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The Bat (Harry Hole #1)

by Jo Nesbø (Goodreads Author), Don Bartlett (translator)

3.56 · Rating details · 51,212 Ratings · 4,168 Reviews

Before Harry took on the neo-Nazi gangs of Oslo, before he met Rakel, before The Snowman tried to take everything he held dear, he went to Australia. Harry Hole is sent to Sydney to investigate the murder of Inger Holter, a young Norwegian girl, who was working in a bar. Initially sidelined as an outsider, Harry becomes central to the Australian police investigation when t ...more

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Paperback, 369 pages

Published July 2nd 2013 by Vintage Crime/Black Lizard (first published 1997)

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Sep 18, 2017 Chelsea Humphrey rated it really liked it

I know that the first two Harry Hole books are generally the least popular of the series, but I couldn't be persuaded to jump in at book three and altered my expectations accordingly. While I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I've not experienced this character or series before, I actually loved THE BAT! Perhaps it was having the opportunity to learn Hole's backstory and read the books in their intended order, or maybe simply the fact that I don't know any differently, but I was i ...more

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Oct 17, 2013 Jeffrey Keeten rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nordic-noir

”A sudden, uncontrollable fury rose in him, and he cast around for something to smash. He snatched the whiskey bottle from the table and was about to launch it at the wall, but changed his mind at the last moment.
Lifelong training in self-control, he thought, opening the bottle and putting it to his mouth.”

As you read this novel you are going to realize just how much sarcasm is loaded into that statement. Harry Hole, pronounced Hoo-leh, is dispatched to Sydney Australia to investigate the murd ...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Noeleen rated it it was ok · review of another edition

As a huge fan of Jo Nesbo and the Harry Hole series, I waited eagerly, like many other fans, for The Bat, the first book in the Harry Hole series, to finally be translated into English. It was like waiting for Santa to arrive on Christmas Eve and deliver that wonderful present that you are hoping you will get, the pure excitement of it all! Unfortunately, Santa didn’t deliver that wonderful present in the form of The Bat, instead of receiving that perfect present, Santa delivered to me (oh the d As a huge fan of Jo Nesbo and the Harry Hole series, I waited eagerly, like many other fans, for The Bat, the first book in the Harry Hole series, to finally be translated into English. It was like waiting for Santa to arrive on Christmas Eve and deliver that wonderful present that you are hoping you will get, the pure excitement of it all! Unfortunately, Santa didn’t deliver that wonderful present in the form of The Bat, instead of receiving that perfect present, Santa delivered to me (oh the disappointment)..... a pair of socks...which is the equivalent of what this book ended up being; basic, practical and not very exciting. This book was a huge disappointment. I’m really glad that I wasn’t able to read this first book in the series until now. I wouldn’t have continued with the series if this had been the case and would have missed out on all of the rest of the wonderful Harry Hole books.

In The Bat, Harry finds himself in Australia when a young Norwegian girl is murdered and he assists the Australian police with the case. While the book served its purpose in giving us the background to Harry, this was the only good thing about it. I much prefer Harry working in Norway on home ground. There was a lot of Australian and Aboriginal history in the book which in itself was very interesting and I learnt a lot, but it wasn’t necessary to the story at all. In addition, there were many times when the book went off with reminisces of Harry’s past relationship and this really happened at odd times in the book and it too was unnecessary. These aspects of the book seriously ended up taking away from the momentum, pace and interest in the main plot which in itself was mediocre at best. At times I almost forgot about and lost focus on the main plot because of the way the story went off course throughout.

It’s very obvious from the writing and plot in The Bat that this is a debut novel and that it is the first book in the series. It’s also evident now how much better the books become in the later works. I’m still a huge fan of Jo Nesbo and the Harry Hole series, from The Redbreast through to Phantom, each one of them has kept me very entertained, I’m just not a fan of this book. I don’t like giving one of my favourite authors, Jo Nesbo, a negative review and I can’t believe I am giving one of his books only two stars but this book just didn’t work for me. I would recommend reading the series from book three, The Redbreast. You don’t really need to read this book to enjoy the rest of the series.
...more

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Jul 20, 2013 James Thane rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-fiction, jo-nesbo, harry-hole

This is the book that introduced Inspector Harry Hole of the Oslo Crime Squad--or it least it would have been had not several of the later Harry Hole novels reached the U.S. ahead of it. The wait is finally over, though, and The Bat is now at last available in a U.S. edition.

