Blood Ties: A Novel

by Jo Nesbo, Robert Ferguson (Translator)

Genres: Mystery

384 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2026

Reviews

[Corrinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

hard work

[Richard Capogrosso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read Jo Nesbo's entire Detective Hole series and much of his other fiction. This book, along with the first in the series, The Kingdom, is somewhat of a departure from the Detective Hole books. The protagonist in those books, Harry Hole, though he has many, many flaws and causes all sorts of mayhem, is actually a good guy, and tries to always do what's right. And while there is no shortage of villains in the Hole books, they are counterbalanced with a fair share of positive characters. You would be hard-pressed to find a single person on the side of good in The Kingdom or Blood Ties. Most of them are outright unlikable. That isn't to say they are not intriguing, or that you don't find yourself rooting for some of them at times, especially the narrator, who is quite a complicated person, but at the end of the day, not a great person. However, the books are riveting, vintage Nesbo, with intricate plots, complex characters, and numerous twists and turns. Any fan of Jo Nesbo will not be disappointed.

[Jeff J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scandinavian noir.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is stand alone, not a Harry Hole entry. A very complicated plot and was a bit of an effort at times to keep everything straight. But well worth the effort.

[Karla Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nesbo takes darkness to a new level here ! Compelling read.

[Geri Jacobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually love this author but this one was hard to follow. Also couldn’t get past the main character dating an 18 year old.

[Karen Millar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Scandinavian thriller- really enjoy his work

[Stu Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard going