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jimbowen0306's review against another edition
4.0
The Snowman, by Jo Nesbo, is the fifth "Harry Hole mystery" to be translated into English, and the third I have read.
Hole is sort of a Norwegian John Rebus, i.e. he's an alcoholic know it all with "authority issues." He's also the only Norwegian policeman to have solved a "serial killer" murder, in Australia (presumably this was solved in the first book in the series, which has yet to be translated into English). The problem is that since that case, he's got a bit like Joe McCarthy (who saw Reds everywhere), and as a result, he's itching to turn every murder into another serial killer case, much to the irritation of his superiors.
This time, however, he gets his wish, as 12 wives and mothers go missing over a 12 year period. How does Hole know it's a serial killer? Well it happens on the first snow day of the season, with the same damn snowman built outside the houses of the missing.
The book genuinely isn't bad. If you've not read many mysteries, you might not guess the killer (or the plot twists that regularly occur). The only problem is that the mystery novel is a staple of my reading, so I guessed most of the twists long before they became unravelled.
So in short think twice about this book if you've plenty of experience with how these books work.
The other recommendation I'd give with the "Hole Series" is to start as close to the beginning as you can. Those books are better I think, and don't make reference to murders that Hole solved in previous books in the series.
Hole is sort of a Norwegian John Rebus, i.e. he's an alcoholic know it all with "authority issues." He's also the only Norwegian policeman to have solved a "serial killer" murder, in Australia (presumably this was solved in the first book in the series, which has yet to be translated into English). The problem is that since that case, he's got a bit like Joe McCarthy (who saw Reds everywhere), and as a result, he's itching to turn every murder into another serial killer case, much to the irritation of his superiors.
This time, however, he gets his wish, as 12 wives and mothers go missing over a 12 year period. How does Hole know it's a serial killer? Well it happens on the first snow day of the season, with the same damn snowman built outside the houses of the missing.
The book genuinely isn't bad. If you've not read many mysteries, you might not guess the killer (or the plot twists that regularly occur). The only problem is that the mystery novel is a staple of my reading, so I guessed most of the twists long before they became unravelled.
So in short think twice about this book if you've plenty of experience with how these books work.
The other recommendation I'd give with the "Hole Series" is to start as close to the beginning as you can. Those books are better I think, and don't make reference to murders that Hole solved in previous books in the series.
ckeithjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
This was truly a roller coaster ride. Kept me guessing the whole time. Not sure if I would read others in this series right away, but I will certainly come back to Inspector Hole at some point.
Great read. Does contain many adult elements, so younger readers beware.
Great read. Does contain many adult elements, so younger readers beware.
moniounik's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
social_lurking's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alexandra_ninelives's review against another edition
4.0
I guessed who the killer was in Part 1 and I still had a good time reading this book, so it deserves that 4 ⭐️. Had I not known the killer so soon, I would have given it 5 stars.
This was my first Jo Nesbo book. Harry is the example of THE broody detective. He's an alcoholic, he's married to his job, he has a love of his life but cannot be with her for reasons.
I liked Harry, except for that one part where he let a complete stranger in his house and left him there to do whatever he likes. This is not a spoiler for the book by the way.
Rakel is an uninteresting character whose only personality trait was that he hates Harry's job. Probably if I had read all the books in the series, I would have a different opinion of her.
During the first part of the book, I did not know who is who because of the many POVs.
The plot twists were great but I guessed almost all of them and every third note of mine is that the killer is suspicious.
Every time the snowmen were mentioned I had chills, it was the perfect wintery read.
I quite liked the build-up till the killer was revealed. I know most people find it boring but slowly finding out every bit of information in the story and a very satisfying ending always gets me.
I had fun. I rarely read detective books because I feel like if you read one of them, you read all of them but I've seen the potential of this book and I can see why so many people love this series.
This was my first Jo Nesbo book. Harry is the example of THE broody detective. He's an alcoholic, he's married to his job, he has a love of his life but cannot be with her for reasons.
I liked Harry, except for that one part where he let a complete stranger in his house and left him there to do whatever he likes. This is not a spoiler for the book by the way.
Rakel is an uninteresting character whose only personality trait was that he hates Harry's job. Probably if I had read all the books in the series, I would have a different opinion of her.
During the first part of the book, I did not know who is who because of the many POVs.
The plot twists were great but I guessed almost all of them and every third note of mine is that the killer is suspicious.
Every time the snowmen were mentioned I had chills, it was the perfect wintery read.
I quite liked the build-up till the killer was revealed. I know most people find it boring but slowly finding out every bit of information in the story and a very satisfying ending always gets me.
I had fun. I rarely read detective books because I feel like if you read one of them, you read all of them but I've seen the potential of this book and I can see why so many people love this series.
jwilding's review against another edition
1.0
This opinion may have been puffed up by the fact that I was trying to listen to this as an audiobook to and from work, but, not impressed.
savreet02's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
discochicken's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0