Nemesis

By: Jo Nesbø

Narrated by: Thor Knai

Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Captured on closed-circuit television: A man walks into an Oslo bank, puts a gun to a cashier’s head, and tells her to count to 25. When he doesn’t get his money fast enough, he pulls the trigger. The young woman dies—and two million Norwegian kroner disappear without a trace.

After a drunken evening with his former girlfriend, Anna Bethsen, Police Detective Harry Hole wakes up at home with a headache, no cell phone, and no memory of the past 12 hours. That same day, Anna is found shot dead in her bedroom, making Hole a prime suspect in an investigation led by his hated adversary, Tom Waaler.

Meanwhile, the bank robberies continue with unparalleled savagery, sending rogue detective Hole from the streets of Oslo to steaming Brazil in a race to close two cases and clear his name. But Waaler isn’t finished with his longtime nemesis quite yet.

©2002 Jo Nesbø (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Nesbo manages the unlikely feat of exploring the inner life of his lead character in the thorough and compelling manner one associates with, say, Ruth Rendell, while at the same time juggling multiple, interlocking plot strands as dexterously as David Hewson. No doubt about it: Nesbo belongs on every crime-fiction fan’s A-list." ( Booklist)

The twist of a killer

I didn't expect the psychological twist this book took but it really made the story for me. The characters in this series get better and better!

I thought the narrator was good to great

Have you listened to any of Thor Knai’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't- his voice reminded me of Tom Boudette of "We'll leave the light on for you" ads. I thought he was great. Have heard robin sachs also and I like him too. would seek out more of Thor's readings

I'm Addicted to the Harry Hole Series

I almost didn't get this audio because of the negative reviews of the narrator. Yes, he is no Sean Barrett, but he wasn't awful. It took a bit to get used to him, but he was fine. This book was almost a bit too convoluted, but just a bit. I find with this series, it helps to also have the digital ebook. There are many characters, and if I forget one, it is easy to highlight and do a search in an ebook. Plus, sometimes I just like to go back over and read certain parts.

Great Story - WORST NARRATOR EVER!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Nemesis to be better than the print version?

After having the pleasure of hearing Robin Sachs and John Lee narrate the majority of the books. Thor Knai is just unbearable. I am returning this audio book and will read the print again.

What did you like best about this story?

Jo Nesbo is so clever with his plot twists. This book is no exception!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Thor Knai?

ANYBODY! But Robin Sachs would have been my first choice (R.I.P)

The narrator on this...GEEZ

I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the Rick and Morty episode “Look who’s purging now”, but there is a character that FULLY EMBODIES the narrator of this book.
Here, watch: https://youtu.be/yJ-Z_DW0AuE

That. That is exactly what you’ll experience listening to this book. Unfortunately unless you return the audiobook, you won’t get to stop hearing his voice.
Listen, I LOVE the Harry Hole series. I should’ve gotten the print version on this one. Robin Sachs’ narration spoiled me and I thought I could power through and get over the irksome feelings of no distinction of characters while listening. Maybe you’re stronger and better than me.

A few too many twists and turns

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The most frustrating in the series thus far 1. I disliked the narrator 2. the mystery of Ellen's death barely progressed 3. too many twists in who actually was responsible for the murders of the primary story.

What didn’t you like about Thor Knai’s performance?

I thought he had less range in his voice than previous narrators.

Was Nemesis worth the listening time?

I will know if it was worth the time when I get on to the next book and see what seeds may have been planted that I may have missed in book 4.

Many Clues Many Changes in What Clues Mean

Nemesis, by Jo Nesbø, is the fourth book in the Harry Hole series, but the second book in an internal three party trilogy in the complete Harry Hole Series. This internal Trilogy started with The Redbreast, and “might” end with The Devil’s Star. The “trilogy” includes, in addition to each individual novel’s various plots, a competition between Harry Hole and his arch enemy another Investigator Detective on the Oslo/Norwegian police force. One could say, Harry Hole’s Dr. Moriarty. The competition between these characters alone make the books enjoyable. Yet, you get each story’s own more complete murder mystery and the competition between the two cops as a sort of extra story. It is not a simple competition; it a tale of good cop practices versus evil cop’s methods. Predominantly evil prevails but . . .

I am not a reader of the first two novels in the Harry Hole series because those books had a poor rating and others explained they were unimportant in getting to know Harry and the series. Yet, the trilogy refers often to what had occurred in the two earliest books, but personally, I have not felt I missed out on any understanding of the series. . . . and who wants to listen to dull content.

Like all Nesbø mystery novels, and as indicated above, there is more than one story playing out in each novel. As one plot progresses detritus from other stories trickles into the narrative and when one mystery is resolved, the next plot takes center stage. It keeps the reader on his/her toes contemplating what data is important, for which plot, and how will it play out in the balance of the story. If you want to keep thinking of what is evil, Nesbø and his characters provide you with good reading (listening) entertainment.

Here we have bank robberies, weapons smuggling, blood feuds, gypsy crime organizations with the ability to reach within Norwegian society and the Russian system, and more. You will find clues that lead you (and the characters) to a conclusions that you are unlikely to contemplate. As the plot(s) continue the clues and their true meaning change. A typical Nesbø twist. All in all a good read or listen.

Almost universally everyone condemns, Thor Knai, as a terrible reader. Robin Sachs read the balance of the series. Sachs is excellent. Knai, not so good but certainly not as bad as pronounced by others. Read the Tribology, and Knai’s failings will not destroy your reading enjoyment, but just won’t reach the same height as Sach’s interpretation.

lots of twists and turns.

great story. 2 lines different but parallel and kept me guessing. Odd to have a narrator with and American accent. almost a southern twang at times.

Piss Poor

Please rerecord. Narrator was dull, lifeless, boring. Does not do the story justice. Complete garbage

Perhaps the worst reader EVER

C,mon Audible—get a new recording of this with a decent reader? I’ve tried three times and just can’t get more than an hour into this book. Ended up getting the physical book just so I wouldn’t miss this part of the series.