Nesbø continues the story of the village of Os and the Opgard brothers in Blood Ties, the follow-up to The Kingdom. Eight years after we left off, Roy is working to see his (deceased) sister-in-law Shannon's dream of a beautiful roller coaster built, right in Os. His brother Carl is sitting comfortably as almost-head of the village and running the luxury hotel which drove a lot of the action in The Kingdom.

The Kingdom established the setting and the players. You come to know the brothers, the other villagers, the sordid history. Nesbø does a great job getting a new reader up to speed, filling in the back story, and rehashing a lot of The Kingdom. You won't have to have read #1 to follow along the events of Blood Ties, but you may appreciate it more.

Roy's still cleaning up messes from the past, even eight years later. Sheriff Olsen is still on his tail, Carl is still mucking up things, Grete is still dishing up gossip from the beauty salon. Roy plays a mean game of whack-a-mole as he averts one disaster after another, only for them to rise again. And again. We are firmly in his corner to see how he gets out of trouble.

And Nesbø's signature music winks are still present. We even get a Wilco reference this time.

Blood Ties, I realize, can be looked at multiple ways. Familial bonds when it's looked at with "ties" as the noun. Also, thinking of "ties" as a verb and there's more action in the phrase. I don't think this is a coincidence.

My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the digital ARC. (pub date 2/11/25).

I have not read the first book in this series. However, I had a little trouble getting into this book because at the beginning I thought both brothers, Roy and Carl Opgard, were not good people. They have done well for themselves in the small town of Os in Norway. However, Carl particularly was not a nice man. He had been abused by his father and arranged for his father's death. Roy continued to help his brother to not get blamed for his murders and misdeeds. Roy had loved Shannon and Carl married her and then killed her. When Roy started dating Natalie, Carl raped her. However, by the end I thought that Roy tried to be a good man in spite of the fact his brother wasn't very nice to him.

At the beginning of the book, Carl and Roy were trying to keep their town from having a tunnel put under the mountain, and they were bribing the company to say it wasn't safe. The local policeman was after Roy and Carl because he believed they had killed his father.

The characters were very interesting, and by the end I was enjoying the book. I thank Netgalley and Knopf books for the ARC so I could read the book before publication.

Sometimes even killers have their honor to defend

Brothers Roy and Carl Opgard were born and raised in the small Norwegian town of Os, and it is there that they have created a business empire. They have not hewn strictly to the straight and narrow in their climb to success...in fact, more than a few murders have been committed along the way. So when they are confronted by impediments to expansion they will take whatever steps they deem necessary to remove those obstacles,.bribes, threats, and yes, murder. The brothers enjoy a unique relationship with one another, one of strong family loyalty that was drilled into them by their domineering father but also of jealousy. Carl, the younger brother, is generally perceived to be the smarter, more charismatic of the pair, but it is Roy who has been Carl's protector since they were boys. It would be unwise for anyone, most especially Carl, to underestimate Roy's own skills and dreams, as the two chart their course to ensure that Os, and with it the Opgard family fortunes, will reach new heights.
When a book begins with its narrator explaining how and why they became a stone cold killer, albeit one with a sense of morality that bubbles up from time to time, the reader can expect that they are in for quite a ride. Roy is not someone whose deeds are particularly admirable, but as the reader learns about what he has endured and overcome and the unkind twists of fate that have formed him it is hard not to sympathize with him to a degree. Carl, by comparison, is an equally complex but far more ambitious (and less moral) sort. The others who populate the town of Os are equally well-drawn, with their own code of ethics and motivations, their own secrets to hide and plans to execute. This is the second in author Jo Nesbø's series based in the fictional town of Os (the first was The Kingdom); it can be read as a standalone, as much of what happened in the first book is sketched out in the beginning of Blood Ties. That may have contributed to my finding the beginning of the book a bit slow and bogged down as the backstory is rolled out; those who have read The Kingdom and have no need of explanations may feel the same. The suspense builds throughout, however, and with Nesbø's characteristic dark humor the reader comes to understand the hidden motives and underlying machinations at play between the two brothers, their business rivals and the women they pursue. All disasters, muses Roy towards the end of the book, should have a prelude...but when they don't it is be up to the nature of the individual as to how they will fare. A darkly comic thriller which explores the psychological nature of family loyalties, love and guilt, Blood Ties is a well-crafted and entertaining story written by one of the masters of Nordic Noir, which readers of authors like Jussi Adler-Olsen, Henning Mankell and Juan Gómez-Jurado should scoop up and add to their TBR list. Many thanks to NetGalley and Alfred A. Knopf/Borzoi Books for allowing me access to this latest entry by this consistently excellent author.

