‘Odd Numbers’ shows Holt’s storytelling at its finest

Albright’s next book warns of fascism’s dangers

By Oline H. Cogdill

dd Numbers’ (Scribner) by

translated from the Norwegian by

Anne Holt’s finely constructed novels continue to pull back the curtain on Norwegian society as seen through the eyes of insightful police detective Hanne Wilhelmsen.

In “Odd Numbers,” Holt skillfully melds terrorism and parental issues in an absorbing compact plot. This ninth novel featuring Hanne maintains high suspense while emphasizing the myriad characters’ personalities.

Wheelchair-bound since she was shot in the spine by a deranged cop, Hanne lives a quiet, if unfulfilling life, with her wife, Nefis, a Turkish Muslim, and their inquisitive 10-year-old daughter, Ida. Despite her mobility issues and depression, Hanne has decided to return to the Oslo police force on the same day she is visited by Billy Thorvald, her friend and former police partner. Billy T. — as he is known — is worried that his son, Linus Bakken, has gotten involved with a fundamentalist group. During the conversation, a bomb explodes in the nearby National Council for Islam in Norway, killing 23 people. The council was a moderate group, but the bombing spurs anti-Islamic propaganda from Norway’s rightwing party and from radical groups bragging about the explosion. As Billy tries to find out his son’s secrets, Hanne investigates an old murder with detective Henrik Holme.

Holt illustrates Oslo’s multicultural society while showing the humanity behind hate that can lead to terrorism. “Odd Numbers” also shows parents trying to do the right thing, but not always succeeding. Billy T. hasn’t been the best parent — six children by almost as many women — and not very involved with any of them. But fears about Linus’ activities finally push Billy into acting like a real father. Hanne has her own parental issues as Ida has many questions about her mothers, religion and society.

“Odd Numbers” shows Holt’s storytelling at its finest.

NEW YORK:

Also:

Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state, is worried about democracy.

Albright’s next book, “Fascism,” is a warning that democratic governments are “fragile” and the United States under President Donald Trump is enduring its own crisis.

“The author examines the economic, religious, racial, and cultural factors that are today dividing populations and fostering bigotry across the globe, while also looking at how demagogues from Mussolini to Duterte have attracted followers by exploiting fear, nurturing anger, and promising easy answers to complex problems,” according to HarperCollins.

“Fascism” is part of a two-book deal with HarperCollins and will come out April 2018, the publisher told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Her second book, not yet titled, will be a memoir about her years since leaving the State Department in 2001. Albright, who served under president Bill Clinton, has written the memoirs “Prague Winter” and “Madam Secretary.”

At least two other books by former secretaries of state are scheduled. Hillary Clinton’s book of essays will be out this fall. John Kerry, who succeeded Clinton in the Obama administration, is working on a memoir.

Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, who served under president George W. Bush, recently published “Democracy.” Rice’s book examines self-government worldwide and urges the US to be a leader in advocating for

This cover image released by Scribner shows ‘Odd Numbers,’ by

Anne Holt. (AP)

freedom and human rights.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn:

A book has found its way back to a Connecticut library — more than 50 years overdue.

Staff members at the Noah Webster Library in West Hartford say they don’t know who returned the copy of W.O. Mitchell’s “Who Has Seen The Wind.” The plot centers on a coming-of-age tale of a young man in Saskatchewan, Canada. The book was returned Monday with a yellow sticky note reading, “Sorry it has taken so long.” It originally was due back Sept 29, 1965.

Library director Martha Church says she doesn’t know how much the fine would be for keeping the book so long. The current library fine is 15 cents per day. Church says it used to be 10 cents a day in 1977.

The library doesn’t plan to fine the person who returned the book. (AP)