| The Snowman | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Jo Nesbø |
| Original title | Snømannen |
| Country | Norway |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Genre(s) | Crime fiction |
| Publisher | Aschehoug |
| Publication date | 2007 |
| Pages | 438 pp |
| ISBN | 9788203192128 |
| OCLC Number | 213225595 |
| LC Classification | PT8951.24.E83 S56 2007 |
| Preceded by | The Redeemer |
The Snowman (Norwegian: Snømannen, 2007) is a novel by Norwegian crime-writer Jo Nesbø. It is the seventh entry in his Harry Hole series.
Norwegian detective, Harry Hole investigates a number of recent murders of women around Oslo. His experiences on a course with the FBI lead him to search for links between the murders, and finds two - each victim is a married mother and after each murder a snowman is found at the murder scene.
Going through historical murders, he comes to realise that he is on the case of Norway's first official serial killer, as he discovers more women who have also disappeared and are believed to have been abducted or murdered in a similar pattern. Almost all of the victims vanish after the first snow has fallen and a snowman is found near the scene, although this is usually ignored as not being indicative during the original investigation.
Further investigation leads Harry and his team - including newcomer to the Department, Katrine Bratt, recently transferred from the Police Department in Bergen, to suspect that paternity issues with the children of the victims may be a motive for the murders. They discover that all of the victims children have different fathers to the men they believe to be their father. Following DNA Testing results leads the investigation down a few wrong routes and several murder suspects are eliminated from the enquiry.
During the investigation, Harry continues to meet, clandestinely, with his ex-girlfriend, Rakel, despite the fact that Rakel has a new boyfriend, Mathias.
Eventually, suspicion falls on Katerine Bratt after she attempts to force a confession out of one of the innocent suspects. Harry chases her across Norway and finally catches up with her at a previously discovered murder site. She is apprehended and sent to see a psychiatrist. After initially seeming to be unresponsive, she eventually informs the psychiatrist of the reasons for her behaviour.
At the same time, Harry's superior officers decide that the scandal of allowing a long-time serial killer to work on the murder case will be damaging and determine that they require a scapegoat to appease the press. Due to his previous issues with alcoholism, Harry is put forward in absentia.
Harry comes to realise that the murderer is still at large when another victim is discovered. Purely due to a random thought triggered by a comment from Mathias, Harry makes a vital connection that ultimately leads him to the true perpetrator. His success in finally apprehending the killer prevents any need for a scapegoat and Katrine Bratt, following further mental stability checks is sent back to Bergen PD.
The English translation of the novel was recommended as one of the first Book Club recommendations by Richard and Judy in association with WHSmith.
Martin Scorsese will direct a film adaptation.[1]