The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
by Jenners • 11/19/2011 • 3.5 Stars, Fiction, Mystery/Thriller, N Authors, R Titles • 45 Comments
The Redbreast by Jo NesbøPublisher: Harper, 2011
Pages: 576
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Where I Got It: Bought It
Why I Read It: Jill and Sandy recently contracted Nesbø fever so I had to see what the fuss was all about
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Book Description
Detective Harry Hole embarrasses the Norwegian police force during a U.S. Presidential visit so he is reassigned to the Norwegian Security Service as an Inspector (a promotion that gets him out of the way and is supposed to shut him up). Assigned to investigate what should be a rather mundane case, Hole instead finds himself getting embroiled in a possible assassination plot that has its roots in World War II—involving some Norwegians who served on the Eastern Front in the service of the Germans. Plunging Hole into the world of Norway’s current crop of neo-Nazis and the men who served on the Eastern Front, he finds himself involved in a complicated case that gets more complex and confusing as time goes on—as well as threatening the lives of those that Harry holds dear.
My Thoughts
Although this isn’t the first Harry Hole novel, it is the first one that was translated into English. Therefore, we’re plunged right into Hole’s world with little introduction. We quickly learn that Harry has a drinking problem, which he is fighting with the help of his brilliant young partner Ellen. The relationship between Harry and Ellen was the highlight of the book for me. Their partnership and banter felt authentic and livened up what was often a confusing read.
The confusion part came mostly from the events that take place in flashback during the war. We learn of several events that concern a small contingent of soldiers on the Eastern Front, which we know is related to Harry’s current case. Exactly how they are related becomes clearer as the novel progresses, but I personally struggled to keep up with everything. Nesbø gives his readers a lot of balls to juggle, and I confess I wasn’t always successful in keeping them all up in the air. In fact, I was actually thinking of quitting the book about midway through, but I kept on out of respect for Sandy and Jill. (In a later e-mail exchange with Sandy, she told me that The Redbreast was the weakest of the Nesbø books she’s read so far.) Part of my problem was the disorientation of being thrust into a series without being properly introduced to the main protagonist. Another was the Norwegian surnames (which was also a problem for me in the Steig Larsson books.) The other issue was the sheer complexity of the plot and my inability to hold it all together in my head.
However, there were moments where I started really getting into the story, and I began to glimpse what might have attracted Jill and Sandy. I liked that Nesbø didn’t choose to tell his story in a completely conventional way. At one point, each chapter is a series of answering machine messages. (This section was brilliantly done and really affected me emotionally.) So, although The Redbreast didn’t set my world on fire, I’m willing to give Nesbø another try. The next book in the series is Nemesis, so I’ll suppose I’ll give that one a go before deciding whether to continue with the series. (For the record, Sandy told me the order of the series for the books that have been translated into English is: The Redbreast, Nemesis, The Devil’s Star, The Redeemer, The Snowman and The Leopard.)
Recommended For
Fans of complex police procedurals, readers looking for the “next Steig Larsson” (for the record, I don’t think Nesbø is the next Larsson but I can see why people make that comparison)
What are other bloggers saying about this book? You can find out at the Book Blogs Search Engine.
I loved the Larsson books, so I’m quite excited to start this one, It was also featured on The Book Report (http://bookreportradio.com) a while ago.
Pingback: Books Read In 2011
I just picked this book up over the weekend. I am crossing my fingers I like it!
I enjoyed reading your review… Maybe this is one of the must have books. Thank you for sharing the review.
I don’t know if I’d want to start with this one if it’s not the first one. Maybe I can wait till they are ALL in English.
It seems odd to me that they didn’t translate them from the start of the series. That just seems dumb to me.
I’ve got this on my Kindle, but should perhaps try to read some earlier ones in Swedish first… Mmmm… I’ll see.
At least you have the option!
I’m really glad you reviewed this one – I actually spent about an hour in the bookstore this weekend wandering around a display Nesbo’s books; wandering away and back again….I had read that somewhere before too, the comparison to Larsson, but the display at the bookstore did not say which book to read first and the books were not really that forthcoming on “read me in this order” information so the bookstore lost a sale in me…..and ya know, I really just figured all that out – how weird – I left a bookstore and did not buy a single book which is highly unusual (don’t think it has ever happened); but this particular store I just was not happy with – guess I know why now….sorry for the long crazy spiel. Anyways, now that I know which Nesbo book to read, and a somewhat hesitant recommendation, I will start with this one. And see how he holds up. Thanks for being ahead of the game for me on Nesbo!
Your welcome for the info … though it really came from Sandy. There has been some confusion about the order of these books. You’d think your bookstore people could help you out … or post some basic info on the order. And shame on you for leaving a bookstore emptyhanded! HAHA!
