This is the first novel by Jo Nesbo that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. I found the pages of The Son flashing by as I read this book in one day. For a 500-page book, The Son was a quick read. The book opens with a young man in prison. He thinks his father was a mole in the police department working for a crime syndicate. But then, the young man finds out what he believed was false. He breaks out of prison and engages in a series of vendettas to avenge his father’s death. This sounds grim, but Nesbo manages to spring several surprises in what seems a deceptively simple plot. If Jo Nesbo writes a sequel to The Son I’ll read it. GRADE: A-
George, I have meant to read Jo Nebo’s books for a while now. He is quite popular among bloggers and I have read a few reviews of his other books.
Prashant, I have several of Jo Nesbo’s books, but THE SON is the first one I’ve read. It was quite a page-turner.
Perhaps it’s just me, but that cover (along with the title) made me think of Trayvon Martin.
Deb, I thought the same thing when I first saw the cover on THE SON!
“For a 500-page book, The Son was a quick read.” belongs on a list of George Kelleyisms. Rub our slowpoke noses in it, o thou Flash among readers.
Art, Katie and Patrick have taken to Tweeting “George Kelleyisms” when they’re home visiting. Their friends get a kick out of some of my statements.
I have several friends who read his books as fast as he writes them. I have tried a few but for some reason he doesn’t speak to me. Megan has met him several times and says he is a lovely man.
Patti, some of my friends have read all of Jo Nesbo’s books. The only one that they agree is Nesbo’s “weakest” book is THE BAT.
I’ve only read the first Harry Hole novel. This might deserve a look from me.
Randy, I have several Harry Hole books. I might start reading them next.
I liked the first two Hole books – THE BAT (set in Sydney) and COCKROACHES (Bangkok) a lot. Up next, the Norwegian books.
Jeff, some of my friends consider THE BAT Nesbo’s weakest book.
I haven’t read any of his books, but Barbara liked the first two, which Jeff mentioned, very much. She is reminded by this post to look at the library for the next one in the series. As for you reading 500 pages in a day – – what Art said.
Rick, the pages of THE SON just flew by. And, there’s a lot of “white space” in THE SON.
I do think the detective’s name is rather unfortunate.
I think it’s pronounced differently in Norwegian, Rick.
The word is pronounced as two syllables, with stress on the first (hoh-leh), as is implied in The Bat, where the Australian police call him “Harry Holy”.
Ah. Rhymes with ole, as in Spanish usage.