Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Harvill Secker (2013), 528 pages
Description
The police urgently need Harry Hole . . . A killer is stalking Oslo's streets. Police officers are being slain at the scenes of crimes they once investigated but failed to solve. The murders are brutal, the media reaction hysterical. But this time, Harry can't help. For years, detective Harry Hole has been at the center of every major criminal investigation in Oslo. His dedication to his job and his brilliant insights have saved the lives of countless people. But now, with those he loves most facing terrible danger, Harry is not in a position to protect anyone--least of all himself.
User reviews
LibraryThing member dianaleez
Jo Nesbo's new Harry Hole novel is perhaps far too gripping.
Briefly, a serial killer seems bent on decimating the Oslo police department; former investigating officers are lured to the crime scenes they failed to clear and are themselves brutally dispatched.
Set on solving the crimes against their
All of Nesbo's usual offerings are here: the tension is gripping. The characters intriguing. The outcome difficult to predict. And violence rampant. I confess that at times this one was a bit too violent for me. But it's so well done that it just can't be walked away from.
Don Bartlett's translation from the Norwegian is, in my opinion, key to the novel's success. Bartlett is very good at what he does. At no time did I feel that I was reading a translation. Like many other American readers, I've been dipping into the crime novels of Jussi Adler-Olsen, Quentin Bates, and Karin Fossum. As a matter of fact, it was reading Adler-Olsen's latest novel that reminded me just how good Bartlett is.
"Police" is a novel for those who enjoy tight plotting and sustained character development; but it is not for the faint of heart. Be warned: it is violent. But so well done.
[A reviewer's copy was provided by the publisher.]
Briefly, a serial killer seems bent on decimating the Oslo police department; former investigating officers are lured to the crime scenes they failed to clear and are themselves brutally dispatched.
Set on solving the crimes against their
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own is Harry Hole's old team - Beate Lonn of the eidetic facial memory, unstable but clever Katrine Bratt, the caring and wise psychologist Stale Aune, and of course Bjorn Holm whose rough exterior hides the sharp mind beneath. Present and accounted for is Harry's usual nemesis, police chief Mikael Bellman. But where is Harry Hole? When last seen poor Harry was himself the victim of violence.All of Nesbo's usual offerings are here: the tension is gripping. The characters intriguing. The outcome difficult to predict. And violence rampant. I confess that at times this one was a bit too violent for me. But it's so well done that it just can't be walked away from.
Don Bartlett's translation from the Norwegian is, in my opinion, key to the novel's success. Bartlett is very good at what he does. At no time did I feel that I was reading a translation. Like many other American readers, I've been dipping into the crime novels of Jussi Adler-Olsen, Quentin Bates, and Karin Fossum. As a matter of fact, it was reading Adler-Olsen's latest novel that reminded me just how good Bartlett is.
"Police" is a novel for those who enjoy tight plotting and sustained character development; but it is not for the faint of heart. Be warned: it is violent. But so well done.
[A reviewer's copy was provided by the publisher.]
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LibraryThing member mikedraper
Harry Hole was seriously wounded at the conclusion of the last Jo Nesbo story and I didn't know if he would survive.
In "Police" someone is killing police officers at the scene of a murder investigation they worked on but did not solve.
Harry Hole doesn't make an appearance until late in the story.
Also, there is a badly wounded man in a hospital and guarded by police.It is not until deep into the story that we learn his identity and the reason for the police guard.
The story is set in Oslo, Norway and the author does an excellent job in keeping the reader guessing about the identity of the killer. There is also tremendous tension as the killer picks his next victim.
This is a well written, multi layered crime story with believable characters and a fine plot. While the story is complex, it rings true and is written by an author who is one of the best in his genre. His writing has been compared to Steig Larsson and I think the comparison is valid.
In "Police" someone is killing police officers at the scene of a murder investigation they worked on but did not solve.
Harry Hole doesn't make an appearance until late in the story.
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He is now a lecturer and in love with Rakel. He seems torn between his love for Rakel and his desire to continue police investigations.Also, there is a badly wounded man in a hospital and guarded by police.It is not until deep into the story that we learn his identity and the reason for the police guard.
The story is set in Oslo, Norway and the author does an excellent job in keeping the reader guessing about the identity of the killer. There is also tremendous tension as the killer picks his next victim.
This is a well written, multi layered crime story with believable characters and a fine plot. While the story is complex, it rings true and is written by an author who is one of the best in his genre. His writing has been compared to Steig Larsson and I think the comparison is valid.
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LibraryThing member Ronrose1
This Norwegian tale has more twists and turns than Henry had fjords. (Sorry I couldn't resist.) The continuing saga of Harry Hole, former Norwegian police detective. That's right, Harry has quit the force and taken a job lecturing on police procedures at the local academy. He is trying to get his
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life straightened out. It has been a hard road for Harry. He is an alcoholic. He has a taste for drugs. His girl friend's son, Oleg, while on drugs, shot and nearly killed Harry. He has promised Rakel, his girl friend, that he will not go back to the police force. There are police officers turning up murdered. They are being drawn to the scenes of former crimes which they have failed to help solve. Harry's former colleagues have some theories, but no concrete evidence. They are running out of time before another murder occurs. Their solid police work just isn't getting the job done. Harry had his own unique way of investigating murders. Ways not always condoned by the police manual. Harry is in a bind. He can come back to the police and risk losing his girl friend and her son or stand by while police are systematically being murdered. Jo Nesbo isn't afraid to take his characters into the darkness. Sometimes they work their way out, sometimes they are drawn deeper and deeper into the abyss. Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
Note: Absolutely no spoilers in this review!
This is the tenth novel in the Detective Harry Hole series. I can’t tell you much about the story at all, for fear of spoilers, but I can share my reaction to the book.
The only thing predictable about the book is its unpredictability. It’s almost as
The book does begin a bit slowly, or at least, so you think, until you have to go back and reevaluate what you have read so far!
Big caveat: I would both call this a companion novel to Phantom. Don’t read this as a standalone, but don’t miss this one after you’ve read the other; you won’t be disappointed - it’s absolutely masterful!
Evaluation: I loved it!
The Harry Hole Series In Order (yes, read them in order, even if you don't necessarily start at the beginning):
The Bat
The Cockroaches
The Redbreast
Nemesis
The Devil's Star
The Redeemer
The Snowman
The Leopard
Phantom
Police
This is the tenth novel in the Detective Harry Hole series. I can’t tell you much about the story at all, for fear of spoilers, but I can share my reaction to the book.
The only thing predictable about the book is its unpredictability. It’s almost as
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scary as it is surprising. Our impressions and emotions were whipsawed around at a crazy pace that didn’t let up at all ... which is to say, not even at the end! The twists keep coming as the narrators keep shifting, and for the last 100 pages or so, you will be on the edge of your seat.The book does begin a bit slowly, or at least, so you think, until you have to go back and reevaluate what you have read so far!
Big caveat: I would both call this a companion novel to Phantom. Don’t read this as a standalone, but don’t miss this one after you’ve read the other; you won’t be disappointed - it’s absolutely masterful!
Evaluation: I loved it!
The Harry Hole Series In Order (yes, read them in order, even if you don't necessarily start at the beginning):
The Bat
The Cockroaches
The Redbreast
Nemesis
The Devil's Star
The Redeemer
The Snowman
The Leopard
Phantom
Police
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LibraryThing member cacky
This could be the best Harry Hole novel. I believe I prefer sober Harry to drunk Harry - he is much less pathetic but hasn't lost any of his dark reasoning skills. Had me jumping from one suspect to another and I didn't see the actual suspect coming. Very cleverly written. Must admit that some of
Just wonder who will save Aurora.
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the plot turns left me disappointed - one in particular; however, it didn't lessen the impact of the novel.Just wonder who will save Aurora.
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LibraryThing member etrainer
Lots of writing tricks to keep the reader guessing more than normal. I couldn't stop reading this to find out the next twist in the story. Maybe now that I've finished it I can get a good night's sleep.
LibraryThing member Laura400
A fast-paced and suspenseful thriller, definitely worth it for fans. It’s a little grisly, and the body count accelerates almost too quickly, leaving some important characters either damaged, in peril or, shockingly, dead. And in other parts, it can be so emotional it's hokey. But it's successful
One disappointment for me: as the series goes on, Harry Hole feels less like a three dimensional character and more like a character from an action movie or graphic novel franchise. More “Dark Knight” than anything. But it is what it is. It feels like Nesbo is gearing up to finish the series in another book or two, and this is a gripping installment as the series accelerates to the end.
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genre writing, and I enjoyed reading it.One disappointment for me: as the series goes on, Harry Hole feels less like a three dimensional character and more like a character from an action movie or graphic novel franchise. More “Dark Knight” than anything. But it is what it is. It feels like Nesbo is gearing up to finish the series in another book or two, and this is a gripping installment as the series accelerates to the end.
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LibraryThing member sprocto
Jo Nesbo is the best in his genre and in crime novels in general. the story had me in it's grip from the beginning and kept me there through out. This is one of my favorites!
