Jo Nesbø - THE SNOWMAN

I have been hearing nothing but AMAZING things about Jo Nesbø, especially through my personal favorite book blogger, Abby. She is known as @crimebythebook on Instagram and Twitter and has been an absolutely amazing friend and inspiration when it's come to me starting my own blog. So, when Abby announced she was doing a huge book club for THE SNOWMAN by Jo Nesbø throughout the month of September, I knew I had to join. I was a little apprehensive as I know these novels are translated and I was a little intimidated as I really know nothing about Nordic Noir and the rather lengthy names and locations are quite foreign to me. Have no fear if you are on the same boat as me, this novel is amazing and so is Nesbø. 

Plot:

One night, after the first snowfall of the year, a boy named Jonas wakes up and discovers that his mother has disappeared. Only one trace of her remains: a pink scarf, his Christmas gift to her, now worn by the snowman that inexplicably appeared in their yard earlier that day.  Inspector Harry Hole suspects a link between the missing woman and a suspicious letter he’s received. The case deepens when a pattern emerges: over the past decade, eleven women have vanished—all on the day of the first snow. But this is a killer who makes his own rules . . . and he’ll break his pattern just to keep the game interesting, as he draws Harry ever closer into his twisted web. With brilliantly realized characters and hair-raising suspense, international bestselling author Jo Nesbø presents his most chilling case yet—one that will test Harry Hole to the very limits of his sanity.

Review:

The thing I really love about Jo Nesbø's novel is that I picked up literally on the seventh novel in a series and without mentioning a few things in regards to our fearless protagonists past, I got a really steady feel into the man known as Harry Hole. Yes, I could see where this novel would be better if I had read books 1-6 (and I do plan on doing so...someday!) Harry is a complex character with plenty of demons and yet still lovable and mesmerizing all in the same sense. He is dark, brooding, disturbed, and honest. That being said, I guess I'd like to start this review with how phenomenally well-written all of the characters in this novel are. There are plenty of victims, red herrings, people in the police force, as well as some characters related to Harry's personal life. Each character is like reading a pop-up book. You turn the page, meet someone knew and you feel them jump off the pages. Even the smaller characters who are either in the background for a purpose or the victims we don't get to know that well until they meet their untimely death are realistic and people that you really don't want to see killed...but crime fiction is crime fiction. There's always going to be a victim and a killer. And don't you worry, not only is this book hard to put down because of the amazing plot, but you'll be double checking the locks on your door and praying you never see the day an unwanted snowman is left on your front lawn. 

The plot with this one is not only complex, but it really dives deep into not only the amazing characterization that builds one of the scariest serial killers I have ever read about (The Snowman), but you also get a true feel into a ton of different views of the police force. It is police procedural at its finest with aspects of forensics and doesn't hold back building a wicked web showing you a detailed and rather poignant look into the lives of these detectives and how the case gets under their skin...it will also get under yours. What I loved about this one especially was that the chapters end abruptly with minor cliffhangers to not only keep you reading, but really make you think. Do I already know the killer? Does Harry? Is this random? Why does the killer do this? What is his/her motive? WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT? Don't worry. These are just the motions that you go through reading a Jo Nesbø. His pacing is brilliant, his writing is razor sharp, the plot is brutal, and the characters are out of this world. 

This novel is by far one that kept me up late at night, not only wondering what would happen next, but a little scared. This is not only the perfect novel to cuddle up to with a hot cup of coffee or tea and your favorite pajamas, but you'll want to barricade yourself in your house just to finish...or to make sure no one on the outside gets in. Easily one the creepiest reads I have ever read, with a brutal and shocking ending that I didn't see coming and so many small and large twists and turns that left me begging for more. I cannot wait to continue on this series and possibly go back and just start from the beginning. I'm so thankful I was a part of Abby's bookclub and couldn't be happier with her choice in this novel. Jo Nesbø, you have a HUGE FAN in me. Harry Hole, I'm ride or die until the end with you. 

To get some more information in regards to my dear friend and just an amazing person, check out Abby's blog and Instagram below:

Crime by the Book

Blog: http://crimebythebook.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimebythebook/?hl=en

Rating: 5/5