What’s New at the PWPL: Norwegian Author Jo Nesbo

If you are looking for a break from holiday cheer overload, Jo Nesbo has your back. He is a Norwegian author best known for his series of Harry Hole (pronounced hoo-la) detective crime novels. These page-turners are engrossing and, while they can be quite gruesome, are certainly effective at taking your mind off your own problems as you lose yourself in Harry’s myriad difficulties, many of which are self-induced. It’s refreshing to follow a hero who is as deeply flawed as Harry Hole who manages to still be likeable and live by his own strict moral code.

The Harry Hole series consists of 12 novels, all of which are part of the PWPL’s collection: “The Bat,” “Cockroaches,” “The Redbreast,” “Nemesis,” “The Devil’s Star,” “The Redeemer,” “The Snowman,” “The Leopard,” “Phantom,” “Police,” “The Thirst” and “Knife.”

Throughout the series, Hole battles his own demons of alcoholism and depression as he works to put away Norway’s worst killers, and keep his own loved ones safe. Some of his problematic tendencies, such as unsocial behavior and obsessive tendencies during investigations, become worse as the series progresses. Hole even decides to give up police work at one point, before being convinced by former coworkers to come back to assist the Oslo police force. This series, while not cheery, is fascinating and will keep you busy for a long time.

Jo Nesbo has also written a children’s series which has received lots of praise for being “fun, light, humorous, a great read if you want to laugh” and is also available at the PWPL: the “Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder Series.” It is well-written and delightfully inappropriate without being “too gross.” Kids never seem to get tired of bodily function humor! This series is geared towards elementary-aged kids in second through sixth grades.

One of Jo Nesbo’s most recent novels, “Macbeth,” takes a break from the Hole series. A drug bust turns into a blood bath and it’s up to the corrupt Inspector Macbeth to clean up the mess. But with Macbeth’s troubled past and history of drug abuse, things get complicated quickly. As the stress of the investigation mounts, Macbeth starts to come unglued. He is haunted by hallucinations and paranoia. Will he ever get the power and respect he craves? This novel plays off Shakespeare’s famous play, but will likely appeal more to fans of mysteries and crime dramas than to Shakespeare buffs.

The PWPL is here to help ease the boredom of quarantine and the winter months! We are currently offering curbside pickup of books and other materials. Visit our website at www.pwpl.info to place items on hold and schedule pickup appointments, or call us at 906-228-9510 extension 3. If you don’t have a library card yet, you can still get one while our building is not open to the public – call our main number at 906-228-9510 and select extension 2 for an appointment.

By Brett Hubbard

Administrative Assistant