Title:	The Bat
	Author:	Jo Nesbø
	Published:	2012 (English Translation), First Vintage Crime
	No. of Pages:	369
	Cover Price:	$14.95 US

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Harry Hole (hoo-leh), Jo Nesbø’s main character in his bestselling novels, is introduced in The Bat. Harry is sent to Australia to observe the investigation of the murder of a semi-famous Norwegian girl. While there, Harry becomes friends with Andrew Kensington, who is an Aboriginal, and is on the police force. As Andrew and Harry investigate the murder, Harry meets Birgitta, who is considered a witness in the case; Harry thinks he may be in love. As the story unfolds, they discover that the murder is connected to several others, and they begin looking for a serial killer.

Because of an incident in Harry’s life where he was responsible for his partner’s death due to his drinking on the job (he is an alcoholic) and causing an automobile accident which was covered up by the department, Harry refuses to have another drink. However, as he gets beat up and almost killed during the investigation, he begins to drink to excess after he and Andrew are severely beaten and end up in the hospital. In addition, there are other incidents in the book where Harry comes close to losing his life, a theater friend is brutally murdered, and Birgitta is kidnapped that insure plenty of suspense.

The Bat is fast-moving, and is filled with charming aboriginal fables, which help the reader to better understand the culture. The book is worth reading for the fables alone, but thriller fans will appreciate the twists and turns that Harry goes through while attempting to solve the murders. Needless to say, this is a difficult book to put down. There are a few places in the book, however, that are a little confusing, probably because of the translation, but that doesn’t take away from the story or the suspense.

The Bat is highly recommended for thriller fans who want something a little different, and it should be read first if planning to read the entire Harry Hole series.

This book was purchased with personal funds and no promotion of the book was solicited by the author or publisher.

This book may be purchased at Amazon: The Bat: The First Inspector Harry Hole Novel (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Original)