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.
