A story that has two brothers who are controlling things in the town and also killing people. When a new highway is looking at being built they want to put a stop to it one way are another. As well as anyone who gets in their way or finds their dumping ground. Especially when the sheriff has new technology that can look into the ground. A dark story but if you are into it a good read.

Thank you Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an arc for my honest opinion.

Blood Ties picks up where we left off in "The Kingdom". For all the bad things that Roy has done, you can't help but like him and root for him. Carol is just a terrible person and it's so frustrating that he gets away with so much. I enjoyed reading about the brotherly competition, the sheriff constantly trying to trip up Roy and Carol and the bit of romance that's in the book. I was a little bored in the beginning with the book because there was a lot of recapping, but it was an enjoyable read overall and I found that I needed to keep coming back to find out what the "town gossip" was.

Everyone’s familiar with the saying, “blood is thicker than water”... but is it, really?

Norwegian suspense author Jo Nesbø puts that idea to the test in his latest tale, Blood Ties (giving big-time Cain-&-Abel energy).

One thing you can count on, living in a really small town? That everyone else knows your business.

Your family. Your history. Everything you ever did. Basically, all the dirt.

If your family’s respected (and respectable), you’ve got a lot to live up to... but your fellow townsfolk probably give you the benefit of the doubt if one of you does something to raise eyebrows.

But if your family’s always been a little bit “off”, well... the town doesn’t cut you as much slack.

Brothers Carl and Roy Opgard grew up in tiny Os, moved away for a spell, then made their ways back... and made good, in middle-age.

Carl manages the town’s biggest draw—the chic Os Spa and Hotel—and has grand plans for expansion (including the mansion he’s building for himself). Roy, meanwhile, owns a gas station and a few other business properties... and wants to build an amusement park is Os, with the largest wooden roller coaster in the world.

Turns out, though, that some of the backstory for how Carl and Roy achieved—and hope to continue to achieve—their successes is... murky. As in, not-at-all-entirely-above-board.

And the town sheriff, who’s long harbored a serious dislike for—and distrust of— both brothers, is dead set on using the latest technology to dig into a string of unsolved murders, disappearances, and otherwise-uncertain events... all of which he’s convinced can be laid at the feet of the brothers Opgard.

There couldn’t be a worse time for things to come to a head... when Roy has finally met someone who makes him really, really happy.

And, when both Roy and Carl have all those grand plans for the future of Os...

One thing’s for sure: there’s gonna be more bodies for the sheriff to wonder about...


So, first I’ve gotta say that it took me a minute to get into Blood Ties. (And I’ve read Nesbø before, so was familiar with his style.)

The biggest problem? I just didn’t connect with Roy. He’s... well, he’s quite a character... not that easy to identify with, or frankly, to even like. (He’s 100 times more likable than brother Carl, though, so at least that’s something...)

That kind of held true for most of the characters, actually.

I knew if I could hold on long enough to find my hook—the thing that grabs you and makes you care (about someone, or something)?— I’d be fine... and eventually it happened.

I got hooked... and needed to find out how everything all panned out.

And in the end, Blood Ties gave me the ending I “hoped” for (-ish)...

Final Thoughts...
Blood Ties is masterfullyl-written, offering an engrossing look at life in very-small-town Norway (which translates to plenty of other small-town places, as well).

But you need to have a really open mind about your “hero” character(s) with this one... because in Blood Ties? The “heroes” have lost a good 90-percent of their ideals and capes, before the story even starts...

Don’t say I didn’t warn you. ;)
~GlamKitty

[My sincere thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are, as always, entirely my own.]

Although I’ve read my share of good old American noir works over the years, I’ve never ventured north and eastward to the wintry regions of Scandinavia until now. I’ve now taken my first trip in the novel, “Blood Ties.” My guide was the best Norwegian practitioner of the Nordic noir genre, Jo Nesbo. The book blends some elements with which I was very familiar with some distinctly local flavor, and the result would make some of my favorite American authors proud.

“Blood Ties” is the sequel to another Nesbo book, the 2020 novel, “The Kingdom.” However, the book is easy to follow for those who haven’t read its predecessor. (I recommend reading “The Kingdom” first, since some developments in this book shed a vastly different light on key events in the earlier work.) “Blood Ties” is the story of two brothers, Carl and Roy Opgard, the leading entrepreneurs in the small mountain town of Os. Carl owns a luxury spa and hotel further up the mountainside from the town proper. Roy (the narrator) has more down-to-earth ventures, including the local garage and nightclub. Over the years, the brothers have resorted to select acts of violence to get what they want. The ravines next to the treacherous mountain roads beneath the hotel mark the final resting places of some of those who have gotten in the Opgards’ way. One was the former sheriff, whose body was dissolved in an industrial solvent. The brothers then staged the sheriff’s disappearance to make it appear a suicide.

