The Redeemer: A Harry Hole Thriller, Book 6

By: Jo Nesbø

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

Length: 14 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

One freezing night in Oslo Christmas shoppers gather to listen to a Salvation Army street concert. An explosion cuts through the music, and a man in uniform falls to the ground, shot in the head at point-blank range.

Harry Hole and his team have little to work with: no immediate suspect, no weapon and no motive. But when the assassin discovers he has shot the wrong man, Harry Hole’s troubles have only just begun. After some exceptionally shrewd detective work, the team begins to close in on a suspected hit man, monitoring his credit card, false passport and the line to his employer. With no money, only six bullets and no place to stay in the bitter cold, the hit man becomes increasingly desperate. He will stop at nothing to eliminate his target. Moving at a breathless pace, The Redeemer is Jo Nesbo’s most gripping thriller yet.

©2009 Jo Nesbo (P)2010 Random House Audio

Brilliant I am hooked on Nesbo

Would you listen to The Redeemer again? Why?

Yes, Sean Barrett gives an excellent eprformance and the story keeps you going until the end.

What did you like best about this story?

Sean Barrett gives an excellent performance. The Harry's character is one to sink your teeth into. YOu have to go back to find out more about his psyche.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't remember any specific scence but I love the humanity of it all. The Redeemer story is as imprtant as anyones and I guess that is the point. You should always see the person, history to understand the behaviour.

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

I listen to Nesbo books while I walk, run, cylcle, drive or paint an excellent companion

Just a bit far fetched

was as expected for a HH story - the most unbelievable part was his drinking, can authors not write a book ( character ) that is terminally damaged?? HH would be more believable if he like his drink but was not able to be be fully beholden to it.

Another Good Jo Nesbo Book

This was my third Nesbo novel and, on balance, I enjoyed it the most. The "Prince" was never quite believable to me but the action was the strength of these first reads. Redeemer is equally action packed and gets 4 stars because of a writing technique that is clever but tittitating. Chapters begin with a seeming continuation of the prior chapter only to be jolted later by discovering that Nesbo has changed character on the reader without the use of a proper noun or other identifying trait to signal the switch.

Corruption is everywhere in this book. We find corruption in the business world and the police department, which is usual, but now we find it in the Salvation Army!!! The ending expands the circle of corruption to an icon of respectability in Nesbo's world. And the shadow of corruption now appears on Harry's path. Did Harry do the right thing?

Wallender's dead, long live Harry Hole

I didn't think I could find anything as satisfying as a Kurt Wallender (Henning Menkell) novel but praise the Lord and pass the ammunition, here is Jo Nesbo with his main man, Harry Hole. What is it about Scandinavian crime - it reigns supreme. The best thing about The Redeemer is the plot twists and turns without becoming convoluted. The characters are interesting, believable and multil layered, even the minor ones. Even when you know who's done what and why, you still don't know how it will end. Nesbo is such a skilfull writer, I'm thrilled to have finally discovered him.

wonderful Nesbo and Hole

What did you love best about The Redeemer?

complexity of story, development of characters further. surprises along the way and warm human dimension. story telling of the highest order.

What about Sean Barrett’s performance did you like?

wonderful Norwegian accents, love it when he gives Harry an accented English voice. pace, perfect.

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

yes, but pleasurable to stretch it out - don't want it to end too soon.

Satisfying, thrilling read

Where does The Redeemer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is my first review

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Redeemer?

Revelation of complex plot

Any additional comments?

First book I have listened to by a Norwegian writer. Wonderful complex plot. Builds up layer by layer. Good characterisation and exploration of human motive. This book is for the intelligent reader, not for dull thrill seekers. Don't let the reference to the Salavation Army put you off. It's what makes this book such a good read.

Great Listen!

This book continually gathers pace as you read it., it is engrossing. Harry, the lead detective, has his own personal problems and gets you onside in no time. This is the second book I have read By Jo Nesbo and I have enjoyed both of them.

Great Story

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

Yes. Sean Barrett delivers a terrific performance of all the characters, even the female ones. I could listen to him any time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harry Hole

What about Sean Barrett’s performance did you like?

He has a great delivery and even performs the females well. I like the quality in his voice.

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

Harry Hole books don't really move you.

Getting Better

By the time one reaches the tipping point in a series, they might be expecting the standard and pace to level out. This is certainly not the case for Nesbo's Harry Hole series. This title is a marked development (for the better) on the previous title, "The Devil's Star"; not that it was poor - it was the best in the series to that point. It is also a world apart from the more recently released "The Cockroaches", which was in fact Book 2, and the book that I last read. In other words, Nesbo's plots are getting more complex, the characters are getting deeper (as they should after 5 books) and suspense is the winner. I normally rate myself on being able to pick the plot twist in this genre, and, although I picked the principal plot line, the sub-plot was a surprise to me.
Again, Sean Barrett does a bang-up job as Harry; again, I am looking forward to the next installment (especially with the high praise that has been bestowed upon it).
This title is well worth the read, but it probably is improved if you have read Books 3, 4 and 5 first. It can stand alone, but it is much better with the back-story intact.

Gripping page turner

Lots of twists and turns in this excellent page turner. Harry becomes an ever more complicated hero