Vargtimme

by Jo Nesbø, Per Olaisen (Translator)

Bob Oz jobbar hårdare än de flesta. Både som utredare inom polisen i Minneapolis och när han går på krogen. Svårare än så är det inte. För Bob Oz ger inte upp. Inte ens när han blir avstängd från tjänsten för våldsamt beteende. Och när vapenhandlaren Marco Dante utsätts för ett mordförsök låter Bob sig inte stoppas av polisens regler och chefens direktiv. Det är nämligen något med mordförsöket som påminner Bob om ett fall han helst av allt vill glömma.

I Vargtimme förlägger Jo Nesbø handlingen till den amerikanska mellanvästern år 2016. En hårdkokt kriminalroman i bästa Nesbø-stil – från ett Amerika på randen av kollaps.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

383 pages, Hardcover

First published January 8, 2025

About the author

Jo Nesbø is a bestselling Norwegian author and musician. He was born in Oslo and grew up in Molde. Nesbø graduated from the Norwegian School of Economics with a degree in economics. Nesbø is primarily famous for his crime novels about Detective Harry Hole, but he is also the main vocals and songwriter for the Norwegian rock band Di Derre. In 2007 Nesbø also released his first children's book, Doktor Proktors Prompepulver.

Series:
* Harry Hole
* Doktor Proktor

For exclusive content about Jo Nesbø and his books, register for the official fan newsletter: https://jonesbo.com/newsletter/

Reviews

[Nancy (post-vacation catch up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

While the novel alternates between two timelines, 2022 from the perspective of a Norwegian crime writer researching the 2016 cases and 2016 following disgraced detective Bob Oz as he investigates a string of murders believed to be connected, most of the story unfolds in Minneapolis in 2016.

As much as I enjoyed the story, Bob Oz was my favorite part. He is the kind of character I gravitate toward. After separating from his wife following a traumatic life event, he drinks too much, sleeps around, and has plenty of anger issues. He is deeply flawed, but the author portrays it so realistically that you can still see the good guy underneath it all, making him a very compelling MC.

I generally steer clear of books with political agendas, but while this one briefly touches on politics through the topic of gun laws, it never feels heavy handed or preachy. The story had me hooked from start to finish, and that plot twist had me doing a double take. To say I was caught off guard is an understatement.

I enjoyed my first Nesbø novel and will definitely be checking out his backlist of books. If you have a favorite, I would appreciate recommendations.

Now available. My thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor via NetGalley for my digital ARC.

[The Belladonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Maybe we don't have to forget. Maybe it's more about treasuring the good memories and learning to live with the not so good ones. And... keep going."

Goodreads, my first Jo Nesbø book is also my first Netgalley read!

A standalone whodunit crime thriller that's full of twists and turns. The Norwegian version was originally titled "Minnesota" and was released in January 2025. This hardcover English edition is due for release on February 3, 2026.

Wolf Hour kicks us off with a character named Holger Rudi, who travels from Norway to America in 2022. He is researching a series of sniper killings from 2016 for the true crime novel he is writing. The story is set in Minnesota and alternates between the two timelines, 2016 and 2022, each presented in short chapters. For me, the character Detective Bob Oz made the whole story. He's a brilliant cop but a trainwreck in life. Hotheaded, a rule breaker, and armed with a witty mouth, Bob Oz kicks ass and takes names. Nesbø delivers a satisfying, fast-paced read with psychological depth, layers of moral complexity, and an exploration of the human heart. Great read for fans of the genre!

A big Thank You to Netgalley, Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage. It was a pleasure to read and review this book.

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stand alone novel from the author of the Harry Hole novels. No Harry in this one. Instead we have a homicide detective called Bob Oz who struggles with anger management issues due to grief from the death of his daughter and the resulting marriage breakup.

The book opens in 2022 with the arrival of a Norwegian writer who is visiting the scenes of a famous crime in 2016 seeking information for his book. The story is told from multiple POVs and jumps around in time so there is no possibility of letting your mind wander - concentration is definitely required and the results are very rewarding.

This is a great story with engaging characters and so well written it practically reads itself. There is even a surprise ending (for me anyway). An easy five stars. Highly recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the year 2022, and a Norwegian man arrives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to write a book about the events that took place in the city six years prior, when a gun dealer is shot by Tomas Gomez, a quiet and reserved man with a mysterious and dark past that somehow manages to vanish into thin air as more murders happen. In steps Bob Oz, a suspended police officer who is down on his luck. He becomes fascinated with the case because he notices some similarities between himself and the serial killer, mainly the fact that both have a past they don’t want to forget, yet can’t bear to live a life that constantly reminds them of their mistakes.

Okay, wow, I was NOT expecting to get so invested or be thrown off guard by that plot twist! 😱 Although it did take me forever to actually become interested in the story, I’m glad I didn’t end up DNFing this like I was tempted to because this was so good.

I didn’t really like Bob because of his habit of having so many women on standby for when he wanted to get laid, but as the story progressed, I began to understand why he was doing what he was doing, and it’s honestly so sad. I was about ready to cry because, ugh, I can’t imagine going through something like that. 😭 But it was really interesting watching him try to solve the case, and I was just as shocked as he was when all the pieces started to come together.

