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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
This was the remaining Harry Hole thriller I still had on my TBR list. It is actually the second book in the overall series, but I never came around to reading it earlier. My expectations weren't too high from the start as I knew this book isn't known as one of Nesbo's best. I did expect a decent and enjoyable read with a nice typical Nesbo twist in the end. And this is also what it provided.
The book isn't as exciting as some of Nesbo's other books. You can notice that Nesbo was still developing his writing style. There is already an improvement from the first book ("The Bat"), with still some rough edges, but overall it is a good story with again an ingenious twist (very cleverly worked out by Nesbo). One of the strong points of the book is however the way Nesbo depicts Bangkok. The atmosphere is being described marvelously through the story. You can really notice that Nesbo has been there himself.
Rating: 7/10
The book isn't as exciting as some of Nesbo's other books. You can notice that Nesbo was still developing his writing style. There is already an improvement from the first book ("The Bat"), with still some rough edges, but overall it is a good story with again an ingenious twist (very cleverly worked out by Nesbo). One of the strong points of the book is however the way Nesbo depicts Bangkok. The atmosphere is being described marvelously through the story. You can really notice that Nesbo has been there himself.
Rating: 7/10
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Others obviously like this type of thing more than I do (the cover claims over 20 million copies sold, and who am I to dispute that), and that was apparently the reason it was given to me as a gift, by someone who hasn't read a book or knows my tastes. Either way, in more than a year I couldn't get myself to care enough about the mystery or any of the boring characters to finish the book, so it's going to the pile of "gave up".
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
A nice read
A nicely detailed read. Very enjoyable and compelling. makes want to visit Thailand soon. Now on to the third book.
A nicely detailed read. Very enjoyable and compelling. makes want to visit Thailand soon. Now on to the third book.
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment
Minor: War
It was just ok. Only my second Jo Nesbo book ever.
I will continue on with the series. I like the style of writing. Harry is funny too.
I will continue on with the series. I like the style of writing. Harry is funny too.