Before Harry took on the neo-Nazi gangs of Oslo, before he met Rakel, before The Snowman tried to take everything he held dear, he went to Australia. Harry Hole is sent to Sydney to investigate the murder of Inger Holter, a young Norwegian girl, who was working in a bar. Initially sidelined as an outsider, Harry becomes central to the Australian police investigation when they start to notice a number of unsolved rape and murder cases around the country. The victims were usually young blondes. Inger had a number of admirers, each with his own share of secrets, but there is no obvious suspect, and the pattern of the other crimes seems impossible to crack. Then a circus performer is brutally murdered followed by yet another young woman. Harry is in a race against time to stop highly intelligent killer, who is bent on total destruction.
The Bat
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"Jo Nesbo, of Norway--not Sweden--gets a pass in one regard, at least: he published the first of his 8 Detective Harry Hole thrillers in 1997, long before Mikael Blomkvist set eyes on Lisbeth Salander. Like Larsson's, his novels are maddeningly addictive: be prepared for more whirlwind rides through those unpronounceable Scandinavian street names."
—Vanity Fair
“A first-rate whodunit…. A twisty, fast-paced concoction stocked with ample red herrings…. This origin tale is both a groundbreaking operation and a sumptuous, satisfying meal.”
—Winnipeg Free Press
“Australia’s isolation proves the perfect backdrop for the offbeat, chain-smoking, alcoholic loner living with a secret that could destroy his career…. Nesbø…has been touted as the next Stieg Larsson. It’s an obvious comparison, and Nesbø is just as accomplished a storyteller.”
—NOW (Toronto) NNNN
“Even with this first book Nesbo’s command of the idiom is completely in place—there is absolutely no sense that the writer was finding his feet and aficionados will be very pleased to slide this on to their bookshelves alongside the other Harry Hole novels.”
—Daily Express
“It may take readers of The Bat a few chapters to adjust to the brighter, younger, more energetic Harry of novel one…. The sunny setting of Australia makes a change from Oslo’s dark streets and imbues the novel with Antipodean charm…. For fans of uber-cool Jo Nesbø, The Bat is a must-read, but book one is also a great place to start on one of the twenty-first century’s most thrilling Scandinavian crime series.”
—TVNZ (New Zealand)
—Vanity Fair
“A first-rate whodunit…. A twisty, fast-paced concoction stocked with ample red herrings…. This origin tale is both a groundbreaking operation and a sumptuous, satisfying meal.”
—Winnipeg Free Press
“Australia’s isolation proves the perfect backdrop for the offbeat, chain-smoking, alcoholic loner living with a secret that could destroy his career…. Nesbø…has been touted as the next Stieg Larsson. It’s an obvious comparison, and Nesbø is just as accomplished a storyteller.”
—NOW (Toronto) NNNN
“Even with this first book Nesbo’s command of the idiom is completely in place—there is absolutely no sense that the writer was finding his feet and aficionados will be very pleased to slide this on to their bookshelves alongside the other Harry Hole novels.”
—Daily Express
“It may take readers of The Bat a few chapters to adjust to the brighter, younger, more energetic Harry of novel one…. The sunny setting of Australia makes a change from Oslo’s dark streets and imbues the novel with Antipodean charm…. For fans of uber-cool Jo Nesbø, The Bat is a must-read, but book one is also a great place to start on one of the twenty-first century’s most thrilling Scandinavian crime series.”
—TVNZ (New Zealand)
About the Author
JO NESBO is a musician, songwriter, economist and author. His first crime novel featuring Harry Hole was published in Norway in 1997 and was an instant hit, winning the Glass Key Award for Best Nordic Crime Novel (an accolade shared with Peter Høeg, Henning Mankell and Karin Fossum).
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Alex Fischer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I own everything Jo Nesbo has written - terrific writer and Harry Hole is addictive. Hope there are more coming ...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Jo Nesbo left me hanging at the end of the previous Harry Hole novel - Phantom. Phantom was the 9th book in this Scandinavian series that features the conflicted and complicated Detective Hole. But the first book - The Bat - that introduces us to Harry is only now newly released in North America. You can bet I jumped at the chance to read it!
Harry is sent to Australia to assist with a murder investigation as the victim was a Norwegian national. But the local cops define 'assist' differently.
"What you're gonna do is watch carefully while we haul the bastard in, tell the Norwegian press along the way what a wonderful job we're doing together - making sure we don't offend anyone at the Norwegian embassy, or relatives, - and otherwise enjoy a break and send a card or two to your dear Chief Constable."
Harry is not the focus of the first part of the book. Instead we are introduced to Aussie detective Andrew, who has a sense of where he wants the investigation to go. Andrew was a strong personality and I felt slightly overwhelmed by this character. Nesbo weaves much Aboriginal history and lore into the narrative, which I found really interesting. It also added much to the plot.
Harry and his personality begin to emerge slowly as the book progresses. I was hoping that Nesbo would allow us some insight as to where Harry's tortured psyche springs from and I wasn't disappointed. And, as the case develops, the Harry that I've come to enjoy so much emerges. The character of Harry has been refined and darkened and sharpened over the course of the next eight books, but in The Bat we meet a raw, wounded version of the detective to come. One with "a weakness for living."
But, what hasn't changed is Nesbo's plotting. The Bat is an excellent detective novel that provided a 'kept me guessing' plot with lots of suspects to choose from. Reading the first in this series just confirmed why I have Jo Nesbo and Harry Hole on my must read list. Nesbo combines fantastic characters, great plotting, lots of action and suspense and yes, social commentary into addictive reads.
Harry is sent to Australia to assist with a murder investigation as the victim was a Norwegian national. But the local cops define 'assist' differently.
"What you're gonna do is watch carefully while we haul the bastard in, tell the Norwegian press along the way what a wonderful job we're doing together - making sure we don't offend anyone at the Norwegian embassy, or relatives, - and otherwise enjoy a break and send a card or two to your dear Chief Constable."
Harry is not the focus of the first part of the book. Instead we are introduced to Aussie detective Andrew, who has a sense of where he wants the investigation to go. Andrew was a strong personality and I felt slightly overwhelmed by this character. Nesbo weaves much Aboriginal history and lore into the narrative, which I found really interesting. It also added much to the plot.
Harry and his personality begin to emerge slowly as the book progresses. I was hoping that Nesbo would allow us some insight as to where Harry's tortured psyche springs from and I wasn't disappointed. And, as the case develops, the Harry that I've come to enjoy so much emerges. The character of Harry has been refined and darkened and sharpened over the course of the next eight books, but in The Bat we meet a raw, wounded version of the detective to come. One with "a weakness for living."
But, what hasn't changed is Nesbo's plotting. The Bat is an excellent detective novel that provided a 'kept me guessing' plot with lots of suspects to choose from. Reading the first in this series just confirmed why I have Jo Nesbo and Harry Hole on my must read list. Nesbo combines fantastic characters, great plotting, lots of action and suspense and yes, social commentary into addictive reads.
By TSM
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Although enjoyable, The Bat, for me, shows a writer who still hasn't found his groove. Nesbo really hits his stride with the Snowman and all after it.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating Plot to Begin a Most Highly Regarded Series
"But this is a people robbed and plundered; All of them are snared in holes, And they are hidden in prison houses; They are for prey, and no one delivers; For plunder, and no one... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Donald Mitchell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Prelude to the Harry Hole series.
The Bat by Jo Nesbo, while it was the last of his books to be published, was the first to be written. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Jim Meininger
5.0 out of 5 stars
the Bat
Enjoyed the Bat and my daughter is reading it now and said how good it is. Will purchase more book from that author.
Published 1 month ago by Mary Jane Dixon
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Amazing Jo Nesbo.
A wonderful read! This, his first book was every bit as good as his last! He's a crime fiction reader's dream!
Published 2 months ago by sandra s. stavlo
4.0 out of 5 stars
In the Beginning
Seven Harry Hole mysteries have appeared in English, and now the first in the series has been published in that language. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ted Feit
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Bat - Harry Hole's start
The first Jo Nesbo book I read was The Snowman and then I started to read his earlier books. So, it was funny reading about Harry Hole out of order. Read more
Published 3 months ago by heather
4.0 out of 5 stars
My first Nesbo, but not my last.
I've had Jo Nesbo books recommended to me a few times (thanks Aunty!) and picked this up as I understood it to be the first in a series. I'm hooked, will be back for more.
Published 3 months ago by L. Gilbertson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Bat
Wonderful first book by Jo Nesbo. I had read everything else by him and was really pleased to find this book. Great story, even greater writing.
Published 4 months ago by Cape Cod June
5.0 out of 5 stars
The 1st Harry Hole
Reason for Reading: I've been waiting ages for them to finally publish the first book in this series in English! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Nicola Manning
5.0 out of 5 stars
Welcome to the World of the Next Great Nordic Gumshoe
I admit that I've been all over the map as to the order in which I have read this great Norwegian crime writer's works. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ian Gordon Malcomson
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