The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo

As my readers know, I have fallen hard for this author and his main character Harry Hole. Harry continues his off again-on again affair with the bottle and his own demons as well as rubbing everyone he meets the wrong way.

I had a hard time putting this one down. In fact, another all-nighter was pulled when I got halfway in and just could not put the book down. So be warned – late nights ahead. Get your flashlight or nook under the blankets and prepare for a wild and thrilling ride.

Somewhere in Croatia, there is an assassin known as “The Little Redeemer”. He has been deeply affected by war crimes against Croatian’s during the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the ethnic cleansing that occurred. He is on the hunt for a member of the Salvation Army with ties to the region.

The Salvation Army in Oslo plays a central role in this story. The homeless shelter, the hierarchy of the Army and the officers housing provide the base for most of the action. Right from the beginning it is difficult to tell who in the army is involved, how and why. Quite frankly, it does not get resolved until the end which is what made this so compelling to read.

Nesbo continues to add depth not to just Harry but many of the usual supporting characters as well. Beatte Lon, the woman who never forgets a face as well as other officers and new characters. One of the things that I love about local writers describing their cities, they are prone to reveal the underbelly.

I think people outside of the region view Scandinavia in general with a poetic vision of egalitarianism, low crime and problem free society. Nesbo dispels it but even at its lowest ebb, one can easily see that a society that takes care of its own is still better than those in which many of us live. That being said, drugs and prostitution as well as homelessness and alcoholism are oft discussed in Nesbo’s books.

The interesting idea of redemption is explored here. From the Christian Army beliefs, it is fiery rhetoric but something that one has to rely on in the abstract. From Hole’s and The Little Redeemer’s position, it is an event that is active, direct and required to even the scales of justice.

Scandinavian Noir opened with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series but I am so

happy that it brought us Harry Hole. And yes, I have another two in the queue. Sigh!