Midnight Sun
A novel
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4.1 • 192 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Cockroaches, a “forcefully written story of personal defeat, despair, and salvation” (The New York Times Book Review) about a man with one small problem—his former boss, Oslo's most notorious drug kingpin, wants him dead.
"A fun read, with a likable protagonist and a brisk, page-turning pace." —Los Angeles Times
Ulf was once the kingpin's fixer, but after betraying him, Ulf is now the one his former boss wants fixed. Hiding out at the end of the line in northern Norway, Ulf lives among the locals. A mother and son befriend him, and their companionship stirs something deep in him that he thought was long dead. As he awaits the inevitable arrival of his murderous pursuers, he questions if redemption is at all possible or if, as he's always believed, “hope is a real bastard.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Jon, the narrator of this excellent standalone from Edgar-finalist Nesb , is a "fixer," or hit man, akin to the hero of 2015's Blood on Snow. Jon, who has done jobs for an Oslo crime boss known as the Fisherman, has fled the city for K sund, a tiny village in the far north populated by Sami (Lapps) and dominated by a very strict religious ethos. Taking refuge in a church, he tells the townspeople he meets that his name is Ulf. A stranger in a strange land, Ulf slowly reveals what led him to leave Oslo: a failed hit and a theft that has Johnny Moe, the Fisherman's henchman, after him. Ulf is a bad boy with a heart of gold; he got into trouble because he was trying to help someone close to him. His self-mocking deprecations are endearing: "Not that I'm an irresponsible or careless person; I've just got really bad judgment." Immaculately plotted and perfectly paced, the book is also darkly funny and deadly serious. Scandinavian gloom notwithstanding, it has a neatly satisfying and surprisingly moving ending.
Customer Reviews
Jeff1967
I've read very one of his books and I enjoyed this throughly. Another adventure to an new place in the world while having a great read.
Charming, but not really what one would expect
I enjoyed this book, really I did . . . But, having been a Jo Nesbo fan for many years, I was disappointed. The writing, as usual, is great; the story well told; and the characters interesting. BUT -- nothing compelling or outstanding. And it doesn't really qualify as a novel in my book. More of a novella.
It's a simple tale of redemption, and has a very predictable arc. From the moment Jon arrives in the tiny northern village and meets the beautiful preacher's daughter and her son, you pretty much know what will happen. There's a bit of a surprise at the end, but that really doesn't change the outcome.
Sorry, Mr. Nesbo, you'll have to do better to return to my list of must-read authors.
Midnight Sun
I loved this story! Kept my interest from beginning to end.