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Harry Hole #13

Killing Moon

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Brilliant rogue police investigator Harry Hole is back, this time as an outsider assembling his own team to help find a serial killer who is murdering young women in Oslo in the next novel in the New York Times best-selling series.

THE HUNT IS ON AND THE POLICE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME. Two young women are missing, their only connection a party they both attended, hosted by a notorious real-estate magnate. When one of the women is found murdered, the police discover an unusual signature left by the killer, giving them reason to suspect he will strike again.

THEY’RE FACING A KILLER UNLIKE ANY OTHER. And exposing him calls for a detective like no other. But the legendary Harry Hole is gone—fired from the force, drinking himself to oblivion in Los Angeles. It seems that nothing can entice him back to Oslo. Until the woman who saved Harry’s life is put in grave danger, and he has no choice but to return to the city that haunts him and track down the murderer.

CATCHING HIM WILL PUSH HARRY TO THE LIMIT. He’ll need to bring together a misfit team of former operatives to accomplish what he can’t do alone: stop an unstoppable killer. But as the evidence mounts, it becomes clear that there is more to this case than meets the eye�

464 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2022

2,576 people are currently reading
16.2k people want to read

About the author

Jo Nesbø

215books22.4kfollowers
Jo Nesbø is a bestselling Norwegian author and musician. He was born in Oslo and grew up in Molde. Nesbø graduated from the Norwegian School of Economics with a degree in economics. Nesbø is primarily famous for his crime novels about Detective Harry Hole, but he is also the main vocals and songwriter for the Norwegian rock band Di Derre. In 2007 Nesbø also released his first children's book, Doktor Proktors Prompepulver.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,053 reviews
Profile Image for Meredith (Trying to catch up!).
878 reviews14.1k followers
April 15, 2023
Harry’s Alive! (Barely)

Killing Moon is book #13 in the Harry Hole series. This installment finds Harry on the verge of drinking himself to death in Los Angeles. When someone he cares for finds themself in danger, Harry shockingly discovers that he wants to live. He makes his way back to Oslo for a case involving missing girls and faces what he ran away from.

Primarily a police procedural, this novel also has a lot of drama, as drama follows Harry wherever he goes. In addition to Harry’s POV, the reader spends copious time in the killer’s mind--which is sick and twisted. His method of luring his victims is disgusting and hard to digest (literally). There are also a few other POVs written in.

This a lengthy novel--almost 500 pages, but it didn't feel long--I could have read more.

13 books in, and this series is still going strong. The side characters have become just as important as Harry, and this book features Katrine Bratt, Truls, Bellman, Mona Daa, and some other favorites. There are a few characters that I used to hate, but I have come to love them.

I wouldn’t recommend jumping into this series at this point. It’s best to start at the beginning to see not only Harry’s growth but the growth of other characters as well.

The killer’s methods seem a little far-fetched. There is also a good amount of science to wade through but nothing too complex. I am notnot sure of the validity of the science, but it was interesting to read.

Similar to most books in this series, the tone is dark. Themes involve drug abuse, sexual abuse, rape, and physical assault.

The ending is bittersweet but leaves open a world of possibilities for Harry. I am interested to see what the future holds for his character.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2023
I fear that my days of reading Jo Nesbo's books about the drunken, Norwegian detective, Harry Hole have come to an end. Although I have given his more recent books good ratings, they did not seem to be of the same quality as his earlier efforts.

I got about a third of the way through Killing Moon and found it boring. Nesbo seemed to ramble and became unconvincingly philosophical. There were significant chunks when I had no idea what was happening - now that could be because my gears are slipping because I am really, really old, although not quite as old as Terrence (that'll serve to test whether he really reads my reviews).

No need to recap a part of a bad story.

Obviously, I cannot understand where the high reviews came from. Anyway, bye-bye, Jo and Harry.
Profile Image for Phrynne.
3,832 reviews2,582 followers
July 12, 2023
Ah poor Harry. In the last book he lost everything and now he has hit the bottle big time. When this book opens he is in Los Angeles of all places and a few interesting events gain his interest. Then he returns to Oslo to help a friend and forms a little band of misfits to aid him save a life and find a killer.

Do not read this book at mealtimes. There are many unsavoury moments regarding parasites, slugs and cannibalism. It goes without saying that it is a very dark book. It is also very clever and very readable. Twist follows twist follows twist, and Harry and his gang and the police get things wrong repeatedly. When the killer is finally discovered in the final pages it is a shock to everyone including the reader.

is a longish book but I did not notice at all. It was smart, it was tense, it was frequently a bit gross, and I enjoyed it all. It also seems open to there being another Harry Hole book in the future. I certainly hope so.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,656 reviews5,211 followers
March 18, 2025


In this 13th book in the 'Harry Hole' series, the retired Norwegian police detective helps search for a serial killer. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is a plus.



As the story opens, Norwegian former police detective Harry Hole - severely depressed after the death of his wife Rakel - is in a Los Angeles bar, trying to drink himself numb.



