Before I read Nemesis I had never heard of Jo Nesbø. Readers, we owe a big thanks to translator Don Bartlett. I know I’ll be reading each of this Norwegian writer’s suspense–crime fiction novels involving protagonist Harry Hole, an alcoholic crime investigator for the Oslo (Norway) Police Department.

The story opens with Hole (pronounced hoo-leh) viewing a video of a bank robbery in which a bank officer is murdered. Obviously perpetrated by professionals, the robbery is over and done in one minute, three seconds; the murder, in nineteen seconds more. The scenario is reminiscent of bank heists from years back. Same person? Copycat? Police are calling the robber–murderer "the Expeditor."

A woman arrives in town, an ex-lover of Hole’s, and entices him to visit for old times’ sake. He knows he shouldn’t, but does. The next day she’s found dead and police are calling it a suicide—but in his gut Harry knows better. What is the connection between the woman and a successful, married businessman? How does the bank heist–murder, the Romany Gypsy code of honor, and a love triangle both complicate and throw light on the case? Now, mix in some serious office rivalry and politicking, some corruption, and a cop legend’s daughter bent on revenge.

Nesbø writes with the same accessible complexity as legal thriller writer Jeffrey Archer.

The author deftly weaves plot and subplots in this well-paced, character-driven crime story, balancing action with psychological drama. Nesbø plants red herrings, conceals obvious clues, provides surprising twists and revelations, and kept me flipping pages as fast as I could to the satisfying conclusion.

Nesbø has written seven Harry Hole crime novels (as well as others), has won numerous fiction awards, and is considered one of Europe’s top crime fiction writers. Nemesis is Nesbø’s third Harry Hole novel that has been translated from Norwegian into English; The Redbreast and The Devil’s Star are the other two. A fourth, The Redeemer, is scheduled for its US release this month, March 2009.

Nemesis, No 4 [review]
The Devil’s Star, No 5 [review]