Fast-paced, full of dead ends, false leads and layered clues--the book was a marvel of plotting.

I enjoyed this vastly more than the other "must-read" Scandinavian trilogy, Stieg Larsson's "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," etc. It didn't have that obviously translated feel, to begin with; although names and places are Norwegian, the language had a readable flow and little things (like Detective Hole's dry humor) translated nicely. I'll look for more Harry Hole books--and was glad that this one got so much good press, pushing me to read it.