And then there’s Tomas. His story was very sad, too, and I kinda don’t blame him for what he was doing. 🫣 I mean, I don’t condone murder or anything that harms human beings because that’s a big no-no, but if I were in his shoes, I’d be pissed, too, and I’d want to be judge, jury, and executioner. It’s literally so hard to not spoil anything because it’s a whole experience to be in the character’s shoes and find out information about the case alongside them, but all I’m going to say is I absolutely hate corruption, whoa, why did the author do me dirty like that because I actually liked that character, and yay, the ending tied up everything nicely and I was satisfied. ☺

I liked how the story was written, going forward to 2022 when it was necessary, and how there wasn’t one set pov for the 2016 parts. It made this book feel more like a movie or a show, which I appreciated because it kept me interested even though I was dealing with a reading slump. 😅 This story does bring up politics, especially surrounding gun laws/rights, and it also gets kinda gruesome after the 60 or 70% mark, so if you are not comfortable with that, there is your heads-up. 👍🏼

Man, oh man, I cannot get over that plot twist. My jaw literally dropped, and, as I’m writing this review, I’m still shaking my head at how it all played out because there is no way I saw that coming. It definitely made this book so much better, but now I’m sad because I didn’t want it to be that way. You’ll know what I’m talking about if you read it. 😉

All in all, I really enjoyed this story, and if you are into flawed characters trying to make sense of their world while trying to right it as they solve a crime, then this book is for you. 💙

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for granting my wish via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. This was published on 02/03/2026!

❗Content Warnings❗
Murder, death, violence, blood, torture, mentions pornographic content, animal deaths, & mental illness/issues.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No–only vulgar talk about sex, and then there’s the scene with the pornographic content.

[♥Milica♥]

UPDATE MAY 17TH 2025: I MET MY FAVOURITE AUTHOR!!!! I'M SCREAMING!!! He was so sweet. Sadly there were a lot of people so I only got to talk to him for a couple of seconds while he signed but it was worth it.

Original review below:

GUYS!!! JO NESBØ (aka my favourite author, if you didn't know before, you do now) IS COMING TO A THRILLER FESTIVAL IN MY CITY AND DOING A BOOK SIGNING!!! I'M MEETING MY FAVOURITE AUTHOR TOMORROW AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been so excited ever since they announced it. Unfortunately, I won't have time to read this particular book before I meet him (the translated edition just came out yesterday and I don't have it in my hands yet), but I've read a good chunk of his other books so I'm ready. And shaking a bit. If you told 14 year old me that I'd get to meet him in the future, I don't think she would have believed you.

[Mihaela Abrudan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romanul este scris într-un mod diferit decât cel obișnuit, dar tot atât de darck. Acțiunea este plasată în America, iar autorul face o analiză a dreptului de a deține arme și a modului de a le folosi. Bob Oz, polițistul care investighează cazul este un personaj inedit, iar cazul este unul tragic și dureros. Ca întotdeauna o plăcere să citești cărțile lui Jo Nesbo.

[Ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

2022. Holger Rudi has arrived in Minneapolis from Oslo. What is the purpose of his visit? Well, it’s to get inside the mind of a killer for a book that is writing. Maybe the title will be The Minneapolis Avenger which all happens six years ago. He hires a taxi driver for the day to follow the trail, first stop Jordan, next Dinkytown.
2016. The Jordan Projects Minneapolis. The gunman awaits his target from a sixth floor window, it’s a gang land leader who always leaves his place at 8:16 precisely. He aims and hits his target and then disappears. Detective Bob Oz, currently in a bar in Dinkytown, get the call from Superintendent Walker. His partner Kay Myers arrives shortly after, but their bird has flown. Little do they know that this is just the start.

It’s no secret that I love Scandi Noir and Jo Nesbø’s books are my favourite as he always has me caught up in his exciting plots and this one is no exception. It hits the ground running at a fast pace right from the start as a hold my breath when the drama unfolds. The pace rises and falls appropriately and there’s plenty going on to keep me engaged and reading on, aided by some ‘bombs’ at the end of some chapters. There’s the hunt for the assassin and that’s fascinating all by itself, Bob‘s life, corruption, a cat and mouse game and the one they’re hunting has planned and is one step ahead, urban legends that might not be legends and transformations in more ways than one. Inevitably, this is Jo Nesbø after all, there are numerous plot twists and turns and some are good and very unexpected.

The two timelines blend together well although most of the focus is on 2016.

What of Bob Oz, of Norwegian extraction as many of the characters are? Well, it’s safe to say the author has created another interesting central protagonist. He can be rude and provocative, he doesn’t play by the rules, he’s suffered, he has his struggles but he’s a darn good cop. Despite all the negatives, I root for him and grow to really like him.

It builds and twists to a good ending part of which is sad but part is the exact opposite.

Highly recommended to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House, Vintage for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

Ps. The cover for the U.K. is really good and enticing!

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

At no point was I ever invested or interested in this story. The pacing was so slow, and I just found it to be incredibly boring 🤷‍♀️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Gareth Is Haunted · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic standalone novel from Jo Nesbo.

