The Redeemer

WOW!  This is the first book I have read by Jo Nesbo and it impresses me.  I have found an author who writes an exciting murder mystery that has so many intertwining stories that one is left guessing as to what is exactly going on.

The Redeemer is a hired assassin who comes to Oslo to kill one person, only to accidentally kill the supposed victim's brother.  Kept from fleeing by a blizzard, the assassin discovers in the newspaper that he killed the wrong person.  Meantime, Harry Hole, the policeman assigned to investigate the murder is on the hunt, only to find himself being hunted in turn.

A mystery you will thoroughly enjoy reading.

Hypothermia

Another excellent book by Arnaldur Indridason.

Erlendur has the responsibility for dealing with an apparent suicide.  A friend of the victim tells him that the victim was not one to commit suicide and Erlendur is set to wondering and questioning.  Meantime he is also investigating two missing persons who seem to have gone missing at the same time, yet not have had any connection.  One case provides ideas for the others.

Well written, and an intriguing mystery, a book you won't want to put down.

Darkness at the Stroke of Noon

Sergeant Kennison of the RCMP has recently been transferred to Yellowknife.  He is sent to investigate an accident involving two deaths at an archeological dig further north.  Something has been discovered at this site involving Franklin's missing expedition which will lead to murder.  Kennison has to investigate in the total darkness of the Arctic night while shadowy figures watch his every move.  I found that I could not put this book down.  A Canadian novel, by a Canadian novelist, which looks at Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic.

Author Dennis Richard Murphy has written a real page turner here.  Unfortunately, Murphy passed away shortly after completing this novel. 

Red Wolf

Liza Marklund is a new author for me.  Her book Red Wolf is set in Sweden and involves reporter Annika Bengtzon who is researching a crime story that happened 40 years earlier.  Her research would lead her onto the trail of a deadly psychopath who is murdering people connected to the original crime.  Meantime, her own marriage is on the rocks.  She needs to balance her children, her marriage and her determined research.  Marklund's writing keeps you involved.  Well worth the read.

Murder on London Bridge

Susanna Gregory has Thomas Chaloner once again working as a spy for the Earl of Clarendon.  In February 1664 he discovers that London's coffee houses are rife with rumours and plots against the Clarendon Code, which restricts religious freedom.  Interwoven plots, and fiends are working to put an end to the Clarendon Code, even if it results in death and destruction.  Can Chaloner discover who is behind the plots in time to prevent the fanatics from achieving their goals?  Can the reader work out who is behind the plots before Chaloner?  Read on!

Rome ~ The Emperor's Spy

M. C. Scott continues the tales that she had begun with Boudica, only now the story moves on to Rome and the time of Nero.  Pantera is appointed spy by Nero, to find out the true date of the burning of Rome as prophesised by the Sybils.  Interwoven into the story is a love quadrangle and whom to blame for the burning of Rome.  Unfortunately I can't agree with the premises set down by the author.

Dark Blood

Stuart MacBride's latest novel with DS Logan McRae and DI Steel is another page turner.  Logan, as usual, seems to get himself into the craziest cases and receives physical punishment for it.  However, he still manages to work through the pain and solve the case.  This case involves money, a violent rapist and police from another jurisdiction.  Put together with all of MacBride's convoluted twists you have a great read.