Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This thread is open to discuss The Bat by Jo Nesbø.

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Synopsis
Inspector Harry Hole of the Oslo Crime Squad is dispatched to Sydney to observe a murder case. Harry is free to offer assistance, but he has firm instructions to stay out of trouble. The victim is a twenty-three year old Norwegian woman who is a minor celebrity back home. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Harry befriends one of the lead detectives, and one of the witnesses, as he is drawn deeper into the case. Together, they discover that this is only the latest in a string of unsolved murders, and the pattern points toward a psychopath working his way across the country. As they circle closer and closer to the killer, Harry begins to fear that no one is safe, least of all those investigating the case

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This one should be interesting :) I've never read the author before but he's been in Slovenia last week so it got me curious to try him.

I am curious as well. I will see if I can get this book on Hoopla.

I'm in. I actually have another book in this series on my to read list, so maybe I'll start with this one (since it's number one) instead of skipping to The Redbreast.

There are a lot of books in this series and I have heard good things. Just don’t see the movie based on the book Snowman. I heard that wasn’t good at all!

Jo Nesbo isn’t on my Hoopla app. But it is on overdrive.

I got it on overdrive. Thanks!

I got it on overdrive too!

This will be my first read by Nesbo. I also have a borrowed copy from a friend of this one. The Snowman.

I'll join this one from team Minerva Mc......,

The book wasn’t available on overdrive a few days ago. I was worried I might not be able to do this buddy read. But today I was able to borrow it! YAY!

Laura wrote: "This will be my first read by Nesbo. I also have a borrowed copy from a friend of this one. The Snowman."

This will be my first Harry Hole novel too. Hopefully, it will be the start of a new book obsession.

Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "This will be my first read by Nesbo. I also have a borrowed copy from a friend of this one. The Snowman."

This will be my first Harry Hole novel too. Hopefully, it wi..."

I love new book obsessions!

I've heard the Harry Hole books are really good. I actually have #3 on my to read list already. I'm excited to find a new series to start!

Team Flitwick here. I found a copy on Overdrive as well. I'm always looking for new authors and series and am excited to give this one a try.

Hey Everyone...It will be a busy weekend for me with Memorial Day here in the U.S. So I marathoned my way through the book yesterday. It was a fast read. Really got exciting halfway through. I’ll be back to discuss it!

Chapter 10

(view spoiler)[ I appreciate the little bits of humor. And find the information about Australian and Aboriginal culture interesting. Colorful cast f characters. I only wish I knew more about Harry Hole. This is more of a straight forward investigation. Being the first book, I want to know who Harry is. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10-20

(view spoiler)[Margaret Dawson has very blonde hair like victims. Does her son have something to do with it?

Stories Andrew tells are funny. Love is a greater mystery than death. And watch out for snakes. LOL (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26

(view spoiler)[ Andrew knows something. Is it about Otto? I do enjoy Andrew’s character. His humor, stories, knowledge. (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 27-28

(view spoiler)[ Crazy guillotine scene at the theater! And now Otto is dead! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 31

(view spoiler)[ Darn! Andrew hanged himself? I am so confused.And sad. I liked Andrew. (hide spoiler)]


Chapter 37

(view spoiler)[ Harry has turned into a real mess! Hooker may have encountered the killer. Hopefully, Harry’s bender will lead to some answers. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 51-57

(view spoiler)[ chilling confession by Tawomba. So sad about Birgitta.

In the end, I did feel like Harry Hole’s character was fleshed out with the flashbacks and his alcoholism. (hide spoiler)]

I've started
Chapter 1- 5
(view spoiler)[
I feel like these first 5 chapters were more or less background chapters.

Since the series is about Harry its was a little funny when the head officer told Harry they didn't expect nor want his help. I 'm sure he will end up solving the case.

Whoop, Harry has himself a date! (hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to reading more!

Eeek! I need to get started with this one! Hopefully I'll get a chance to start it tonight or tomorrow morning so I can come and chat about it!

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ Hhahahah, oops no mixing potential witnesses with legal authority figures!
This may no go over so well. (hide spoiler)]

I'm #1 on the waiting list for the book, so hopefully I'll get it soon.

