review by Corinna Christopher on show 14th July
Harry Hole is at it again !! The Norwegian detective already famous for solving the Snowman murders is once more at the heart of this book, although I could wish sometimes to have a normal detective not one permanently recovering from an excess of alcohol – the details at times were almost too authentic !
At the start of the book Harry is in Hong Kong trying to forget the trauma of the Snowman case. When he is tracked down he reluctantly agrees to return to Norway as his father is seriously ill in hospital.
Back on his home turf he is seconded into the Crime Squad to help solve some recent murders. Two young women have been horribly tortured and killed. The murder weapon being an ingenious golden ball which stuffed into their mouths is then operated by pulling a thread thus operating steel needles into their cheeks and causing them to bleed to death. This gadget was known as Leopolds Apple.
Before too long there are more victims and the connection between them relates to a night they all spent in an isolated mountain hostel.
Harry with his intuitive brain is in competition with Kripos another official organisation who are also trying to solve the crime , hotly pursued by the Media who are anxious for answers.
As with previous Nesbo thrillers there are many twists and turns, several characters to keep track of and constant furthering of the plot . The background is Oslo and surrounds, with two forays into the Congo. Many diverse leads result in false conclusions before the eventual result.
During the book there are tantalising words and thoughts from the killer just to tease the reader, however chapter headings are helpful.
Nesbo has crafted a very gripping thriller but it is wrong to describe him as the next Stieg Larrson since he has quite a different writing style.
In addition to reading “The Snowman” I have also read “The Devil’s Star”which is equally good.
review by Corinna
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