The Son: A Novel

Written by Jo Nesbo

Narrated by Gildart Jackson

The author of the best-selling Harry Hole series now gives us an electrifying stand-alone novel set inside Oslo's maze of especially venal, high-level corruption.

Sonny Lofthus is a strangely charismatic and complacent young man. Sonny's been in prison for a dozen years, nearly half his life. The inmates who seek out his uncanny abilities to soothe leave his cell feeling absolved. They don't know or care that Sonny has a serious heroin habit-or where or how he gets his uninterrupted supply of the drug. Or that he's serving time for other peoples' crimes.

Sonny took the first steps toward addiction when his father took his own life rather than face exposure as a corrupt cop. Now Sonny is the seemingly malleable center of a whole infrastructure of corruption: prison staff, police, lawyers, a desperate priest-all of them focused on keeping him high and in jail. And all of them under the thumb of the Twin, Oslo's crime overlord. As long as Sonny gets his dope, he's happy to play the criminal and the prison's in-house savior.

But when he learns a stunning, long-hidden secret concerning his father, he makes a brilliantly executed escape from prison-and from the person he'd let himself become-and begins hunting down those responsible for the crimes against him . . . The darkly looming question is: Who will get to him first-the criminals or the cops?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
• Release date: May 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9780553397833

Jo Nesbo

A musician, songwriter, and economist, Jo Nesbø is also one of Europe’s most acclaimed crime writers, and is the winner of the Glass Key Award, northern Europe’s most prestigious crime-fiction prize, for his first novel featuring Police Detective Harry Hole. Nesbø lives in Oslo.

Reviews for The Son

[rdra1962 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First mystery by this author - I bought it for my husband to read, but saw this book everywhere so I decided to give it a shot. I really enjoyed it as it did not follow the usual detective/mystery format. We know who the killer is, but we are surprisingly sympathetic despite the extreme violence of his crimes. There were some nice plot twists and good character development. This is a stand-alone novel, although the way it ended it feels as if it a sequel will follow!

[decaturmamaof2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another gripping psychological study by Jo Nesbø. Dark, but such great characters!

[michelynn2016 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed it

[paperdust · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

His vendetta against the underworld is masterminded with astounding precision. I can overlook this as by now I am lured by the style of writing, the pensive inspector and pace of events where gruesome details are kept brief, which is just as well for squeamish fans. Run up to the finale lost some traction, and a surprise ending which left niggling doubts about (1) the fine line between a good twist and misleading the reader ambiguously, and (2) can there be a happy ending with bloodied hands.

[keishont-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good writing, characters and such but the ending was shocking and somewhat disappointing to this reader.

[velopunk · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book.

[rsummer_7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not a Harry Hole story , but many holes left in this uneven tale. It is about 200 pages too long yet you can get through it quickly.

[donnab317 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this book. Love the characters. Love the complex story line.

[cotner_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If I've read a better book, I can't remember it. Fantastic listen!

[usuallee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very solid thriller. Nesbo is great. Don't worry about the lack of Harry Hole. Nesbo creates good characters and an interesting plot.

[tmph_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pretty darn good. Wanting Harry Hole the entire time, and his girlfriend, but turns out for very good reason Nesbo's new character is not Harry. And, thusly, a helluva good ending.

[kmmt48 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Completely different from Harry Hole series but just as well done. Loved the edgey story, very different. Loved the character of Sonny and his deep sense of right over evil.

