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The Devil's Star

by Jo Nesbo

The Devil's Star Cover

ISBN13: 9780061133978
ISBN10: 0061133973
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
All Product Details

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Staff Pick

When did Northern Europe turn into a hotbed of great crime novels? Fans of Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson can rejoice, as Scandinavian writer Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole series continues with The Devil's Star. Expect a bit of gloom and introspection, yes, but also a first-rate thriller with unforgettable characters that will make you rush to get the previous books.
Recommended by Rico, Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Oslo is sweltering in the summer heat when a young woman is murdered in her flat. One finger has been cut off and a tiny red diamond in the shape of a pentagram — a five-pointed star — is found under her eyelid. Detective Harry Hole is assigned the case with Tom Waaler, a colleague he neither likes nor trusts. He believes Tom is behind a gang of arms smugglers — and the murder of his partner. But Harry, an off-the-rails alcoholic, is barely holding on to his job and has little choice but to play nice.

Five days later, another woman is reported missing. When her severed finger is found adorned with a star-shaped red diamond ring, Harry fears a serial killer is on the loose. Determined to find the killer and expose the crooked Tom Waaler, Harry discovers the two investigations melding in unexpected ways. But pursuing the truth comes at a price, and soon Harry finds himself on the run and forced to make difficult decisions about a future he may not live to see.

One of the brightest stars of Scandinavian crime writing, Jo Nesbo has been compared to Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly, and Henning Mankell. His novels are bestsellers throughout Europe, acclaimed by critics and revered by aficionados of thrillers and mysteries. Brilliantly plotted and paced, The Devil's Star shows Nesbo at his absolute best, combining powerful emotional resonance with truly stunning suspense.

Review:

"A serial killer taunts Harry Hole in Nesb's searing third crime novel to feature the Oslo police detective to be made available in the U.S. (after Nemesis). Still suffering from alcohol-fueled demons and obsessed with hunting for evidence against a clearly dirty cop, Hole grudgingly agrees to help look into the murder of a woman whose finger has been amputated and a red diamond stuck under her eyelid. More bodies follow, with the murderer leaving identical five-pointed diamonds (the titular devil's star) at each crime scene. At first the killings appear to be random, but Hole soon discovers an ominous pattern. Nesb brilliantly incorporates threads from earlier novels, including Hole's often tumultuous relationship with his lover, Rakel, without ever losing the current story's rhythm. Even with — or perhaps because of — his flaws, Hole is arguably one of today's most fascinating fictional detectives. 5-city author tour. (Mar.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"Jo Nesbo is my new favorite thriller writer and Harry Hole my new hero." Michael Connelly

Review:

"Compelling . . . Shocking and surprising . . . Expertly paced . . . I place Nesbo high up in the Scandinavian mystery league." The Times

Review:

"A well-crafted rollercoaster of a book . . . Nesbo sets a cracking pace . . . A series of spectacular plot twists lead to a thrilling finale. Highly recommended." Guardian
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About the Author

Jo Nesbo is a musician, songwriter, economist, and author. He is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards including the Glass Key, the Riverton Prize, the Booksellers Prize, and one of his Harry Hole novels was voted best Norwegian crime novel of all time by Norwegian readers. He lives in Oslo.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 4 comments:
Katie M, January 2, 2011 (view all comments by Katie M)
This book had me on the edge of my seat - I finished it in a weekend. I was so happy to find something as fast-paced as the Millennium trilogy. This is the best thriller I've read in a long time, and I can't wait to read more of Nesbo's books.
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Ronrose, June 22, 2010 (view all comments by Ronrose)
This is a very good crime novel set in Norway, the authors home country. The characters and the plot are well thought out. I was surprised by a number of turns that the plot took. The main character, police detective, Harry Hole is on his last legs with the police department, his girlfriend, and humanity in general. He has been haunted since his childhood by his quilt of losing his younger sister in a bizarre elevator accident, which he was powerless to stop. Now the young female detective he had been working with on a police corruption case, has been murdered and he feels it is his fault. He tries drowning his guilt with liquor and pushing away all his acquaintances, including his girlfriend. An opportunity to redeem himself and to avenge the killing of his partner arises when he is forced to work a case with detective Waaler, whom Harry suspects of murdering his partner. The case starts when a girl is found naked, murdered in her apartment with one finger cut off. Under one eyelid a red star shaped diamond is found. This and two similar murders set in motion the twisting plot that brings the murder and Harry's problems to a denouement.
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nancy93065, March 16, 2010 (view all comments by nancy93065)
Jo Nesbø is one of the best writers of Scandinavian crime fiction out there today.