As always I'm going to spare you the blur about the storyline, you can see that on almost every review and even here in the book details.
What i will say is that you know what you're going to get with a Jo Nesbo novel. A well written crime novel, but this one varies from his others in both its setting and its narrative method. This is a crime novel told from the perspective of someone looking back at the tragic and harrowing events that unfold in this story. There were many a times that I got so lost in the story that I'd forget this fact.
Extremely well written and always seems to leave the reader guessing.

A great read and one that I believe would be a great starting point for anyone who hasn't read one of Jo's books before.
Very highly recommended.

[Cristina Lazăr · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://carti.blog/2025/12/04/noaptea...

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a true page turner for me. I loved the deeper look into thoughts and emotions and what makes people choose the way that they do. The author writes “we stalk memories," and I think this is true. I was fascinated by the way the characters were affected by memories of past events or traumas, as they tried to deal with current ones.

For example, as Kay Myers chases a suspect she experiences a flashback to a time when she was running away from her father, an addict who needed money for his next fix, who yells abuse at her, then his words turn to pleading - “The words were like acid, they burnt through her skin and could not be washed away. There they stood, daughter and father, one on each side of the fence, with another man’s dog between them."

Later, Kay reflects and realizes that, “she couldn’t remember a time when she had ever felt closer to her father than she had that night, when they stood there face-to-face, each with their own despair.”

Another reference to memory - “Bob breathed in the air. Remembered childhood, and how sharp every sensory impression was, how even the most insignificant of them could seem almost overwhelming, like the special smell, the humid taste of rain-wet asphalt.”

I enjoyed reading about the theory of trauma supplied by Bob's ex-wife Alice who is a psychologist. “Trauma arises when you lose someone you thought you would be spending the rest of your life with.” Your whole being is centered around a lifetime with this loved one. You are fully invested in this conviction and your world collapses if/when your loved one leaves.

“The trauma is the wound. But the loneliness that comes with it locks you to your trauma.”

“Traumatic memory is circular. Meaning that when something happens that reminds us of a previous trauma it can awaken rage, in this case the rage of abandonment.”

Bob has suffered trauma in his life and is at a crossroads in his career in the police force. He enjoys talking with a taxidermist who is a good listener. “There was empathy in his eyes, a mute pain like an echo of Bob’s own. Bob could only wonder at the arbitrary way empathy was distributed among humans.”

“A thought struck him. That he should quit being a cop and study instead to be a taxidermist. Stuff the things he most wanted to hang on to in his life. The things he’d loved.”

I found the taxidermist morbidly fascinating. He has an interesting depth to his personality and questions the value of his artistry in preserving people's favorite pets that have passed on saying, “Sometimes I wonder whether I’m really doing my customers a favour by stuffing the things they love. My job is to freeze memories, preserve them in solid form. But there’s something unhealthy about it. You don’t move on. I can see it in my customers, they’re frozen themselves, they’re stuffed themselves, you know?”

I like the explanation of a ‘moth’ killer – “They seem attracted to the investigation into the murder they’ve committed. They turn up at the scene of the crime, or the funeral.” They become very familiar with the detectives on the case.

“They’re like moths that can’t help flying toward the flame, even though they know they might get their wings burned off.”

Finally, a couple of quotes I found quite witty:

Liza to Bob, “You’re not a wolf in sheep’s clothing. You’re a sheep in wolf’s clothing.”

“He drove away, listening to ‘On Parole,’ a sheep of a pop song in the wolf’s clothing of hard rock.”

[Lena (Busy at the moment) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo Nesbø ranks high among my favorite writers. This book is excellent but falls short of his Harry Hole series. Had another author written it, I would rate it five stars. However, given the caliber of his other works, I give it 4.5 stars.

The Kindle edition spans 400 pages, while the Audible version runs 12 hours and 37 minutes. The story would have lost nothing at 11 hours. Despite its engaging moments, the pacing feels somewhat stretched toward the conclusion.

Holger Rudi, a Norwegian author, travels to the United States in 2022 to research a story about a police officer of Norwegian descent from 2016. He tentatively titles his true crime narrative "The Minneapolis Avenger." Holger seeks to understand the killer's motives.

The officer, nicknamed "One-Night Bob," struggles after his divorce. When Dante exits his building on a Tuesday morning at 8:16, the killer fires from a sixth-floor window. Dante traffics weapons to various gangs.

Bob is drinking at a bar that morning and shouldn't have promised his boss he'd attend the murder scene. Yet he does. Tomas Gomes, the owner of the apartment soon becomes a suspect. Soon the elusive killer claims additional victims.

A warning: violence persists even in our absence. It has already occurred. One case of torture is also found. I used one of my credits to buy the Audible book. 4.5*

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another masterpiece by Jo Nesbø. Nesbø is the well-known author of the Harry Hole series. I was introduced to his books by Falkland Islands veteran of Norwegian extraction. I believe I have read every book he has written that has been translated to English. This book is a stand-alone book that is a departure from Nesbø's previous books. It takes place in the United States. It involves Americans and, in a way, it involves commentary on American politics. The story is told with all the masterful twists and turns associated with this fine author.

What is loneliness?

What is revenge? Or justice?

Bob Oz is a haunted drunken police officer on the skids. He is a gritty noir detective. He is chasing a ghost from the past who slaughtered a family outside of a McDonalds restaurant and disappeared, seeming to reappear to conduct more killings.