Thanks very much to the publisher for inviting me to read and review a copy of Blood Ties through NetGalley.

I've very much enjoyed Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series--his gritty characters and dark Scandinavian noir read quickly and believably. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same pull with this book. The translation is clear and the writing solid, but I just didn't find the premise or characters that compelling and I found myself getting distracted and drawn to other books while reading. I also didn't connect that this was the second book in the series when I accepted the widget, so I'm not sure if that would have helped my enjoyment. It seemed that it was easy enough to read as a standalone, but I do like to read series as a whole.

Blood Ties is a stand-alone novel from Jo Nesbo - not part of his Harry Hole series.

"Carl and Roy Opgard are brothers living in Os. They are relatively successful with Carl running the fancy hotel-spa and Roy owning a gas station, mechanics shop and other properties in town. The sheriff has always believed that Roy had something to do with his father's death but has never been able to prove it. Now he's determined to use new technology to finally put Roy in jail. But Roy is no stranger to avoiding jail, even if he has committed seven murders."

Roy is interesting because even though you know he's committed several murders, you root for him a little. He seems to be able to convince you that there was a good reason for all of them. There's often a fatalism in these Nordic stories. Roy finds out things about people he's close do, but doesn't want to do the hard thing this time. He's a lot more manipulative than you realize at first. At first glance, Carl seems like a great salesman, but there's a darkness there too. Lots of surprises here with a couple of twists. The ending was a little wild - it veered quickly.

Great story for fans of Nordic Noir.

Blood Ties by Jo Nesbø, is the second book from a series called Con Jericho, and the book was translated by Robert Ferguson. When the book starts older brother, Roy is trying to bribe someone surveying the integrity and ability of putting a road away from Roy’s beloved city. This is an all Roy has to worry about it. Seems the town has agreed to put up a guard where Roy and Carl‘s parents went over into a ditch but first they want to empty out the water way of all the cars that went over in this will only uncover Roy and Carl’s deep dark secrets. The sheriff knows Carl and Roy are not the stellar citizens they pretend to be and he believes they’re guilty of murdering his parent, but can he prove it? Roy also wants to build an amusement park in his little Norwegian town and while all this is going on, Carl is trying to build up the spa in hotel resort he built, that unfortunately is having financial problems. There was so much going on in this book. I really am at a loss to see what the point or the plot is I’m going to read the first book the Kingdom and see if this book makes any more sense to me, usually, when you pick up a book, you could start from the first page and a story unfolds. I felt as if I came in in the middle of the story and miss most of the important plot points. for some reason, I love books set in the snowy countries in Europe, Norway, being one of them. so I am going to probably change this to review in the future but as for now I’m giving it three stars and just for common sense sake I get it that they were bribing the roadway people so it’s not to move the plans for the highway away from their town, that Roy was enamored with Natalie that they were trying to get away with murder, but I think reading the first book will give me a better fuller picture..#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #JoeNesbo, #BloodTies,

Yes this is the second in a series. Yes should read the first one before this one. But, Nesbo does an incredible job of filling in any gaps that would cause confusion if you hadn't read the first book, so you aren't lost. What is missing is the reader's relationship with the main characters. If you only read this book, I feel you would not truly understand Roy and his motivations and why he is the way he is. Reading the first book makes the reader more sympathetic and understanding on the things Roy does and why he does them. It also builds the foundation for the relationships between characters that adds to the emotions running through the second book. That being said, the first book is 560 pages and might frighten someone off. Don't let it! The read is engrossing. But, enough of that sales pitch! This book can easily be read on its own. The theme of both books is family and the responsibilities and duties to your own. Set in a small town, the theme is viewed through various families and points of view, making this either a really deep thoughtful book (if you want it to be) or a surface level small town drama suspense kind of book. I love that the reader can decide based on their own current mental capacity.

Blood Ties by Jo Nesbø

I had a rough start to this story but enjoyed it more and more as it progressed. It’s translated from Norwegian,so many of the names are difficult for those unfamiliar with them. What’s important is that the protagonist is a killer, so no matter who you are, watch your back!

There is a proposed tunnel road to be built, which will help or hurt the Opgard brothers Carl and Roy. It’s the main struggle throughout the book, though there is plenty more going on. There are women, secret affairs, dirty dealing by local authorities, and did I mention killings?! Oh, so much more!

The ending alone is worth reading the story, but don’t peek ahead and ruin it! Stay the course for this original four star book for a mature audience.

Thank you Netgalley & Knopf for an eARC♥️♥️♥️

The story of Carl and Roy Opgard, two brothers who've built a luxury spa hotel in the tiny town of Os-Carl, is a complex web of secrets, lies, and suspense.
At first, I thought the book was going to be a slow burn, but boy, was I wrong! The second half of the book is like a freight train that you can't get off of - it's intense, thrilling, and completely unpredictable. Nesbo's writing is masterful, and his ability to craft twists that leave you breathless is unparalleled.
I have to confess, I'm a huge Jo Nesbo fan! I've devoured all of his Harry Hole books, and I was a bit skeptical about reading a book outside of that series. But let me tell you, Nesbo's talent for storytelling knows no bounds. He's a master of crafting complex characters, intricate plots, and suspenseful storylines that keep you on the edge of your seat.
What really drew me in was the characters. Carl and Roy are flawed, human, and relatable, and their complicated bond adds layers to the suspense. The way Nesbo brings the town of Os to life is also incredible ❤️
This book is the second in the series, but don't worry if you haven't read the first one - it stands on its own. If you're looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further 🤩

I’ve been a Nesbo fan since I first read the Harry Hole series and I loved The Kingdom. So I was hoping Blood Ties would be one of those rare times a sequel can compete with its predecessor. And Nesbo proves yet again he can continue to write compelling stories revolving around the same characters just like he does with Harry.

I have the memory of a stoned goldfish and really didn’t remember much of The Kingdom. Nesbo said this can be read as a stand alone and I agree with that assessment, but I do think reading both works is beneficial to really understand the depths of the familial bonds and just what the Osgards will do to protect themselves. Blood Ties is MUCH more of a slow burn and doesn’t have much of a thriller component. There’s not a ton of action until the end, so if you’re expecting fast paced Harry Hole style drama, this isn’t it. It’s a slow burn with plenty of time spent on characterization and setting. Nesbo wants you to know these characters and understand why they are who they are. You come to know so many villagers of Os and get to witness their interactions and how everything is connected. As usual, Nesbo’s writing is accessible and compulsive. He doesn’t feel the need to over explain the plot and tends to let the reader make their own conclusions, which I loved.

Natalie, Roy and Erik were great and even some of the side characters who attempt to derail our protagonists were so relatable you can’t help but appreciate them (Kurt, for one). While I can’t really relate to the whole blood is thicker than water with my own upbringing, the bond between Roy and Carl is remarkably deep.

This was a great read. I wouldn’t class it as a thriller as it’s more of dark literary fiction where we get to see familial bonds being stretched to their breaking points. I’ll read anything Nesbo writes, and I’d love for him to continue the standalone stories. It’s nice getting to see a different side of Norway and seeing its inhabitants and Nesbo can write just about any genre.

I have heard good things about this author so I was excited when I got the opportunity to read this. I could only make through a third of the way before I had to DNF. It was so boring to me. I won’t be leaving a review on Goodreads as I didn’t finish it.

Unfortunately this was another DNF for me at about 40% due to the plot being quite slow for the parts that I read. The story kept hinting at the fact that they were killers and would hopefully pick up but I felt for the time I gave it, all they did was whine about property values and randomly talk about roller coasters and music.

pretty good thriller and super awesome writing althougha t points i found the characterization a little weak. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

As much as I love Nesbo, I wasn’t a fan of the first entry in this series. “Too much introspection, too many feelings” I thought. I don’t know if I was just in a bad mood back then, if this sequel is much better, or if I know the characters now, so I don’t mind listening to Roy’s internal monologues, but I enjoyed Blood Ties so much more. Things haven’t changed too much in Os, other than a highway tunnel is scheduled to bypass the town entirely, making all the previous efforts of the Opgards useless. Roy won’t take it lying down, so he scares and schemes to prevent it. The plot is full of twists and I was suffering over Roy’s fate. The sheriff is finally getting close to a conviction and, at some point I thought that said sheriff is the good guy, the Harry Hole in this story and why, oh why did I want the criminal to get away with literal murder? This is the power of Nesbo’s words, how me makes the reader care for his characters, regardless of their morality. The good guys are flawed and the baddies have redeeming qualities that are impossible to overlook. Doesn’t hurt that the plot is perfect… tiny, unimportant details in the first few chapters become vital in the end. Despite not loving the first book, I still remembered enough to put together what was going on, and Roy recaps pertinent details to remind readers without being repetitive. If anything, he integrates the background into the new story to enrich the plot. The one thing I didn’t love was the ick factor of the love interest (my hubby is considerably older than me, so it's not something that usually bothers me but Roy knew this woman as a teen, hence the “ick”). So, if I would be giving this book 4.5, I’m rounding them up, as penance for my previous rating. Nesbo is in top form!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor.

No one does a Book of Murder quite like Nesbø!! Spoiler alert... Fratricide Included!!

I did not have the good fortune to read Kongeriket, #1, but Nesbø filled in the backstory a reader would need.