As “Blood Ties” opens, the brothers have more grandiose plans. Carl wants to expand the spa, while Roy wants to turn some nearby land into an amusement park featuring the world’s tallest roller coaster. (I’m not sure of the financial viability of an outdoor theme park in northern Norway.) However, a proposed tunnel project near an adjacent town would mean that virtually all area vehicular traffic would bypass Os. That’s no problem for Roy. In the first chapter of “Blood Ties,” he bribes the engineering firm doing the tunnel’s feasibility study so they reject the proposal. However, as anyone familiar with American or Nordic noir knows, the sins of the past rarely stay buried. Subsequent events threaten to expose Roy’s bribery. That’s the least of his problems, though. Kurt Olsen, the town’s new sheriff and the son of the deceased lawman, has always believed Roy killed his father. He may have new forensic evidence to prove it. And finally, Roy finds romance of a sort with Natalie Moe, a younger woman he knew when she was in high school. Her father abused Natalie, and Roy threatened the man to force him to quit. He’s still around and still a threat to Roy’s relationship with his daughter.

Based on this plot description, readers might think that the solution to all Roy’s problems will soon lie at the bottom of the ravine. However, “Blood Ties” is a surprising novel in that regard. The book has its share of violence, but it’s more of a financial thriller than the hyper-violent fare often found in Nesbo’s works. “Blood Ties” gets a bit talky at times, but Roy has to maneuver his way around the sheriff, various bankers, foreign investors, local landowners, and opportunists with their hands out. The story probably has more bribery, fraud, and insider trading (or whatever the Norwegian equivalent) than shootings and bludgeoning. Jo Nesbo used to be a financial analyst, and he makes the financial wheeling and dealing here interesting.

The character of Roy Opgard is even more interesting. In “The Kingdom,” he was the older brother who got his more ambitious younger brother out of jams. However, in “Blood Ties,” he shows that he’s got the best business sense in the family, along with a pragmatic ruthless streak. Roy has a moral code that displays itself in practical generosity towards those who work for him. Despite his criminality and character flaws, he has a certain likability. (Plus, I was rooting for him to build the world’s tallest roller coaster on his land.) It helps that the book’s other main characters are worse.

One significant development about two-thirds of the way through “Blood Ties” didn’t work for me. It was the author’s apparent attempt to humanize a character, but it was completely out of character. In addition, it required a tremendous coincidence to resolve successfully. That’s not the only time in “Blood Ties” in which lucky breaks and coincidences play a part in moving the plot along. “Blood Ties” is too good a novel, and Jo Nesbo is too good an author to stoop to this level of chance to resolve the plot.

“Blood Ties” caught me by surprise when I agreed to review it for NetGalley. I was aware of Jo Nesbo and had seen the movie version of one of his Harry Hole books (starring Michael Fassbender), but I was unprepared for this rather bleak Nordic noir. This book made me a fan. It’s compelling, with a twisty plot and a main character who draws you in despite his massive personality flaws. The cold truth is that Nordic noir done right like “Blood Ties” is as solid a read as any of the warmer American variety.

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

So, this is the first and only book by Jo Nesbo I have DNF'ed. I usually love his writing, but this is just not his best work. I get where he was trying to go, with a tragic mafia ish brothers who control the small town and commit crimes, and the crimes are starting to catch up with them. But I just couldn't get into it. It was very much written for the male gaze.

Jo Nesbo's suspense thriller grabbed me from the first page. Having read several of the Harry Hole series, I was happy to see how versatile Nesbo's writing is. Although Blood Ties is the second in a series, it worked well as a standalone. Blood Ties is about brothers; Carl and Roy, and their deadly ambition to obtain power and wealth in their small town. It is writing at its best when the reader can emphasize with a killer. This is a fast and captivating book that is hard to put down. Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

Another amazing thriller from the king of Norwegian Noir.
Having read and enjoyed all 13 Harry Hole Novels ( and wanting more ) this was my first "stand alone" Nesbo Fiction. Technically the sequel to the Kingdom ( which I own, but admittedly haven't read yet ) this story follows the further adventures of siblings, Carl and Roy Opgard, whose livelihood are threatened by a proposed tunnel that will ultimately cause the main road to bypass their hometown Os.
Roy gets caught in one sticky situation, after another, and is constantly hounded by the town Sheriff... er "Station Head", Kurt Olsen, who is hell bent on pinning one or more murders, discussed in the first book, on the brothers ( preferably Roy )now that the Statute of Limitations has been lifted.
Meanwhile the brothers are trying to expand their real estate holdings in Os, including the expansion of Os Spa, owned by Carl, and a new amusement park to be built by Roy. This can happen, only if the engineers report can show the infeasibility of building the tunnel and sparing the town.
With all these moving parts, it all comes down to sibling rivalry and which brother will emerge as "King of Os."
A well crafted and taught Noir Thriller, and can be enjoyed by those of us who did not read the Kingdom first. I highly recommend this and all the Harry Hole Novels.

