THE REDBREAST - Harry Hole Novel No. 1

by Jo Nesbo
Translated by Don Bartlett

Inspector Harry Hole has somehow embarrassed the department.  As punishment, he's assigned to surveillance of neo-nazi activity in Oslo.

Expecting this to be a dull and annoying assignment, Harry is soon knee deep in murders; someone is targeting disgraced old solders and using an old, rare gun to do it.  Travelling back decades, THE REDBREAST reflects on the Norwegian government's collaboration with the Nazis during WWII, a dark period for Norway.

I came to this series more than a little late and read the Harry Hole novels completely out of order.  That said, THE REDBREAST was still wonderfully written, and is a compelling mystery from Jo Nesbo.  I do recommend that you start with this one if you're going to venture into this series, to better appreciate the interaction of the characters.

Pub. Date - 2000 and 2006
ISBN 978-0-06-113400-5
512 pages
Available in paperback

DOMESTIC VIOLETS

by Matthew Norman - to be released in August 2011

Tom Violet is working in a job that he hates, for a company that he isn't even sure what exactly it is that they do.  Although he really considers himself to be a writer, having worked on his novel for the past five years, he lives in the shadow of his very successful father, author Curtis Violet.  To add to Tom's angst, he has a serious performance problem in the bedroom, despite being happily married to Anna.

While Tom is sidestepping Anna's advances one evening, their young daughter Allie knocks on the bedroom door to let them know there's a burglar in the house.  Tiptoeing downstairs, Tom finds his father, who been locked out of his home by his current wife. When Curtis announces that he has just beaten out his arch rival and is going to receive the coveted Pulitzer Prize for fiction, it's just the beginning of the end of Tom's life as he knows it. 

To add to the dysfunction, Tom's mother and stepfather are on the outs, Tom hates his immediate boss and he spends way too much time fantasizing about his sexy young coworker. 

Mr. Norman has created a wonderful and poignant story from the total chaos of his characters' lives.  Amazingly funny, intelligent, insightful and offbeat, I found myself laughing out loud and reading entire pages to my husband while reading this thoroughly enjoyable book.

What more can I say!?  You need to buy this one! 

To be released August 2011
ISBN 978-0-06-296511-7
320 pages
Paperback and eBook

THE DEVIL'S STAR - A Harry Hole Novel

by Jo Nesbo
Translated by Don Bartlett

When a young woman is found murdered in Oslo with a tiny red star shaped diamond under her eyelid and a finger missing, Harry Hole is assigned to the case.  When the finger of a woman reported missing is found with a ring embellished with the same type of red diamond, the team realizes they're dealing with a serial killer.

Unfortunately, Harry is partnered with Tom Waaler, someone Harry doesn't like or trust.  Harry has long believed that Tom murdered his friend and former partner, which makes working together nearly impossible.  But Harry has no choice because he is barely holding on to his job.  His drinking is still a problem and his one champion at work insists that they have to handle the case together because of scheduled vacations which leave the police force short-handed.

Working with Waaler and the investigation into the murders brings Harry to the brink, putting himself and everyone he loves at risk in this breathtaking mystery by Nesbo.
 
As I plow through all of the available books by Jo Nesbo, my only regret is that I didn't read them in order; in fact it seems that I've read them in totally reverse order.  As the characters change along the way, it would have been nice to be able to follow Harry Hole's relationships with his friends and co-workers.  Each of Nesbo's books is terrific by itself, but I'd recommend that you do it the right way to better understand all of the references to past events and characters.

Paperback Pub. Date February 2011 - previously published in 2006
ISBN 978-0-06-113398-5
452 pages
Available in paperback

NEMESIS - Insp. Harry Hole Series

by Jo Nesbo
Translated by Don Bartlett

I read NEMESIS after reading and enjoying Jo Nesbo's latest Harry Hole mystery, THE SNOWMAN (which I'll review next).

An Oslo bank is robbed and the thief holds a gun to a cashier's head.  He tells her to count to 25; the number of seconds he allows the manager to open the cash box.  When the countdown is exceeded by just a few seconds, the robber shoots and kills the cashier before disappearing with the money.

Inspector Harry Hole is investigating, joined by Det. Beate Lonn who has an interesting talent; she can remember every face she's ever seen. 

There are so many things going on in Harry's life.  His girlfriend Rakel is in Russia fighting a custody battle with her son's father.  While she's away, Harry has been contacted by a former girlfriend to get together for old times' sake.  He's determined to remain true to Rakel, but after meeting up with Anna Bethsen, he wakes up the next morning with a blinding hangover and no recollection of anything from the previous evening.  Harry's problems are multiplying and the story is heating up when he's called to the scene of Anna's apparent suicide that day.

Nesbo's intricate novel is as much about his imperfect and troubled lead detective as it is about the crimes he's investigating.  Harry is a recovering alcoholic who constantly battles his impulse to imbibe; something that is well known to police hierarchy.  He's also learning to work with Lonn who struggles with the ghost of how her father died in the line of duty.  Harry is dogged by Tom Waaler, a mean and narcissistic character and Harry's long time adversary.  Waaler wants nothing more than to take Harry down. 

Nesbo deftly weaves all of the plot lines together in a totally satisfying and intelligent mystery. 

Pub. Date January 2009
ISBN 978-1-616-83565-1
440 pages
Available in hardcover, paperback and eBook

I LOVE YOU AND I'M LEAVING YOU ANYWAY

By Tracy McMillan - just released

Television writer Tracy McMillan's life story is amazing and enthralling. The daughter of a pimp and one of his prostitutes, Ms. McMillan invites us along on her journey to find herself; through foster care, prison visits, multiple marriages and into adulthood. Despite her horrific childhood, her humor makes it possible for us to read her story without having our hearts broken, although I must admit she brought me to tears more than once.

Despite her many difficulties, Ms. McMillan meets wonderful people along the way who love her. But it's the things she learns about herself that are the most insightful. Anyone reading this book will find something that touches their heart, no matter how good or bad their own childhood was.

This book was truly awesome; bravo to Ms. McMillan for overcoming so much and creating a happy, stable life for herself and her son.

GOOD TO A FAULT

by Marina Endicott - to be released March 23, 2010

The main character, Clara Purdy, has lived a simple, quiet life, having nursed both of her parents through terminal illnesses. Following a car accident, she opens her home and her heart to the Gages, the homeless family in the other car.

As she becomes more entangled in their haphazard lives, Clara begins to experience the joys and trials of everyday life, surrounded by people who need and depend on her.

Canadian writer Marina Endicott has written a beautiful and poignant love story.