First of all let me say that I am a Jo Nesbo fan and that I have enjoyed many of the Harry Hole novels and a number of the stand-alone books he's written. That said, this book was difficult for me. I had anticipated digging in and spending time with this one, but I admit struggling through the first half of the book trying to get interested, then finally the last half of the book became more interesting and kept my attention more. I didn't care for the characters nor the plot. Maybe it's because I failed to read the first book in this Kongeriket series, but I don't think I will pick it up. I think some people may enjoy reading about these criminals, but it wasn't for me.

Thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Nesbo returns to Os in this follow-up to The Kingdom, and as before this slow-burn thriller balances incredible atmosphere with a dark violence that is held barely beneath the skin. There is no need to have read the first novel, it is literally summarized in this book for the new readers, and yet this novel does serve as a type of emotional catharsis to those who have read the first.

Nesbo has great skill with characters and world-building. Every character in this story simultaneously feels like a small-town archetype and also incredibly robust, relatable, understood character. This balance or mixture of identities and personalities is a proven and winning formula, but nothing about these characters feels formulaic. It is easy to feel invested in these characters, the main character as well as many of the ancillary characters, because they feel easy and genuine, not forced or simply convenient for plot purposes. Similarly, you are really transported to this small town, and how it is a place of hopes and ambitions that may always be bigger than the thousand people that comprise its population. The setting and atmosphere go a long way in making all of the characters make sense, and really elevate the story. The writing, too, is compulsive and easily readable. It is straight forward prose, but playful and a little sneaky when it has to be. Nesbo does hide things from the reader but never anything too dramatic nor for a long time, the story is littered with little reveals that are usually set up just before, though we does manage to weave in some pay-offs across the duration of the story. Even though the prose is relatively direct he does play with metaphor a bit, not just in terms of word choice but also on a thematic level. Having a dyslexic main character that loves classical literature does give him some room to play, and Nesbo enjoys that room without ever feeling anything but comfortable, and maybe darkly contemplative, once in a while.

The plotting of this story did hold me back from loving it, a bit. A lot of the story is not much more than bureaucratic maneuvering, the characters trying to nudge the right dominoes in place. This is shot through with intermittent moments of violence and emotional/traumatic revelations, but it is still a lot of planning… Plus, there is a lot of repetition for those who have read The Kingdom. The backstory is presented in a different way, without the same emotional intimacy, but that robs returning readers of some of the emotional reveals. The second half of the book did pick up, as more obstacles started appearing, not everything going to plan, but it took a while to get there. Even appreciating the slow-burn nature of this small-town story, it does, ultimately, feel very small. Yes, there are some grander ideas the reader can take away, about what a good life looks like, how regret and family and trauma and ambition all mix together, and what roles a weary forgiveness and compassion might have as you try to secure the best possible future for yourself and your loved ones. But the stakes are always, actually, remarkably small. Yes, they may involve a whole town and more than a few dead bodies, but still, there is no attempt at conquering the world, here. This simultaneously works for me and also doesn’t. It works because it makes the story have a feeling of being grounded, of being realistic. We all have ourselves at the center of our universes, so what seem like explosively high stakes to one person may very well be trivial in any sort of bigger picture. This really does shape the vibe of the story in a useful way. Yet it also means that the structural ground work of the first half is just kind of slow to get through. The characters may have big dreams or may be petty and vindictive, but either way they are small, and seeing all the legwork for their schemes isn’t always super captivating. If the first half was a little tighter, and had a little more propulsive pacing, then this scope would be nothing but helpful to the experience; as it is, it is a little mixed.

Still, this is a fun thriller. The writing and characters and atmosphere alone are enough to keep you captivated. There aren’t any monumental surprises, but it also doesn’t feel cozy, flat, or phoned in. It does summarize the entire first book but never feels expository, so while stealing some emotional revelations from the returning reader it never feels boring, and it works well to let anyone pick up this novel and fall right into it, regardless of having read the first or not. If you appreciate the Scandinavian thriller vibe, the slow-simmer that only occasionally boils over while fighting off the dark and cold, where the tension is real but also somewhat limited in just how explosive it is, with consequences intimately affecting a handful of folks in a small town but not much else, there is a good amount of fun you will find in this story.

I want to thank the author, the publisher Knopf, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Brothers Carl and Roy Omar’s are the pillars of O’s. Carl is the head CEO of O’s Spa and hotel and Roy plans on building an amusement park on an old campground site, but first the brothers must convince the transportation planners to rig their report stopping a tunnel being built through a local mountain cutting off the main road to O’s. Meanwhile the town sheriff is investigating the murders of his father and the brother’ s parents. What the sheriff discovers cast a line straight to Carl and Roy, but can he prove it?

Jo Nesbo, the incomparable Norwegian crime writer, has done it again. While not part of the popular Harry Hole series, this book should still prove popular with Nesbo’s many fans. It is the complicated story of the Opgard brothers, Roy and Carl, who live in the small town of Os. Carl runs a hotel and spa and Roy owns a gas station and a bar. They have bigger ambitions, though: Roy wants to buy land adjoining his brother’s hotel in order to build an amusement park. There are obstacles in the way, mainly in the form of a tunnel that may be built through a nearby mountain, thus diverting traffic from Os and the brothers’ livelihoods. To say that these siblings don’t let much stand in their way, including each other, is an understatement. There have several questionable deaths over the years that the local sheriff would very much like to pin on them, because one of them was his father. The twists, turns, and machinations are both violent and touching. Roy’s relationship with his brother is both. His newfound relationship with a young woman he helped save from sexual abuse is touching and in typical Nesbo fashion, leaves the reader conflicted about all of them. This is a satisfyingly dark crime thriller from one of the best.

Nesbo’s books always have action, crime, and entertainment - Blood Ties certainly fits that list. Add some romance, deception, arrogance, music plus Norwegian culture and this book is an interesting and at times disturbing concoction. Possible triggers - incest, drugs, murders.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the opportunity to read this ARC.

3.5 stars

This book is the sequel to The Kingdom, about brothers Roy and Carl Opgard, who live in a Norwegian mountain town called Os.

Older brother Roy has always been the 'fixer' of the siblings, and over the years, Roy has taken care of Carl's mistakes; protected Carl from enemies; and committed and covered up murders on Carl's behalf. Carl relies on Roy, expecting to be rescued no matter what. As young men, the siblings took different paths: Carl went to America to study business, and Roy became the manager of a gas station in Os.

After fifteen years, Carl returned to Os with plans for a luxury resort. Much has happened since then, and now that the Opgard siblings are approaching middle age, Carl is the CEO of a five-star hotel, spa, ski resort complex. Roy has become successful as well, and he owns the gas station, the Meiergård apartment building, and the Fritt Fall bar. In addition, Roy has plans to build a roller coaster and amusement park in Os.

To attract more guests to his luxury hotel, Carl has hired Natalie Moe to be head of marketing. Natalie grew up in Os, went away to school, and is now back. Roy helped Natalie escape an abusive home when she was a pale skinny frightened adolescent, and Natalie has returned as a confident beautiful woman who catches Roy's eye.

Though things seem to be going well for the Opgard brothers, they have a problem. The Norwegian Roads Administration wants to build a tunnel through the city of Todde, to replace the road that runs through Os. Should this happen, Carl's resort hotel and Roy's amusement park will be toast. A company called GeoData is assessing the feasibility of the tunnel, and Roy offers a bribe to the surveyors, to say the tunnel isn't viable.

The Opgards have other concerns as well. Carl has mismanaged hotel funds, and needs a loan to cover the resort's running costs; and Roy needs a loan to pay the bribes to GeoData, and to finance his amusement park. The bank manager, Asle Vendelbo, is skeptical about lending the money, and Roy has to provide some incentive.