It seems a bit odd that the first book in a series featuring a Norwegian police inspector would be set in Australia. Nonetheless, that's the case. A young Norwegian woman who had been something of a minor television celebrit This is the book that introduced Inspector Harry Hole of the Oslo Crime Squad--or it least it would have been had not several of the later Harry Hole novels reached the U.S. ahead of it. The wait is finally over, though, and The Bat is now at last available in a U.S. edition.

It seems a bit odd that the first book in a series featuring a Norwegian police inspector would be set in Australia. Nonetheless, that's the case. A young Norwegian woman who had been something of a minor television celebrity back home, has been raped and murdered in Sydney. Harry is sent to Australia to act as a liasion with the Sydney police in the investigation. His instructions are clear: he is to be an observer and he is not to actually meddle in the investigation. The Sydney police clearly expect that Harry will spend most of his time seeing the sights and will be content to go home and report after a few days at most.

Even if you've never read another Harry Hole novel, if you've read any crime fiction at all, you know that's never going to happen. From practically the moment he arrives in Australia, Harry develops his own ideas about the case and is anything but shy about pursuing them.

The principal merit of this book is that the reader gets to meet a younger Harry Hole and to learn a bit more about his background. The case itself is intriguing and Harry meets a number of interesting characters along the way. If there is a problem with the book it rests with the fact that Nesbo spends quite a bit of time as a tour guide and cultural anthropologist, exploring the land, its mysteries and its peoples, and sometimes the travelogue gets in the way of the story itself.

Actually, The Bat seems more like one of those books that you would find much later in a series, at a time when the author has begun to run out of ideas and so sends his character off to an exotic land to mix things up a bit--and, not incidentally, to give the author a great vacation that he can deduct as a business expense.

Still, though it's not up to the standards of some of Nesbo's later Harry Hole novels, this is a fun story with a lot of unexpected twists and turns. And for those of us who are compulsive completists when it comes to our crime fiction, it gives us the chance to finally start reading this series in order. The problem remaining is that the second book in the series, The Cockroaches will not be released in the U.S. until December. At that point, all of the Harry Hole novels will finally be available here and all will be right with the world. ...more

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Aug 25, 2015 Suzanne rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library-penrith, audio-cd, first-of-series

A very different experience this one was for me. Harry 'Hoo-ley' is an experienced detective with a story of his own to tell, bought out to Sydney, Australia to assist Australian Police in a murder of a Norwegian woman. The poor man is called Harry Holy by everyone, he's given up on correcting people. An interesting one here as this is a Norwegian writer delving strongly into Aboriginal culture, and even re-telling some dream time stories. I am not at all good at concentrating at the best of tim ...more

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Sep 04, 2013 Lyn rated it liked it

The Bat, by Norwegian author Jo Nesbo is the first of the Inspector Harry Hole (pronounced Hoo-leh) novels.

Set in Australia of all places, Nesbo introduces our hero as a foreign policeman sent on a diplomatic mission to assist with the investigation of the murder of a minor Norwegian celebrity in Sydney. The novel starts slowly but builds to an exciting, if somewhat minimalistic, and troubling, ending.

Nesbo does an above average job of introducing an array of characters and develops some intri ...more

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Dec 16, 2014 Matt rated it really liked it · review of another edition

In my other binge-reading project of the winter, I thought that there was no better time to explore the Harry Hole series by Norwegian Jo Nesbø. I had heard much about the series, and with a keen interest in all things Scandinavian when the thriller genre is involved, I thought I could do no wrong. As the series begins, Harry Hole (that's two syllables, Holy) finds himself in Sydney, Australia where he's been sent to represent the Royal Norwegian Police Directorate to investigate the murder of a In my other binge-reading project of the winter, I thought that there was no better time to explore the Harry Hole series by Norwegian Jo Nesbø. I had heard much about the series, and with a keen interest in all things Scandinavian when the thriller genre is involved, I thought I could do no wrong. As the series begins, Harry Hole (that's two syllables, Holy) finds himself in Sydney, Australia where he's been sent to represent the Royal Norwegian Police Directorate to investigate the murder of a Norwegian national. Working alongside some of Sydney's finest, Hole discovers that there may be a serial rapist and murderer on the loose, whose penchant for blondes leaves a trail that grows every few days. Alongside the murder investigation, Hole discovers a woman who pulls on his heartstrings and becomes an integral part of his time in Oz. The reader is also introduced to Hole's checkered past, including an addiction that almost got him fired from the force and one that reemerges at the worst possible moment. With no firm leads and Hole's secondment running to an end, a serial killer continues to elude the authorities and baffle Hole to no end. While soaking up the history of this foreign land, Hole may be too distracted, which hinders his ability to bring answers to a grieving family back in Oslo. In this series debut, Nesbø tells a very interesting tale, both about his protagonist and the race for justice.

