The Norwegian "Dirty Harry"

Nemesis
Jo Nesbø
Harper (2009)
Hardcover, 480 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible.

Hardcore mystery readers won't want to pass up this new novel by Jo Nesbø, in which the lead character is suspected of killing a former girlfriend.  The evidence, while circumstancial, is damning.  Harry Hole was the last person who saw Anna Bethsen alive... but that's not all, it's just the beginning. So, as the front cover of this novel says, "How do you catch a killer when you're the number one suspect?" Read Nemesis to find out.  I promise you won't be sorry.

Nemesis is a page-turner, with interlocking sub-plots tied together by the involvement of not just Harry, but a cast of characters you'll either love or love to hate. There's also a hint of corruption in the law enforcement of Oslo, Norway.  I've got to say that, while most plot strands are neatly wrapped up, there exists, in the end, an opening for the next novel.

Some readers find the "damaged hero" model has been over-worked, yet this author takes that oldish plot stand-by and does a good job with it. As Harry Hole unravels the mystery, I kept thinking "...every dirty job..." Those of you familiar with the Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" character, who starred in several films, will know what I'm talking about. Seems to me like Harry Hole is the Norwegian answer to Dirty Harry.

This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.