The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo

The Redbreast is the latest book by Jo Nesbo to be translated into English from the Norwegian. Now you would think it was the sequel to The Devil’s Star rather than the prequel ie written before. Sadly as is so often the case with translated books that isn’t the case. Although reading The Devil’s Star before The Redbreast does tell you one or two things that you probably know already, it doesn’t really spoil the story and plot.

The Redbreast is partly set in contemporary Oslo and partly on the Eastern Front where a group of traitorous Norwegians fought on the side of the Nazis. The Redbreast of the title was the nickname of one of a particular group called Daniel Guderson/Uriah.

The book flashes back to follow Uriah’s story. After getting badly wounded he is sent to Austria to convalesce and then falls in love with his nurse and ends up eloping with her. There is more to this story, however, I don’t wish to spoil your enjoyment of this fine book.

Back to contemporary Norway and Harry Hole has been assigned to the POT section in the Police. This is the equivalent of the Special Branch and for Harry although it is a technical promotion, he is in the doghouse for shooting a Secret Service agent during the recent US presidential visit. Though he is not to blame he as usual was the fall guy.

While working in POT, Harry becomes involved in the search for a rare, unusual but particularly powerful weapon called a Marklin rifle. Harry travels to South Africa, Vienna and back in his attempt to trace who has bought this very expensive gun. Also caught up in the middle of this are a group of neo-nazi thugs who are involved in the killing of Harry’s partner, Ellen.

This book recently won an award in Norway for the best crime novel ever. Now, I don’t know how many crime novels a year are published there, but this is indeed a deserved accolade.

The book is long and complex but never flags over its 500 or so page course.
Suffice to say that it keeps you gripped from beginning to end