A slower build than the Harry Hole series as well as this one’s predecessor, but once it got going, it was GOING. Roy truly is a likeable killer and it is fascinating watching the machinations in Os - by Roy, by Carl and by the rest of the town. Suspenseful with lots of moving parts, this is a great example of Nordic noir, but not my favorite from Nesbo.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this title!

Blood Ties is an explosive sequel to The Kingdom. When you think everything is going well for Roy, another obstacle is thrown in his path. This book certainly kept me on my toes and seemed like a never-ending tale of misfortune and questionable decisions.

Here are a few things to note for anyone considering diving into Nesbo's newest release:

- Read The Kingdom first. While Nesbo does a good job of recapping events in Blood Ties, The Kingdom deeply explores Roy as a character. Without that intimate knowledge, it will be challenging to understand the gravity and impact of what transpires in Blood Ties.

- Blood Ties is plot-driven, whereas The Kingdom is character-driven. This second book is much more action-packed. That is neither a pro nor a con, but Blood Ties lacked the depth that made The Kingdom such an impactful novel.

If you have read The Kingdom, Blood Ties is a must-read, but you will miss out if you choose to read it as a stand-alone novel.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I did not finish Blood Ties. Jo Nesbo I one of my favorite mystery writers, I love his Harry Hole series. I read the first in this new series and started Blood Ties. I could not engage with the story and just dis not care about the characters. I

Note: this is the 2nd in a series, but also works as a standalone fairly well.

I have loved the Harrry Hole series for years, and I expected this book to be the same. But I really struggled to stay invested - the characters are just so awful. I see how Nesbo attempted to make them likeable to the reader in spite of their terrible selves; i just struggled to invest in it.

Jo Nesbo is a fantastic serial writer. I'll continue to read Harry Hole novels, but I'll probably pass on any more in this series.

I don't know how he does it, but Jo Nesbo always gets me to root for the rule breakers and, in the case of Carl and Roy Opgard for stone cold murderers and accessories to murder. The brothers live in Os. They were introduced to us in The Kingdom in 1921, back when I still pre-ordered hard cover books by my favorite authors, which includes Nesbo. Carl is the younger brother and returned from working in the US to Os. He has established a spa there, with Roy and others as investors and he needs to make sure that the new road the is planned to use a tunnel to get through the mountain, instead of going near Os is deep-sixed. Roy is the one who owns the local gas station, a bar and other properties in Os. He has a dream to acquire a former lover's campgrounds and build the world's largest wooden rollercoaster. On the whole, Roy has a value system that keeps making you root for him as he does many, many things that are very bad. They are not altruistic. He is our narrator. Carl seems more evil, but that might be attributed to the fact Roy is the narrator. They both have lots of childhood trauma to inform the reader of how they got that way.

Natalie, a young woman who lived in Os until her mid-teens has returned and begins working for the spa. Roy and Natalie have a history because he helped her out in a huge way at one time and they develop a close relationship. For me, what's fun is that he keeps telling Natalie every thing he's ever done wrong (with some exceptions) and their friendship seems to get stronger.

Kurt Olson, the town sheriff, has it in for the Opgards because he "knows" they killed his father. who was the former sheriff. As he continuously investigates them, a practice he started many years ago, he distances himself from his role in their football (soccer) club and pulls up cars that went over the cliff at a turn in the road and into a lake.

Nesbo partly makes these guys likable along with all the characters that make up a small town, because he uses humor freely. And repeatedly, it is the gossip and careful backfilling done by all involved that means there is always dirt against the person who is against you. How it is uncovered and used is amusing to read. I highly recommend Blood Ties.

A follow-up to The Kingdom, Jo Nesbo’s Blood Ties again features brothers Roy and Carl Opgard, owners of the spa and hotel, the gas station and bar in small town Os, Norway. Other characters familiar to readers of The Kingdom include Sheriff Kurt Olsen still on the tail of the brothers and determined to convict them of murders, and Grete, still spreading gossip from the village beauty shop. Readers who haven’t read The Kingdom needn’t worry because Nesbo’s latest Opgard brothers book stands on its own.

Already suffering financially, Os faces economic collapse as plans surface for the construction of a tunnel under the mountain, causing traffic between cities to be diverted entirely away from Os. With belief that he is doing the right thing—murdering only with good reason--and a way of covering their tracks, Roy Opgard, especially, proves a complex character.

Jo Nesbo fans and readers of Nordic Noir will enjoy the twists and turns of this wild romp of a tale featuring the Opgard brothers of Os.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for an advance reader egalley.