I was pleasantly surprised at Nesbø's work and found that the story flowed very effectively, full of wonderful tidbits to lure the reader in a little deeper. Harry Hole is a complex man, whose background is multi-layered and will likely take the entire series to unravel. However, Nesbø does a stellar job by paving the way with a thorough glimpse into the man's foibles, as well as the strengths that shape him. I cannot leave this review without pondering a glaring question that leapt off the page for me, especially as a reader who loves to immerse myself in a character. Why would Nesbø choose to use his opening novel and take Hole away from his native Norway? I could see this in the third or fourth novel, but the story begins and remains in Australia for its duration. I could never fully understand this, as it makes logical sense to lay some groundwork before taking the character out of his environs. Allow the reader to learn about local friends and family, plant roots before jetting off to places unknown. That said, perhaps Nesbø has a plan here and I am too cerebral in my analysis this early in the series.

Kudos Mr. Nesbø for a great opening novel. I cannot wait to get deeper into the series to see what else you have in store for us.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/ ...more

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Feb 17, 2017 Ij rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, thriller, crime, fiction, australia, 2017

Many of my “Goodreads friends” warned me that “The Bat” was not the best book in the series. Further, they warned that I might not want to read other books in the “Harry Hole” series, if I started with this book. So, I committed to myself to read the next two (2) books in the series, even if I thought “The Bat” was a terrible read.

Well, reading this book was a chore. I did not like Harry Hole, the protagonist, or any of the other characters in the first book of the series. Harry Hole a police fr ...more

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Dec 12, 2012 Kris rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, mystery, scandinavia, norway, netgalley

Although I love mysteries and thrillers, and have collected the Harry Hole series, this is the first mystery in the series that I have read. My procrastination meant that I could begin with the first book in Jo Nesbø's acclaimed series -- sometimes procrastination does pay off.

In this book, Harry Hole has just arrived in Sydney, Australia, after being assigned by the Oslo Crime Department to liaise with the local police department in investigating the recent death of a beautiful Norwegian citiz ...more

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Nov 11, 2014 Jon Kurtz rated it liked it

My first novel by author Jo Nesbo, left me nearly as schizophrenic as a Jim Carey character. From the beginning, I found the writing difficult to digest. Set in Australia, authored by a Norwegian, and translated into the Queen's English, my American brain sloshed through the idioms saturating the pages. But I remained engaged. With a background in law enforcement, I viewed the portrayal of protagonists and antagonist as over-the-top and not realistic. But I stayed entertained. With the same eye, ...more

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Jan 11, 2014 Michael rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Michael by: Harry Roolaart

Shelves: australia, fiction, mystery, norway

Good for a first Harry Hole novel as it was the first in the publishing sequence in Norway, though a late arrival to these shores in translation. I had the pleasure of his background and personhood on an away game in New South Wales, where his sister was murdered in Sydney. Away games for detective characters is a common practice, but rare for a first time at bat. But it works for me as a way to know Harry without his team, a pure form so to speak.

Harry turns out not to be a cold fish or totall Good for a first Harry Hole novel as it was the first in the publishing sequence in Norway, though a late arrival to these shores in translation. I had the pleasure of his background and personhood on an away game in New South Wales, where his sister was murdered in Sydney. Away games for detective characters is a common practice, but rare for a first time at bat. But it works for me as a way to know Harry without his team, a pure form so to speak.

Harry turns out not to be a cold fish or totally cynical noir character. What he lacks in Chandleresque wisecracks, he makes up for in heart and human fallibility. He’s the type of guy to takes the time to forge serious personal connections while he works, despite the seriousness of his investigation. Here he befriends an Aborginal cop who bends his mind with folktales (including one about a bat) and a Swedish barmaid who bends his heart and the rest of his body. He gets to liking Sydney and environs and learns through his nightlife how the city has become the gay capital of down under.

But the ante is upped, and the case starts to look like the path of a serial killer with a long term spree over a large geography. Harry follows hunches without quite the full logic he needs and starts missing trouble signs. His stupidity over solo forays puts him in harm’s way. And when some bad things happen to more than one of his new friends, sorting things out start getting desperate. His old alcoholism starts shaking up his wagon. Harry is the man to get the job done if he just find enough inner reserves.

The plight of the Aborigines is woven into the story without making a sociology run. As with Native Americans, many tribes got jumbled together, and cultural traditions have gotten worn away. For example, his cop friend was adopted by a non-native family. Other little windows on Australian society and ecologies and contrasts with the Nordic north add to the satisfaction of the read. I render 3 and a half stars rounded down to leave room for higher reviews later in the series. Because Harry is only visiting, I am expecting gains in pleasure from a wider ensemble of long term characters.
...more

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Apr 29, 2017 Saša rated it liked it · review of another edition

Hari Hule, nice to meet you.
I guess...

Jer ovaj pocetak ne obecava slavu koju uziva gore navedeni.
Krimic je standardne radnje, nadjena mrtva devojka, serijjski ubica, cliffhanger itd.
Likovi su uglavnom papirni sem Harija i detektiva Andrew Kensington-a.
Kad bolje razmislim Endrju mi je bio zanimljiviji lik od Harija, zato sto je Aboridzin sa svim svojim
realnim problemima, kako privatnim, tako i problemima Aboridzinske, hmm zajednice u Australiji.
Opis Sidneja i odnosi izmedju belaca i Aboridzina s ...more

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Mar 05, 2014 Rosa, really rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Those who love a tortured hero

Shelves: series, crime-mystery-thriller, cops-or-pi, library, audio

I love you, Harry, but--

And I love this series and would highly recommend it, but--

This was kind of an odd experience because although The Bat is the first book in the series, it's the 9th or 10th book published in English. When I first started the series I was most seriously disturbed that they chose to start with The Redbreast, the third book (IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT), but I read an article about the author where he said he thought the first 2 books were not well-done and he was happy the English- ...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Helena Halme rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I really wanted to like this first Harry Hole novel, but I'm afraid I found it rather far fetched and dull.

For me the best thing about Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole novels is their dark and moody Norwegian setting, so perhaps I didn't like The Bat because it's set in Sydney.

A Norwegian girl is found brutally murdered, and the Australian police send for a Norwegian policeman to pacify the country's Embassy.

What follows is Australia through the eyes of a damaged, t-toal, young Norwegian policeman. Ther ...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Brandon rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, detective-books, 2014

A Norwegian national is killed while working in Australia and Detective Harry Hole is sent to assist in the investigation. It’s not long before her death is linked to a string of murders and it’s believed a serial killer is on the loose. Can Harry and company track down and stop the murderer before he kills again?

Like seemingly everyone on the planet, I enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy and after I closed the book on the final novel, I began hearing that this Jo Nesbo guy was someone I A Norwegian national is killed while working in Australia and Detective Harry Hole is sent to assist in the investigation. It’s not long before her death is linked to a string of murders and it’s believed a serial killer is on the loose. Can Harry and company track down and stop the murderer before he kills again?

Like seemingly everyone on the planet, I enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy and after I closed the book on the final novel, I began hearing that this Jo Nesbo guy was someone I should check out. I was hesitant at first as it felt like the publishing world was trying to cash in on Larsson’s success by quickly throwing out the first Scandinavian crime writer (similar to the influx of post-grunge music in the mid 1990s) they found in an effort to capitalize on the public’s newfound interest in Scandinavian crime. On the other hand, maybe it wasn't fair to judge Nesbo so quickly. Maybe this guy is a decent writer. Maybe Larsson opened the door for similar countrymen, giving them an opportunity to shine when the whole world was watching.

After doing a little digging, turns out Nesbo has been around a little longer than Larsson. Larsson’s Salander books hit it big in 2005 and exploded onto the worldwide literary scene in 2008. While Nesbo had been steadily writing his Harry Hole novels since the late 1990s and has achieved great success in his home country, it’s arguable that Larsson’s success played a key role in Nesbo’s breakthrough into the world stage.

