In the United States, several audiobook narrators have read Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole series. The Redeemer marks the first time John Lee gives voice to the damaged Oslo police detective. His narration, however, sounds as though he's known the series intimately from the start. While Lee's style may sound abrupt at first, the rhythm quickly blends into the story and becomes an afterthought as listeners find themselves caught up in the action of the investigation.
Detective Hole is after the killer of a Salvation Army worker. Despite the murder happening in a crowded street, no one can identify the shooter; even worse, he's not finished. Harry must find him and prevent him from killing again.
Hole's role is a multi-layered challenge, but Lee has a firm grip on the strata. Hole's paradoxical characteristics of compassion and apathy blend seamlessly in Lee's calm, laid-back approach to the detective. And while the action of the plot is fast and intense, Lee keeps the pace in line with Hole's character. Nesbø works a very dark sense of humor into this series, which is not lost on Lee. His depiction of Hole with an unloaded weapon in a standoff with the murderer is both suspenseful and humorous.
Nesbø fans accustomed to Robin Sachs's previous narrations may find the change a bit jolting, but John Lee has given voice to an exceptional interpretation of The Redeemer. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts