The Thirst
By Jo Nesbø
Knopf Publishing Group, Hardcover, 9780385352161, May 8, 2017, 480pp.
The Short of It:
Harry Hole is back and this one does not disappoint.
The Rest of It:
When a crazy lunatic goes on a murdering spree, Harry Hole comes out of retirement. The murderer’s weapon? A set of steel teeth and it’s just a grisly as you imagine only with a lot less gore than previous novels and not nearly as twisted.
Harry Hole fans will be really happy with this one. It’s fast-paced, suspenseful and not riddled with red herrings. It kept me guessing and I had a really hard time putting it down to do things like feed my family or sleep. I really like how the story came together so I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Harry, but also to anyone who just wants to read good crime fiction. As with all of the Harry Hole books, it does help to know some of Harry’s backstory but enough is provided for you to get a good picture of who you are dealing with.
If you gave up on Nesbø because of his last few books, give him another go because this one was great.
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
Sounds like you really enjoyed this one 🙂 I have yet to read Nesbo, but do have some of his books on my kindle – so I need to start reading.
I’m amazed when someone hasn’t read him but you have to enjoy crime fiction now and then to give him a try. Do you? I do, now and then and when I do I want it to be smart and developed and I find for the most part, Nesbo’s books are.
I like the sound of this, I haven’t read any Nesbo yet and this sounds like a good one to start with. I’ve been on my library wait list…still waiting:)
Usually I say start from the beginning but his books were came to the US all out of order so I read them out of order and didn’t really miss anything. The author is good at giving you enough info on Harry for you to understand how he operates. I don’t read a lot of crime fiction but I enjoy these books.
I definitely feel that I’m missing out by not having read him yet, thanks for the info. Adding to my library hold list:)
I can’t believe I haven’t read any of this series.
I don’t see how it’s possible that you haven’t!!
This sounds great. I’ve never really read the Harry Hole books as there’s so many already written and it feels a little daunting! But I have read some stand alone’s by Nesbo and enjoyed them. One day I’ll start on this series!
That’s interesting because I didn’t care for the stand alones so much. The series is pretty solid. I had some issues with a few of them but as a whole, a good series. I am glad Nesbo brought Harry out of retirement.
I find his books very hit or miss. When they work, they are really great, otherwise pretty sad. I recently read an older book Cockroaches and I was pleasantly surprised.
After his popularity with The Snowman, the few books that followed in publication, because many were published in the US out of order, were pretty good but then there were three or so that were not good at all. They felt too commercial. Too formulaic. I think his older books have a grittier nature and I prefer that over the polished ones they tried to push off on us.
I started listening but gave up after the first bite, so to speak. Jim is listening to it now instead.
I think you would like it if you went back to it. The first bite is the worst bite. LOL.
I’ve wanted to a read a book by Nesbo so maybe this is the one I should read!
Oh Lordy… you haven’t read him either?? You really must. I mean, if you like crime fiction now and then, then you will enjoy his style.
This sounds so good! I forgot that you read other books by him.
I was looking at my list of books reviewed and I’ve read at least ten Nesbo books. Not all from the series though as some were not available in the US at the time.
I haven’t read any of these books and since there are 11 in the series I doubt I will. I’m glad you (and a few other bloggers I know) enjoy them though.
They read like stand alones, for the most part. You could start anywhere and read just one if you wanted to. Just putting that out there 🙂
I’ve only read one of his books for book club and wasn’t wowed by it. I assume this can be read as a standalone and out of order.
Yes. You can read this as a stand alone. Which one did you read for your club? I wouldn’t choose these as club reads. I just read them for enjoyment.
One of these days I’m going to get to this series – I did turn my mystery/thriller loving SIL onto them and she loves them!