summary, no spoilers:
Set in Oslo, Devil's Star features Detective Harry Hole, whose life started zooming out of control when his friend and fellow detective, Ellen Gjelten was murdered while working a case. Harry has spent much of the time since in an alcoholic stupor, neglecting his work to try to catch Ellen's killer, and putting his personal life in the trash. He knows who murdered Ellen, but proving it is a whole different story. Suffice it to say that you must read (in order) Redbreast, and then Nemesis to understand this part of Harry's life. In this book, he is assigned to work on the case of a dead woman who is found with a) a finger cut off and b) a diamond cut in the shape of a star under her eyelid. As the investigation gets rolling, and there are more deaths, Harry begins to uncover a pattern, but with time winding down on his own career, he has to come to grips with his past, present and future as well.

Nesbø's writing, his ability to craft a clever and engrossing series of plotlines that weave together effortlessly, and his excellent characterizations are consistent throughout the entire series. Harry Hole is one of my favorite crime fiction characters, but Nesbø doesn't stop with him. Each one of the supporting characters has a distinct reality of his or her own.

Nesbø is one of the reasons I continue to be fascinated with Scandinavian crime fiction. He is a talented writer, so much so that he is my favorite author within this genre. His books are dark and often broody, but well worth every second of reading time. My advice: read Redbreast and Nemesis prior to this one because prior knowledge of what's happening will raise the suspense level for you. Very highly recommended.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780061133978
Author:
Nesbo, Jo
Publisher:
Harper
Translator:
Bartlett, Don
Author:
Jo Nesbo
Author:
Nesb, Jo
Subject:
Mystery & Detective - General
Subject:
Mystery-A to Z
Copyright:
2010
Edition Description:
Hardcover
Publication Date:
20100331
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
464
Dimensions:
9 x 6 x 1.41 in 21.68 oz
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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Mystery » A to Z
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Fiction and Poetry » Mystery » A to Z

The Devil's Star Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$14.50 In Stock
Product details 464 pages Harper - English 9780061133978 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

When did Northern Europe turn into a hotbed of great crime novels? Fans of Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson can rejoice, as Scandinavian writer Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole series continues with The Devil's Star. Expect a bit of gloom and introspection, yes, but also a first-rate thriller with unforgettable characters that will make you rush to get the previous books.

by Rico
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "A serial killer taunts Harry Hole in Nesb's searing third crime novel to feature the Oslo police detective to be made available in the U.S. (after Nemesis). Still suffering from alcohol-fueled demons and obsessed with hunting for evidence against a clearly dirty cop, Hole grudgingly agrees to help look into the murder of a woman whose finger has been amputated and a red diamond stuck under her eyelid. More bodies follow, with the murderer leaving identical five-pointed diamonds (the titular devil's star) at each crime scene. At first the killings appear to be random, but Hole soon discovers an ominous pattern. Nesb brilliantly incorporates threads from earlier novels, including Hole's often tumultuous relationship with his lover, Rakel, without ever losing the current story's rhythm. Even with — or perhaps because of — his flaws, Hole is arguably one of today's most fascinating fictional detectives. 5-city author tour. (Mar.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "Jo Nesbo is my new favorite thriller writer and Harry Hole my new hero."
"Review" by , "Compelling . . . Shocking and surprising . . . Expertly paced . . . I place Nesbo high up in the Scandinavian mystery league."
"Review" by , "A well-crafted rollercoaster of a book . . . Nesbo sets a cracking pace . . . A series of spectacular plot twists lead to a thrilling finale. Highly recommended."
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