trainwreck Harry is and how unforgiving the storylines can be. There are no neat wrap-ups where everything is going to be fine, now. Bad things happen, and Harry is a deeply flawed human being—but despite his many failings, he also cares about doing the right thing. His mistakes haunt him, and he isn't capable of just shrugging them off. Most importantly, the writing has enough substantive thought behind it to keep me interested, but not so much that it loses the action and becomes a character study.
It's probably weird that my idea of pleasure-reading involves this much death and dismemberment, but you know, whatever.
It's probably weird that my idea of pleasure-reading involves this much death and dismemberment, but you know, whatever.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the second Harry Hole mystery, although it the last one to be translated into English.
Harry is sent to Bangkok after the Norwegian ambassador is murdered in a motel. He is told to fend off any possible scandal while investigating. Really, he is expected to complete a cursory investigation, but this is not Harry’s modus operandi. As he uncovers secrets which might be damaging to the reputation of Norwegian politicians and bureaucrats, he exasperates his superiors but persists nonetheless.
Harry is a flawed detective with inner demons. He is an alcoholic who somehow manages to remain sober while conducting a murder investigation. He is generally intelligent and astute, but during this case, makes a terrible mistake. He himself admits, “he’d behaved like an amateur” (351). This is not typical Harry behaviour as found in later books in the series; perhaps it can be attributed to the fact that this was only the second of Nesbo’s forays into detective fiction.
Harry works closely with Liz Crumley, a Thai-American homicide inspector. She is a character I wish Nesbo had included in other books. Her blunt take-no-prisoners attitude is refreshing, especially when contrasted with the bureaucrats who keep information from Harry.
This novel would certainly not serve as a positive advertisement for Thailand. The focus is on the seediness and corruption found in the country, complete with gangsters, loan sharks, drug dealers, prostitutes, and paedophiles.
I love the Harry Hole mysteries; I must admit, however, that this is not the best of the series. I much prefer the ones that are set in Norway.
Please check out my reader's blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
Harry is sent to Bangkok after the Norwegian ambassador is murdered in a motel. He is told to fend off any possible scandal while investigating. Really, he is expected to complete a cursory investigation, but this is not Harry’s modus operandi. As he uncovers secrets which might be damaging to the reputation of Norwegian politicians and bureaucrats, he exasperates his superiors but persists nonetheless.
Harry is a flawed detective with inner demons. He is an alcoholic who somehow manages to remain sober while conducting a murder investigation. He is generally intelligent and astute, but during this case, makes a terrible mistake. He himself admits, “he’d behaved like an amateur” (351). This is not typical Harry behaviour as found in later books in the series; perhaps it can be attributed to the fact that this was only the second of Nesbo’s forays into detective fiction.
Harry works closely with Liz Crumley, a Thai-American homicide inspector. She is a character I wish Nesbo had included in other books. Her blunt take-no-prisoners attitude is refreshing, especially when contrasted with the bureaucrats who keep information from Harry.
This novel would certainly not serve as a positive advertisement for Thailand. The focus is on the seediness and corruption found in the country, complete with gangsters, loan sharks, drug dealers, prostitutes, and paedophiles.
I love the Harry Hole mysteries; I must admit, however, that this is not the best of the series. I much prefer the ones that are set in Norway.
Please check out my reader's blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
Opnieuw gelezen voor de 2ex.
Harry wordt naar Bangkok gestuurd om diplomatiek lastige zaak op te lossen, alleen moet je Harry nooit een diplomatieke zaak laten oplossen. Ik houd van Harry Hole.
Harry wordt naar Bangkok gestuurd om diplomatiek lastige zaak op te lossen, alleen moet je Harry nooit een diplomatieke zaak laten oplossen. Ik houd van Harry Hole.
Continuing with Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series and having started in Sydney Australia with book 1, I enjoyed meeting Harry in The Bat and was happy to find him maturing as a man and a detective in Cockroaches, the second book of the series which I am reading in order as I’ve come late to Jo Nesbo’s work. This time Harry travels to Bangkok, Thailand and begins to conquer his addictions as he unravels a more complicated mystery with a wealth of interesting characters. I’m really looking forward to getting to know Harry better as the series moves back to Norway, the Scandinavian noir setting that has grown the popularity of the genre. From what I can tell from the reviews, this series will just get better and better!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Harry Hole is in Bangkok to solve the murder of a Norwegian ambassador. Jo Nesbø does a great job of keeping me guessing. The subject matter was a bit difficult to stomach, but it was still a good story.
Norway meets Thailand in this cross cultural suspense/mystery. The characters are damaged and gritty and the plot has enough twists to keep you guessing til the end. A nice break from the heavier stuff I often read and I'll be sure to pick up another Nesbo at some point in the future.
Jo Nesbo is an excellent writer, I thought this one was paced out a bit more evenly than The Bat. While the story is not groundbreaking or always very gripping, there is a mostly solid mystery here as well and a good supporting cast. Harry is an interesting character and believable with flaws and self assuredness that keeps the story moving and the reader engaged. The final few chapters in this book were so good I honestly couldn’t put it down, a lot more violent than the first book as well. A totally shocking death near the end that actually left me quite upset and a pretty cynical ending, this book made me want to immediately jump into the next one, The Redbreast, and I think I will! Can’t recommend this enough if you enjoy crime, thrillers, murder mysteries, etc