Compelling!

Despite the turn of events another compelling book with an intricate storyline. As ever read with feeling and full commitment to the characters.

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Good but could have been so much better...

Hard to add to what others have said about Harry Hole and the whole series of books without giving much away plot-wise.

Brilliant narration by Sean Barrett as always really helped to lift this book. Thats not to say its not as good as the majority of the other Harry Hole series but rather a comment on the content.

Get it, listen to it and then you'll understand what I mean.

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Simply brilliant

Having listened to all the Jo Nesbo books featuring Harry Hole, I have to state that they get better and better. I love Harry as a character, flawed and vulnerable yet honourable and stubbornly reliable in a tight spot. The story is very well written, tangled and absorbing, thoughtful and tense. I can't wait to Listen to 'Police'.

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Greatest book of the series so far.

Interesting development of characters, whilst Harry remains dedicated and obsessed about finding out the truth.

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Really gripping, one of the best in the series

This held me on the edge of my seat - as ever - Mr Nesbo's books are always complex. I like Harry Hole more when he doesn't give in to his urge for alcohol - and this was so in this book. I don't know how Jo Nesbo manages it - but Harry is different when sober - he thinks better.

I think this is maybe the best in the series - not 'sure' about the ending - I must find the next one straightaway!

I have just gone through the whole series in order - some I had read before, and some were new to me - I am so hooked on Jo Nesbo and Harry Hole!! an excellent series, complex, but well crafted - real life characters - and so enthralling.

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another fantastic Harry hole story

a great listen. poor Harry just cannot get away from himself or his policeman morals. he's dragged back into a mess of a city.

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gripping story

gripping story with brutal shared experiences of Harry Høle. relation of Raquel, Oleg and Harry being tested by all means.

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the best so far

jo nebo at his best.... what a cliff hanger brilliantly written and superbly read as always

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Harry's finally fixed - or is he?

If you could sum up Phantom: A Harry Hole Thriller, Book 9 in three words, what would they be?

Twisty Mystery Thriller

What other book might you compare Phantom: A Harry Hole Thriller, Book 9 to, and why?

For Nesbo fans, this one has more in common with 'The Son' than 'The Snowman' (other than this has Harry Hole in the key role). The story deals with shades of morality and the motivations that lead the protagonists to their criminal ways rather than a pure evil villain and Harry probably struggles with this as much as any cold blooded killer.

Which character – as performed by Sean Barrett – was your favourite?

Barrett's performance as Harry is as always marvellous but it is his performance as Gusto and Kato in this which prove Sean Barrett is by far the best narrator in the audiobook business.

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

This is the fastest audiobook I have ever consumed!

Any additional comments?

I loved the deviation from serial killer, Harry seems in his element as he battles his demons and keeps the ghosts at bay whilst unravelling his most complex mystery yet.

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Super read

Harry Hole is back in the ninth book of the series. First off, if you haven't read the series so far, don't start here. Knowledge of the back-story is critical to this book so go back and start at the beginning of the series and watch Harry develop along the way; you'll be glad you did. On the other hand, if you have been reading the series this is one you will not want to miss.



So Harry has been away from Norway for three years after the events of The Leopard in an effort to get himself together and not cause further problems for the few people in his life he cares about, mostly his previous partner Rakel and her son Oleg. But one of his few remaining friends in the Norwegian police contacts him with news that Oleg has been charged with the murder of a drugs pusher. So Harry returns to do the only thing he knows; be a policeman and investigate the case.



Although the book mostly follows the well-established formula, this time Harry is firmly outside the police fold and ends up simultaneously battling a drugs baron and his organisation, corrupt police and politicians, greedy scientists, a kidnapper, and a minefield of personal conflicts. The portrayal of the drugs culture and its effects is stark and disturbing. As we have come to expect, the pace is non-stop and there are many twists along the way that I didn't see coming.



The ending of this book is definitely not what I expected. As is so often the case with Nesbø, it makes perfect sense and afterwards you wonder how you didn't foresee it with all the clues along the way, but somehow the author manages to disguise the clues and make the reveal a surprise every time. The ending is a cliffhanger (or is it?) but if there's another book still in the series to settle the outcome I'll be first in the queue to read it.

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