I cannot say much more without giving away the plot. If you like hard boiled crime, try this book by one of the masters of Scandinavian Noir. Be forewarned if you have not read this author before, the scenes are gruesome. Also, it gets a 5-star rating because there is no higher rating.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf Hour is the newest standalone by Jo Nesbo, so I finally got to sample his writing, and I am very glad I did. I'd come across recommendations for other titles of his many times, but never at a convenient time to start them. So I was thrilled when I found out this book would be published in 2026.

In 2022, a true crime author travels to Minneapolis to research his newest book; it centers on a string of murders that occurred in 2016, beginning with the killing of an illegal arms dealer. His distinctive approach puts readers directly in the killer’s shoes. At the same time, we follow the case through multiple perspectives, with Bob Oz at the center; a disillusioned, suspended homicide detective who becomes obsessed with the investigation and finds himself relating to the killer as he digs deeper.

With themes such as gun control, loss, and depression, this story fascinated me from the very beginning and tightened its hold on me the more I read. The characters were gritty and real, with logical reasons for their actions. I was able to empathize with all of them, even the killer. The true crime author does such a stellar job of writing from the killer's perspective that I actually believed the killer was narrating for a time. This only further immersed me, so I needed to see how the case shook out. Before I started, I questioned why the setting was Minneapolis since Nesbo is a Norwegian author, but it ended up working in the book's favor, and the city came to life on the page in a way that made it easy to return in my mind to a city I've visited before.

Nesbo's writing in Wolf Hour is Nordic noir in American clothes. He uses short-to-medium sentences that pack a punch and are uncomfortably honest. The inner monologues of the characters are conversational, almost confessional. His tone is darkly cynical, with prose that is direct and unsentimental. It's plain to see that some of the characters have seen too much and are permanently irritated by humanity.

I stayed up way too late finishing Wolf Hour. I regret nothing. Noir lovers of all stripes will eat this story up. It's also a great book to experience Nesbo's writing through if you're like me and prefer not to start midway through a series.

Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓 — Dark, gritty, and impossible to put down.

Let’s discuss: Do you prefer your mysteries to be more procedural (detective work) or more psychological (inside the characters’ heads), or are you like me and enjoy both?

I read a digital copy made available by Knopf through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.

📚 More book reviews and bookish content:

https://www.ispeakbooknerd.com

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always happy to get my hands on the writing of Jo Nesbø, I reached for this standalone thriller. He impresses once more and keeps the reader curious about how things will develop as tensions build. Minneapolis is on edge when a local crook is gunned down on the city’s streets. The authorities cannot make sense of it, wondering if a sniper has been taking the law into their own hands, but hiding in the shadows as panic mounts. Another shooting leaves the city to wonder if a vigilante is on the loose and there is one person who might be able to help. Minneapolis PD Detective Bob Oz is on suspension, but has the wherewithal to crack the case. Oz has issues all his own, but is sure that the sniper is waiting for another victim to tip the scales. More bodies means additional concerns and Detective Oz is trying to stay one step ahead of this killer. Oz sees something in the killer that resonates with him and it is not entirely calming. Nesbø impresses with this piece and the reader is left to piece things together.

Jo Nesbø has a writing style I enjoy, focussing on the action and dark build-up as he pushes things along. The story's premise is built on a solid foundation, pushing the limits while forcing the reader to guess where things are headed. The narrative is told from numerous perspectives, permitting Nesbø to ensure the reader has angles to solve the case at hand. Chapters to flow as things gain needed momentum from one page to the next. This is a dark and well-executed mystery that keeps the reader wondering until all comes together in the final pages.

Characters develop so the reader can connect with them with some ease. Nesbø develops strong core characters to make an impact on the reader, as well as peppering the novel with strong supporting ones, all to push the story along. The reader can learn more about the core characters through their varied narrative approaches to events in the book. Backstories soon become clues to forward ideas and Nesbø basks in these breadcrumbs the reader discovers.

Plot points are essential to effective thrillers and I have never had an issue with Nesbø’s use of them in a great Scandinavian noir novel. He formulates key themes that complement sharp twists, key to keeping levels of predictability down. I was impressed with all that Nesbø presented and some of the great surprises that emerged between development of the larger storylines. I am eager to see what else Nesbø has coming, as he rarely fails to impress.

Kudos, Mr. Nesbø, for a great story set outside your native Norway!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Kimberly R · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2016 Bob Oz investigates the case of a notorious serial killer in Minnesota. Six years later in 2022 a Norwegian crime author flys to Minnesota to write about the case and get a better understanding of it. This was a great book full of interesting characters and some good twists that I quickly devoured. Thanks NetGalley and Knopf for this eARC that will be released February 3, 2026!

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minnesota by Jo Nesbo is set in Minneapolis and centers on Detective Bob Oz, an alcoholic and deeply traumatized investigator who is still reeling from the accidental death of his three-year-old daughter. While standing on the brink of personal collapse, Oz is assigned to a chilling series of murders in which a methodical killer eliminates figures connected to drug cartels and the illegal arms trade. The unknown perpetrator is always one step ahead of the police and even seems to enjoy the psychological game, deliberately leaving behind traces that intensify the tension. Years later, in 2022, a Norwegian author travels to Minneapolis to research the sensational case for a true-crime book. As he reconstructs the events of 2016, it becomes increasingly clear that his supposedly neutral perspective hides deeper personal entanglements. The interplay between past and present builds toward a remarkable plot twist that I genuinely did not see coming.