One of Harry's bar friends is a 72-year-old woman named Lucille, a former actress who borrowed over nine hundred thousand dollars for a movie project. The project fell through and Lucille can't pay back the lenders - mobsters who threaten to kill her. Harry wants to help, and a possible solution presents itself.



A wealthy Norwegian real estate mogul called Marcus Røed, in danger of being arrested for two murders, wants Harry to return to Oslo to hunt down the killer.



Harry agrees, with the stipulation that - if he's successful - Harry will be paid almost a million dollars. This would clear Lucille's debt.

Harry soon finds himself back in Oslo, looking into a bizarre set of crimes. Two attractive young women have been murdered: Susanne Anderson's body was found without a brain; and Bertine Bertilsen's body was found without a head.

When the police investigate, they learn both Bertine and Susanne had Marcus Røed as a sugar daddy. In addition, shortly before they disappeared, Bertine and Susanne attended a party thrown by Røed - a party where liquor and cocaine flowed freely. This makes Røed a person of interest in the homicides, and Røed hopes Harry Hole will finger someone else.



Harry can't join the official police investigation, so he forms his own unofficial detective squad. This includes Truls Berntsen - a police detective who's been suspended for alleged misconduct;



former police psychologist Ståle� Aune - who's hospitalized with pancreatic cancer;



and Øystein Eikeland - Harry's childhood friend, who drives a cab.



Luckily, Truls Berntsen can still access police files, so Harry's team can collect forensic data, DNA, fingerprints, phone records, etc.

Harry's squad regularly meets in Aune's hospital room, where they plan their investigation, go over the evidence, discuss their findings, speculate about possible perpetrators; and so on. A third murder complicates matters, and Harry's team has a hard time honing in on the killer.

The book's investigative sections alternate with observations by the killer, who calls himself Prim. Prim details the reasons for his crimes, and describes what he does in detail. Prim's methods are riveting, albeit a bit far-fetched. (Warning: Prim's procedures are not for weak stomachs.)



The grotesque killings intrigue the public, and two journalists vie to get scoops for their newspapers: Mona Daa from VG and Terry Våge from Dagbladet. Mona hates that Våge seems to have inside information, and indeed Våge would do almost anything to be first with the news.





While Harry's in Oslo, he reconnects with some old friends, including police detective Katrine Bratt (and her little son Gert);



and forensic medical officer Alexandra Sturdza.



Both ladies have a soft spot for Harry, who seems to attract women like honey draws flies.

The story is filled with red herrings, surprises, and misdirection, and I give Jo Nesbo high marks for a creative plot. This is a good novel, highly recommended to fans of thrillers.

Thanks to Netgalley, Jo Nesbo, and Knopf for a copy of the manuscript.

You can follow my reviews at
Profile Image for Jonas.
288 reviews11 followers
December 13, 2023
It has been a long time since I’ve read Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series and a lot has happened since then! I absolutely loved the beginning, getting reacquainted with Harry through his relationship with Lucille, a mother-like figure. Her past catches up with her and Harry must return to his in order to help her.

Nesbo knows how to create and develop characters. Markus, the main suspect, and his lawyer, Jonathan, are easy to hate. Prim is a disturbed, driven, and detail oriented killer. Nesbo develops the narrative in a way that three separate people could be Prim. The reader is kept guessing until the final pages.

I loved the cohort collected by Harry to assist him in solving the case: Stale Aune, Oystein and Truls. There meetings were one of my favorite parts of the book. Loved the return of Katrine and her team. Sung-Min Larsen and Alexandra are my favorite supporting characters.

The ending is perfect. Theresa reader is left thinking Harry Hole has begun to heal and is going to leave his former life of catching serial killers behind. But Nesbo is not done with Hole yet. The closing scene will catch you off guard and leave you wanting more. Killer ending!
Profile Image for Tanja Berg.
2,171 reviews528 followers
September 16, 2022
Classic Harry! Drinking himself to death in LA, decides to postpone his demise by trying to save a has-been actress. As a result, he lands back in Oslo with the mission to prove the innocence of a millionaire suspected of being a serial killer. We follow Harry through upscale parties to homosexual clubs to the “brownest� of Oslo pubs as he hunts for the truth, interfering with police investigations. I loved every bit of this. Well, aside from cannibalism and parasites, but even this had its moments. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Mª Carmen.
792 reviews
April 25, 2023
4�
Un Harry Hole que me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba.

Mis impresiones.

Tengo que decir que no soy muy fan de esta serie. Antes de "Eclipse" había leído los siete primeros de los que solo me gustaron tres. Lo dejé en el séptimo y hasta hoy no había vuelto a leer ninguno. No llevaba muchas expectativas y creo que eso y no poder compararla con las anteriores ha jugado a mi favor.

Está bien escrita. Nesbo tiene oficio y se nota. El ritmo es el que caracteriza al autor, sostenido tirando a lento, cosa que no tiene por qué ser mala si se mantiene el interés. Ambientación y documentación buenas.