[twink_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read every book Jo Nesbo has written - I'm a big fan of his writing and his recurring character Harry Hole. When I heard he had a new book coming out I was just itching to get my hands on it. It's not a 'Harry' book, but is a stand alone title. And you'll want to get your hands on a copy of The Son. Sonny is a junkie. He's made his home at the Oslo prison for many years. And he's fed a constant supply of heroin by his jailers. You see, Sonny keeps taking the rap for crimes he hasn't really committed. The reward for Sonny is that constant supply of drugs. The reward for those hanging crimes on Sonny is priceless - they've got a scapegoat for sale. Sonny's life went off the rails as a young man when his father committed suicide and was exposed as a dirty cop. Sonny has a calm, preternatural air about him and he doesn't say too much. Cons have used him as a confessor for years. But one day, an old man's confession reveals that what Sonny thought about his father could all be lies. It's enough to wake Sonny up and he plans a daring escape. The other person who might know the truth is Inspector Simon Kefas, his father's best friend. And Kefas is the one hunting him down. Jo Nesbo's plotting is simply phenomenal. It's intricate, multi-layered and just when I thought I had things all figured out, he blindsides the reader in the last few chapters. I love being unable to predict the outcome, the plot, the direction the story will take or what the characters will do. Nesbo achieves this every time. It's what makes his books so good. Well, that and the characters. Sonny was an interesting protagonist - good and bad inextricably bound together in an almost Christ-like countenance. Despite his actions, I wanted him to prevail. Kefas was also an intriguing character study. He's made mistakes in his younger years and has made atoning for those lapses his goal in life. Again, a study in light and dark. As are most of the supporting characters as well - from the junkie under the bridge to the young boy spying on his neighbourhood, other residents of the treatment centre and more. Each is given a voice, allowing the reader to see the story form multiple viewpoints. Nesbo's descriptions of place conjure up vivid pictures of the settings. As with most of Nesbo's books, social commentary on the state of politics, corruptions, crime and the social welfare of Norway is woven into the plot. The Son is addicting, adrenalin fueled read that you won't be able to put down. For those who haven't read Jo Nesbo yet,(!) this would be a fabulous introduction to this talented author. Absolutely, positively recommended. (And Charlotte Barslund's translation was just excellent)

[philipjhunt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Could not put it down!Nesbo writes such wonderfully twisted and tense plots that keep you turning pages wondering where he is taking you. Now he seems to have abandoned his Harry Hole series he has let loose on other adventures, although staying home in Norway and his familiar territory of murder, cops and general mayhem. In "The Son" it's hard to tell who are good and bad guys and my suspicions about more than one of the characters were dashed or revised one way or another as I went along. His characters are interesting, strange and sometimes larger than life. Nesbo just keeps the tension going right up to the epilogue. And then he hangs you out over a cliff in the last paragraph for good measure. First class crime mystery writing again.

[bengan_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a very exciting page-turner by one of the world's best crime writers who also happens to be one of my favourite authors. I own and have read all of his books with great appreciation. His best-known hero is without any doubt Harry Hole. But when I read this book, I didn't' miss Harry at all.

[thecrow2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great crime story from Nesbo about a convicted man (after he discovers the truth about his father`s death) escapes and starts to revenge it.... A great page turner and prepare for surprises even on the last pages.

[vashonjim · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow. A thrill a minute, a villain around every corner. Good stuff. Typical Nesbo. Sonny Lofthus is one of Nesbo's most intriguing characters.

[gmmartz · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I've read all of Nesbo's previous work (at least the books available in English) and have really enjoyed the Harry Hole series. This was quite different and he doesn't really pull it off. The writing was just OK, the story was pretty ridiculous (although some of the situations were believable, many others weren't), the almost supernatural talents of Sonny are never really explained, and the ending wasn't very satisfying.

I can understand the author's desire to do something different beyond just continuing the Hole series, but this novel definitely needed some tightening up. This was a disappointing effort.

[paulrx04 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Typical great Nesbo read!

[cappybear · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This was my first Jo Nesbo novel and perhaps it isn't one of his best, but I found it a dreary affair; a plodding, implausible yarn, awash with two-dimensional characters in whose fate no-one can care, and a conclusion hardly worth waiting for. I don't plan to read anything else by this author.

[dougcornelius_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic crime thriller. The characters are rich, the story is taut, and the writing pulls you along page after page.

[bwhitner-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an excellent book. Kept me guessing til the end. It was about a boy Sonny who was in prison for crimes her really didn't commit. He thought his father committed suicide and he saw no reason to get out of prison. He was into heroin in jail. Then one day an inmate gets honest with him and he escapes to avenge his fathers death. Th book was fast moving. Kept me interested.One of favorite quotes from the book: A sons responsibility isn't to be like his father, but to be better than him.