Up to chapter 14
(view spoiler)[
Oh boy; severely flawed main character. We just learn that Harry is an alcoholic and was demoted to Australia because he drinks on the job.
How horrible for the boy of the crash to be paralyzed because of Harry's bad decision. That's going to be a tough one to live with (hide spoiler)]

I haven't started yet.

I have to say, do not watch the movie based on book 7: The Snow Man starring Michael Fassbender. It was awful.

Up to chapter 26
(view spoiler)[
Is Otto a red herring or did he have something to do with the murder? Andrew knows something. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 29
(view spoiler)[ Andrew knew that Otto was going to be arrested. He's not at the hospital.. does that mean he killed Otto? (hide spoiler)]

chapter 31
(view spoiler)[
What?? Now Andrew is dead. (hide spoiler)]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I haven't started yet.

I have to say, do not watch the movie based on book 7: The Snow Man starring Michael Fassbender. It was awful."

I wanted to see the movie when it came out. I love Michael Fassbender! But after so many bad reviews, I decided not to see it in the theater. It really is that bad?

Heather wrote: "Eeek! I need to get started with this one! Hopefully I'll get a chance to start it tonight or tomorrow morning so I can come and chat about it!"

I’ll keep checking back!

Laura wrote: "Up to chapter 14

.."

(view spoiler)[ At first I didn’t think Harry’s character was fully developed. But through all the flashbacks and Harry’s drinking problem, by the end I did feel like I knew Harry.

What did you think about Andrew? I loved his stories and information he told to Harry about Australia. (hide spoiler)]

Thoughts chapters 1-14

Harry - I really don't have a good feel for his character yet. (view spoiler)[It seems like I've spent more time getting introduced to Australia than to Harry so far. It's an unexpected approach, but it does make me curious to find out more.

He certainly seems quite out of his element. I felt sorry for him when he flew all that way only to be told he was only supposed to observe. It was nice he found a girl from Sweden to have dinner with. Although his dating skills may need some work. (hide spoiler)]

Andrew - (view spoiler)[Andrew seems to have a lot going on behind a laid back personality. I'm not convinced that he is truly as laid back as he tries to appear. Loved the story about Walla and the big snake. (hide spoiler)]

The investigation - (view spoiler)[So far it seems like the investigators have very few leads. I'm interested to see if they find more victims with white blond hair or if the hair color of Evan's mother ends up coming into play. Evan certainly came across differently in person than through Ingrid's letter, but I don't have an opinion about his guilt or innocence yet. (hide spoiler)]

Is it ok to jump in uninvited? Overdrive had a copy available and I started yesterday :) Haven't read any Harry Hole novels yet, very excited!

Up to chapter 15 and (view spoiler)[really like the writing and the pace of the book. I'm glad the matter of Harry's last name pronunciation came up, I was wondering about it :)

Harry is a bit of a dark horse at this point but looks like we're starting to get insights into his past. I'm kinda side-eyeing him tangling up with a witness but really like where his partnership with Andrew (albeit temporary) is going. Also hoping for more folklore tales from Andrew! (hide spoiler)]

Elena wrote: "Is it ok to jump in uninvited? Overdrive had a copy available and I started yesterday :) Haven't read any Harry Hole novels yet, very excited!

Up to chapter 15 and really like the writing and the..."

No invites necessary. All buddy read threads are open for everyone:-) Welcome!

beginning of chapter 49
(view spoiler)[
Oh no Birgitta has lost communication with the team and hasn't shown up like planned.

This doesn't bode well. I really, really hope she isn't murdered.
At this point I think the murderer isn't Evans but someone on the force (hide spoiler)]

Deanna wrote: "Thoughts chapters 1-14


I completely agree with you on a lot of this Deanna!

(view spoiler)[ It does seem like the set up of the book has been more about Australia than Harry, which seems so weird given that it's the first book in a series. At this point I don't feel like I know him at all, and so I'm very curious about what his thing is that will allow him to solve the case. (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 11

(view spoiler)[
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book yet. I don't feel like I have any real connection to Harry...I think I know more about Andrew. And the case seems to be floundering, and their trip to see Evans didn't seem to even give them a clue of where to turn to next, which surprised me. Curious to see how it develops from here!
(hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "I've started
Chapter 1- 5...

