Harry Hole is back, in the 12th instalment of Jo Nesbo’s long-running, bestselling Norwegian crime series. Long-time fans will know that Harry doesn’t seem destined for a happily-after-ever future and this book sees him face his darkest personal challenges yet.

The book opens with Harry battling a ferocious hangover. He has fallen off the wagon since his wife, Rakel, kicked him out. He has blood on his hands – not his own – but he can’t remember the night before. What has he done? Revelations emerge about a shocking crime that happened during his blackout and Harry starts to doubt himself and what he’s capable of.

Harry is also chasing an old and deadly foe, the Fiancé, a serial rapist who Harry got locked away but is now back out 20 years later. Harry is convinced the Fiancé is committing crimes again but his colleagues dismiss this as an old obsession on Harry’s part. Knife moves between this main mystery and several other sub-mysteries, involving other secondary characters and shifting timelines, but the story never loses its way and the loose ends weave together in a satisfying conclusion.

This is crime fiction at its best, with a masterful, intricate plot, plenty of red herrings and a cast of vivid supporting characters, including some returning favourites. The story is also emotionally affecting: Harry has never had it so bad and the reader feels his torment. New readers to this excellent series can read this as a stand-alone – Nesbo expertly weaves backstory throughout so that you always know what’s going on – while loyal fans will welcome the return of Harry and his friends and devour this book, arguably the best one yet.

Reviewed by Melinda Woledge