Comments on: Jo Nesbø: 15 Fascinating Facts About Norway’s Master of Crime Fiction

By: James Bussey

James Bussey — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:34:18 +0000

Jo Nesbø’s father, Per Nesbø, served in the Norwegian SS Police division on the Leningrad front in WWII. The Harry Hole novel ‘The Redbreast’ is based upon Per’s war experiences, which he related to his son. Per justified his war service because he believed the USSR was a greater threat to Europe than N@zi Germany.
This could also explain the moral ambiguity present in Jo’s writing: after all, the Finnish nation as a whole fought on the Axis side in the 1941-44 Continuation War, thereby being the only liberal democracy to do so.
It is easy for nations on the periphery of global conflicts like the UK and USA to choose both a side to fight for, and when to enter the war, but central European nations had bad choices forced upon them. Some Norwegians in 1940/41 might have felt abandoned by their own Government and Royal Family, not to mention their allies, particularly after the loss of North Norway resulting from the withdrawal of troops from Narvik. Narvik had been captured by the Germans in the early days of the invasion, but was liberated by Norwegian, Polish, French and British troops in the first seaborne operation the allies carried out in WWII. The evacuation, brought about after the invasion of the Low Countries, ceded the ground and control of the Northern Seas to Germany for five bitter years of occupation.

By: Cecilia Castorena

Cecilia Castorena — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 15:10:46 +0000

ain’t it a shame The Kingdom. You can do better

By: Ian suthwrland

Ian suthwrland — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 08:05:29 +0000

I have read every harry hole book and own them all. And now have a friend reading them hope for more harry hole.

By: Rita Crous

Rita Crous — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 15:42:44 +0000

In reply to Chris Fendler. His books are beyond interesting! Love the way he portray all his characters in detail. A person who can write so deeply about the emotional feelings of any person must have had experiences similar to the expression of such depth. Invariably I find descriptions so fitting it feels as if he is describing what I felt at the time. Only good research on the writer's side, or as I mentioned, personal experience? Please carry on writing Jo Nesbo as I am one of your greatest fans! All the best from South Africa!

By: Chris Fendler

Chris Fendler — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 17:07:45 +0000

I have read several of Jo Nesbo’s books and enjoyed each one and presently waiting for his latest to come out in paperback. With each story I feel I’m back in Oslo searching the location of the story or wherever he goes.
Thanks for an interesting article on Mr. Nesbo. As an older woman, I say to him, Keep them coming..