When I initially decided to give Nesbo a go, I had stalled right out of the gate. Turns out that the first two novels in the Harry Hole series had yet to be translated to English. Unfortunately, I've never been comfortable with diving into a series with any novel other than the first. So, I waited. Finally, I got my hands on Harry Hole #1 (The Bat) and dug in. Maybe it was the hype or maybe I should have clued in that his publisher had forgone translating the first two novels in favor of starting with book five (The Redbreast) but I came away feeling underwhelmed.

The first half of this novel is hopelessly dull and while Nesbo throws everything on its head midway through, I felt in the end it wasn't enough to save the whole experience. Sure, while the mystery was intricately plotted and I certainly didn't foresee the identity of the killer coming, the whole lead-up to it felt flat and run of the mill.

The book is filled with countless info dumps that I’m not entirely sure are necessary to the story. Not only that, but they weighed down the pacing and were written in an uninteresting manner.

Given all the problems I had with The Bat, I’m still interested in Jo Nesbo. Judging by other reviews of subsequent releases, the series looks like it gets better. While I’m in no rush to get the second book, I can see myself picking it up down the road.

Oh, and Harry Hole.. what an awful name. ...more

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Apr 14, 2013 Rachael rated it liked it · review of another edition

First off: If you've never read Jo Nesbo, DON'T start with this one. Nesbo's first Harry Hole book and the least accomplished. It's set in Sydney and just when I though I would lose the will to live if I had to read/hear one more Aboriginal creation myth used to explain the mysteries of life; on about pg. 168 order was restored with a spectacularly gruesome murder involving a clown leading Harry to fall off the wagon (thank God!), wreak havoc, have a couple of dark nights of the soul and of cour ...more

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Jul 23, 2017 Amanda NEVER MANDY rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017, harry-hole-and-friends

My husband likes to preorder books for me from my favorite authors. I think he likes to see the smile on my face when I see that little brown box of happiness awaiting me after a long day at work or at least that is the social media “we are so in love” version. In reality he probably just does it so he has a 'get out of jail free' card on layaway. You know, buying ahead on those elusive love points. In regards to this book buying situation I think I should deduct points because he stepped out of My husband likes to preorder books for me from my favorite authors. I think he likes to see the smile on my face when I see that little brown box of happiness awaiting me after a long day at work or at least that is the social media “we are so in love” version. In reality he probably just does it so he has a 'get out of jail free' card on layaway. You know, buying ahead on those elusive love points. In regards to this book buying situation I think I should deduct points because he stepped out of my fav zone and picked one at random based on the idea that he saw me read a book this guy wrote once. Also he chose to pick a book that was not second, not third but eleventh in a series. You read that right....ELEVENTH.

Shall we do this math on this? SCREW IT, WHY NOT.

POSTIVE POINTS: One point for buying me a book. One point for going out on a limb and buying one that isn’t on my fav list. One point for paying attention to what I read. One point for remembering a book from a few years back. Ten points for sticking it out with my difficult ass and not leaving me with these damn kids.

TOTAL = 14 POINTS

NEGATIVE POINTS: Deduct one point for not checking with me first regarding a book purchase because I am a control freak and he should know better. Deduct two points for picking a book that was eleventh in a series which forces me to have to read the ten before it. *flips him the middle finger* Deduct ten points for getting with me to begin with and blessing me with these damn kids.

REVISED TOTAL = 1 POINT

I guess since he came out ahead on points I will keep him and unfortunately...those damn kids.

Shall we return back to original purpose of my ramblings? I SUPPOSE.

Honestly, it wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be. I think the translation was a bit off or at least that is where I am placing the blame. The flow kept getting interrupted and there was a spot or two where things didn't make sense. I kept having to reread sections to determine who said what and to make sure I hadn’t missed something when I felt like I had. The mystery itself was great and the characters felt like they were standing right next to me, which is actually kind of a scary thing knowing that one of them killed the other and oh hell am I going to be next? ...more

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Oct 11, 2015 Snotchocheez rated it it was ok

If you're like me, you probably encountered the Jo Nesbø phenomenon by reading one of his more recent Harry Hole novels (for me it was The Snowman that sold me), and if you're like me, you have a nagging feeling you're missing something when skipping the first installments of an episodic police thriller series, you'd then feel the overwhelming need to start with The Bat.

