The Redbreast is a wonderful complex, tightly constructed novel; shifting between history and a contemporary modern day crime plot. The Author Jo Nesbø brings us into his Oslo and story during late 1999. Detective Harry Hole and work partner Ellen Gjelten have been given a routine security assignment but it doesn't take long for a communication break down and all to go horribly wrong. Over at police HQ a decision from the seniors are quickly made to promote Harry to the rank of inspector, a promotion combined with a move to a screened operation in POT, also known as getting him out of the way and cover up any police blunders. Harry's new assignment is to monitor neo-Nazi activities; he soon discovers a high-calibre rifle has been smuggled into the country, a favourite weapon for any assassin.

The second story is the heart of where this tale starts World War II, 1942 this plot is constantly moving itself forward through the war. Norwegian soldiers many without any initial training were sent to the front, they thought they were fighting for their country but the realization was very different they were fighting a losing battle for Hitler on the Eastern front. The Russians were gaining ground and survival was simply taken a day at a time, fear became every soldiers best friend. Many deserted or became prisoners of war others joined the Norwegian Resistance. War with its deepest psychology, one man's darkness will never end, wanting his own justice severed.

I first read this book in 2007 it was suspenseful and gripping then, the second time around was very much the same but strangely enough my re-read was around Remembrance Day just gone, which was nothing more than a coincidence but it did make this book more thought provoking. Jo Nesbø based parts of this book on his own family stories from WWII this I feel is a wonderful tribute to his own parents. Personal family stories from any war are the ones normally told quite differently from our history books, so his own family stories makes this whole storyline very intriguing to read. The Author gives us a clear outline of Norwegian life, different perspectives, outcomes, it covers quite a lot of views, choices and actions during and after the war; actions that shows peoples future fate. Two sides, one outcome, both sides looking to win, for some it will never end, anti-Stalinist on one side and Norwegian Resistance on the other, characters share stories and tragedies while everything remains on a conclusion course for the final dark modern day twisted finish. The author builds suspense and tension throughout, incredibly descriptive with some real heartbreaking moments too.

Brilliant characterization, clear insight, observation and mannerism of people it's all quite uncanny. If you're reading about Harry Hole for the first time, expect a loner, an alcoholic full of cynicism but he remains likeable, when his job bears too much evil it keeps him from staying on the wagon. Another reason to start here you will also meet quite a few other characters in this book that continue through the series, especially on his love life as it starts to flourish in this one.

It's the little things: The humour in Jo Nesbø novels never escapes my notice, it translates into an English dry sense of humour and it works well with everything else going on. Something else I've noticed about this authors writing his very descriptive, he pays great attention to detail, however small, for this book it's anything from a mechanical hitch in Harry's run down old Escort (most of us have all been there, trying to get the car to start on a cold morning alone, hoping it might just turn over the first time) or just the simple things that happen in every day life to make realness and imagination connect. Thoroughly enjoy this Author work and with the history, mystery and twists combined he never missed his mark, highly recommend, great book for any evening especially a winters one.

Also adding here a thank you to Don Bartlett for the clear translation in the series.

Andrea Bowhill ( )

“The Redbreast” was my first foray into Scandinavian crime fiction. What a treat! Great local (but I am a sucker for cold, gloomy locales) and dark, murky moods (sucker again). Throw in some history, a complex plot suited for a complex cop and you have got me hooked. Have since started buying/collecting more Scandinavian crime fiction as a result of reading this book. Seems the dark, murky mood is their forte. Maybe it is the latitude? ( )

"I wonder if there's a vacancy in a brighter place... if they need a cop in Bergen" (H.Hole)
Say you go to visit Norway. Of course you want to stay in Oslo a few days.
Say you want a unusual guide giving you an overview of the city with the eyes of a native (a very disillusioned one, I should add) and a few political and historical insights, keeping always your attention to "on your toe" level.
My choice was Harry Hole (Jo Nesbø's "The Redbreast " character).
He took me around places and showed the good and the bad side of the city, some bars and restaurants included, made me smile explaining me the naive customs (i.e.: cops don't wear weapons? unbelievable but true over there!), thrilled me with the investigation on a terrorist threat connected to some apparently randomic murders, making me feel the taste of a sad winter in a nordic metropolis and the relief of the coming spring... and laying down on the table a down to earth analysis of norwegian sense of guilt toward nazism and a flame out of the problem in the youth suburban culture...... how does it sounds? It worked for me, I enjoyed the mix book/tour to the point I went back to Norway (in the spring this time!) with another Nesbø's masterpiece!!! :)
Only one warning... if you are heart broken, find other ways to enjoy the city... there's a full plenty of'em... Harry's company wont do you any good... his drinking genes and his grim view on the future will make your perpective even murkier...
Salvatore Gagliarde ( )

