Phantom

By: Jo Nesbø

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 16 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Following from Jo Nesbø's electrifying international best sellers The Snowman and The Leopard, now comes Phantom, which plunges the brilliant, deeply troubled, now former police officer Harry Hole into a full-tilt investigation on which his own tenuous future will come to depend.

When Harry left Oslo again for Hong Kong - fleeing the traumas of life as a cop - he thought he was there for good. But then the unthinkable happened. The son of the woman he loved, lost, and still loves is arrested for murder: Oleg, the boy Harry helped raise but couldn't help deserting when he fled. Harry has come back to prove that Oleg is not a killer. Barred from rejoining the police force, he sets out on a solitary, increasingly dangerous investigation that takes him deep into the world of the most virulent drug to ever hit the streets of Oslo (and the careers of some of the city's highest officials), and into the maze of his own past, where he will find the wrenching truth that finally matters to Oleg, and to himself.

©2012 Jo Nesbø (P)2012 Random House Audio

Another Hit

Absolutely fantastic. Such intelligent writing- wow. I love the journey of Harry. Albeit frustrating he and Raquel can’t find their happy ending- the love is palpable and he is such a hero- the old school kind we all need like Bruce McLain in Die Hard. Love it, and on to the next. Robin Sachs is equally brilliant- wouldn’t be the same read by someone else.

COULD NOT STOP LISTENING!!

To tell the truth, at first I didn't think I was going to like this book--and I was surprised because I have loved all Nesbo's previous novels. It started out kind of slow, but interesting--just didn't grab me at the beginning--which did happen with The Snowman and The Leopard. However, just as I was about to put it away for the night, WHAM---it takes off and never stops. I ended up listening to it for hours. A fast paced, entertaining, and intelligent thriller, it may be Jo Nesbo's best yet.

The main plot is woven in and out with several sub-plots, and plenty of surprising twists. Even though Harry is now a former police officer, he comes back from Hong Kong to help Oleg, the son of his long time love interest, Rakel. Oleg has been arrested for murder, but Harry is convinced he is innocent. It becomes a dangerous investigation that pulls him into the violent and gritty drug world in Oslo. An extremely desirable new drug, "violin", is being sold on the streets - and some people will do anything to get it. We are used to Harry getting into situations that leave him bloody, bruised, and mangled, and this novel is no different. The "cringe factor" is definitely present.

Well worth the credit. You won't be disappointed-but you WILL be left with a lot to think about. I didn't see the surprise end coming--can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

The best just keeps getting better

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are a lover of the crime/mystery genre, there is no better author at work today. Do yourself a favor and start at the beginning, you will better appreciate both the character of Harry Hole, but fascinate in the completeness of each book and the Nesbo's crafting plots that don't just "add on" but actually create a greater depth and complexity without forcing it in any way.

What other book might you compare Phantom to and why?

I can only compare this work to the other Scandinavian genius, Stieg Larsson. As different as they are in their flawed characters, Lizbeth Salander and Harry Hole are both so engaging and tragic in their pursuit of an ideal as they battle their demons.

What does Robin Sachs bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Listening to Robin Sachs become Harry is like watching Alec Guinness become George Smiley. He so embodies Hole's fatalistic and tortured search for the truth and justice with the tone and pace of his narration, that the need for accents or voice modulations become superfluous. Very few readers can get away with this, as differentiating characters without them is an art. Sachs is one of those narrators I will seek out, despite the mediocrity of some for whom he applies his craft.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending is transcendent. It could not have been anticipated and without giving anything away, it is proof again of Nesbo's genius and refusal to take the safe route. And there is just enough ambiguity to keep the devoted hopeful of more to come.

Any additional comments?

I have read, rather listened, to virtually every Euro/crime novelist. The classic and contemporary Brits and all the "young turk" Scandies. The only exceptions being some good writers that some publishers have shackled with unlistenable narrators. This pairing of Nesbo and Sachs is the polar opposite. Great narration of great writing creates nearly flawless storytelling. I envy those of you who haven't discovered Jo Nesbo. Hopefully it won't take Scorcese's adaptation to make you a believer.

Darker and Darker

From my review of 'The Bat':

The Harry Hole character reminds me a little of Jesse Stone. He's definitely not your squeaky-clean hero. This series was recommended to me by someone who saw that I enjoyed Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and its sequels, and I'm grateful that he did. The summary is that it was worth the credit, but I'm not yet hooked and pining for the next book. I've purchased the next available audio book, number 3 in the series. We'll see how it goes. If I don't get a little more out of it, Harry may have to go on the shelf for a while.

