Family secret unleashes punishment

The Son,

by Jo Nesbo (Random House, RRP $38):

Set in sunny summertime Oslo, a prison-cell confession to a fellow inmate reveals a hidden secret about his father and spirals Sonny Lofthaus’ life out of control.

For years Sonny had been taking punishment as a professional scapegoat. Now this revelation has unleashed a need to punish the wrongdoers who have fed off his despair. A jailbreak and a series of killings ensue. But, of course, the results of Sonny’s righteous anger now means he is being sought by both the police and Oslo’s top criminal gang.

This is a story of revenge and natural justice. It seems to cover most of the cliches: a clever older detective with personal demons, a young novice partner, and a powerful yet hidden-in-the- shadows crime lord. This is all comfortable territory; you care for/dislike the right lot, there is action aplenty and the careful revealing of Sonny’s back story results in a good modern-day crime thriller.

• About
• Latest Posts

Jillian Allison-Aitken

I come from the other land down under, where men are men, and sheep are nervous. I'm a sub-editor and in the past have been a proof-reader, news editor and web editor. I am also an ex-columnist, and book and software reviewer for the local daily newspaper.I still read. A lot. And surf the web. Also a lot.You'll find a little about both of those pastimes here, and on By George.

Latest posts by Jillian Allison-Aitken (see all)

• Oops: Dr Libby books recalled - November 6, 2017
• REVIEW Everybody’s Fool - October 20, 2017
• On the bookshelves: October 2017 - September 28, 2017

Tags: Random House