This mystery set mostly in Oslo, Norway, takes the reader back and forth from the present to WWII Eastern Front where a number of native Norwegians in the fighting force deploy to the Eastern Front once Norway is occupied by Germany. Detective Harry Hole is promoted for political reasons early in the story, and as a result has the freedom to work on a case with nefariousness in many characters. An extremely rare assassin's rifle seems to be smuggled into Norway, and that sparks Hole on to unraveling a mystery of who's who among a small squad of WWII relics.

The book is agonizingly slow in the first 50+ pages, almost to the point of being unreadable to anyone but a Harry Hole fan. The author perhaps doesn't realize that in the middle and late parts of the book he can jump quickly from thread to thread, however attempting this in the beginning, using pronouns, with no background, makes for a mostly wasted set of pages. This book could be a lot better with less jumping around in the beginning--and even at the faster paced ending no one is going to call the book 'taut'. The mystery and solution are cleverly written.

The book touches on the evolution of Norway from a monarchy to Nazi-ism back to a monarchy and how the ideals of Nazi-ism uncomfortably touch on politics and immigration in Norway today. The book includes skinhead Neo-Nazi's and the required 'secret financier' enabling the skinheads to pursue their unrest. ( )

It didn't take me long to fall in love with detective Harry Hole. Even though Nesbø paints a less than flattering picture of our main character, Hole is no less than fantastic. Fighting against a drinking problem and enemies he doesn't even know exist, Hole must try to solve a mystery that's deeply connected to Norway's involvement in World War II and Norwegian Nazis. Nesbø's writing style, translated by Don Bartlett, is strong and intriguing. And though Hole is the main character, Nesbø doesn't shy away from creating strong secondary characters. I thoroughly enjoyed and loved this book. The only reason I gave it 4.5 stars is because there's a bit of character death that is vital to the plot, but upset me greatly. ( )

Top-notch story, with complex twists, smart plot resolution and at least two hanging threads to entice a reader to pick up the next book -- when it comes out. ( )

Great Nordic Crime thriller, against the backdrop of Norwegian guilt over capitulation to the Germans during WWII. Goes back and forth between the present and WWII to slowly add to our understanding of the context of the crimes. Briskly written but not a simple novel. The cop, Harry Hole, is a modern day Norwegian, operating according to his own quirky code of justice. Very suspenseful and with some interesting digressions such as discussions of bird behavior. Sometimes a bit too complex--hard to keep track of all the characters but that is a minimal flaw far outweighed by the overall excitement of the book. Won the best Nordic Crime Novel and Norwegian book clubs voted it the best Norwegian Crime Novel ever written. ( )

The Scandanavians are geniuses in the crime-writing world; this book is 500+ pages and I couldn't stop reading until I had finished the entire thing. It is so very credible that I couldn't put it down. The characters are very well drawn, the story grabs you and doesn't let down, and the writing is excellent.

The book starts with one story line featuring Harry Hole, a police detective, and his partner Ellen, who are on surveillance detail in Oslo while the US President is meeting with others there. Harry finds himself caught up in the middle ofa messy situation leaving a Secret Service agent dead; but because the US doesn't want the word to get out that there was a screw-up, Harry is promoted to the Security Service (the POT) where he has his own office and pretty much does nothing but read reports and decide which ones need further study. However, he finds one report that captures his attention -- a rather unique weapon is found that turns out to have been an old Marklin rifle, actually outlawed because of its incredibly destructive power. It's also a very expensive weapon, and Harry gets on the trail immediately, but his investigation leads him into some dark and ugly areas.

The author also interweaves a story that starts during WWII, at the Eastern Front, when many Norwegians found themselves fighting on the side of the Germans against the Russians. As the two storylines begin to merge, the story really heats up, and you will not be able to stop reading. I can't say more because any minor give away would ruin the whole thing.