The thriller is strongly character-driven and thrives on its rich and distinctive characterization. Nesbø invests considerable time in developing the psychological depth and background stories of his protagonists, which gives the narrative emotional resonance. The novel takes a little while to fully gather pace, and it requires some concentration to navigate the different timelines and narrative strands. However, once the story gains momentum and the connections become clearer, it turns into a gripping and immersive read.

Rather than offering simple answers, the novel delves into complex questions of responsibility and retaliation, examining how thin the line can be between justice and vengeance. It also confronts the deeply rooted culture of firearms in the United States and portrays the emotional scars carried by a lonely, burdened detective. Issues like corruption, racial tensions, and the shortcomings of the justice system are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding thematic depth and contemporary relevance to the suspenseful plot.

Overall, this is a solid Nesbø novel—recognizable in its psychological intensity yet refreshingly different due to its American setting. The German audiobook version, narrated by David Nathan, is exceptionally well performed. Nathan remains one of my absolute favorites in the German-speaking audiobook world, and he once again delivers an outstanding reading that enhances the atmosphere and emotional depth of the story.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy of the German audiobook. My opinion, as always, remains entirely my own.

[Effie Saxioni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Άργησε να πάρει μπρος,αλλά, όταν πήρε, εεεεε,έγινε ένα πολύ ωραίο κοινωνικοαστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα. Ήταν ωραίο;Ήταν!
Ήταν καλογραμμένο;Ήταν!
Είχε όλα τα καλά;Κριτική ματιά, πόνο, κοινωνική κατακραυγή;Είχε και με το παραπάνω!
Παίρνει 5/5;Παίρνει!
Τρελάθηκα;Δεν Τρελάθηκα...
Δεν ξέρω,κάθε φορά που αποπειράται να αλλάξει στυλ γραφής, δεν καταφέρνει να με "πάρει " μαζί. Παρόλα αυτά, ήταν ένα βιβλίο που έχει να προσφέρει πολλά στους λάτρεις του είδους.

[Lucia Nieto Navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25

Vuelve Nesbo, y lo hace de manera diferente pero si ya lo has leido encontraras miles de similitudes que lo caracterizan como uno de los grandes en el thriller.

Sobre la trama, tenemos dos lineas temporales, bastante cercanas, una en 2016 que es la que mas peso tiene, nos encontramos en Minnesota , un traficante de armas es victima de un tiroteo y todo apunta hacia una persona, Tomas Gómez. Iran apareciendo muertes y desde el principio sabemos que Tomas Gomez esta siempre involucrado.

En 2022, un hombre quire escrbiri un libro sobre True Crime y sera el caso de Minnesota el que escoja. Una trama que tiene muy poco peso, hasta el final.

Si algo quiero destacar es el cambio de ambientación que ha hecho Nesbo, ese clasico escenario nórdico para trasladarse a los EEUU, en concreto Minnestoa, una ciudad que tiene marcada tradición de migración noruega, y este cambio le permite explorar muchas tensiones sociales, raciales y sobretodo la violencia con armas.

Nuestro nuevo detective, Bob Oz, es el clasico antiheroe tipico del autor, desmoralizado, con mucho pasado, pero que siempre quiere mas. Tensión constante en cada pagina, asesinatos en serie, y buen ritmo. Ademas de esta trama principal la novela hace una critica a este pais en referencia a las armas, la violencia, la marginalidad urbana.

La forma de escribir como siempre es muy agil, con diferentes voces incluso en un mismo capitulo, algo que hace que tengas que estar super atento pero tambien que veas todos los puntos de vista, incluido el del asesino.

El final, me ha gustado, quiza no ha sido redondo y algo intui, aunque no el por qué ni el como, que me dejo con la boca abierta.. :)

Buena novela para empezar a leer al autor, pero tambien buena para salir un poco de Harry Hole, con unos personajes diferentes que a mi me han gustado mucho y que creo que van a dar mucho que hablar en proximos libros.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Minneapolis in 2016 and 2022 with short chapters each with a specific date in the heading, Nesbo’s “Wolf Hour,” is a a cat-and-mouse police procedural with veteran Minneapolis Homicide Detective Bob Oz chasing a serial killer. The 2022 chapters ostensibly narrated by a journalist returning to the city for the first time after the 2000 Covid shutdowns and lawless riots show a city still broken and torn apart and probably never to be fully healed. The politicians, thinking it would score them points in future elections, threw up their hands and let a criminal element burn, and loot for days leaving nothing but a charred inner core where there once was a city.

It serves as a metaphor for “Wolf Hour” which is mostly set in 2016. The city had yet to burn, but it was still filled with the broken and battered souks of its people. Detective Oz is an apt metaphor for that broke spirit, having suffered personal tragedy and a marriage to Alice that couldn’t survive, Oz is found more often than not in this or that bar or this or that bed.

When the husband of one of his forgotten conquests confronts him at the station, Oz batters the man to a pulp and is suspended from the force. Yet, even suspended, and often on a drunk, he is still knee-deep in the serial killer case he can’t escape even when he is ordered time and time again to leave the crime scenes. We get to wonder if Oz is a wolf in sheep’s clothing or ultimately a sheep in wolf’s clothing.

The killer on the run is clever enough to defy the whole police force, but we quickly glean that Tomas too is a broken warrior. He is possibly out to avenge the McDeath Massacre when his whole family -including the daughter in a wheelchair- are gunned down by the gang violence plaguing our cities and yet still tolerated by the weak politicians without the balls to confront it head on.

Nesbo offers us readers a police chase of a clever and deadly killer, but one where you never quite get the sense anymore will survive the story and come out whole rather than broken and battered and angry.

[Vana_and_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

μαέστρος είναι ο κερατάς.

Ο Jo εχει έναν ροκ τρόπο να χτίζει τα σκηνικα
στα βιβλία του. Το ψύχος, οι σκηνές,
η μουσική και οι άνθρωποι που κινούνται στα όρια γίνονται ενα, και πάντοτε με κάνει να νιώθω ότι βρίσκομαι εκεί, παρατηρητής και συνένοχος μαζί.

Εδώ, εχουμε ένα βιβλίο για τη βία που γεννιέται,
για τα όπλα, για την πολιτική εξουσία,
για τις ρωγμές που δημιουργούν ολα τα παραπάνω μέσα μας και για το πόσο εύκολα μπορεί κάποιος να χαθεί
ή να επιλέξει να χαθεί.

Η υπόθεση ξεκινά με μια φαινομενικά καθαρή γραμμή.
Μια πράξη βίας που μοιάζει έργο ενός μοναχικού ανθρώπου, ενός λύκου που δρα χωρίς αγέλη. Κάθε αποκάλυψη ανοίγει νέα ερωτήματα και κάθε πρόσωπο κουβαλά μια σκιά που δεν φαίνεται αμέσως. Τότε σταματάει να είναι απλό, γίνεται πολυεπίπεδο και για άλλη μία φορά ο Nesbo
σε αφήνει να περπατήσεις μόνος σου
μέσα στο σκοτάδι.

Οι Αντιήρωες του, πάντοτε ειναι αληθινοί
και αναπνέουν, και σφάλλουν, και πληγώνουν
και πληγώνονται. Και πινουν.
Δεν είναι όλοι Hole,
αλλά δεν γίνεται να ξεχάσεις ένα μουσταρδι κασμιρένιο παλτό ή έναν ήρωα που τον λένε Bob Oz.
Σχεδον πάντα τους δικαιολογώ αυτούς τους χαρακτήρες και άλλες τόσες τους κρίνω αυστηρά. Και αυτή η εσωτερική μου ταλάντευση είναι που κάνει τον παλιοNesbo τοσο δυνατό στα μάτια μου.
Γιατι δεν γράφει για τέρατα, όμως γράφει για ανθρώπους
που φτάνουν στα άκρα.

Κάποιες ιστορίες του, είναι για μένα αντικείμενο λατρείας, αλλά και μια υπενθύμιση ότι το σκοτάδι στη λογοτεχνία μπορεί να είναι τρομακτικά όμορφο
ή όπως λέει και ο ίδιος, να έχει γεύση.

Και γι’ αυτό, όταν έκλεισα την τελευταία σελίδα,
ήξερα ότι είχα διαβάσει κάτι που θα μου μείνει.
Όπως μου μένουν τα περισσότερα βιβλία του.
χαραγμένα. σκοτεινά. αναντικατάστατα.

[آرزو مقدس · Rating 2 out of 5]

شرمنده‌ام ولی اگه قهرمانش زن خنگ بی‌دست‌وپا بود و نه مرد افسرده‌ی الکلی، با فریدا مک‌فدن(هایی که من خوندم) فرق چندانی نداشت.
ملال‌آور و خسته‌کننده و پر از حماقت، با پلات توییست و هیجان در یک‌هشتم پایانی.

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool plot twist!

[Bruce Hatton · Rating 5 out of 5]

For his latest standalone thriller, Jo Nesbo shifts the action from his native Norway to the United States. Specifically, Minneapolis, Minnesota; a state where a large proportion of residents are of Scandinavian heritage.
The story is told in two timelines: the 2016 one tells the story of a serial killer picking off specific targets, against whom he bears a grudge. Pitted against him is maverick detective Bob Oz who, as his investigation proceeds, becomes more and more able to identify with the man whom he is pursuing. The second timeline is set in 2022 and concerns a writer called Holger Rudi who has recently flown in from Norway intending to write a book on the 2016 events.
The novel frequently touches on the main issues plaguing the contemporary U.S.A. : gun violence, racism, religious extremism and the chance of Donald Trump becoming the next president. Bob Oz is very much in the same vein as the author's usual protagonist, Harry Hole; a man with serious personal issues and unconventional style, but, despite being officially suspended, still manages to solve the case more effectively than his conventional colleagues.
It isn't until the final chapter that we learn who Holger Rudi really is and why he wishes to write about the events of six years ago. In all, a highly enjoyable and iuntriguing standalone.