A bleak Nordic Noir centered around two ‘twisted’ brothers. When I picked up this book, I didn’t expect to like the characters knowing Nesbo’s writing style but this was a tale that was tough for me to finish because I truly did not like either characters. I’ll stick to the Harry Hole series.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley

You are so good. Everytime I pick up one fo your books I just love you more :)
This book shall I say is twisty instead Harry Hole twisted. I'm laughing at myself.
I am a huge fan of alot of Aurhors I read a lot of books. So it's always hard to say You are my favorite
It's like picking a best friend out of some of the best people.
Thank you so much for being you Writing exceptional books nd sharing them with people like me

4.5 stars!!!
What do you get when your sense of right and wrong develops a conscience? For Roy, it's a problem that is huge in his life, as he the enforcer brother for Carl's ideas. Only now Carl's ideas threaten his dreams. But what do you do when family loyalty and history keep you bound together in a devil's game of comeupance? Fighting to get off the carousel, Roy has to contend with a Sheriff who blames him for his father's death and will fight til the end to prove that the brothers killed him. As the stakes get higher and Roy sees a way out, Carl sees it too, and the result is a destructive rollercoaster powerful read about family ties out of control. Do NOT miss this Nordic thriller- it's a perfect intro to Nesbo's writing, that will have you going back to read her other books, and becoming a fan of her work!

The Opgard brothers are back and working hard to expand their wealth and influence. Big fish in a little pond type criminals who keep pushing the limits of the law to reach the success they think they are entitled to. As I was reading this, I got the feel of a family working to become a criminal dynasty. Jo Nesbo may have created the next series family for Taylor Sheridan!!!

They say blood is thicker than water. In this new novel from the Norwegian master of thrillers, two brothers who carry each other's dark secrets must decide which one of them will remain standing in the power struggle.

Roy is a man who lost his moral compass. His younger brother Carl would also pretty much do anything to secure his position as the "King of Os", a small town in Norway. They have both killed in the past. But these complex characters could not be more different from each other.

Roy is in the forefront of the story. He is smart, but people underestimate his intellect. I liked Roy's character and his desire for justice vs. personal gain. It's very hard to explain since Roy does some terrible things in the book. He is very matter of fact sharing some gruesome revelations.

But let's talk about the novel itself. The book shines with its fantastic literary style storytelling. The translation into English, by the way, is excellent, and so is the narration of the audiobook. Although, there is a crime investigation going on in the background, this is mostly a novel about family. The narrative could be compared to the game of wolf and a fox between Kurt, the town sheriff, and Roy. Who will outsmart whom? It is also a game between the brothers, but almost like in a dangerously playful way. Chapter 42, where Kurt was talking about his dad, not calling him father anymore, was so sad.

This Nordic Noir novel is reminiscent of a good 'ol Western with a protagonist, an antagonist and a Sheriff on their tail. The ending was chilling and heart-wrenching. Amazing book, really, and not just a great thriller.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of Jo Nesbo's latest thriller. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Brothers Carl and Roy Opgard have killed their way to the top in their small town of Os. Carl runs the fancy spa hotel and Roy has big plans for an amusement park. But the sheriff seems to be closing in on them and feels he has new evidence in past murders. The brothers are used to covering their tracks, but they won't go down without a fight.

I'm a huge Nesbo fan, especially of his Harry Hole books, but somehow I missed the first book in this series. Didn't matter - this book definitely stands on its own and I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it's filled with unlikeable characters. It's also full of action and suspense, with family loyalty on the line, bringing up the question of just how far people will go to protect their secrets and maintain their power. Plenty of twists and turns, and Nesbo is fabulous at bringing to life the atmosphere of these small Norwegian towns. .

Full disclosure; Jo Nesbo is one of my all time favorite authors so it was no surprise that I found his latest novel, Blood Ties, to be a masterfully crafted exploration of family loyalty, ambition, and the secret complexities that bind us together. Serving as a sequel to his dark and twisted story from The Kingdom, this suspenseful new narrative delves deeper into the lives of brothers Roy and Carl Opgard as they navigate the treacherous waters of their shared past and precarious future. I really cherish Nesbo's commitment to character development and settings for his books. He excels at portraying multifaceted characters, particularly with the Opgard brothers. Roy the steadfast protector, and Carl, the ambitious, visionary, are depicted with depth, nuance, and empathy, making their moral dilemmas both compelling and understandable. The small town of Os was brought to life with descriptive detail immersing me in its often claustrophobic ambiance. This setting only served to amplify the tension, making the unfolding drama even more gripping and intense. This was a slow burning thriller that balanced well the building suspense with bursts of action.
The storytelling kept me on the edge, weaving a tale filled with the familiar yet unexpected twisted and turns that I appreciate Jo Nesbo for. This book is a must read for fans of The Kingdom and Jo Nesbo. If you love Nordic Noir, psychological thrillers and character-driven plotlines, drop everything and get your hands on this book now !