Murders aside, this is a FUN read! There is mystery. There is romance. There is bribery!

I really did not want to like either of the Opgard brothers... however, one very much grew on me! And yes, I spent much of the novel rooting for Roy (despite his murdering tendencies!)

Thanks to Netgalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this advanced digital copy of the book. It will be published February 11, 2025.

I had no idea when I requested this from NetGalley that it was the second book in a series (The Kingdom). Thankfully Blood Ties could be read as a standalone book. But after the second chapter I went back and read some reviews of The Kingdom to get a sense of what I was missing and found Chapter 3 summarized the first book.

The book moves at a fast pace. Jo Nesbø writes without nonsense or fluff, the story is straight to the point and doesn’t include a lot of grandiose description of the people or the town; just basic information. Each character is unique, so even though there are many, it’s easy to keep track of who is who. Unfortunately I didn’t think the main character Roy or his brother Carl were very compelling. While the book moves quickly, it’s rather dry. No one is necessarily likable and each time it seemed Roy was in over his head, he was able to immediately come up with an easy solution. He didn’t have to work terribly hard to get out of a jam, so his circumstances turned predicable.

The book is categorized as a mystery/thriller but because Roy never seems to face real consequences or at least doesn’t sit in his mistakes long enough for the reader to get nervous for him, I’d reclassify this as just fiction. There wasn’t a mystery and the story wasn’t thrilling. I’d rather continue reading Nesbø’s Harry Hole series than The Kingdom.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nesbo again delivers a dark and twisted thriller with, as always, a lot of murders and blood. I enjoy Nesbo’s books but this one was slow moving and at times a little boring. Thanks for the advanced copy.

Blood Ties by Jo Nesbo is a suspenseful thriller that follows the Opgard brothers, Carl and Roy, who have built an empire of success in the small town of Os, albeit through ruthless and often violent means. As Sheriff Kurt Olsen closes in on the brothers, suspecting their involvement in a string of unsolved murders, including his own father's, the Opgards find their carefully constructed world crumbling around them. With a rising body count and a web of deceit and betrayal, Blood Ties will leave you shocked and on the edge of your seat as the homicidal Opgard brothers unleash mayhem and death in their hometown of Os.

Firstly, I would like to that NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

I’ve been a fan of Jo Nesbo since his novels first were translated into English. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that this new effort did not involve Harry and his quirky ways with his well known sixth sense for solving crimes.

Blood Ties is just that; it centers around the very complicated and tragic lives of two brothers in a small town. They certainly have a past and their future doesn’t look much better either until a complicated series of events.

While Nesbo’s writing is always top notch, I found the story boring at times. Had this been any other author, I probably would have put it a side unfinished but soldiered on to complete it.

Here’s to the next Harry Hole novel!

Blood Ties by Jo Nesbo is a very highly recommended chilling and suspenseful Nordic noir/crime fiction and the sequel to 2020's The Kingdom. This can be read as a standalone but reading the first book in the series does add more to the complex back story. Robert Ferguson is the translator.

Brothers Carl and Roy Opgard are on their way to being moguls in the small Norwegian town of Os. Carl (mis)manages the area’s successful spa and hotel and has plans to expand while Roy owns an auto repair shop and convenience store. Roy plans to get financing to buy land and open an amusement park with the world’s largest wooden roller coaster and Carl also wants money to finance his plans. Threatening their success is a new highway to be built nearby, bypassing Os and taking tourist dollars away from them.

Roy must shrewdly (and violently) handle the situation and find a way to prevent the bypass from happening. At the same time Sheriff Kurt Olsen is determined to present new evidence linking the Opgard brothers to old crimes. Adding to the complexities is the return of Natalie Moe, who Roy rescued years ago as a teenager. Natalie is now in charge of marketing for the spa and showing an interest in Roy, which is mutual.

The slow-burning start helps set up the various schemes and plans the Opgard brothers have and also serves as a way to establish the character's role and history in their relationship. There are a lot of moving parts in the plot. There is no doubt that Roy is a killer and can resort to violence, but he is one with his own deliberate standards. His role is to be the enforcer for any plans he and Carl have. As the older brother he feels it is his job to protect Carl. This care isn't always reciprocated. The second half of the novel picks up the pace and the complexities, keeping you glued to the pages.

As expected the writing is excellent, capturing the atmosphere while portraying various characters as unique individuals. The brothers are connected by blood, as the title refers to, and Roy takes this burden on as his most important role. Carl abusing this tie to his benefit. Roy must confront the question how far does loyalty and family ties go. Those who read and enjoyed The Kingdom will definitely want to read Blood Ties.
Thanks to Knopf Doubleday for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.