La trama, aunque rebuscada, está bien hilada. Me ha gustado cómo lo urde, cómo hace verosímil algo tan artificioso y cómo encaja las piezas. Todo tiene su razón de ser y todo cuadra.

Nos presenta varios posibles sospechosos, todos viables tal y como lo plantea. El jugar al despiste con el lector lo ha llevado bastante bien. Adiviné el quién desde que apareció en escena, pero fue por puro pálpito (ya es mucha negra la que llevo a la espalda), y no porque fuera previsible.

Con respecto a los personajes, Harry es más o menos tal y como lo recordaba. Intuitivo y hábil investigador, por un lado, sometido a sus adicciones y dando bandazos en lo personal por otro. En esta entrega ya no trabaja para el departamento de policía de Oslo, sino que actúa como una especie investigador privado.

El final bien, cierra todo y deja la semilla de la próxima entrega.

En conclusión. Última entrega de una serie de la que no soy entusiasta. Una trama rebuscada, pero bien hilada y el Harry Hole de siempre. Los seguidores de la serie la están valorando bien. A mí me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba. Recomendable.
Profile Image for Metodi Markov.
1,638 reviews410 followers
January 3, 2025
Прилична, макар и на моменти ненужно увъртяна част от серията.

Достави ми удоволствие да се срещна отново с Хари, Ауне, Тюрлс и Йонстайн.

Научаваме и повече отколкото искаме за паразитите по хората.

Моята оценка - 3,5*.
Profile Image for Ceecee.
2,553 reviews2,143 followers
October 6, 2024
Harry Hole #13 - yea, he’s back and just as good as ever.

Harry reluctantly returns to Oslo from LA for a well paid job as a PI but only does so in order to help a friend who has got herself in a bit of a financial pickle. He becomes embroiled in a missing girls case that becomes very dark and disturbing but that’s nothing new as readers of this series will already be well aware.

The five star rating indicates very clearly that this series is still going strong. Harry absolutely fascinates me, he’s been through the mill in more ways than one and he’s suffering as a consequence. The phrase tortured soul is more than apt. He’s very complex and there’s never a dull moment when he’s around. His deep thinking and ability to solve cases means that despite his copious baggage the Norwegian investigators are prepared to tolerate his methods. It’s definitely not liked by all though! I confess to imagining Harry looks like Armie Hammer which is rather a nice thought and he’s perfect to play him in any future film versions!

Nordic/Scandi noir always comes with an expectation of being on the dark side and here we are in the mind of the killer for part of the novel. It’s not a comfortable place to be as he’s sick and twisted. His motives are clear though and as usual Jo Nesbø takes his readers through numerous twists and turns to get to the truth in an exciting finale. There’s quite a bit of science involved but I have no difficulty in following the unfolding drama as a result of it. One or two bits are not for the squeamish!

The way this ends sets us up nicely for number 14. I can’t wait. A cracking read.
Profile Image for Carlos.
131 reviews111 followers
February 5, 2025
Y finalmente he terminado la saga completa de Harry Hole. Es increíble como una se puede enganchar en algún universo (En este caso en el de Harry) e imaginarte todo como en una película o serie. En cuanto al libro en sí, tenemos más de Harry en la perdición, sin rumbo, prácticamente viviendo el día a día, pero en esta ocasión en Los Ángeles.
Si hubo algo que me gustó mucho es que personajes "secundarios" toman un rol protagónico aquí, como es el caso de Oystein o Truls. Me gusta que en los últimos 3-4 libros se empezó a dar más énfasis a otros personajes y Nesbo no solo se centró en Harry. Me alegra saber que esto al final no fue "Las aventuras de Harry y sus amigos".
En cuanto a la historia, reocmendaría no comer mientras se lee el libro, ya que éste es bastante gráfico, bestial, gráfico, literal, crudo, sin filtro. Para mí eso funciona bien, ya que hace abrir los ojos y saber todos los detalles. También me llamó la atención la cantidad de ciencia que se usa aquí. En especial el nombre del parásito, el cual no nombraré para no hacer spoilers, pero me puse a leer sobre ello y es muy interesante. Gracias por sacarme de mi ignorancia, Jo :) El libro queda abierto a una parte 14, que la verdad espero que suceda, porque no quiero que este sea el fin de todo.
La mayor razón que le pongo 4 estrellas y no 5 es que el libro es muy largo y a veces se hizo un poco pesado. También extrañé leer más sobre Oleg, ya que fue un personaje muy importante en toda la saga y aquí se le menciona un par de veces solamente. Merecía más.
Habiendo terminado este libro, me puse a ver si los lugares que se nombran en el libro son reales, y resulta que el estaurant Schroder existe y hay una mesa destinada a Harry, que es sonde siempre se sentaba cada vez que lo visitaba. También la casa de Harry existe... ambos en Google Maps. También averigué que hay un tour de Harry Hole en Oslo. Tengo una misión en esta vida; tengo que ir a Oslo!!! Iré cuando encuentre vuelos relativamente baratos.