LibraryThing member Schatje
This is a very difficult book to review without spoilers, but I will endeavor to do so. First of all, it must be mentioned that this book is a follow-up to Phantom and readers would be strongly advised to read it first as Police continues the plot without detailed explanation.
Police officers are
Harry’s absence from the police force allows Nesbo to focus on the other investigators. Although they have appeared in previous Harry Hole mysteries, the ensemble players are more fully developed in this one. The ones that stand out are Beate Lønn, the head of forensics “who had a reputation as a kind of Rain Woman because of her ability to recognize faces” (16); Katrine Bratt, whose specialty is “tracking down people who had apparently vanished from the surface of the earth. Seeing patterns where others only see chance” (73); and Stȧle Aune, the mild-mannered psychologist who misses his former job as a police consultant “profiling sick souls who killed people with such gruesome acts of brutality that he was deprived of sleep at night” (22). Each of these secondary characters emerges as a round character; in fact, even the more minor characters and villains do not remain flat.
To say that the plot is dense would be an understatement. A concise plot summary is impossible not only because of the introduction of spoilers but also because of the complexity of the plot. The book never fails to surprise with its many twists and turns. Time and time again the reader becomes convinced that one thing is happening only to discover his/her assumptions were incorrect. Some reviewers complain about feeling manipulated but I think Nesbo is a master of misdirection who uses the mystery reader’s tendency to be like Silje Gravseng, a student at the police college who thinks she could tell Harry Hole how to solve a case. In the end, when the case is resolved, the reader should not feel cheated: all the clues are there.
Suspense is definitely a strong element in the book. Several suspects have credible motives, so some of the suspense derives from trying to determine the real culprit(s). More than one investigator finds him/herself in a dangerous situation so the tension diminishes for only brief pauses. One scene involving one of the team suspecting that a family member has been killed is brilliant in the way it ratchets up the suspense, especially since the author does not hesitate to have even major characters killed.
The one flaw is the use of coincidence. Most are acceptable, within the realm of plausibility, but the one that made me uncomfortable is the explanation of what happened to Harry at the end of Phantom (180).
Aune describes Harry Hole as “a starved, exhausted, monomaniacal hunter” and “the tall, grumpy alcoholic with the big heart” (23), but agrees that the former investigator “had been impossible not to love” (501). That’s the way it is with this book; it is not perfect, but it is a compelling read.
Police officers are
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being gruesomely murdered at the scenes of unsolved murder cases which they helped investigate. After the shocking ending of Phantom, readers are not surprised that Harry Hole is unable to assist in solving the deaths of former colleagues (though a complete explanation of what happened to Harry is not given for the first third of the novel). A team which had worked with Harry in the past leads the investigation into the police murders, drawing on everything they learned from his tactics.Harry’s absence from the police force allows Nesbo to focus on the other investigators. Although they have appeared in previous Harry Hole mysteries, the ensemble players are more fully developed in this one. The ones that stand out are Beate Lønn, the head of forensics “who had a reputation as a kind of Rain Woman because of her ability to recognize faces” (16); Katrine Bratt, whose specialty is “tracking down people who had apparently vanished from the surface of the earth. Seeing patterns where others only see chance” (73); and Stȧle Aune, the mild-mannered psychologist who misses his former job as a police consultant “profiling sick souls who killed people with such gruesome acts of brutality that he was deprived of sleep at night” (22). Each of these secondary characters emerges as a round character; in fact, even the more minor characters and villains do not remain flat.
To say that the plot is dense would be an understatement. A concise plot summary is impossible not only because of the introduction of spoilers but also because of the complexity of the plot. The book never fails to surprise with its many twists and turns. Time and time again the reader becomes convinced that one thing is happening only to discover his/her assumptions were incorrect. Some reviewers complain about feeling manipulated but I think Nesbo is a master of misdirection who uses the mystery reader’s tendency to be like Silje Gravseng, a student at the police college who thinks she could tell Harry Hole how to solve a case. In the end, when the case is resolved, the reader should not feel cheated: all the clues are there.
Suspense is definitely a strong element in the book. Several suspects have credible motives, so some of the suspense derives from trying to determine the real culprit(s). More than one investigator finds him/herself in a dangerous situation so the tension diminishes for only brief pauses. One scene involving one of the team suspecting that a family member has been killed is brilliant in the way it ratchets up the suspense, especially since the author does not hesitate to have even major characters killed.
