Jo Nesbo's latest Hole novel Phantom is the best, in my opinion. A riveting read, it involves Hole returning to Oslo from some sort of job in Hong Kong to investigate a case already deemed solved by the police.
His personal involvement in the case means Hole needs to reconnect with a former partner and her son, a son who regarded Hole as a surrogate father.
Nesbo leads the readers through the underground of Norway's drug trafficking and uses some unusual techniques to keep the plot flowing.
Hole gets involved in his search for the truth and regular readers will not be surprised that the character's resolve against his weaknesses for strong drink, drugs and nicotine is tested repeatedly.
Surprises are scattered throughout the book to make it a compulsive read.
This is the fourth Harry Hole novel I have read and reviewed and each one provides a deeper perspective into what a troubled soul Hole has become.
The ending of Phantom is typically obtuse. The penultimate chapter wraps up a violent scene between fathers and sons and the final chapter throws most of the characters together - at least the ones who are left - in a close space with no explanation.
Nesbo has left this reviewer wanting more, and soon.
Nesbo, who is regarded as the top Norwegian crime writer, is in New Zealand this month for the New Zealand International Arts Festival and a national tour, which includes a visit to Wanaka.
In a Listener interview, Nesbo describes Hole as the sort of character to whom anything can happen.
"He's like this wild and free-roaming character. He can do anything and he would still stay in character."
Inevitably, as has been the case in recent years for all Scandinavian writers, Nesbo has been called the "new Stieg Larsson", referencing the author of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Asked if the comparison bothered him, Nesbo said: "It could have been worse - I could have been the 'new Dan Brown'."
• Jo Nesbo will speak in Auckland (March 6), Christchurch (March 7) and Wanaka (March 8), and in conversation with Craig Sisterson, Wellington (March 10) as part of Writers & Readers Week at the New Zealand International Arts Festival. He will also introduce Headhunters screenings on the same evening in each centre. The film is released on March 8.
- Dene Mackenzie is the business and political editor for the Otago Daily Times
