Jo Nesbø’s The Devil’s Star is a gripping, twist-filled crime novel that kept me hooked from beginning to end. The story follows Detective Harry Hole as he investigates a series of murders marked by a five-pointed star and a red diamond — a trail that leads him deep into both the criminal underworld and the police force itself.
What made the book stand out for me was the number of unexpected turns. Just when I thought I had figured something out, the plot shifted again. Nesbø is truly a master of suspense.
One thing I was unsure about while reading was whether the conflict between Harry and his colleague, Tom Waaler, would be resolved in this book or carried into the next. Their rivalry added a lot of tension, and I honestly expected it to continue. In fact, it still feels a bit unresolved — Harry doesn’t yet know who really killed his partner. That could have been an interesting thread to keep going in future novels. I think Waaler could have worked well as Harry’s long-term nemesis — sort of like Moriarty to Sherlock Holmes. (Though personally, I always found Moriarty a bit boring, and Waaler is more interesting.)
What I particularly liked is how Harry uses his gut instincts in a way that still makes sense — he doesn’t just guess, he thinks things through. He’s a smart detective, even when he’s a mess personally.
One thing that didn’t fully land with me was Harry’s relationship with Rakel. His feelings seem vague and confused — I wasn’t always sure what he really wanted from her or what she meant to him. Their dynamic felt underdeveloped, or at least not clearly expressed.
Overall, The Devil’s Star is a strong entry in the Harry Hole series. It’s dark, fast-paced, and full of psychological depth. If you enjoy crime fiction with morally complex characters and unexpected turns, it’s worth reading.