The one flaw is the use of coincidence. Most are acceptable, within the realm of plausibility, but the one that made me uncomfortable is the explanation of what happened to Harry at the end of Phantom (180).
Aune describes Harry Hole as “a starved, exhausted, monomaniacal hunter” and “the tall, grumpy alcoholic with the big heart” (23), but agrees that the former investigator “had been impossible not to love” (501). That’s the way it is with this book; it is not perfect, but it is a compelling read.
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LibraryThing member shazjhb
Excellent book but I wish he would not kill off so many of the "good guys".
LibraryThing member RowingRabbit
Rarely give out 5 stars but this is a no brainer
Every time I read one of Nesbo's books, I am struck again by just how good he is. The previous book ended with Harry being shot by Oleg, the young man he helped raise & son of the woman he loves. This one opens with a comatose patient lying in a
It's been months since the shooting & Harry's old crew have moved on without him. Someone is killing police officers involved in old cases that were never solved.
That's all I'll say about the plot for 2 reasons. First, it's so complex as to be almost impossible to summarize when you could be reading the book instead of this review. Second, I don't want to spoil any surprises. Part of the joy in reading these books is trying to guess what happens next. Suffice to say, just as you think you know what's going on, think again.
Nesbo is a master of misdirection. There are always multiple characters that are candidates for the "bad guy", each with a credible motive. As the story progresses, you keep changing your mind as to the identity of the killer. There are many reoccurring characters & story lines from previous books are continued. There are shifting alliances, many hidden agendas & not all of the old crew will survive the fallout from this case. Unlike many authors, Nesbo doesn't shy away from bumping off a beloved character.
Tension slowly builds as we wait to see who will be the next target & you'll consider homicide yourself if anyone tries to come between you & this book. Once you're in its' grip, it's compulsive reading because you have to know how it all shakes out. Intricate plotting, sharp dialogue, compelling characters...what's not to like? You become completely invested in these people & want to see them get what they deserve, for better or worse.
I wanted to add a note about the translation. Sometimes when a novel is converted to English, it has a slightly awkward flow that reminds you it was originally in another language. Not so here. Don Bartlett has done a fantastic job, maintaining the voice of each character & the wry, dark gallows humour.
This is thriller writing at its' best with an intense pace & jaw dropping twists. If you haven't read this series before, don't start here. Get the first one. Each subsequent book is all the richer as you get to know the histories of each character & their relationships. What a pleasure!
Every time I read one of Nesbo's books, I am struck again by just how good he is. The previous book ended with Harry being shot by Oleg, the young man he helped raise & son of the woman he loves. This one opens with a comatose patient lying in a
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hospital bed under police protection. If he could speak, he'd have a few things to say about a couple members of the force, one currently under suspension, the other the new chief.It's been months since the shooting & Harry's old crew have moved on without him. Someone is killing police officers involved in old cases that were never solved.
That's all I'll say about the plot for 2 reasons. First, it's so complex as to be almost impossible to summarize when you could be reading the book instead of this review. Second, I don't want to spoil any surprises. Part of the joy in reading these books is trying to guess what happens next. Suffice to say, just as you think you know what's going on, think again.
Nesbo is a master of misdirection. There are always multiple characters that are candidates for the "bad guy", each with a credible motive. As the story progresses, you keep changing your mind as to the identity of the killer. There are many reoccurring characters & story lines from previous books are continued. There are shifting alliances, many hidden agendas & not all of the old crew will survive the fallout from this case. Unlike many authors, Nesbo doesn't shy away from bumping off a beloved character.
Tension slowly builds as we wait to see who will be the next target & you'll consider homicide yourself if anyone tries to come between you & this book. Once you're in its' grip, it's compulsive reading because you have to know how it all shakes out. Intricate plotting, sharp dialogue, compelling characters...what's not to like? You become completely invested in these people & want to see them get what they deserve, for better or worse.
I wanted to add a note about the translation. Sometimes when a novel is converted to English, it has a slightly awkward flow that reminds you it was originally in another language. Not so here. Don Bartlett has done a fantastic job, maintaining the voice of each character & the wry, dark gallows humour.
This is thriller writing at its' best with an intense pace & jaw dropping twists. If you haven't read this series before, don't start here. Get the first one. Each subsequent book is all the richer as you get to know the histories of each character & their relationships. What a pleasure!
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LibraryThing member Twink
Jo Nesbo left us wondering at the end of the ninth book (Phantom) in his Detective Harry Hole series if there would be a tenth book. There is indeed - Police. I think it's the best one yet.