The story is very well crafted, the writing is great, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone enjoys a good, solid mystery. I would also recommend it to those who like Scandinavian writers but who, perhaps, have not yet tried this author.

I just bought the next one, Nemesis, and can't wait to read it. ( )

This is the first thing I’ve read by the Norwegian writer, Jo Nesbo, and it is very good. According to the blurb, The Redbreast was voted “Best Norwegian Crime Novel Ever Written” by members of Norwegian book clubs. This is a taut, well structured mystery with good characters and interesting, but plausible, plot twists that keep the pace moving. Police Detective Harry Hole, promoted to Inspector during this story for reasons of bureaucratic expediency rather than simply for his recognized talents as a detective, has had his problems with alcohol and a tendency to swim against the current. But here he falls into a mystery that has its roots way back in WWII when contingents of Norwegians fought for the Germans on the eastern front, in this case the northeastern front near Leningrad. Many of these men were imprisoned after the war as traitors, but Nesbo explores the moral certainties that are not always all that clear. A number of these men are still alive and become involved in the plot when Nesbo starts to investigate the secret importation of a special sniper rifle. Nesbo is also very good on the machinations of bureaucracy, the manipulation of issues and people sometimes for private aims, the one-upmanship that underlies the veneer of polite exchanges. You get a feel for Oslo, and for the challenges of modern Norwegian society integrating people from widely diverse ethnic backgrounds as well as the backlash that sometimes provokes. The main mystery is solved and Harry saves the day in some fast, action-packed moments at the end, but Nesbo does not wrap up all the loose ends. I assume, and hope, that Harry returns to pursue those. Recommended reading.

When Norway's crime squad wants to quietly remove Harry Hole from the public's - and especially the press's eye - they promote him to investigator with the POT (Security Service) to essentially push paper around. In the process of pushing this paper around, Harry finds himself assigned to watch a neo-Nazi who escaped prison on a legal technicality and that assignment leads Harry into a serial murder case that has ties to World War II Nazis.

Jo Nesbø's The Redbreast is a complex novel involving two plots - one present-day Oslo, Norway, one World War II Eastern Front - that creatively swerve around, over and under each other for about 400 pages and then collide to create a spectacular conclusion. Each time the plots come close to each other, the reader moves a little closer to understanding the outcome, to solving the case. And THEN the plots twist. Right up to the end Nesbø is throwing twist after twist into the fold, which keeps the pace quick and the action sharp. This is a long book in page numbers, but those pages almost turn themselves. And don't get lazy reading this one; there are no lulls or unimportant parts.

The characters who inhabit this novel are rich and multi-dimensional. I've heard many people complaining about the cliché alcoholic cop. Harry Hole is a recovering alcoholic, but he doesn't fit any of the clichés. His relationships with others is probably what builds his character the most. When he leaves the crime squad, he is also leaving his partner and confidant, Ellen. Harry's relationship with his sister also helps to define him. He isn't a rebel or a maverick, and while he, at times, is on the outside looking in, he actually wants to belong. He desperately wants that light on his answerphone to be lit up when he comes home.

One of the elements I found most stunning about this novel were the various parallels of man to nature. The imagery the nature analogies present is stunning, and their purposes multi-faceted. They are presenting themes in the novel but they also work to create foreshadowing. The novel ends on bit of a mysterious note, one that makes the reader suspect that we haven't heard the last of Harry Hole. And that's a good thing in my opinion. ( )

I love love love Harry Hole books. I can't wait to read the entire series as it is translated into English. And Jo Nesbo has the coolest web site of any author I know. ( )

A complex and compelling crime thriller. But keep a notepad handy to keep track of the names! A good story, deep characters and an authentic atmosphere. ( )

Absolutely brilliant, weaving together the involvement of some Norwegians in a German military unit in the past, neo-Nazis in present-day Norway, and assassination plot, and (perhaps the best part of all) the life of detective Harry Hole, There are bits that are a bit contemplative, bits that are wild thriller scenes, and bits that are incredibly moving. I'm happy that more of this series is being translated into English. Highly recommended.

The 3'rd in the Harry Hole series can easily be read independently. Apart from a bit of disconnectedness in the beginning due to the very short chapters and lots of time and character jumps, it is a well written police crime taking place in present day Oslo, with roots back to WWII.

