Book Review: The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo (48 in 2013? #1)

          I am starting to have similar experiences with the Jo Nesbo novels I jump into, or at least similar questions about how much I should believe the fictional worlds he creates.  Much like Redbreast, I found myself wondering how much of Nesbo’s story I could take as an actual reflection of reality and how much was just twisted facts for the sake of wonderful story telling.  The Redeemer seems to be showing the insides of a religion that is much more prominent in Europe then here, The Salvation Army, but how much of that is made up to make a compelling story?  Here in America the Army is nothing more then a store for second hand cloths and a red bucket for change during Christmas time.  If The Redeemer is based at all in truth, in Norway they are more like Mormons or Scientologists.
            Straight or twisted, the Salvation Army as presented by Nesbo sets up a hugely intriguing plot.  I guess it’s not really an original story, a closed off religious group that can almost be considered a cult gets caught up in murder plot, but Nesbo does a great job using the Army’s peculiarities to weave a tale that feels fresh and keeps you turning pages.  The religion is never the center of the plot, but it sets up the characters and motives in ways that keeps the reader guessing and underlines almost everything that goes on.  I guess it ultimately doesn’t matter how much of the Army stuff is real or not as long as the story is entertaining.
            I’ve found Nesbo’s work to be extremely hit or miss so far.  He’s written stuff that has left me both deeply moved and totally wanting.  I guess that’s pretty much a given with any author who writes a long series of books with the same main character.  It’s not much different then a television show with its good and bad episodes.  The Redeemer is a middle of the road installment in the Harry Hole cannon.  It keeps moving and never totally loses the reader, but doesn’t have the punch of Redbreast or Devil’s Star.  If you’re a Nesbo fan, it’s a must read.  If you’re thinking of picking the series up, start with something else, you’ll get pulled in quicker.