I gotta tell you: this was...not very good. There are several explanations floating around out there as to why the first few in ...more

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May 14, 2017 Koula rated it liked it · review of another edition

M' αρέσει που αγόρασα και την επετειακή έκδοση, μιας και είναι το πρώτο βιβλίο που έγραψε ο Nesbo.
Δεν μου άρεσε, η πλοκή ήταν άνευρη, άτονη και έξω από τα συνηθισμένα του συγγραφέα.
Επανάληψη, φλυαρία με ελάχιστο αστυνομικό σασπένς, που δεν έβλεπα την ώρα να το τελειώσω.
Ενδιαφέρουσα η αναφορά, οι ιστορίες και οι μύθοι γύρω από τους Αβορίγινες της Αυστραλίας.
Τρία αστεράκια, μόνο γιατί είναι το πρώτο του και γιατί είναι Nesbo.
Kαλές αναγνώσεις!

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Oct 01, 2017 Liz rated it really liked it

A good thriller with interesting characters. On several occasions the story did veer off course a bit, and I think it would have benefited by trimming some of the distracting material. As a whole I enjoyed this and more importantly, I genuinely like Harry. I’ll be continuing with the series, as I’ve heard that they only get better. 3.5 stars rounded up.

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May 15, 2017 ☮Karen rated it liked it

Shelves: audio, my-media-mall, 4000-books, read-in-2017

I'd already read and enjoyed The Snowman (Harry Hole #7) from this series a while ago and was torn as to whether I really wanted to read all of the other books, and in order, or if I could just skip around and read only the higher rated selections. My library has almost all the earlier books on audio, so I started with this, the first in the series. Unfortunately I wasn't able to devote 100% attention whilst this was playing along; but I'm sure I did glean the important parts, enough to realize ...more

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May 28, 2013 Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: no one

Shelves: netgalley

My View:
I am a Jo Nesbo fan. I have read all his other books in the Harry Hole series and mostly have been very impressed with the action, the narrative, the character development, the intrigue and the resolution. This book however is an exception to the series. It is banal, its language wooden, stilted and as an Australian reading Hole’s experience of his adventures in Sydney, Australia and of Australians, I generally felt let down and uncomfortable with the stereotypes and colloquialisms - of My View:
I am a Jo Nesbo fan. I have read all his other books in the Harry Hole series and mostly have been very impressed with the action, the narrative, the character development, the intrigue and the resolution. This book however is an exception to the series. It is banal, its language wooden, stilted and as an Australian reading Hole’s experience of his adventures in Sydney, Australia and of Australians, I generally felt let down and uncomfortable with the stereotypes and colloquialisms - of big waisted, slow witted, “dinkum” white Aussie males and the Indigenous cop’s voice felt stunted and farcical too – continually explaining the world in Dream-time stories and explaining everything very carefully... all the Australians had a dumbed down quality I did not like and I did not appreciate reading this interpretation of Australia and Australian life. (I did however enjoy the Dream-time stories perhaps worthy of a book in their own right but not relevant in this book) The political voice in this book was ...annoying.
The first 160 odd pages of this book were flat, dull, convoluted and clumsy and did I mention far fetched and I could not stretch my imagination to believe the premise of the murders and the police procedures or rather the lack of procedure and lack of professionalism. How disappointing. This is the first book I have read on NetGalley where after 50 pages I thought I would just not bother to continue, that my time was being wasted trying to find something interesting or redeeming in this book. Stupidly I continued on. The story did not improve – it worsened becoming more incredulous and bumbled along with the addition of masses of blood and gore and torn apart limbs and should have been read whilst listening to the theme track of JAWS!
Jo Nesbo – I am glad some publisher somewhere saw the potential in your writing – I did enjoy your other books in this series but think that the publisher did me a favour by not translating this first novel of the series any sooner – if I hadn't read this book at all I would be perfectly happy and not felt as if I had been cheated of a potentially great read.

