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.

Well this maybe the first in the series but was the sixth one that I read & needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I seem to recall "The Redbreast" (the old "first" in the series) as being a bit hard going in parts & thought this might be the same being an early tale but while it's still a gripping & intriguing tale the writing didn't seem as intense - maybe it was the Australian influence! It's certainly given me a better overall view of Harry.... I now know his surname is not pronounced hole as in gap as I'd thought & more to the point I know what is meant by later references to what happened in Australia! Harry was described a few time as "that blond" cop, funny my Harry is dark haired, which is strange when I do have a thing for blond Scandinavians...

...anyway it's another great edition to an already highly recommended series.

Happy Birthday!

Ah, thanks for sending me this book. I remember adding it to my Wishlist based on your review! :)