(view spoiler)[
"Since the series is about Harry its was a little funny when the head officer told Harry they didn't expect nor want his help. I 'm sure he will end up solving the case. "

I thought that was funny too!

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 50
(view spoiler)[
Toowoomba??? Hehehe, I was a little off on my guess! (hide spoiler)]

Heather wrote: "Through chapter 11"

(view spoiler)[I totally agree about Andrew and the investigation. Andrew's character has shown a lot more potential depth than Harry so far. As for the investigation, if were a real world one instead of a fictional one, I would currently bet in favor of it going unsolved. (hide spoiler)]

I just got this one so I'll join in too - probably start it later tonight!

Finished
(view spoiler)[
I think I had to round up to a 3. I love mysteries and police investigations but this one if you took out all the folklore you would only have the last 5 chapters of the book.
I enjoyed the folklore, Australian culture, the way we learnt about Harry's character but the actual mystery/investigation fell flat for me even though my guess about the killer was wrong. I needed more action and less conversations!

Despite Birgitta being murdered I did like the ending!
(hide spoiler)]

Geri wrote: "Hey Everyone...It will be a busy weekend for me with Memorial Day here in the U.S. So I marathoned my way through the book yesterday. It was a fast read. Really got exciting halfway through. I’ll b..."

@ Geri - regarding your last spoiler
(view spoiler)[
Crazy guy!

Did you like Harry's character?
Which character did you like best and did you like the ending? (hide spoiler)]

I'm finally starting this tonight. I probably won't get far, but I have a free evening tomorrow to make a dent in it.

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[Things may not be so simple with Andrew, he has so much to be angry about given his history. And he kicked the dog. Twice! :( (hide spoiler)]

I read one of Jo Nesbo's books. I think it was Redbreast, but it was several years ago. I hope to be able to get this one in the next couple days so that I can join in.

As far as the movie, The Snowman, it was ok, but not great. Luckily I borrowed the DVD from the library so it didn't cost me anything.

Elena wrote: "Chapter 24
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ You are almost halfway through. And like you, I found Andrew more interesting than Harry at that point. There was definitely more to Andrew than expected! (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "Hey Everyone...It will be a busy weekend for me with Memorial Day here in the U.S. So I marathoned my way through the book yesterday. It was a fast read. Really got exciting halfway th..."

Answers to your questions, Laura.

(view spoiler)[ This being book 1 of the series, I think I expected a better introduction to Harry. Nesbo tried to give us background through flashbacks later in the book. A little late I think. So I found Andrew more interesting. His stories and all the info on Australia.

I gave this 3 stars because I felt like it was a straightforward mystery thriller procedural. The ending was okay. I may try later books. Hoping Nesbo’s writing gets better.

Will you read other books by Nesbo? (hide spoiler)]

I forgot this started. I'll get it going ASAP

Chapter 31

(view spoiler)[After the guillotine scene Otto's actual death was quite a shock, took me a minute to process. And Andrew's apparent suicide..? If he killed himself then what/whom was he trying to cover? And did he kill Otto? Or was he murdered as well?
I'm quite saddened by their deaths, it looks like they might have been involved in something and possibly weren't all that innocent but I liked them both.
Looks like Andrew had been steering this investigation a great deal by taking Harry places and introducing people to him, makes me wonder if other characters are involved too. (hide spoiler)]

Geri wrote: "Elena wrote:

(view spoiler)[Yes, I'm starting to see this! And looks like now it's up to Harry to reveal Andrew's secrets :( (hide spoiler)]

As we were watching the Snowman, it felt like there were scenes missing even though I had never read the book and didn't know the story. (I was putting the blame on bad editing) So I looked it up and found an article that after filming wrapped, they realized that they forgot to film a few scenes. But the studio wouldn't give permission or more money to round people up and film them. Maybe if they had, the movie would have done better. But really, how do you forget to film scenes of a movie? Don't they plan all that out ahead of time?