In the midst of all this, Carl and Roy's past homicides are on the verge of exposure. The brothers' method of committing (or covering up) murder was to send a car hurtling off a dangerous curve into a deep narrow valley. The victims' deaths were attributed to accidents, and the cars were left in the ravine. The Highways Department is now building a crash barrier, and will winch the cars up first, making them available for forensic examination. Sheriff Kurt Olsen is convinced the Opgards killed his father, and is sure KRIPOS (The National Criminal Investigation Service) will find the evidence. This could well send the Opgard brothers to prison.

It's hard to empathize with either brother, but Roy at least has the excuse of blood ties, because to him, family trumps money, power and glory. Carl, on the other hand, who thinks of himself as the 'King of Os,' is self-centered, arrogant, and smug.

For instance, Carl's office, on the third floor of his hotel, is extremely impractical, given that all the administration takes place on the ground floor; moreover, Carl's office occupies what could have been the second-best suite in the hotel, with a view of the mountains that matched the one from the Bridal Suite. Carl has also been having a blatant, long-term affair with Mari, the wife of newspaper editor Dan Krane. Everyone knows Carl fathered Mari's third child, and though the Cranes remain married, Dan is a broken man. Roy notes, "I had started to feel sorry for [Dan]. Gone were the firm strides, the straight back, and those inspired editorials in the newspaper, their place taken now by a head one saw a little too often bent to a morning glass of beer at Fritt Fall, and badly written editorials.

As the narrative develops, there's double-dealing, threats, and additional murders. Fans of Nordic suspense won't want to miss The Kingdom and Blood Ties.

Thanks to Netgalley, Jo Nesbo, and Knopf for a copy of Blood Ties.

Another thrilling ride from one of my favorite authors. Is blood thicker than water? Are family ties those that bind? In this one, two brothers soon find out. The journey they take to get there though is filled with twists and things I didn't see coming. It's always a kind of letdown when I finish one of Jo's books because that means I have to wait a while for the next book to be published!

This book pulled me into the dark, complicated world of Carl and Roy Opgard. These brothers have clawed their way to the top in the tiny town of Os—Carl running a luxury spa hotel, and Roy dreaming big with plans for an amusement park. But their success is built on secrets, and the local sheriff is determined to expose them. As past murders resurface and loyalties are tested, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

I’ll admit, the book starts off slow. It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the story, but once the second half hit? Wow. The tension exploded, and I couldn’t put it down. Nesbø is brilliant at crafting twists that leave you breathless, and the way he brings Os to life is incredible. The town, its history, and its people feel so real, like I’ve been there myself.

What I loved most were the characters—flawed, human, and relatable. The bond between the brothers is complicated and fascinating, adding layers to the suspense. Even though this is the second book in the series, you don’t need to read the first to enjoy it but I recommend to read it too!

If you're in for a slow-burn thriller that crescendos into unrelenting suspense, this book won’t disappoint!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5 I understand that Jo Nesbo is launching a new series, however, this one is not up to the standards of the Harry Hole series. Two brothers with a love/hate, sometimes hate/hate relationship, are the main characters. One educated, one less so. Both corrupt in their own way. They both have grand ideas as to how to "develop" their small town into something better. While Nesbo is a master of the "flawed character we still want to root for", I find nothing redeemable about either of these characters. I did not find myself rooting for either of them, overlooking their flaws, hoping they do well in the end. I didn't love the first book, but thought, as is often the case, the series will improve with time, so was willing to give it a go.

As always, Nesbo has done a great job with depicting the Nordic atmosphere and living life in it. And- being Jo Nesbo, there is lots of of violence and plot twists that keep you on your toes. However, I did not find this series as engaging or compelling as the Harry Hole series. Perhaps my expectations for this were too high. I would encourage anyone who enjoys dark, Nordic Noir to give this series a try, esp if they aren't harboring loyalty to Harry Hole. For me, it just wasn't as good a fit as I'd hoped for.

Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC opportunity.

I was not aware that this was not a Harry Hole novel, and to say that I was disappointed is an understatement. I hadn’t read the previous novel “The Kingdom”, so I wasn’t sure what I could expect. This is a character study of two brothers who fight anything and anyone who keeps them from being ‘king’ of their town. Both brothers are flawed, unsavory and are basically serial killers. I found it hard to connect with the characters. I guess I’m just a Harry Hole fan.