En fin. Gracias por todo Harry, gracias por todo Jo. Gracias, gracias y más gracias.
Profile Image for The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo.
2,743 reviews372 followers
August 6, 2024
No, I didn't like this one at all. I wonder if Jo Nesbø wrote this to punish his publishers. Or his fans.

First of all, John Lee ruins everything he narrates. His weird cadences and lilting deliveries give me the creeps, and since he will narrate anything, he's had plenty of opportunities to wreck a good story. He has ruined Sci-Fi (the Revelation Space series), Historical Fiction (the Kingsbridge series), Fantasy (the Spellmonger series), lots of random Popular Fiction (One Hundred Years of Solitude, White Fang, Cloud Atlas, among others), and dozens of non-fictions. Ugh, I can't get away from this guy!

Okay, so it's probably not surprising the rating is low, but it's not entirely John Lee's fault. Killing Moon had a really weird, awful plot that never clicked with me.

We opened with Harry in southern California, getting away from it all - but mainly While checking the bottoms of Jim Beam bottles for answers, he meets a woman who's in a spot of trouble with Mexican gang members. - Aside: this storyline was stupid and unnecessary, and it made zero impact on the larger story except to create an otherwise arbitrary deadline. Why Nesbø included it is the bigger mystery here. - Meanwhile, a wealthy millionaire from back home gets hold of him. He's been accused of disappearing two women, and he wants to hire Harry to investigate and prove his innocence.

Missing women - potentially murdered, you say? That's all Harry needed to hear.

I won't go into anything further because it would spoil the weirdness for you - if you're into weird, highly implausible methods of murder, that is. Or green cocaine.



Yep, Jo jumped the shark with this one, so this is the end of my Nesbøthon. It was fun while it lasted. For my money, the best novels are The Snowman, The Leopard, and Police, but Police kicked all their asses. My runners-up are The Thirst and Knife.
Profile Image for Kate O'Shea.
1,109 reviews155 followers
June 14, 2023
Every time a read a Harry Hole I almost hope not to enjoy it. Surely, I think to myself, Jo Nesbo cannot possibly keep this fresh and exciting? Seems like he can.

We start this particular episode with Harry far from home trying to get away from his life after Rakel's murder. However Harry can't stay out of bother for long. He soon finds himself back home trying to catch a serial killer and save a life.

I admit that it took me a while to really get into the book but once it took off (probably around a third of the way through) I was gripped. Once I got past halfway I couldn't stop reading until it was done.

Suffice to say there are so many twists and turns in this I defy anyone to guess them all. The ending is particularly satisfying and I am now waiting for the next instalment from the pen of Mr Nesbo.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance review copy.
568 reviews22 followers
February 1, 2024
Harry at Rakel’s graveside recounting things to date:

‘I’m having a bit of bother with some Mexicans. They’re going to kill me and a woman who looks like my mother unless I, or the police, solve this murder case within the next three days.� ‘I’ve got a fungal nail infection, otherwise I’m doing fine.�

Well it’s not often I read the Sunday Times number 1 fiction paperback in the same week as it goes in straight at number one. I saw the top 10 rating and remembered I had bought this in a charity shop before Xmas.

It’s the 13th in the series and I read the 12th in 2022. Nesbo seems to get better each book I read. This story of a serial killer is superb. Bleak and gory story. But Harry finally reducing his alcohol consumption is good to see.

Harry is human and makes a number of mistakes in his deductions. But he remains like Harry Bosch one of my favourite detectives.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,343 reviews34 followers
July 3, 2024
Despite all my efforts I'm battling jet lag and haven't re-established my sleep rhythm yet. This latest volume in the Harry Hole series kept me company through most of the night. I love this series and have spaced out each volume over time. Sadly, I've now caught up with the author and will have to wait for Jo Nesbo to write the next chapter of Harry's life!

I found the information on parasitology in this volume fascinating and the story thoroughly gripping! I'm glad to see Harry is making some positive changes in his personal life, as it gives me hope for many more stories. Narration by the sublime John Lee is excellent as usual.
Profile Image for Mark.
1,549 reviews201 followers
June 11, 2023
Harry Hole is back and does his own thing, intends to drink himself to death and while being serious in that intend finds himself being a knight in shining Armor. Even that does not go all that well.

In Oslo two woman have disappeared and one is found without her brain, the whole case screams for a specialist and the power that are do not see that the same way Catherine Bratt does.
Then there is a wealthy prime suspect for whom this negative publicity is not financially sound. So he wants the best there is to prove his innocence.
Luckily for him Harry Hole is in need of a serious financial incentive and so Harry flies from the city of Angels back to Oslo to do some private investigation.
His friends are happy to see him the police are less pleased. But soon they will be happy enough to have Harry Hole around.