[bookczuk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Son started off slow for me, but it may have been because I'm still getting used to an e-reader. However, though the set-up in the book is different from previous Nesbo books, it's consistent with his excellence in plot, writing, and character development. Nesbo has helped me become a bit familiar with the law enforcement end of life in Norway, both the good and the corrupt. I kept wondering (hoping? seeking?) if a character or two from his marvelous Harry Hole series would make a cameo appearance. But even without any known characters (or at least non I quickly spotted) this book was riveting. It is a stand alone that holds its own, filled with classic Nesbo convolutions. It's the first of his books that I had an inkling early on where it might lead in part, but that didn't lessen the suspense for me. It's a book where you simultaneously can root for the guy doing killings and the guy trying to bring him in. It's about revenge, exploration of what is evil, justice, seeking to right what is wrong, loyalty, and love. I won't try to write a synopsis here, because others have done it quite well elsewhere. But, if you're a fan of Nordic noir, and don't mind a bit of nail biting, find this book. It will give you all that, plus an eloquent examination of justice.Tags: a-favorite-author, didn-t-want-to-put-it-down, e-book, made-me-think, nordic-break-out-the-herring, read, suspense-thriller, thought-provoking, translated-mystery

[ebyrne41_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a stand-alone revenge thriller, so no Harry Hole here. But Nesbo has done that before (The Headhunters). In this rather long book (over 490 pages), 30-year old drug addict and convicted two-time murderer Sonny Lofthus, having served 12 years in prison, escapes to seek revenge for his father's death. His father was a police officer who apparently hung himself leaving a note admitting to corruption and disgracing his family. Thus the reason Sonny went off the rails and ended up in prison. While in prison Sonny behaves like a model prisoner but only so that he can have his drug habit fed; he is even ready to admit to crimes in order to feed his habit. But discovering the truth of his father's death brings an about-turn. When Sonny escapes, he goes on a murder spree, seeking out those who had anything to do with his father's death. One of those he seeks is the 'Mole' an unidentified police officer guilty of feeding information to the Twin, one of Oslo's leading mobsters and a very dangerous man. The principal other character in the story is police officer and reformed gambling addict Simon Kefas, the once best friend and partner of Sonny's father, and the man given the task of bringing the killing spree to an end and thus capturing Sonny. This is the type of book which requires you to suspend belief somewhat. Sonny, a long-time heroin addict willing to admit to crimes in order to feed his habit, is suddenly able to kick the habit and escape prison; while in prison he is seen by other prisoners as having powers of healing and forgiveness and thus they are quite willing to confide in him in the hope of gaining spiritual forgiveness; and Sonny's ability to survive on the outside, despite 12 years incarceration, are quite remarkable. There is also a love interest; how this formulates itself and why may also require some blind acceptance on the part of the reader.All through the story is the underlying question as to who is or was the Mole? Whether or not this is revealed by story's end I won't say as that might be to reveal too much. Overall, I think you will enjoy the level of action if that is what you like, the story's twists and turns, its fast-pace, and a certain suspense. But you may struggle with the book's length and those elements which require some suspension of belief. And maybe too the level of violence that is present. This book seems a perfect fit for film adaptation, which may I suspect have been on the author's mind when writing it; in fact it looks like a Hollywood film is set for production with Channing Tatum set to star and co-direct.

[rowingrabbit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yep, that's right...I had to blow the dust off that 5th star.
I'm a huge fan of this author's Harry Hole series so wasn't sure what to expect from this stand alone novel. If you've been wondering, don't. Just get it.
This is the story of Sonny Lofthus, a young man who went off the rails after his father committed suicide. Ab Lofthus was a cop & left a note confessing he was a mole for "the Twin", the shadowy drug lord who still rules Oslo.
Sonny quickly went from honour student & athlete to heroin addict, ending up in prison as a convicted murderer. But that barely scratches the surface. Eventually we learn the truth of how he came to be there, why he stays & the powerful men who use him.
Everything changes when an aging fellow inmate comes to him looking for forgiveness. Sonny has always had a special something, a gentle, peaceful presence that makes others confess their darkest secrets then walk away feeling absolved of their sins. This time the confession rocks his world & sets him on a path seeking his own kind of justice.
This is also the story of another cop, CI Simon Kefas. He came up through the ranks with Ab & knew him well. Well respected as a detective, he almost lost it all due to a gambling addiction. But that was years ago, before he met a beautiful young woman who later became his wife. These days his biggest problem is that she is slowly going blind.
It's inevitable these two men will cross paths as Sonny begins to exact revenge & Simon sets out to stop him. They are more alike that they know. Both are decent men capable of doing horrible things as well as acts of great kindness. Both have been betrayed & used by those with more power. And both are seeking redemption for past mistakes.
There is so much more to this book: a large cast of compelling characters, multiple plot lines, smart, economic dialogue & expert pacing. The author does a great job of slowly revealing details over the course of the story. Particularly toward the end, as we sense the impending showdown, some of these tidbits will not only alter how you see some of the characters but make your jaw drop. I found myself rethinking earlier events & comments that seemed inconsequential at the time & only then realizing their significance.
The end is a mixed bag. Some of the characters survive, some don't & some get what they karmically deserve. All I know is once I started reading, I couldn't put it down until I had learned all their fates.
You can't ask for more than that.