Quite frankly, it's one of the best detective stories I've read in a long time. Nesbo's plotting is
A mysterious unnamed man in a coma being guarded around the clock in the hospital. Who is he? Why is he so important? Police officers are being killed on the scenes of old unsolved crimes - ones that they were involved in. necessarily solved. How is someone getting the drop on a police officer? And Harry's old unit?Disbanded. Where is Harry?
Oh, Nesbo is so clever with his storytelling! I was hooked from the first page to the very last (and very happy that there were 500 delicious pages to enjoy!) The plot is serpentine with another and then another twist slowly added, entangling the reader. Police is dark
Harry Hole is one of the most tortured, conflicted, complicated protagonists in crime fiction. Police finds him in a different place, both physically and mentally. But is it a better place? Hole continues to fight demons both within and without, walking a fine line between chasing criminals and becoming one.
Police is a brilliantly dark read. And just when the story is winding down and you thought you could take a deep breath - Nesbo snatches it away again in the final pages with another gut wrenching ending that will have fans counting down the days 'til the next entry in this fantastic series.
I have Jo Nesbo and Harry Hole on my must read list. Nesbo combines fantastic characters, great plotting, lots of action and suspense and yes, social commentary into addictive reads. Although you could pick up Police and dive into the series, I think new readers of this series need to start with an earlier book to fully appreciate Harry.
Quite frankly, it's one of the best detective stories I've read in a long time. Nesbo's plotting is
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spectacular. I really had no idea where the book was going to go. Suspects abound and deceit, lies and corruption are the order of the day from everyone - criminals and cops.A mysterious unnamed man in a coma being guarded around the clock in the hospital. Who is he? Why is he so important? Police officers are being killed on the scenes of old unsolved crimes - ones that they were involved in. necessarily solved. How is someone getting the drop on a police officer? And Harry's old unit?Disbanded. Where is Harry?
Oh, Nesbo is so clever with his storytelling! I was hooked from the first page to the very last (and very happy that there were 500 delicious pages to enjoy!) The plot is serpentine with another and then another twist slowly added, entangling the reader. Police is dark
Harry Hole is one of the most tortured, conflicted, complicated protagonists in crime fiction. Police finds him in a different place, both physically and mentally. But is it a better place? Hole continues to fight demons both within and without, walking a fine line between chasing criminals and becoming one.
Police is a brilliantly dark read. And just when the story is winding down and you thought you could take a deep breath - Nesbo snatches it away again in the final pages with another gut wrenching ending that will have fans counting down the days 'til the next entry in this fantastic series.
I have Jo Nesbo and Harry Hole on my must read list. Nesbo combines fantastic characters, great plotting, lots of action and suspense and yes, social commentary into addictive reads. Although you could pick up Police and dive into the series, I think new readers of this series need to start with an earlier book to fully appreciate Harry.
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LibraryThing member gpangel
Police: A Harry Hole Novel by Jo Nesbo is a 2013 Random House publication. This book was translated by Don Bartlett. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
When we last visited with Harry his life was in terrible turmoil. This book pretty
This case obviously hits close to home. The police have very little to go on except the possibility that an old nemesis they thought was dead, may actually still be alive. Harry gets drawn into the case despite his promise to Rakel.
There are several threads going on at once that show the political climate involving the chief of police, and an old acquaintance of Harry's is back to cause him trouble, hoping to come between Rakel and Harry.
As more of their own die, the team becomes desperate, always seeming to stay one step behind the killer. Once more Harry finds his worst nightmares coming true.
This is another great Harry Hole thriller. I think that in this installment, the author has taken the time to allow Harry some personal growth and I think it's long overdue. I think it's past time for Harry to face his issues head on and find some kind of peace. That doesn't mean he won't still have his nightmares and his demons, but I think Harry deserves a break from the dark turmoil that has ruled his life up to this point. Harry faces some temptations and is able to realize his own self sabotage in time to keep from messing everything up.
In the investigation, Harry once more proves he is ahead of the game and the best of the best despite his flaws.
I loved the ending of the book. It was bittersweet for sure, but a long time coming!
My one complaint about the book was that Harry was spoken of but did not make an actual appearance until 30% into the book. The team is only interesting when Harry is with them, and I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the book at first. Once Harry arrived on the scene though, the pace picked up and it was business as usual. This one gets an A.
When we last visited with Harry his life was in terrible turmoil. This book pretty
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much picks back up where we left off. Harry has recovered from his wound and is with Rakel and Oleg. He has given up the type of work that puts him and his family in danger. But when policemen begin dying at the crime scenes of unsolved murders, Harry is the first person everyone wishes were still on the team. This case obviously hits close to home. The police have very little to go on except the possibility that an old nemesis they thought was dead, may actually still be alive. Harry gets drawn into the case despite his promise to Rakel.
