A review by jeffmauch
Phantom by Jo Nesbø

5.0

It's rare for a book series to go this long (9th book in the series) and not have had a book that was a lull or underwhelming. I feel that each book in this series has just gotten better and better as I've gone along. There have been a few times where I figured there's no way they could keep it going after an exciting ending, but yet, here we are. Once again, detective Hole is dragged onto a case, this time one that hits closer to home than any before it. He's been through the shredder a few times now and is worse for wear, scarred, and still fighting his same demons. He's back in Norway reluctantly and only for as along as he needs to set things straight in his mind, but things don't add up as he expects. This time drugs are the game, though the alcoholic detectives still has his old vices to contend with as well. Many of the prominent characters of the last novel return here as well, albeit in different and at times unexpected ways. I love this series and this book is right up there at the top within it as well, a true page turner with a protagonist in Hole, that I just can't get enough of.