Do your self a favour - skip this book and read the others in the series.
...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Eva rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: scandi-and-nordic-crime

This is a curse with books translated into English: they don't appear in the order they were published in the original. Once you got to like Jo Nesbo here comes his first Harry Hole novel and only then you learn things about the detective that would have helped you to understand the books you have already read. So what is your option? Start re-reading the already read books? Btw no problem with me as I read quite fast but don't remember the plots (not even the perps..) but on the other hand ther ...more

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May 19, 2013 aPriL does feral sometimes rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries-suspense-thrillers, audiobook, roller-coaster-ride

I read different genres, and books which slide over the genre category rules don't bother me. This first in the Harry Hole series is a slider, I think - somewhere between a cozy and a noir (In my opinion, I think many British/European mystery series tend to be sliders). Many of the characters have normal family relationships they care about, and the cops have relaxing lives beyond the job - which bring the story into cozy territory. However, the crimes and criminals are noir country. A sliding m ...more

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Jun 29, 2013 Harry rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: detective-mystery, nordic-crime-fiction

Book Review

The first in the Harry Hole series comes to an American audience as the last published (what on earth is wrong with these publishing companies - so often, their disregard of readers who read series in the order written reeks of ignorance: the ignorance as to what compels readers to follow a series). My series review below starts with The Redbreast, the third in the series as forced upon us by the American publishers and that context should be kept in mind when reading it.

As to this, t ...more

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Jul 04, 2015 Αλίκη rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: τα-καλοκαιρινά, τα-κλεμμένα, τα-της-λέσχης, τα-του-2015

Η Νυχτερίδα είναι ένα άκρως καλοκαιρινό βιβλίο, όπου ο Νορβηγός πρωταγωνιστής μας ταξιδεύει Ιανουάριο στην Αυστραλία για να παρακολουθήσει την έρευνα που διεξάγουν οι τοπικές αρχές για την εξιχνίαση του θανάτου μιας νεαρής κοπέλας διάσημης στη χώρα του. Παρόλο που ο ρόλος του είναι καθαρά εκείνος του παρατηρητή, ο Χάρι Χόλε θα εμπλακεί στην υπόθεση και θα κυνηγήσει τον δολοφόνο που απ' ότι φαίνεται δεν είναι ένας απλός δολοφόνος της μιας φοράς, αλλά ένας ψυχοπαθής που δρα σε ολόκληρη την Αυστραλ ...more

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Dec 06, 2015 Jenny Ko rated it liked it · review of another edition

Το πρώτο βιβλίο του Jo Nesbo δε με ενθουσίασε όσο περίμενα. Βέβαια είναι λογικό καθώς είναι η αρχή της συγγραφικής του καριέρας και ψάχνει να βρει τα πατήματά του. Η ιστορία μου φάνηκε συνηθισμένη, δεν είχε την αγωνία που συναντά κανείς στα άλλα του βιβλία και ο πρωταγωνιστής Χαρυ Χόλε δεν έχει βρει ακόμα το δρόμο του. Κάποια στοιχεία του χαρακτήρα του, όπως ο αλκοολισμός του μου φάνηκαν οτι εμφανίζονται απότομα. Το καλό είναι ότι μαθαίνουμε πληροφορίες για το παρελθόν του Χάρυ και όλη η πλοκή δ ...more

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Jun 04, 2017 Λίνα Θωμάρεη rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: foreign-literature

Πρώτο βιβλίο του Χάρι Χόλε και μπορώ να πω ότι δεν ενθουσιάστηκα. Το βρήκα πολύ λεπτομερέστατο σε σημείο βαρεμάρας και η υπόθεση θα μπορούσε να διαλευκανθεί πολύ πιο γρήγορα.
Παρολαυτά στις σελίδες του βρήκα ενδιαφέροντα στοιχεία της γραφής του Νέσμπο πχ... η περιγραφή της πάλης ανάμεσα στον Χάρι και του Άντριου με τους κακοποιούς στο κρίκετ μπαρ ήταν εκστατικά...
Σαν χαρακτήρα ο Χάρι Χόλε μου φάνηκε λίγο μπερδεμένος και φρέσκος στην δουλειά...
Αλλά αυτό που μου έκανε εντύπωση ήταν η πολυλογία του ...more

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May 01, 2013 Patrice Hoffman rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: provided-by-netgalley

I have been excited for so long to read a book by Jo Nesbo. I have come across a few of his works featuring the Norwegian detective of the Oslo Crime Squad, Harry Hole but I didn't read them because I hadn't acquired The Bat yet. I've read reviews for The Snowman and Redbreast since they are two I have found in the local bookstore I frequent. Plans to collect more are on the horizon but for now, let's talk about The Bat.