There are several threads going on at once that show the political climate involving the chief of police, and an old acquaintance of Harry's is back to cause him trouble, hoping to come between Rakel and Harry.
As more of their own die, the team becomes desperate, always seeming to stay one step behind the killer. Once more Harry finds his worst nightmares coming true.
This is another great Harry Hole thriller. I think that in this installment, the author has taken the time to allow Harry some personal growth and I think it's long overdue. I think it's past time for Harry to face his issues head on and find some kind of peace. That doesn't mean he won't still have his nightmares and his demons, but I think Harry deserves a break from the dark turmoil that has ruled his life up to this point. Harry faces some temptations and is able to realize his own self sabotage in time to keep from messing everything up.
In the investigation, Harry once more proves he is ahead of the game and the best of the best despite his flaws.
I loved the ending of the book. It was bittersweet for sure, but a long time coming!
My one complaint about the book was that Harry was spoken of but did not make an actual appearance until 30% into the book. The team is only interesting when Harry is with them, and I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the book at first. Once Harry arrived on the scene though, the pace picked up and it was business as usual. This one gets an A.
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LibraryThing member maneekuhi
I have read all of Nesbo's Harry Hole books with the exception of #2, " The Cockroaches". I'm getting tired of Harry. Too much. Maybe I need a 12-24 month break. In this book, Harry's colleagues are quoting him like he's Harry Houdini and Mahatma Gandhi wrapped together. HH can do no wrong, he
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knows all. A long term casr member is killed off I think Nesbo chose the wrong one. Nevertheless, the story is quite good. Someone is killing cops on the anniversary of some unsolved murders. Truls and Beckman return as heavies. I must confess I got a bit more confused with all the Nordic names for people, cities, streets. This one felt like Nesbo was too much in love with his creation. See you in 2015 ? Show Less
LibraryThing member JoMacMears
This is my favorite in the Harry Hole series ever. Unfortunately, I have been reading them out of sequence -- but that just reinforces how brilliant and enjoyable these novels are. Interestingly, though, I did not like his first Harry Hole book -- It never engaged me; I thought it was pretty boring.
LibraryThing member basilisksam
Good thriller, well written like all the Harry Hole books. I was a little irritated by the emphasis on misdirection the author employs in this installment. By the time you get half way through the book you have realised that nothing is as it's initially presented. Whilst every good thriller needs
I believe Nesbo's going to end the series after the next installment and I think he's right to do so. The whole sequence of books is one of the best in modern detective fiction but there's a real danger of Harry becoming a parody of himself if he keeps being dragged back from the edge for the next book.
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misdirection, in this case there's so much of it that you can start to predict what's really happening. Without giving anything away you can say that if you think one person is going to be killed off, it will be another person; if you think he's talking about Hole, he's not; if you think something will happen at one location, it won't; if you think someone is dead, they aren't and so on.I believe Nesbo's going to end the series after the next installment and I think he's right to do so. The whole sequence of books is one of the best in modern detective fiction but there's a real danger of Harry becoming a parody of himself if he keeps being dragged back from the edge for the next book.
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LibraryThing member alohaboy
Another solid addition to the Harry Hole series. Well worth reading.
LibraryThing member clq
Some times I'm annoyed at not liking a book as much as I wanted to. Politi wasn't one of these books. In the case of Politi I'm almost annoyed that I liked it as much as I did.
Politi really is a page-turner, but not in the traditional what-happens-on-the-next-page sense of the expression. With this
Unfortunately Politi also does two things I generally really dislike. Most of the peripheral characters are almost remarkably static, and the story is at times almost cringingly predictable.
The character-thing I can forgive. There are quite a few characters, and developing them all would probably ruin the pace of the book. Still, it would be nice to at least live under the illusion that there was more to a character than what first meets the eye.
The predictability thing, however, is more annoying. Many of the major plot-twists are foreshadowed so thoroughly that I was just waiting for them to happen. I assume this was intentional some of the time, but other times it was obvious that my mind wasn't where the author intended it to be. Some of the red herrings were also so red, and so fishy-smelling, that they failed to serve their purpose even a little.
Then again, these very things might be exactly what makes the book both incredibly easy to read and so easy to like. The book's apparent flaws might be cleverly designed to sucker people into enjoying the book despite themselves, adding a tinge of guilt which serves to enhance the pleasure.
