Is Revenge Ever Justified? [Book Review]

A broken detective searches for a killer who seems to be acting alone.

Key points:

Why have certain people been targeted by the Wolf and what is his story? Is there a deeper more sinister motive for revenge or is it something else? Will the broken detective get to the bottom of it all in time?

Jo Nesbo is a Norwegian thriller writer at the forefront of the “Scandi-Noir” genre. To be upfront in my review, I do love Jo Nesbo’s books. Of the 22 of his books that have been published in English, I have read 16, including the full Harry Hole series (13 books).

Is revenge justified, even if it is to show up failings in the laws and systems on which we rely?

Wolf Hour, very unusually for Nesbo, is set outside of Norway, in Minneapolis USA, to be precise. Our “hero” Detective Bob Oz, like all of Nesbo’s main characters, is broken, full of remorse and regret, trying to make himself a better person.

The book commences in September 2022 where a Norwegian man who is a journalist/author, travels to Minneapolis to write a story about a series of murders that occurred in the city in October 2016.

Can people be redeemed and given a second chance?

Wolf Hour explores issues of revenge, family relationships, morality, loss, acceptance, desire and even love.

Of course, in all good thrillers, there are twists and turns and an excellent outcome with a final revelation that I did not see coming.

One wonders who is more dangerous, the unstable policeman, or the steady, thoughtful killer?

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As a Christian, this book makes me think about our value as humans, loss, heartache, and life’s bigger questions.

Of course, being a Christian does not remove you from life’s difficulties, heartaches, loss, tragedies, making poor choices, and then having to deal with them.

I really enjoyed this book. I give it 4 stars.

Nonetheless, I know that through all these things, God is with me and provides confidence, comfort and a firm foundation for the future. I am reminded in Psalm 23 that the Lord is my shepherd and that he refreshes my soul, that he is with me even in the darkest times. God’s love follows me all the days of my life. On this, I can rest and rely with confidence.

I really enjoyed this book. I give it 4 stars.

Article supplied with thanks to David Barker.

Feature image: Penguin