The Kingdom

A novel

By: Jo Nesbo, Robert Ferguson - translator

Narrated by: Euan Morton

“I read The Kingdom and couldn’t put it down ... Suspenseful ... Original ... This one is special in every way.” —Stephen King

Two brothers. One small town. A lifetime of dark secrets. A tense and atmospheric standalone thriller from best-selling author Jo Nesbø.

Roy has never left the quiet mountain town he grew up in, unlike his little brother Carl who couldn't wait to get out and escape his troubled past. Just like everyone else in town, Roy believed Carl was gone for good. But Carl has big plans for his hometown. And when he returns with a mysterious new wife and a business opportunity that seems too good to be true, simmering tensions begin to surface and unexplained deaths in the town's past come under new scrutiny. Soon powerful players set their sights on taking the brothers down by exposing their role in the town's sordid history.

But Roy and Carl are survivors, and no strangers to violence. Roy has always protected his younger brother. As the body count rises, though, Roy's loyalty to family is tested. And then Roy finds himself inextricably drawn to Carl's wife, Shannon, an attraction that will have devastating consequences. Roy's world is coming apart and soon there will be no turning back. He'll be forced to choose between his own flesh and blood and a future he had never dared to believe possible.

Starts slow with a satisfying finish

Some books you read simply to say you have finished them, some because they are entertaining and some because they speak to you.

The Kingdom belonged to the latter category. I could relate to much about the main character, Roy Upgard. Middle aged, from a remote small town, more comfortable with machines than people, in a comfortable career and a brother (younger, not older).

More important than the excellent writing though is the story with its underlying themes of fate and circularity. It starts out slow, but stick with it. It is well worth reading to the end.

Based on other reviews not everyone will agree with me. I guess it depends where you are coming from and what stage of life you are at. I’ll bet that if you are younger than thirty you will say it’s boring but if you are 40 or older with a few bumps and bruises from the school of hard knocks you’ll enjoy it.

Tragic

Engaging to listen to, but too tragic for my sensitivities. “Merciless Spring was on its way again”. If I’d read (listened to) that last line of the book beforehand, I probably wouldn’t have listened. I prefer books that lift my thoughts.

divergence from his normal subjects

A far crime from his other books but equally smart and detailed. A nice story of love.

Good book

Did not want it to end, but alas, all good things do. I was sad when it did.

The characters

The back and forth narrative and the description of northern Norway, its seasons and geography.