Jo Nesbo does deliver another brilliant pageturner full of twists and surprises. Hole is the anti-hero and he is still a very interesting and complex human being and his story is still fascinating, playing his own music instead of walking with masses.
Hole will return I am sure and with Nesbo himself at the wheel it will be fun and a dazzling tale like this one. There is just nothing else than a decent Harry Hole book.
Profile Image for Effie Saxioni.
706 reviews131 followers
August 25, 2023
Εντάξει. 5 αστεράκια άνετα, παρόλο που εκεί κάπου στη μέση φλερτάρισε με τα 3 � - την πάτησα βλέπετε, γιατί ενώ ξεδιάλυνα νωρίς τον ύποπτο, έφαγα πόρτα με την Κατρίνε 🤐. Well played Jo... "Χάλικ" θα λέμε και θα κλαίμε 😁😉
Profile Image for Kim.
2,547 reviews5 followers
June 16, 2023
Setting: California and Norway.
In this 13th instalment in the Harry Hole series, Harry is no longer in the police force - instead, he is in Los Angeles and slowly drinking himself to death due to personal tragedy and his general melancholia.
Meanwhile, back in Norway, his former colleague Katrine Bratt is investigating the disappearance of two young women, one of whom has now been found, brutally murdered. The common denominator is a party both young women attended, hosted by rich and powerful businessman Markus Roed. Reputation is everything so, when it looks as if the police are going to be looking at him as the perpetrator, Markus approaches Harry to work the case privately. Harry wants nothing to do with it - until one of his L.A. friends gets herself in a serious financial 'hole', leading to Harry taking on the case to pay off her debts. Whilst the powers-that-be insist that Harry receive no help or information from the police, the investigating officers realise the help he can provide and the things he can do as a private investigator that they are unable to do.....
I have really missed this series - it has been four years since I read the previous Harry Hole book - so delighted to see the series continuing (and, from the ending, likely to carry on further). With the same great characters and setting, together with a complete psychopath as the perpetrator (who we hear from regularly through the book, justifying his actions), this is yet another great Scandi-crime novel. There are twists and turns galore, together with several red herrings which lead you to believe you know the identity of the mysterious serial killer. Although it took a bit of time to get into this one, it became totally gripping by the midway point and unputdownable by the end - 9/10.
Profile Image for Dave.
3,515 reviews421 followers
May 31, 2023
Killing Moon is the thirteenth and latest book in Nesbo's Norwegian crime thriller series, starring the erstwhile Harry Hole. The series has also produced a 2017 film, the Snowman. The series began in 1997 with the Bat, and includes the Cockroaches (1998), the Redbreast (2000), Nemesis (2002), Devil's Star (2003), the Redeemer (2005), the Snowman (2007), the Leopard (2009), Phantom (2012), Police (2013), the Thirst (2017), and Knife (2019). Killing Moon finds Harry on a bender in Los Angeles, off the police force, mourning the death of his wife, and generally out of sorts. In Los Angeles, he gets involved in rescuing a film producer and friend from vicious lenders. Meanwhile, back home in Oslo, two deaths of young women have the town turned upside down, particularly when it comes out that one is missing her brain and the other her entire head. A rich real estate magnate engages Harry to prove his innocence and Harry only gets involved because he can use the unholy sum of payment to resolve the situation in Los Angeles - maybe. His return to Oslo is not exactly hailed as a relief to many there and the complicated personal situations he had left behind are no better resolved now with him working ostensibly for a double murder suspect. The solution to the crimes is both shocking and complex, involving parasites and cannibalism and cocaine dealing.

As with many of the books in this series, this is quite a lengthy read, made perhaps even lengthier by this reviewer's unfamiliarity with the prior twelve novels in the series and the assortment of characters and their various relationships. That being said, it did seem as if there was quite a bit of unnecessary digressions and a criminal mind all too clever and a criminal enterprise quite bordering on gross complexity.
Profile Image for Julie Meland.
12 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2023
Det er tre år siden forrige gjensyn med Harry Hole. Tre år med sidesprang til andre krimforfattere i håp om å finne noe i nærheten av Jo Nesbøs kaliber. Harry er halvt i live, halvt druknet i en cocktail av alkohol og sorg etter tapet av sin store kjærlighet. Alt er som før, med andre ord. Flere ganger underveis tenker jeg at jeg har løst gåten, og at Nesbø har mistet det. Men hver gang tar jeg feil, jeg er milevis unna. Det er bare å innse at Nesbø har infiltrert hjernen min som en parasitt, og jeg vil alltid komme tilbake for mer.
Profile Image for Matt.
4,457 reviews13k followers
June 24, 2023
There is always a great deal of excitement that comes over me when I see a new publication by Jo Nesbø. His books leave me thinking and wondering when it comes to crime thrillers, especially those of a dark, Scandinavian nature. Nesbø’s long-running Harry Hole series has kept me intrigued since I stumbled upon it years ago. Translated from the original Norwegian, the stories provide a dark, yet highly alluring, set of crimes as graphic as they come. With Harry hiding away in Los Angeles, it will take an intense case back in Oslo to convince him to return to the country that has caused him so much pain. Nesbø delivers a great story, sure to keep series fans hooked until all is revealed!

