Title: The Devil’s Star: A Harry Hole Novel
Author: Jo Nesbø
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Paperback: 464 pages
ISBN: 78-0061133985
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense
In the heat of a sweltering Oslo summer, a young woman is found murdered in her flat—with one of her fingers cut off and a tiny red star-shaped diamond placed under her eyelid. An off-the-rails alcoholic barely holding on to his job, Detective Harry Hole is assigned the case with Tom Waaler, a hated colleague whom Harry believes is responsible for the murder of his partner. When another woman is reported missing five days later, and her severed finger turns up adorned with a red star-shaped diamond ring, Harry fears a serial killer is at work. But Hole’s determination to capture a fiend and to expose Waaler’s crimes is leading him into shadowy places where both investigations merge in unexpected ways, forcing him to make difficult decisions about a future he may not live to see.
My Review:
It is with great delight that I am able to review The Devil’s Star by Jo Nesbø for a tour, as I am a huge fan of Nesbø’s works. I believe The Devil’s Star is the third in the Detective Harry Hole series to be published in the Untied States, the fifth in the series and while they do not need to be read in order, I do think once one has read a book by Jo Nesbø one will want to read them all. Only one other Scandinavian writer beats out Jo Nesbø for crafting together clever plots, dark, tortured protagonists, and exceptional prose and that writer would be Henning Mankell. I shall stop there as I could ramble on for an exceedingly long time praising the two authors for each has their own style. Sweden has Mankell and Norway has Nesbø. Let me simply state that The Devil’s Star is a exceptional book that hooks the reader in straightaway and does not let go. Oslo has a serial killer and in my opinion is one of the best yet. Nesbø’s protagonist, Detective Henry Hole, is as deeply troubled as ever, if not more so in this book and to add insult to a man down so very low, he is paired up with Detective Waaler. For those who are familiar with the series no explanation is necessary, for those not, I shall not spoil the reason for this pairing and the complications for all shall be revealed in the book. Nesbø has once again crafted a masterfully clever suspense novel that is dark, twisted, intelligent, and one exceedingly tough puzzle to solve. I devoured The Devil’s Star in one sitting and realise I am most likely rambling as I write this review, but the book truly is just that good. I would without hesitation recommend The Devil’s Star to anyone who enjoys suspenseful thrillers. I would also like to recommend Jo Nesbø’s previous two novels, The Redbreast and Nemesis, two of his books I am certain have been translated from Norwegian to English and are not to be missed.
A musician, songwriter, and economist, Jo Nesbo is also one of Europe’s most acclaimed crime writers. Nesbo is the winner of the Glass Key Award, northern Europe’s most prestigious crime-fiction prize, for his first novel featuring Police Detective Harry Hole. The author of The Redbreast and Nemesis, he lives in Oslo.
To learn more about Jo Nesbø please visit his website or like him on Facebook.
Listen to the author discuss his books (I promise it is in English).
For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.
I received a complimentary copy of The Devil’s Star by Jo Nesbø from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.
I got Redbreast and Nemesis for Christmas, so I can’t wait to dig into them, especially after reading your review of The Devil’s Star! Thanks for being on this tour!
Trish,
You are in for a treat! I have not read them in English, but of I do so enjoy the series. Harry Hole is a wonderful protagonist.
I’m a fan of Scandinavian mysteries and am surprised at myself for not reading any of Nesbo as yet. This one goes on my wish list!
Good to hear. His works are excellent.
Great review! I don’t think this is a book I’d normally pick up, but now I’m intrigued.
I do hope you decide to give it a try. I am such a huge fan, the books of his are so brilliantly written.
Fantastic review, Jennifer. You definitely peaked my interest in Jo Nesbo’s books,Henning Mankell, too!Mankell’s an author whose books I have looked at a few times but never read. Silly me! I’m excited by your review because although I love myster/thriller/detective novels in recent years I’ve been disappointed books with similar story lines or stories that become weak as they progress. I really enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the 2nd book in the series because, not only were they creative and fascinating, but they were intelligently written, unique and the stories held up.
Thank you for turning me on to some great authors and their books.
~ Amy
Thank you for your kind words Amy. I do not think you will be disappointed by either author. Enjoy!
With this wave of Scandinavian crime writers, he seems to be the one rising to the top. I can’t wait to read this book!
I have been a fan of Jo Nesbø’s for a long time and it was fun to be able to read one of his books in English. If you like dark, troubled protagonists and/or are familiar with Henning Mankell’s works and enjoy them, then you will really like Jo Nesbø’s books.
I only heard about Jo Nesbo recently, late last year. I think I am going to start with Snowman to try and read the series in order if I do.
I did not realise his book Snømannen was released in English. I believe that is the 8th in the Harry Hole series. The first two in the Harry Hole series Flaggermusmannen and Kakerlakkene to my knowledge have not been translated into English.
You’ve more than convinced me. I need to get a hold of one of Nesbo’s books.
Music to my ears. Happy reading.
LOL, you’re the first review (including professional ones) besides mine (http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=991 to spell Nesbø’s name properly. Just because of that you got yourself another follower
Thank you. I have been a long time fan of Jo Nesbø’s works.
Okay – sounds like an author I need to check out! I do like to read series in order.
Oh please do. He is brilliant.