[Gemma entre lecturas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minnesota de Jo Nesbø es un análisis psicológico brillante que va directo al núcleo de la obra: la exploración de la culpa, el dolor y la violencia a través de personajes arquetípicos, pero profundamente dañados. El detective Bob Oz encarna este estereotipo del antihéroe ruin, se enfoca en la raíz de su ruina, la culpa no resuelta y la ira patológica.  La pregunta que plantea la novela «¿Qué transforma a un hombre bueno en un monstruo?», lleva a una reflexión profunda que excede la ficción. Rechazo la idea de que el monstruo surja de la nada, el monstruo no nace, se forma a través del dolor, la culpa, el abandono y la falta de amor propio. La historia de Tomas Gómez y Bob Oz es la prueba de este proceso, ambos son la cara de la misma moneda. La conversación entre Bob y Mike es un momento de gran interés, subraya el tema principal, la narrativa personal que construimos para evitar la responsabilidad de nuestra propia existencia. La ira y el odio no mueren, se alimentan de nuestra negación a afrontar la verdad.

 

¡Feliz lectura!

3,5

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile one off crime story from the writer of the Harry Hole book series and now a Netflix TV series as well.
its an intriguing story with a couple of major 'didn't see that coming' turns.
Also theres a lot of reflection on the nature of loneliness and what it does and doesn't to you.

[Wal.li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein anderer Bob

Der Polizeibeamte Bob Oz, ein Amerikaner mit norwegischen Vorfahren, ist durch ein tragisches Ereignis aus der Bahn geworfen worden. Er hatte alles und nun hat er nichts mehr. Im Jahr 2016 in Minnesota treibt ein Serientäter sein Unwesen und Bob will diesen Menschen unbedingt fassen. Die Arbeit und die Beschäftigung mit dem Fall scheint das Einzige zu sein, was ihn ablenken kann. Es hat den Anschein als führe der Mörder einen Rachefeldzug. Oz versucht sich in den Täter hineinzudenken, sich auf die wenigen Spuren zu begeben, die der Täter hinterlassen hat. Dass er eigentlich suspendiert ist, stört ihn nur am Rande.

Jo Nesbø ist für seine etwas gebrochenen Ermittler bekannt. So verhält es sich auch mit Bob Oz. Eine Tragödie in seinem Privaten und er ist verständlicherweise völlig neben der Spur. Doch so recht helfen lässt er sich nicht. Dass sich das auch auf seine Arbeit, will er nicht wahrhaben oder es ist ihm egal. Das mit dieser Suspendierung kann auch nicht richtig ernst gemeint sein. Hartnäckig verbeißt sich Bob Oz in die Ermittlungen um Tomás Gomez. Bei dem handelt es sich möglicherweise um einen Killer mit einer Mission. Rechtfertigt eine Mission es, eine Waffe in die Hand zu nehmen?

David Nathan als Sprecher ist schon für sich ein Grund, Interesse an diesem Hörbuch zu haben. Ihm zuzuhören ist wie immer ein Genuss.

Doch auch die Handlung dieses Thrillers hat es in sich. Es kann durchaus sein, dass man vermutet, es ist wieder einer dieser üblichen Ermittler, die der Autor so im Repertoire hat, aber mit Bob Oz schafft er es doch, die Lesenden zu überraschen. Der Polizist ist durchaus vielschichtiger als gedacht, auch wenn er manchmal nervt. Dazu ist auch der Fall sehr fesselnd und gibt einige Nüsse zu knacken. Gerade mit seinen Problemen kann sich Oz in den Täter hineinführen. Und es gibt Entwicklungen, die nicht vorhersehbar waren. Möglicherweise ist die Handlung auch nicht von ungefähr im Jahr 2016 angesiedelt. Jo Nesbø schafft es mit leichter Hand nebenbei noch eine gewisse Kritik an Verhältnissen in Amerika anzubringen. Die hätten heute umso mehr Gültigkeit. Wahrgenommen werden sie wahrscheinlich eher nicht. Ein in der Rückschau überraschend packender Roman, der sich als gehaltvoller entpuppt als erwartet.

[CarolG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo Nesbo is a well-known Norwegian author of numerous books, including the popular Detective Harry Hole series, but Wolf Hour is a standalone novel featuring down-and-out suspended police officer Bob Oz. Not only is this not a Harry Hole novel but also it does not take place in Norway but in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It's a dual timeline story which happens mostly in 2016 when Bob Oz becomes obsessed with hunting down Tomas Gomez, suspected of being the killer of a small-time criminal and gun dealer. The second timeline takes place in 2022 when a Norwegian crime writer travels to Minneapolis to research the Gomez case, in the hopes of writing a book about it.

