The publication of Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole series in the United States circles back to book two with Cockroaches, originally published in Norway in 1998. When Hole is sent to Thailand to investigate the murder of Norway's ambassador, the Norwegian politicians cite his prior success with a case in Australia (as recounted in The Bat) as justification for choosing him. As he uncovers evidence, however, Hole discovers their true expectation was that he would fail, leaving the ambassador's secrets safely hidden. The alcoholic Hole is determined to stay away from the bottle, but as his ghosts continue to haunt him and new regrets are added to his toppling pile, temptation becomes harder and harder to resist.
Government construction contracts, pedophilia and gambling make up the complex network of events in Nesbø's tightly woven, adrenaline-inducing plot. The supporting cast is a colorful array of dynamic characters, none of them exempt from the cloud of suspicion--or the possibility of an untimely death. And though elements of The Bat do arise, they do not affect the reader's ability to understand the plot of Cockroaches. Just enough background is offered to clarify Hole's character--and thus his motivations--keeping the momentum of the story steady.
Fans familiar with the later novels in the series will enjoy this early entry, loaded with dark humor and explosive plot twists, while those encountering Harry Hole for the first time will learn why he's an international sensation. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts