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

Best Harry Hole Novel Yet!

What did you love best about Phantom?

The book is written with the ingenious narration by Gusto, the expiring socio-pathic drug addict. The opening scenes fully draws you in....you have to know what happens next.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Like all the novels in the Harry Hole series, nothing as it seems. The inter-relationships and deceits run deep and wide. Harry, while fighting his own demons of strained relationships with Rakel and Oleg and his struggle with Jim Beam, can't help himself, being a policeman is all he can do, even when no longer officially on the force. The bad guys fear Harry and try to assassinate him in nearly every conceivable way. This book has so many close shaves, it would be ideal as a movie.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is when a drenched Harry confronts Cato who is incredulous Harry's survived the special attempt made on his life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Harry Hole faces his greatest fear, a future with Rakel and the worst possibility for Oleg.

Harry Continues to Intrigue Me

This is the 3rd Harry Hole book I've read, and I continue to really be swept along by them. I liked this one because Harry is back in touch with Rakel, his "true love." I do have some questions about the old man/phantom character, and then the ending is pretty vague. BUT I think there is an opening there for another Harry Hole book. I did see something on the web about Jo Nesbo and a new book. I hope it comes out in English because I want to see what happens next to Harry!

could not stop

great pace, great story, so much to learn. love Besbo. Awesome story teller. cannot wait ti get to the next book.

Not as good as others in series

What I didn’t like about this story is how masochistic Harry has become. When he’s on the verge of regaining all that he had lost because of the Snowman he gives it all up. Not realistic at all therefore story is not credible.

Jo Nesbo hates Harry Hole

Would you listen to Phantom again? Why?

What has happened to our "hero" Harry Hole? Never a matinee idol, a current description of Harry is starting to sound like an introduction to a monster. A towering 6'4"' Harry's face now has more scars than a plastic surgery ward.
And when I first started listening in on the Hole saga, there was humorous cultural commentary woven throughout the unfolding story. Lately following Harry is a dark, sometimes tedious, journey into the worst of human nature with no comic relief.
Harry is constantly physically attacked, piling on more scar tissue as he goes. You can just imagine Nesbo wreaking his revenge on his signature character and defining a love - hate relationship.
And at the end of this book, you may wonder if we have seen the last of our old pal Harry. Certainly, it seems, any chance he ever had of personal happiness is doomed. I don't know if I will tune into his next chapter.
Jo Nesbo, lighten up and show your guy Harry a little love!

Nesbo in top form

Nesbo is at the top of his game in this exciting addition to the Harry Hole oevre. Anyone who hs enjoyed Snowman or other books in the series should definitely listen to Phantom.

Possibly the best Of the series

Packed with intensity. Full of surprises including several at the end. Finishes with unresolved issues - some about previously minor characters - that left me reaching for the next in the series.

Nesbo does it again

Any additional comments?

Once again, the author proves he is the best in his class. In comparison with the Leopard and the snowman, I would only say that this work seems a bit more far fetched in both the Holmes-like deductions that our leading character contrives and his ability to defy death. At some point....it would really be nice if Nesbo could give us a happy ending.

Wait for the End

I didn't expect to like this one as well as The Snowman and The Leopard, the first third was not all that impressive and I didn't care much for the characters involved. The ending, however, was stellar, I honestly didn't see it coming. I wish more of the old characters had stronger roles, as the previous novel had set up a good cast. As a result, this one took me a bit longer to get into but by the end, I was hooked. Phantom seemed more personal for Harry and that aspect was compelling. Robin Sachs again was excellent, it's sad he won't be narrating any more of these.

May be his best

I've now read eight of the nine books in this series. All of the books come very close to five-star reads. This one makes it!