Brothers Roy and Carl are seemingly successful businessmen in the small town of Os, Norway. There are tragedies and murders in their history and they will stop at nothing to achieve their dreams, and that includes annihilating anyone who stands in their way.

Darkly complex, morally grim and set within a bleak atmosphere, this is classic Nordic noir. It is a story that holds the reader’s attention throughout with its twists, turns, revelations. It is a tribute to Nesbø’s writing that you just may be rooting for the main antihero to get away with it all.

Blood Ties is a sequel to Nesbø’s The Kingdom, which I have not read; it works well as a standalone. If you are a fan of Nordic noir or want to try it out, add this to your To Be Read list.

Blood Ties, the sequel to The Kingdom, by Jo Nesbo, tells another dark and complex story. While having read the previous book is helpful, this part stands out as a character-driven investigation of brothers Carl and Roy's precarious connection. Carl's vile disposition contrasts dramatically with Roy's ethically ambiguous yet devoted attitude, resulting in an intriguing dynamic. Their battles with dubious business deals, a vindictive sheriff, and dark pasts drive the plot.

The tension develops gradually as Nesbo takes his time building the scene, but once the action begins, it's difficult to put down. Carl's ambitious development ambitions meet with looming concerns such as a bypass, which might jeopardize their prosperity, while Roy struggles with love, loyalty, and remorse. Nesbo's intricate plotting and knack for creating flawed characters is paramount here. This is a gripping read. But, I still like the Harry Hole series much more.

I read this book without reading the first volume, and I was happy that this book covered enough of what happened prior to be enjoyable. I normally read the Harry Hole series, this one was just as enjoyable and didnt seem as dark in the subject matter. The two main characters while not good guys and flawed, I found I was routing for them during the whole story.

My reviews never cover the story are give any spoilers but rate the author on their ability to tell an enjoyable story, and this one hits all the marks of a good story. I highly recommend this book.

The descriptive writing in this book is so good! It makes reading this book so interesting because you get the backstory and the why of what happened. The two brothers, Roy and Carl, are the main characters and as they move forward through the book you also see flashbacks and find out what happened and how it impacts what is currently happening. I would highly recommend this story!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Blood Ties.

I'm a fan of the author's Harry Hole novels and his writing; I like his writing style, the tone and how he crafts flawed, relatable characters.

This is the second book in the series, the first is called The Kingdom, and it helps to have read that book first since Blood Ties kicks off from there.

The narrative is less a mystery and more character driven as Roy and Carl navigate their tenuous relationship and rivalry while also managing their business opportunities, double dealing, and trying to keep a vengeful sheriff off their backs.

There are moments of suspense and drama, but it takes awhile to get there as the author sets the scene and background.

Carl remains a despicable character, perhaps due to the abuse he suffered as a child...or maybe not.

I like Roy; he's morally gray and he knows it and so do we. He tries to do right but his guilt and unflinching loyalty remains to his brother...until something changes.

I'm not a fan of Roy's new love interest. The new relationship was handled in a sort of YA-ish way, nor did I feel it was appropriate.

The writing is great, as always, but I hope this ends the series and the author returns to Harry Hole.

This is the second book in Jo Nesbo’s Kingdom series.
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Present Day, the small town of Os, Norway
Characters: The Opgard brothers, law enforcement officials of the town of Os, the brothers’ various lovers and former lovers, geologic experts, and a terrific cast of supporting characters.
Overview: Roy and Carl Opgard have an intense love/hate relationship, constantly betraying and taking advantage of each other. They are among the wealthy of Os, Carl owning a thriving hotel/spa business and Roy owning a gas station among other properties. Both have stretch ambitions for more – wealth, property, and women. The key to the plot is the impending tunnel to be built through a nearby mountain that would essentially isolate the small town, severely impacting the Opgard brothers’ businesses. Roy’s plan to avert this has multiple dimensions and takes him down a spiraling path, deeper and deeper into compounded problems.
Recommendation: I rate this book 4 stars
Extras: Nesbo has the ability to make you want the best from the book’s narrator, Roy Opgard, despite his character flaws and history of murder. The story starts slowly and gradually grinds the reader down to following Roy into his complex web of despair. The misdirection and growing suspense are hallmarks of a good Nesbo story. Although it is not necessary to have read the prequel, “The Kingdom,” it is highly recommended, not only as a great story, but to add necessary, complete background to this book. If you are a “Fargo” fan, this is a story for you.
Thanx to NetGalley and Knopf for the opportunity to provide this candid review.