The novel starts with the American president visiting Oslo, leading to the political promotion for Harry. He uses his freedom to pursue a case that noone else deem important, only to discover that it is connected to a series of murder.
While he is hidden away in the PET (the Norwegian police investigation agency) Harry is chasing down the illegal import of a Märklin rifle, bringing him in contact with neo nazists and old socialnationalists fighting on against the communists in WWII.
The motivation of the murder is not always clear, but since this is part of the story, it never seems like an artificial plotdevice.
Harry is a sympathetic and credible character whose lone and barren lifestyle may have been easier to understand in context of the previous books in the series.
THe plot is entertaining and tightly woven, and the characters are well fleshed out and engaging. ( )

http://www.austcrimefiction.org/node/... ( )

A detective thriller set in Norway which takes us back to the World War II Eastern Front and Quislings to solve a series of crimes revolving around neo-Nazis. It reminds us perhaps that harmless-looking little old men may have a very violent past and may not have lost all the skills and attitudes that they picked up in darker times. ( )

Very good book. Main character is Harry Hole, a kind of renegade police detective who doesn't allways follow the rules. When he shots a secret service agent by mistake he is promoted and transferred to another department. Meanwhile someone has been target shooting with a military gun and Harry is sure that they will use it soon. ( )

http://ilovecrimefiction.blogspot.com... ( )

TO THE average reader of mysteries in English, the global village is a good thing because we can enjoy access to excellent translations of good foreign thrillers. Indeed, translators are becoming artists in their own right and are no longer restricted to dull and pedantic renditions containing as much vim and vigour as a schoolchild's rendition of Cicero.

Were Scandinavians always such accomplished mystery writers? Arnaldur Indridason, Håkan Nesser, Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo have been added to my library list to keep Harlen Coben, Mark Billingham and Elizabeth George company.

Nesbo is a Norwegian. “Quisling”, once a common term of abuse, has become so obscure as to be almost archaic, but our grandparents used it as a derogatory name for traitors. During the Second World War, the Norwegian premier Vidkun Quisling collaborated and conspired with the Nazis. His government supported Hitler and while there was no universal conscription, thousands of Norwegian volunteers enlisted in the fight against the Allies.

After the war, most of the soldiers and nurses were tried as collaborators and imprisoned for several years. Few of the Norwegian volunteers supported Nazi ideals, however: they believed they were fighting against communism which, with its anti-Christian creed, was seen as the greater evil.

The Redbreast considers the flight of those former patriots, who suffered terrible privations on the eastern front protecting their country against the Russians. Only now, more than 50 years later, are the conditions ripe for a resurgence of the xenophobia and paranoia of the 1930s and neo-Nazis are on the rise as foreign asylum seekers permeate Norway.

These people are resentful as they pay taxes to support immigrants who will not learn their language, follow their religion or respect their culture; and who are fundamentally different in appearance and easily distinguished.

Unlike the Norwegians who fought against the Allies, the modern neo-Nazis wholeheartedly support Hitler's racial prejudices — although Asians have replaced Jews as their enemy.

The book combines past and present, dealing with a series of murders in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, but also telling the story of a group of soldiers during the war, and the ambiguity of their dreams and ideals.

When killings in 1999 are linked to Norwegian war exploits, Inspector Harry Hole is determined to get to the truth, no matter where it leads. He has been charged with monitoring neo-Nazi activity, and reports that they have access to a rare and unusual weapon excite his interest. As he tries to track down the owner of the weapon, he is called to interview an arms dealer imprisoned in SA: unfortunately the inaccuracies that riddle the description of his visit to Johannesburg are so serious they make the whole book slightly suspect.

Hole is met by a black policeman called Isaiah Burne, who works from the Hillbrow police station, which is “in the centre of Johannesburg and looked like a fortress with barbed wire on top of the walls and steel mesh in front of the windows, which were so small that they were more like gun slits”.

The South African criminal agrees to co-operate with Hole in return for help from the Norwegian government: it seems SA still practised capital punishment prolifically after 1994, not to mention the open and routine use of torture during interrogations.

But this is a petty quibble: Hole deals with alcoholism, assassins, government corruption, racism, the murder of a close friend and potential international incidents with a brand of noir humour that make him a likeable, although flawed, hero.

Nesbo is an excellent writer, creating interesting, lively characters, dealing with universal issues, and stories that are not only thrilling with twists and turns, but also really beautifully written. ( )