The Devil’s Star has been hanging around here for a while and I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Not sure why because most reviews I read rave about the writer. You scare me a little with your thoughts on the confusing nature of the book. You know my brain is getting really old and a lot more addled than it used to be.
Everything I’ve seen says this one was more confusing and not as good as the other books so I’m hoping that is true and the series gets better for my wee little brain to handle.
Sounds like an intriguing book. Great review too. I can’t wait to read the review for Nemesis. I’m on the fence, so maybe this will help decide if it’s something I’d want to invest in reading. Thanks for sharing.
I’m very curious to see if I like Nemesis a lot better than this one.
My mother is 100% Norwegian…although born here in the U.S. maybe I would be more genetically inclined to be able to follow this book….no, probably not…but it sounded good!
Well, you might have a leg up on some of the surnames and place pronunciations!!
I wasn’t a fan of the Larsson books at all, (or more accurately ‘book’, as I read only one) and couldn’t understand why they were so popular, so I think I’ll pass on this one.
Well, I think the main reasons they get compared is they are both in Scandinavian countries. But still, if you didn’t care for the Larsson books, you probably wouldn’t like these either.
I am not sure whether I will read this one. I read The Devil’s Star, which was two books after this one and loved it, but I am not sure if I will go backward and read the two books I missed.
Sandy had all kinds of problems reading them out of order. I could see not backtracking. It is so annoying when you read series out of order, isn’t it? Glad to hear you loved Devil’s Star though!
I have not read any Harry Hole books yet, but recenlty finished Nesbo’s Headhunters and enjoyed it.
I didn’t know he wrote other books besides the Hole books. I might have to check that one out!
I had also heard and remembered that this book was a little complex, and I am still holding out hope that the books will eventually be translated into English from the beginning. I am not sure if that will ever happen though! I am sorry this one wasn’t what you were hoping it would be.
It was disappointing but Jill and Sandy both swear that the books get better and I trust them so I will continue on with the next book and see what happens.
I am in the minority for not enjoying Larsson books at all, the first was actually a DNF. I was very interested in reading these books but once I heard you should really read from the beginning I started to lose interest.
The answering machine messages sound interesting though.
These might be a better fit for you if you didn’t like the Larsson books due to violence. If it was confusing names that put you off, then this one will as well! HAHA!
An interesting and informative review, it amazes me the number of crime novels that seem to be coming from Norway at the moment.
You say that some say Nesbø is the next Larsson, a bit of a naughty question perhaps BUT who in your opinion is the better writer? Never having read the books of either of these authors I’m intrested to know which one you’d personally recommend.
Well, based on reading only this book and not being wowed by it, I would have to say Larsson was the better writer. I got hooked on this story right away so I’d have to give him the nod. However, I don’t think I can compare the two until I’ve read a few more Nesbo books so I’ll have to get back to you.
Definitely The Redbreast was my least favorite. I found it confusing also. The next one, Nemesis, is way better!
Well, I trust you and Sandy so I’m going to continue on.
I’m so proud of you, because yes while this is a good book (and an important one because it sets up alot of things that affect Hole in later novels), it was confusing as hell. The names were all the same, the flashbacks, etc. But now you have got the base, and you can go forward knowing that the rest of them KICK ASS.
Thanks for the pep talk. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who was confused by it!! I shall forge on!
I have to admit I’m not that into police procedurals. And yet I have Larsson waiting for me since I heard so many wonderful things about the story. I think I’ll start with that series.
The Larsson books were really good. They involved me right from the get go. Nesbo didn’t so far.
Sandy and Jill really have me wanting to experience one of Nesbo’s books. I have The Devil’s Star here, so that’s probably the one I’ll start with.
They got to you too, huh? : )
I enjoyed Larsson, but actually preferred the movies (subtitled) to the books. I had considered trying Nesbo at some point, but now I’m not so sure. I think I would have many of the same issues as you did.
I’m so excited for the American version of the Larsson movies. I saw a preview and it looked really good. And according to Sandy, this Nesbo book was the weakest so they should get better.
This one is on my list and I still haven’t read Larsson yet either!
The Larsson books sucked me in right away. This one didn’t … yet.
P.S. how you doing on your Take a Chance Challenge, I have to hussel my buns on that one.
I need to read one more book to complete it … but I’m thinking of skipping it actually! Once again, I will probably fail at my own challenge.
This sounds like it might be something I like, I don’t really need to set my world on fire, I’m too old for that.
Hm–I like murder mysteries (though I lean cozy), and I like Scandinavia, but I hope these aren’t as gory as I hear the Larsson books are.
Well, I’ve only read one so far but it was nowhere as violent as the Larsson books .. but it was a long way from a cozy!