The Opgard brothers are back just as rascally and conniving as they were in THE KINGDOM. This book is just as dark and twisty as THE KINGDOM and equally good.

Things are going well for Carl and Roy. Carl's spa/hotel is doing so well that he is considering expanding, and Roy plans to build a giant amusement park if he can get a loan. Roy's love life is also looking up with the reappearance of Natalie, a woman he protected from her abusive father when she was a girl. Only a few things complicate their world: a possible bypass around the town threatening their livelihood and the local sheriff taking an interest in some mysterious deaths from their pasts. As usual, it's Roy who deals with the problems. His plan to bribe the engineering company into saying the bypass is not feasible goes awry, and he may have met his match in the dogged sheriff who is determined to arrest Roy for murder. In this entertaining read, it's fun to watch Carl and Roy work to save their lifestyles while escaping murder and fraud convictions.

Jo Nesbo has done it again. In this intricately plotted and fast-paced book, he takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride with two wily characters who, against all logic, the reader roots for to get away with murder! It looks at brotherly bonds between individuals whose moral compasses are skewed and the lengths they will go to to achieve their goals. That Nesbo makes these characters appealing speaks volumes about his storytelling ability. 5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is February 11, 2025.

I have been a longtime fan of the Harry Hole novels authored by the great Jo Nesbo. “Blood Ties” by Nesbo is a typically interesting book since Nesbo is a fantastic writer who can really “ spin a yarn.” This book picks up from a previous novel entitled “Tithe Kingdom” but I had not read it. Probably better if you read these books in order although not necessary. This book is narrated by one of two brothers who both have serious character flaws. Both work outside the law and both do not concern themselves with morality. There are past crimes in their resumes and there continue to be corrupt business deals amongst assorted crimes.

If you like the bleak Scandinavian Noir type of book, but with more characters and less snow, this is a good one. The snow and ice and winter isolation still factor into this story, but it is more about the catastrophic consequences of child abuse and about people trying to build new lives against tough odds. We spend a lot of time in the mind and perspective of a killer, enough to be somewhat sympathetic, but not so much that it feels too creepy. I enjoyed this book, I think the second book I've read by this author, and will definitely read more.

My rating: 3.75 stars rounded up to 4

Blood Ties by author Jo Nesbø is a Nordic Noir thriller and the second installment in The Kingdom series. The story revolves around themes of loyalty, deception, and violence, following two brothers as they struggle to maintain control over their small town while a dark past threatens to dismantle everything they've built. At this point, I’ll read just about anything by Nesbø—his talent for crafting gritty, atmospheric settings and engaging storytelling is undeniable. However, despite the well-developed characters, I found it difficult to connect with their struggles on an emotional level. Something felt missing, which is reflected in my 3.75-star rating.

Blood Ties starts off a bit slow, but wow—the second half really takes off! You get the suspense and tension that Nesbø is known for. The brotherly dynamics and small-town life are vividly portrayed, making the setting just as captivating as the unfolding drama. I couldn’t help but root for the anti-hero, even knowing he was the villain. The story is fast-paced, and, for the most part, a real page-turner, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Blood Ties is classic Nesbø—dark, twisty, and packed with angst. Fans of Nesbø will appreciate the depth of the characters and gritty atmosphere, even if it doesn’t quite match the brilliance of his Harry Hole series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf Publishing, and Jo Nesbø for an advance copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.