I really enjoyed reading this novel and, despite his flaws, really liked Bob Oz. The chapters are short, the plot is engaging and the characters are easy to distinguish one from the other. The book was translated from Norwegian by Robert Ferguson and as far as I can tell it's flawless. The underlying theme relates to the Second Amendment and the NRA but I wouldn't consider the tone political in nature. There's a bit of violence, not much swearing that I recall and any sexual activity is only hinted at.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and was very pleased to receive the finished hardcover edition so thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Goodreads.
Release Date: February 3, 2026

[Dar vieną puslapį · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaip aš mėgstu Nesbo. Kiekvienąkart pamačius, kad išleidžiama nauja jo knyga - man šventė. Tiesa, jau pasiilgau Hario Hūlės ir šioje knygoje pamėgto herojaus nėra, bet tas netrukdo mėgautis Nesbo rašymu, puikiais istorijos vingiais ir maksimalia įtampa. Tikriausias kaskart, kai Nordic noir žanro meistras Jo Nesbø išleidžia naują knygą, pasaulis trumpam sustoja. Šįkart autorius nukėlė mus į atšiaurius Amerikos Vidurio Vakarus. Jo naujausias romanas "Vilko valanda“ (kuris originalo kalba vadinasi „Minnesota“ ir Norvegijoje pasirodė dar 2025 metais), 2026-aisiais pelnė prestižinį „The Riverton Prize“ apdovanojimą.



Veiksmas mus nubloškia į 2016ųjų Mineapolį, kur stingdantis šaltis ir iki raudonumo įkautusi įtampa. Gatvėje nušaunamas smulkus ginklų prekeivis, o visi įkalčiai veda prie Tomaso Gomeso. Šis vyras turi kriminalinę istoriją ir tampriai susijęs su nusikalstamu pasauliu. Šios bylos imasi policijos pareigūnas Bobas Ozas. Bobas šios kūrinio Haris Hūlė, kurio asmeninis gyvenimas byra į šipulius, o moralinis kompasas rodo į visas puses, tik ne ten, kur reikia. Paraleliai Nesbø įpina ir kitą pasakojimo liniją- tamsių detalių kupiną norvegų rašytojo Holgerio Riudo tyrimą. Būtent ši kompozicinė dviejų linijų pynė tapo ta pagrindine priežastimi, dėl kurios atimčiau vieną balą. Turiu pripažinti, kad vietomis ta siužeto architektūra jautėsi pernelyg perkrauta, tarytum autorius būtų norėjęs įrodyti, koks jis meistriškas žonglierius, o dėl to šiek tiek nukentėjo pats pasakojimo sklandumas. Tačiau meluočiau, jei sakyčiau, kad nesimėgavau - knygos tempas ir tamsaus humoro persmelkta atmosfera veikia kaip magnetas, paversdami romaną absoliučiu page turner.



Ką iš tiesų Nesbø norėjo pasakyti šiuo kūriniu ir kokius klausimus jis kelia skaitytojui? Manau, kad "Vilko valanda" yra kur kas daugiau nei tradicinės gaudynės po Mineapolį. Juk, kaip puikiai pastebi kritikai, Nesbø su niūriu pasimėgavimu tyrinėja tamsiausias nusikaltėlių proto kerteles ir savo žudikus paslepia ten, kur juos mažiausiai tikėtumeisi rasti. Ir eilinį kartą, kai sužinome kas šio kūrinio blogietis - atima žadą. Autorius kelia nepatogius klausimus: kas nutinka žmogui, kai jis netenka visko, kas jam svarbu? Ar teisingumas išvis egzistuoja, kai mūsų vidinis pasaulis yra virtęs griuvėsiais? Šiame kūrinyje Nesbø nagrinėja kaltės, asmeninės atsakomybės ir (ne)susitaikymo su praeitimi temas.



Stilistiškai knyga išlieka absoliutus skandinaviškos melancholijos ir amerikietiškų gaudynių hibridas. Nesbø proza tanki, lakoniška, o veikėjai čia ryškūs. Jie randuoti, mėtyti ir vėtyti bei klystantys. Bobas Ozas su savo desperacija yra toks įtikinamas, kad net norisi jam per puslapius paduoti puodelį stiprios juodos kavos ir gerai papurtyti.



Užvertusi paskutinį „Vilko valandos“ puslapį, jaučiausi taip, lyg pati būčiau išgyvenusi ilgą, nemiegotą naktį. Taip, vietomis siužeto labirintas man pasirodė per klaidus ir perspaustas detalių, bet Jo Nesbø vis tiek išlieka neabejotinas savo amato meistras. Tai knyga, kuri priverčia susimąstyti apie žmogaus trapumą ir apie tai, kaip lengvai mes visi galime balansuoti ant paties bedugnės krašto. Tad jei ieškote emociškai sunkaus ir tamsaus trilerio, kuriame susipina policininko ir rašytojo tyrimai, ši knyga jūsų neapvils.

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[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I'd try a stand-alone Jo Nesbø novel after years of passing by his Scandi-noir series without stopping. This was okay but nothing to make me pause to reach for his other work. The novel explores the dark interior of Minneapolis, a city that until recent years had projected a shiny, All-American persona. The main story is set in 2016, on the eve of the first Trump election. There is a minor subplot unfolding in 2022 that is meant to reflect Minneapolis mid-Covid, post-George Floyd but it’s really just filler that adds little to the story except to create a gotcha at the end.

Familiar tropes of an alcoholic, at-the-end-of-his-rope Homicide detective, who wears a mustard yellow cashmere coat for no discernible reason. There is a muddle of themes here, all meant to be prescriptively political—gun control, immigration, race, gang violence—that might be compelling if the book itself weren't in its own way glorifying guns, sadomasochism, gang violence. The plot is exasperatingly far-fetched but I would have enjoyed it far more if I didn't feel the author straining to editorialize his own politics into the narrative.