The Bat is Jo Nesbo's introduction of Harry Hole. Hole is called to Australi I have been excited for so long to read a book by Jo Nesbo. I have come across a few of his works featuring the Norwegian detective of the Oslo Crime Squad, Harry Hole but I didn't read them because I hadn't acquired The Bat yet. I've read reviews for The Snowman and Redbreast since they are two I have found in the local bookstore I frequent. Plans to collect more are on the horizon but for now, let's talk about The Bat.

The Bat is Jo Nesbo's introduction of Harry Hole. Hole is called to Australia to sit on the sidelines and stay out of trouble during an investigation into the death of a minor Norwegian celebrity named Inger Holter. Holter is only 23 years old when her body is found by a fisherman on the ocean side of Watson's Bay. She is brutally killed and that's all I'll say about that. It appears that she fits the mold for a serial killer who targets beautiful blondes and has been the cause of a string of similar murders across the country.

During the course of the investigation, we see Hole battle with his own demons as well as fall for Birgitta, the victims sister. I liked this romantic element to Hole because for most of The Bat he just seemed like a guy going through the motions. We were never given much depth to his character. The only ideas that were supplied to readers initially is that he's a good looking blond guy. As the story develops, Hole does as well. I imagine in the later books he's featured in there will be more character development.

As far as the writing and the plot goes, I think it's pretty solid. I didn't find the plot to be too thrilling in the sense that I was biting my nails from angst, but overall it is a very quick read. I devoured the first half of this book in a few hours. The true killer's identity was never something I expected and when once revealed it made perfect sense. Although the ending was very rushed, I do appreciate there wasn't an unnecessary moment in this novel. There was no meandering so pay attention.

Although I would say that my first encounter with Jo Nesbo is average, I am still anxious to read the rest of his Harry Hole series. I recommend this novel to lovers of crime fiction or Scandinavian thrillers. Now on to the next...

**I know this is completely off subject but there's a chapter in this novel named Kookaburra and I'm sure it was very interesting... I admit that once I read kookaburra my mind kept wandering off to the wings of the same name on the menu at Outback Steakhouse. I know it's so off topic and has nothing to do with the actual Kookaburra bird, but I just had to say how much I love those wings. Yes!

...more

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Sep 27, 2016 Emily rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nordic-noir, 2016-books, e-book

Πρόκειται για το πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς με ήρωα το Χάρι Χόλε, τον ψηλό, ξανθό, πλην όμως αλκοολικό ντετέκτιβ. Αν θα πρέπει σώνει και καλά οι ήρωες των αστυνομικών να έχουν ένα κουσούρι, ο δικός μας εδώ έχει το ποτό. Ωστόσο κάπου αναρωτιέται ο ίδιος ο ήρωας γιατί ένας καθ' όλα σωστά μεγαλωμένος έφηβος, με πλήρη υποστήριξη από μια αγαπημένη οικογένεια, φτάνει να το ρίξει στο ποτό, ερώτημα που θα μείνει αναπάντητο.
Η υπόθεση διαδραματίζεται στο Σίδνεϋ, τον Γενάρη, μακριά από το παγωμένο Όσλο και τ ...more

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About Jo Nesbø

Jo Nesbø is a bestselling Norwegian author and musician. He was born in Oslo and grew up in Molde. Nesbø graduated from the Norwegian School of Economics with a degree in economics. Nesbø is primarily famous for his crime novels about Detective Harry Hole, but he is also the main vocals and songwriter for the Norwegian rock band Di Derre. In 2007 Nesbø also released his first children's book, Dokt ...more

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“Everything you do leaves traces, doesn’t it. The life you’ve lived is written all over you, for those who can read.” — 38 likes

“How's your girlfriend?'
‘Birgitta?’ Harry was quiet, ‘I don’t know. She wont talk to me. Feeling terrible, I hope.’
'Why do you hope she’s feeling terrible?’
‘I hope she loves me, of course.’
Sandra emitted a rasping laugh. ‘And how are you. Harry Holy?’
‘Terrible.’ Harry smiled sadly” — 17 likes

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