Friday, June 2, 2017

Brief Book Review: The Redeemer

The Redeemer
Author: Jo Nesbø
Publisher: London: Vintage Books
571 pages, paperback
CDN $4.99

A brief review by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

In this continuing saga of police inspector super sleuth, Harry Hole, Norwegian novelist Jo Nesbø has given readers another page-turner.
   The novel begins with a quote from Isaiah 63:1, which refers to a foreigner from Edom, wearing garments stained crimson. This provides the reader with a wee clue concerning one of the main protagonists—or is he an antagonist?—in the novel.
   The Redeemer, like many, if not all of Nesbø’s novels, contains a rather complex plot, or series of plots, with numerous characters—elevating the drama, and keeping readers on the edge of their seats, wondering how the unraveling story will reach each conclusion.
   As usual, Harry Hole, the hero is portrayed as the maverick, unpredictable inspector who breaks most, if not all of the standard rules and regulations to solve the case. His colleagues and superiors are constantly, sometimes simultaneously offended and amazed by Hole. Hole has deep insights into human nature, figuring out motives and predicting behaviours when others are stumped. Yet he is also portrayed as a rather troubled soul, plagued by broken relationships and personal demons.
   The story ebbs and flows around three major protagonists, or are they antogonists?—two of them are brothers and members of the Salvation Army, Jon and Robert Karlsen. The third one is a professional killer from Croatia. The action begins when Robert Karlsen is killed by mistake.
   Nesbø keeps readers guessing about who the redeemer is and who are numbered among the redeemed by his concept of the book’s title. If you enjoy murder mysteries, I recommend that you read the novel to find out what happens next.   


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