If that is the case I was well and truly suckered. Well played, Jo Nesbø, well played.
Politi really is a page-turner, but not in the traditional what-happens-on-the-next-page sense of the expression. With this
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I got a slightly more satisfying what-happens-a-few-chapters-from-now feeling, which was a pleasant surprise. It sustains its pace throughout and never gets boring. It really is impossible to argue against Politi being a great book. It's a well thought out, well executed, exciting thriller.Unfortunately Politi also does two things I generally really dislike. Most of the peripheral characters are almost remarkably static, and the story is at times almost cringingly predictable.
The character-thing I can forgive. There are quite a few characters, and developing them all would probably ruin the pace of the book. Still, it would be nice to at least live under the illusion that there was more to a character than what first meets the eye.
The predictability thing, however, is more annoying. Many of the major plot-twists are foreshadowed so thoroughly that I was just waiting for them to happen. I assume this was intentional some of the time, but other times it was obvious that my mind wasn't where the author intended it to be. Some of the red herrings were also so red, and so fishy-smelling, that they failed to serve their purpose even a little.
Then again, these very things might be exactly what makes the book both incredibly easy to read and so easy to like. The book's apparent flaws might be cleverly designed to sucker people into enjoying the book despite themselves, adding a tinge of guilt which serves to enhance the pleasure.
If that is the case I was well and truly suckered. Well played, Jo Nesbø, well played.
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LibraryThing member polarbear123
Great stuff yet again. Love the Harry hole series, always entertaining and the plot is full of twists. Everything you could ever want from a top class thriller. Brilliant.
LibraryThing member bookczuk
I am so mad at Jo Nesbø right now. He left us in such limbo after the last book, but I forgave him, because I knew Harry wouldn't die just yet. I didn't even mind the suspense and veiled leads in the beginning of this book, because once again, it was superb writing, character crafting, and plot
Interestingly enough, this was the first book I read on the new e-reader husband gave me for Father's Day. It's not as weird as it sounds, as I gave him his father's day gift early-- on Mother's Day, to be exact. We do things a little differently in the Czuk household.
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unveiling. These characters are real, and each of them, with their peculiar quirks, strengths, and flaws, are people, rather than fiction, to me. And because of that, I am so mad at Jo Nesbø from about a little more than midway into this book. I can't say more, for fear of spoilers. Gah. I won't forgive Mr Nesbø until the next book comes out. And then, I'll probably get mad at him for something else. He's becoming a little like the GRRM of Nordic Noir.Interestingly enough, this was the first book I read on the new e-reader husband gave me for Father's Day. It's not as weird as it sounds, as I gave him his father's day gift early-- on Mother's Day, to be exact. We do things a little differently in the Czuk household.
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LibraryThing member michigantrumpet
Author Jo Nesbo has certainly hit his stride in his tenth volume of the Henry Hole series. After the cliffhanger at the end of the preceeding Phantom, I rushed into this one. Up to now, I've been reading these in a haphazard any-order-will-do fashion. Not so here. Phantom and Police should be read
A serial killer has hit the streets of Oslo. Gruesomely, the murderer is focused on unsolved prior murders, killing investigating officers at the scene and in style reminiscent of their prior failure. A new Police Chief and changing City Council are hard put to deal with this political hot potato.
Anything more would surely give too much away. Nesbo ratchets up the tension as he hops from one fraught scenario to another, leaving red herrings and dead bodies in his wake. I can truly say I was fooled almost to the very end. And that doesn't happen too often.
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in tandem. A serial killer has hit the streets of Oslo. Gruesomely, the murderer is focused on unsolved prior murders, killing investigating officers at the scene and in style reminiscent of their prior failure. A new Police Chief and changing City Council are hard put to deal with this political hot potato.
Anything more would surely give too much away. Nesbo ratchets up the tension as he hops from one fraught scenario to another, leaving red herrings and dead bodies in his wake. I can truly say I was fooled almost to the very end. And that doesn't happen too often.
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LibraryThing member smik
A Jo Nesbo novel is never a light read, and at 518 pages POLICE bears this out. It has taken me over a week to read, partly because I didn't seem to be able to digest more than about 50 pages at a time.
This is not a novel you can read as a stand-alone either. There are references to Harry's earlier
Harry Hole's clear up rate is legendary in the Oslo Police and so we know that if he can't work out who the Cop Killer is, no one can. But Harry is no longer officially part of the police force, which is a conundrum. And for about a third of the novel we are wondering exactly where Harry is.
I came away from POLICE wondering if every thread had been satisfactorily tied off. Certainly corruption is not confined to the criminals and the official version of events is not always what actually happened. Underneath is Harry Hole's version of justice.