While Harry Hole has travelled to Los Angeles to lick his wounds, there is no end to the drama. Hole wants nothing to do with policing or crime solving, though he finds himself in the middle of a mess, as a personal acquaintance has a massive loan out through some less than ideal means. With this massive bill, Harry finds himself trying to see how he can help, if only to keep them alive.

Back in Norway, two women have gone missing after attending a drug-fuelled party. When the authorities discover one of them murdered and some forensic evidence left on the body, they feel that this might mean there are more bodies to come. While the national police work the case as best they can, they know it will require their best asset, Harry Hole, disgraced and fired for his actions.

Negotiating a special truce for a massive payout, Harry agrees to return to Oslo, on a strict timeline in order to save his acquaintance in LA. Exploring all the leads, Harry is able to make some headway, but realises that this is one serial killer with their own impetus for action. Harry will have to use all his operatives to their full extend and then some, but even then the clock is ticking.
This is not only a conniving killer, but one who is ruthless in their treatment of victims, happy to exact brutal pain and suffering, all in the name of an unknown motive. Harry will have to work efficiently and effectively in order to stop the killings, while also coming to terms with everything that pushed him out of Norway from the start. A thrilling story that puts Jo Nesbø at the top of the genre once more.

Those who are familiar with Jo Nesbø and his writing will understand that he never shies away from the detailed descriptions of anything around him. Not only are these novels Scandinavian noir, but also quite graphic in their depiction of some aspects of criminal activity. Nesbø delivers a dark and thought-provoking piece that takes series fans on quite the adventure. Built on a strong narrative base, the story seeks to expound on the struggles that Harry Hole has with his life and working for the police, tossing him on the other side of the world to drown his sorrows. Not only is there a great deal of character development for Harry, but those around him assist in flavouring the story with their own perspectives. The details surrounding the killer and the murders is also quite telling in shaping what happens throughout the book, leaving readers squeamish at times. Plot development is always key to the story and Nesbø does not shirk in this thirteenth book of the series. The dark nature of Scandinavian crime thrillers is not lost on the reader, nor is the seamlessness of the translation. There are definitely some idioms that show the translated nature of the text, but it was mostly an easy to comprehend piece that did not suffer form any lack of momentum. I am eager to see what happens to Harry Hole and what Jo Nesbø feels is yet to come for his protagonist, especially with some of the revelations that come to the surface herein.

Kudos, Mr. Nesbø, for keeping me on my toes and fully invested until the final pages.

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Profile Image for Димитър Цолов.
Author34 books388 followers
January 10, 2024
Честно казано, чудя се доколко "епидемиологичната постановка" на престъпленията е реално постижима, но трилърните автори отдавна "превъртяха играта", решени да ни смаят, точно както и Несбьо в конкретния случай. Е, лека-полека взех да му хващам цаката на норвежеца и тоя път рано заподозрях главния злодей, макар че сюжетните врътки наистина си ги биваше.

Забавлявах ли се? Абсолютно! Тръпна ли в очакване на следващия роман, загатнат от финала на този? Ми кЪ!

P.S. Много, ама много ме радва саудтракът на книгата - личи си какъв благ меломан е Несбьо

- Понеже явно разбираш от такива неща� - Йойстайн изсмука пяната от една халба. � Вярно ли е, че гърми само когато вали?
Арне го изгледа леко объркан.
- Ами� не.
- Именно. Слушай.
Парчето „Dreams� на „Флийту� Мак� беше стигнало до припева, в който Стиви Никс пее „гръмотевици има само когато вали�.
И тримата избухнаха в смях.
- Грешката е на Линдзи Бъкингам � отбеляза Йойстайн.
- Не. � Стиви Никс е написала това парче � поправи го Хари.
- Така или иначе, това е най-доброто парче два акорда на всички времена � обади се Арне.
- Не � побърза да възрази Йойстайн. � Първото място държи „Something In The Way� на „Нирвана�.
Погледнаха Хари. Той сви рамене.
- „Джейн� Адикшън� с „Jane Says�.
- Брей, не си загубил форма � примлясна Йойстайн. � А най-лошото парче с два акорда?
Погледнаха Арне.
- Хм� „Born In The U.S.A.� може би не е чак най-лошото, но е най-прехваленото.
Profile Image for Judy.
1,412 reviews91 followers
May 6, 2023
I've been following the Harry Hole novels by Jo Nesbo for quite awhile. I haven't read all of them, but I've read many. Harry is a great detective who has solved several big serial killer cases and is quite famous in Oslo for his successes. He has a serious flaw in that he is an alcoholic and doesn't bend to authority well.

The Description:
Harry has gone to Los Angeles to drink himself to death, in the wake of his life back in Oslo falling to pieces. He’s nearly managed to, but Harry has been helping an older film actress, Lucille, to get away from the grips of a drug cartel to which she owes one million dollars, and in return she’s given him shelter, company and a tailored suit.