Keep in mind, when reading my opinions, that darkish detective fiction is not really my thing, so I don't have a lot to compare Nesbo's work. I thought it was solid believable fiction, and, like Larsson's, very well translated. It felt like it was written for native English speakers. In a number of parts, I was amazed see that the humor translates well. Someone did a great job. Sean Barrett's performance of the various accents was very good, but the voice of Harry never quite fit the character for me. Other reviewers have stated a preference for another reader as Harry, but as this is my first in the series, I can't say. Sometimes, when the reader of a series changes, the new one doesn't get a fair chance. We (fans) like of character's voices to stay the same.

If you like the genre, give Harry a spin. You won't regret the credit, and may get to really like him.

Review of 'Phantom':

Well, I'm not at book 9 of the series. I find that I do prefer Robin Sach's narration, and I've come to think of him as Harry. As always, he does a very creditable job with 'Phantom.'

My views on the series and the Harry character haven't changed. It's too dark for me. Each release in the series shows Harry giving in more and more to his personal demons - drugs, alcohol, and ruined relationships. I understand that there is trauma in real life, but real life usually has some ups and downs. Harry never seems that get off of his slippery-slope. In addition, I prefer my heroes to have redeeming values besides just a particular skill. The only consistent positive in Harry's life is his uncanny ability to solve crime. By book 9, Harry has dropped all pretense of caring anything about the rule-of-law. I find it disturbing when fictional characters like Harry are made into heroes, or at least examples of the real world. It doesn't have to be, and shouldn't be, that way.

I thought that Harry's downward slide might be a literary gimmick to keep us reading in the hope that there would finally be a turn-around, but after 9 books, I don't see it coming. I'm not likely to continue the series.

All that said, 'Phantom,' like the rest of the series, is solid fiction. If you disagree with my perspective on the character of Harry, and enjoy dark detective fiction, then you will probably like it.

Pretty damned dark

I'll be short, because it would be easy to slip in spoilers. This is the best Harry Hole yet, and you should not miss it.

By "best yet" I mean in the order produced by Audible.com. The first Harry Hole has just been translated and released by Audible.com. If you can read it before this you should, but that's not strictly necessary.

It is dark, and poor Harry has a rough time of it. You think Mike Hammer got beat up a lot? He's a cream puff compared to Harry. The physical assaults are nothing though, compared to the assaults on his heart.

The translation is outstanding. If you did not know that this book was not written in English you would not guess it from this rendering.

Robin Sachs gets 5 stars even though, as you will discover in "The Bat", Harry's last name is not pronounced like a hole in the ground.

Author at his best

If you could sum up Phantom in three words, what would they be?

Noir, character & suspense.

What did you like best about this story?

He has developed Harry Hole into a believable, sympathetic w/flaws character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, author always keeps me gripped.

Any additional comments?

Great series that "Scandinavian" mystery lovers will enjoy, although some warning on violence.

Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole cosistantly delivers

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would actually reccomend the entire series but do wish they would all come out in audio in order

What did you like best about this story?

The personal aspect of the story, Harry, Oleg and Rakel. Characters we have come to know.

Which scene was your favorite?

Harry's inner thought process on the plane thinking to escape back to hong kong and deciding if he should leave or go back.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Harry deciding to do what he feels he needs to do even if it changes his future...

Any additional comments?

I liked this book although it was not my favorite in the series it was a more personal Harry Hole book. I am confused about the ending and hope that there is another book! Still hoping Harry, Rakel and Oleg can be together although it does not seem likely!

Very well written

Exciting plot, well developed characters. I've never used drugs, but the description of the drug addicts' relationships with their drugs seemed very realistic.

Another great story.

If your have read the rest of the series, you must listen to Phantom. Harry returns to investigate criminals charges against his almost step-son. True to form, Harry gets to the bottom of it all (surprisingly without losing any body parts). I'm not going to give you any more details, because doing it could spoil it for you. For Nesbø/Harry Hole fans, this is a slam dunk, credit worthy, get it immediately purchase.

Another Great Nesbo

Hollywood aught to make movies about these Harry Hole novels. This one was like all of the others, action packed from start to finish. Harry Hole is quite the character, a flawed detective like most crime thrillers. I highly recommend this series