This is not a novel you can read as a stand-alone either. There are references to Harry's earlier
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cases, and indeed remembering a little about some of them seems crucial to making sense of POLICE. There are characters such as the Chief of Police Mikael Bellmann and Harry Hole's lover Rakel who provide a thread of continuity from one novel to another.Harry Hole's clear up rate is legendary in the Oslo Police and so we know that if he can't work out who the Cop Killer is, no one can. But Harry is no longer officially part of the police force, which is a conundrum. And for about a third of the novel we are wondering exactly where Harry is.
I came away from POLICE wondering if every thread had been satisfactorily tied off. Certainly corruption is not confined to the criminals and the official version of events is not always what actually happened. Underneath is Harry Hole's version of justice.
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LibraryThing member TheCrow2
The last volume of the Harry Hole series (so far) is as much as an exciting pageturner as the previous ones. Great story, excellent characters, good story development. My only slight concern is that Nesbo uses the same 'suprising turn' again at the end of the book which he used at the first third
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of the book (where it was sooo cheap at the first time as well). Show Less
LibraryThing member ozzie65
As my blog followers know, I was recently introduced to Jo Nesbo and his character of Harry Hole, a deeply flawed police officer from Oslo, Norway. It was love at first word and now, I am on a mission to read the whole series. I was trying to read these in order but readers know there is a ghost
Periodically, the ghost of books, will misplace or hide the next book in the series, forcing the reader to rip the house apart looking for that book. Unable to find it, you read the one at hand but drive yourself crazy trying to find the other book.
I also have a critic. Her name is Cotton and she is a cat. She is critical of all books. They all have to be shelved or she uses them for potential scratching posts. The more you value a book, the greater the risk that Cotton will scratch the cover for you.
So between ghost and Cotton, I was forced out of order in the series. This novel was a real nail biter too. Police in Oslo are returning to the scenes of unsolved crimes on the one year anniversary and are being systematically slaughtered.
A team is assembled of officers and profilers who have worked with or been associated with or mentored by Harry Hole. Unlike in previous novels, Harry comes into the story a little later and has had a series of events unfold that have changed his life and lifestyle.
It is a real cat and mouse game that the police are playing with the killer. They are also in the game of politics and the higher ups want solutions and results while at the same time, working against the very interests they are working to serve.
Oslo is the backdrop this time. In the other stories I have read so far, Harry has been on the road, solving cases around the world. This time, he is working as a professor at the police training college and advising the force on methods to solve these cases – which he was at first reluctant to become involved in.
Nesbo’s writing is excellent. I haven’t enjoyed a series like this and been so engrossed in some time. I keep coming back for more and I will continue in my quest to find the misplaced book so we I can share another Harry Hole story with you next time. The ghost and the cat, willing.
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who lives in all houses with books.Periodically, the ghost of books, will misplace or hide the next book in the series, forcing the reader to rip the house apart looking for that book. Unable to find it, you read the one at hand but drive yourself crazy trying to find the other book.
I also have a critic. Her name is Cotton and she is a cat. She is critical of all books. They all have to be shelved or she uses them for potential scratching posts. The more you value a book, the greater the risk that Cotton will scratch the cover for you.
So between ghost and Cotton, I was forced out of order in the series. This novel was a real nail biter too. Police in Oslo are returning to the scenes of unsolved crimes on the one year anniversary and are being systematically slaughtered.
A team is assembled of officers and profilers who have worked with or been associated with or mentored by Harry Hole. Unlike in previous novels, Harry comes into the story a little later and has had a series of events unfold that have changed his life and lifestyle.
It is a real cat and mouse game that the police are playing with the killer. They are also in the game of politics and the higher ups want solutions and results while at the same time, working against the very interests they are working to serve.
Oslo is the backdrop this time. In the other stories I have read so far, Harry has been on the road, solving cases around the world. This time, he is working as a professor at the police training college and advising the force on methods to solve these cases – which he was at first reluctant to become involved in.
Nesbo’s writing is excellent. I haven’t enjoyed a series like this and been so engrossed in some time. I keep coming back for more and I will continue in my quest to find the misplaced book so we I can share another Harry Hole story with you next time. The ghost and the cat, willing.
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LibraryThing member edwardsgt
Expired before I finished it as I found it a challenging read.
Awards
Bästa översatta kriminalroman (Nominee — 2012)
Original publication date
2013 (original Norwegian)
2013-09-17 (English: Bartlett)
ISBN
9781846555978