My new favorite mystery writer is Jo Nesbo from Norway
appearance in the story at around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Something woke him up, was someone knocking on his door? He staggers over to open it. As he gathers his wits he notices he’s out of whiskey and the liquor store will be closing soon. Oh, and there is this dried blood on him.
It doesn’t take long for Harry to find out someone has killed Rakel, the love of his life. And Harry has an idea who might have done such a thing; Svein Finne, Norway’s most terrifying serial killer and rapist, a man Harry caught and put in jail, recently has been paroled from prison.
Nesbo shifts the story back and forth between Harry Hole and Svein Finne. We see the actions Finne is taking; he’s hiding in the forest and on the occasions he sneaks into the city he’s committing terrible crimes. Did Finne stab Rakel? That’s too simple.
A woman named Kaja enters the story. Harry and Kaja have a history.
Before Harry got together with Rakel, he and Kaja were lovers. Kaja has served a tour of duty in Afghanistan — her experiences there now define her. She has some scores she wants to settle.
Harry has been relegated to investigating cold cases. Rakel’s murder and any possible link to Svein Finne will be handled by others. They don’t want Harry involved. But this is Harry Hole, he cannot he deterred. And he’s already involved.
While reading “Knife,” some readers will wonder if this is the final book in the series. Harry seems on the verge of self-destructing when he comprehends that on the night Rakel was murdered he was so drunk he can’t rule out the possibility he might have killed her. Oh my, this is so brilliant. Nesbo is my new favorite.
Vick Mickunas of Yellow Springs interviews authors every Saturday at 7 a.m. and on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on WYSO-FM (91.3). For more information, visit www. wyso.org/programs/booknook. Contact him at vick@ vickmickunas.com. The Publishers Weekly. Week ending July 6, powered by NPD Bookscan.