[jerhogan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good thriller. Nesbo seems to have little room to manoeuvre with the Harry Hole series although so far he has done so. His stand-alone novels are generally getting better which is reassuring with the Hole books looking like they have a clear ending in sight. A great Nordic Noir mystery in the exotic location of Oslo.

[mikedraper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this stand alone novel, I listened to the audiotape read by Gildart Jackson. The narration was done at a liesurly manner which was excellent to set off the action scenes in the book.In the story, Sonny Lofthus has been in prison for twelve years. He's still in his young thirties when he learns something about his father's death.Sonny had only been in prison to admit to crimes committed by another person. He was promised a lifetime supply of heroin.After learning facts about his father's death. Sonny stops using drugs and stages a clever escape from jail. Then he proceeds to find and punish those responsible for his father's death.There is also a mystical connection to the book. With "the Son" compared to Jesus Christ, Son of God. Sonny is always polite and prays over the people he kills. He even tells one person who he is about to kill, if he repents, his soul could go to heaven. This compares to Christ on Calvary telling the repentant person on the cross that he will be with him in heaven.Simon Kefas is the cop chasing Sonny. Simon is a long time cop and good at his job. He is steady and we learn of his wife who has a serious eye problem and needs an operation to save her eyesight, but the operation is very costly.The plot is complicated but the author draws the various parts together in a nicely wrapped conclusion.

[disco_grinch · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I used to be a pretty big Jo Nesbo fan...now, not so much anymore.I started this book and as with all of his books, had to swallow a few bits here and there that seemed too "far fetched" or wasn't quite accurate. I over looked them.***SPOILER ALERT***BUT, when I got to the part about the hotel receptionist finding the lemon in the hotel room, and I couldn't believ what I was reading. She somehow connects a brownish lemon that she finds with it having drugs injected into to it because she also saw a syringe in the room? Really? So the lemon couldn't just be going bad? She automatically assumed something that strange was occurring? She assumed that someone would inject drugs into a lemon JUST because there is a syringe in the room? Then she she looks at the lemon and sees the injection marks...REALLY? Have you ever looked at a syringe needle? SMALL. Have you ever looked at a lemon's skin? BUMPY AND FULL OF POURS. I find it VERY difficult to believe that someone could just "notice" the injection marks...but that's not all. Next, this untrained but suspicious hotel receptionist squeezes a drop of lemon juice into her and and sees that the liquid is cloudy...which she finds strange...I am pretty sure all lemon juice is cloudy. This then makes her feel even more suspicious so she tastes the lemon juice and notices the strange taste of a foreign substance which she knows to be drugs? REALLY? Is she a hotel receptionist of a seasoned drug task force officer?I closed the book at that point.

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've (almost) read every Jo Nesbo book that has been translated into English {1 adult and 1 kid's book to go} and at this point I expect an intense thriller with a flawed, troubled main character. The Son met my expectations and did not disappoint on any level. This is Nesbo's second stand-alone book, not part of the Harry Hole series, and it was refreshing to step back from that character and enter into a whole new plot. Nesbo still manages, in just one book to portray a multi-faceted detective with personal demons that both hinder and drive his professional life. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning just turning the pages. This is something I've come to expect with Nesbo's thrillers and I'm pleased to say he did it again. The book is populated with characters that I couldn't ever really like but Nesbo still had me feeling sympathetic towards them. If you've never read this author before "The Son" would be a great one to start with as it will give you a feel for what you can expect from his other books.

[bonnieclyde-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As soon as I finished this book, I begged my daughter and husband to read it. Flawlessly plotted, the story twists and turns its way to an awesome final scene that lingers in your heart and mind. Sonny Lofthus has stayed in prison for 12 of his 30 years, taking the fall for a murder he didn't commit in exchange for enough heroin to keep him strung out and quiet. Another prisoner gives him information about his father's suicide that penetrates the fog in his brain and changes his life. This would make a great movie- it has action, romance, suspense, and a thrilling conclusion.