In Oslo, two girls have disappeared and been found murdered and one of the suspects is a well-known real estate magnate. Katrine Bratt wants to bring in the country’s foremost serial killings expert, but the idea of collaborating with Harry Hole is out of the question for the chiefs of police. The real-estate magnate under suspicion on the other hand wants to hire Harry as a private investigator to clear his name from the case. Harry declines, but that’s before the drug cartel takes Lucille hostage. If Harry achieves the task, the real estate magnate will award him a bonus enough to cover Lucille’s debt. He puts together a team consisting of a cocaine-dealing childhood friend, a corrupt police officer and a cancer-stricken psychologist. The drug cartel has given them ten days. The clock is ticking, and a blood moon has been forecast over Oslo.

My thoughts:
This book had a good plot and it was an interesting investigation. However, I found the parasite situation pretty far-fetched. It was also just gross. This wasn't my favorite Harry Hole book, but it was still good and I'm glad I read it. There were several red herrings that threw the investigation in the wrong direction and I didn't guess who the murderer really was until it became obvious near the end. Harry may have some new options in the future. I hope to find out what direction he turns next.

Thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 30, 2023.
Profile Image for Vaso.
1,587 reviews217 followers
June 19, 2023
Μετά από όλα όσα συνέβησαν στο Μαχαίρι, ο Χάρι βρίσκεται στο Λος Άντζελες και πνίγει τον πόνο του στο ποτό. Η καλή του η καρδιά όμως τον φέρνει αντιμέτωπο με μαφιόζους και το ρολόι της αντίστροφης μέτρησης έχει αρχίσει ήδη να μετράει. Επιστρέφει στο Όσλο ως ιδιωτικός ερευνητής του που έχει προσληφθεί από τον άνθρωπο που είναι ο συνδετικός κρίκος μεταξύ των δυο κοριτσιών που αγνοούνται κι αυτό δεν αρέσει σε πολλόυς. Στήνει λοιπόν τη δική του αντισυμβατική ομάδα, ψάχνοντας απεγνωσμένα για στοιχεία μιας κι ο χρόνος είναι ο χειρότερος εχθρός του...
Ο Nesbo επέστρεψε στα γνώριμα μονοπάτια σταν οποία τον έχουμε συνηθίσει με αλλή μια καλοστημένη υπόθεση με αρκετές παραμέτρους. Ο δολοφόνος είναι κάποιος που θέλει να πάρει εκδίκηση κι ο τρόπος τον οποίο έχει σκεφτεί είναι ιδιαίτερος. Έχοντας διαβάσει το Μαχαίρι, λιγες μέρες πριν - κι εδώ να πω, ότι αν δεν έχετε διαβάσει το Μαχαίρι, ΜΗΝ διαβάσετε τη Ματωμένη Σελήνη - ήμουν ξεκάθαρα σε Χαρι Χόλε vibe και ειλικρινά ήμουν προετοιμασμένη για τα χειρότερα...

"Παρόλο που απογοητεύομαι κάθε φορά που εκδικουμαι, παρόλο που ξέρω ότι θα απογοητευτώ ξανά την επόμενη φορά, συνεχίζω να το κάνω. Κι όταν τη νιώθω αυτή τη δίψα, την ορμηυ, νιώθω κι εγώ σαν κατά συρροή δολοφόνος. Γιατί αυτή η αίσθηση του να εκδικουμαι για κάτι που έχω χάσει είναι τόσο γλυκιά που καμιά φορά θέλω να χάνω πράγματα, κάτι που αγαπώ, μόνο και μόν�� για να εκδικηθώ."
Profile Image for Nadine Schrott.
617 reviews50 followers
March 24, 2023
Puhhhh....das empfand ich als echt anstrengend....Harry Hole ermittelt in seinem 13. Fall mal wieder in einer Mordserie....aber für mich waren die Details einfach zu grausam.....und die Nebenhandlungen zu ausführlich....

Harry ist in den USA gestrandet.....psychisch und finanziell total am Ende schließt er Freundschaft mit einem alternden, weiblichen Filmstar.
Als diese von Geldeintreibern bedroht wird, nimmt Harry das Angebot an,in Norwegen für einen reichen Geschäftsmann für dessen Alibi in einer Mordsache zu ermitteln.....doch es bleibt nicht bei diesem einen Todesfall.....

Klarer Fall von: kann man lesen....muss man aber nicht!
Profile Image for Warrengent.
157 reviews19 followers
August 9, 2023
This is the thirteenth Harry hole novel I have read, and I couldn't be happier as Jo Nesbo eludes to another book in the very last chapter of this the killing moon.
Harry hole is a brilliant character,and as soon as a new book is released I am like a kid in a sweet shop.
If you haven't read any Jo Nesbo work I would highly recommend it.
Brilliant in every sense.
Profile Image for Álex A. Ochotorena.
122 reviews69 followers
Read
April 11, 2023
No lo voy a valorar, aparco a Nesbo indefinidamente. El
libro está muy bien, el tío es muy bueno, sus personajes son muy buenos, el caso también etc; pero no sé si es el efecto nórdico que me falta la fluidez en la historia y la estructura, cierta holgura en el desarrollo que te permita volar un poco. Hasta que no ha arrancado, hacia la mitad, me he aburrido bastante. Si no escribiera tan bien -aunque tampoco rompe costuras- lo habría dejado (aun así no es tan denso como el anterior, El reino creo que se llamaba, eso también hay que señalarlo. Ha vuelto a la linea de sus “grandes exitos�). No es para mí.
Profile Image for Federica Rampi.
662 reviews222 followers
June 12, 2023
“Niente era cambiato. Tutto era cambiato. Non c’era modo di tornare indietro. E non c’era nemmeno modo di non tornare indietro.�

Harry Hole si è trasferito a Los Angeles con un piano: bere fino alla morte in un posto lontano dopo la devastante morte della moglie Rakel.
Qui in un bar fa amicizia un’ex attrice, Lucille, anche lei beve molto e in qualche modo gli ricorda sua madre.
Lucille è dedita al gioco d’azzardo al punto da accumulare un debito talmente grande da diventare proprietà di un cartello delle droga messicano che ora la minaccia di morte se non pagherà quanto dovuto: 960 mila dollari entro dieci giorni.
Pur di aiutare l’amica, Harry torna a Oslo e accetta l'incarico dell’avvocato di un magnate del settore immobiliare, Markus Røed, sospettato di essere coinvolto negli omicidi di due giovani donne.

“L’orologio aveva iniziato a ticchettare�

Hole si ritrova in Norvegia a lavorare come investigatore privato e per risolvere il caso forma una squadra unica di investigatori composta da uno psicologo malato terminale, un agente di polizia corrotto e un amico d'infanzia spacciatore di cocaina.

Il conto alla rovescia per dare la caccia al serial killer è iniziato e il tempo stringe.

Colpi di scena false piste che portano nelle direzioni sbagliate, un narratore onnisciente mostra i diversi punti di vista, compreso quello dell'assassino, e un indizio che fa presagire a una nuova prossima caccia (l’autore sa come maneggiare le aspettative dei suoi lettori !)
Tutto questo porta a una vertiginosa escalation che ha come sfondo la luna rosso sangue.
Jo Nesbø non sbaglia un colpo e Harry Hole è sempre il migliore, nonostante sia precipitato in una spirale autodistruttiva da cui non vuole uscire.
Continua ad essere l'antieroe intransigente, instabile e in continua lotta contro la sua dipendenza dall'alcol, che è l'unica cosa che anestetizza il dolore che lo sta consumando a fuoco lento.
Ma in Luna Rossa Harry, che è stanco di scappare, scopre anche il doloroso risveglio dell'attaccamento alla vita: la paternità
C’� un bambino a cui augura un futuro e una bella vita, (o perlomeno migliore della sua), a cui una notte per farlo addormentare canta una ninnananna dal ritmo blues sui pericoli della cocaina
Perché per Harry Hole l’importante è raccontare la verità, sempre
È bellissimo il viaggio interiore di Harry e non solo il suo; c’� un corollario di personaggi secondari che vale la pena scoprire
Ognuno capace di scegliersi le proprie battaglie secondo i propri tempi

Lunga vita a Harry Hole!
Profile Image for Viencienta.
362 reviews116 followers
April 6, 2023
Otro Harry Hole, y me alegro de no haberme equivocado. El anterior era una limpieza para partir de cero o casi y volver a tener un Harry más o menos operativo.
Este viaje parte de Los Ángeles y no deja de ser una excusa para traer de vuela a Harry a Oslo. Ya no es policía, digamos que es una suerte de investigador privado con muchos amigos en la policía que husmea e investiga más o menos a su aire para descubir a un nuevo asesino en serie. Nos marean un poco con la identidad del criminal, poco la verdad y al final un acto heróico para poner el broche y acabar con el último de los personajes clásicos que quedaban.
Un Harry moderado, alegal y listo como siempre. Seguimos en busca del equilibrio que como siempre, va a dar bandazos.
El autor deja caer ya la siguiente trama.
No se lleva más, el caso me aburrió un poquito, Harry sigue en el tíovivo y creo que éste es el último eslabón para asentar la nueva fase del protagonista.
Me interesa más ver cómo empieza el siguiente. A la espera.
Profile Image for pelaio.
251 reviews58 followers
June 3, 2023
Mucho tiempo esperando a Harry Hole y tal vez por eso me he llevado una pequeña decepción.
De todas las que he leído ( colección completa) creo que es la que menos me ha gustado.
Un poco pillada por los cuernos (de los parásitos), de los cuales he acabado un poco harto.
De todos modos, se deja leer y seguiré leyendo todo lo que venga de Jo Nesbo.
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