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.

Thanks for the ARC! I enjoyed this book, although enjoy may not be exactly the right word for something this bleak. But I did like it, and would read more books by Jo Nesbo. It actually makes me very curious to go back and read The Snowman, which I only know from the not particularly well liked movie. I suspect though, after having read Blood Ties, that the book version is much better. If you like Scandinavian Noir, Blood Ties delivers.

Blood Ties by Joe Nesbo

First off, if you're looking for a book with a lot going on, this is the one! I have to admit, it's my first book by Joe Nesbo. I can confidently say it won't be the last, as thrillers and suspense novels are my favorites. I'm actually in the process of getting others by him including the one "Blood Ties" is the sequel to. Though it isn't the first book in the story of Roy and Carl, you can absolutely read it standalone if you wish. I did and I only missed on a few questions here and there which were probably answered in the first book.

Nesbo does a great job of establishing the characters and their relationships; some are a little questionable but it adds to the suspense. Roy is what one would call an unreliable narrator, as it feels like there's things he tries to hide from the reader. It isn't a turnoff at all, and actually adds not only to the depth of his character but also the story itself.

There's a lot to be said about one's morality and loyalty to one's family, as Roy faces many decisions which walk a fine line between the two. To avoid spoilers I won't mention things specifically, but it really shows how complicated life can be when dealing with family and the conflicting choices one has to make whether to stay by their side or go your own way.

As stated previously, there's a lot going on in this book. You won't find yourself bored wondering when things are going to happen: they almost always are, nonstop. There's bribery and espionage, murder, and so many mysteries within mysteries you may wanna bring your detective notebook!

I also like reading books from other countries and regions, as a writer's background can heavily impact their writing it makes things different, whether in how a place is governed or in the things that are important in the community.

Some key themes of the book are the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of choice. One thing that drives the story itself is how consequences can shape our destiny, whether immediate or for the future.

I rated "Blood Ties" with 4 stars out of 5. It's good, well worth the read and I recommend it.

Thanks for NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

Carl and Roy are brothers determined to dominate their town, resorting to bribery and even murder to stay in control. Roy’s involvement with Shannon (Carl’s wife) felt unsettling, and the town takeover plot failed to keep me engaged. The side plot of Sheriff Kurt’s relentless search for justice, convinced the brothers killed his father, brought some tension. Yet, not enough of o keep me completely engaged.

Esta segunda entrega de Kongeriket de los hermanos Opgard, continúa desarrollando los problemas, asesinatos, intrigas, celos y envidias, además de poner a prueba las lealtades entre Carl y Roy.

Fue entretenido, pero no me cautivó. Además, hubo temas que no me gustaron como fueron tratados.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Blood Ties by Jo Nesbø is a masterful exploration of loyalty, family, and the dark side of human nature, set against the backdrop of the Norwegian village of Os. This gripping thriller continues the story of Roy and Carl Opgard, the siblings from Nesbø’s earlier novel, The Kingdom.

The novel opens with a chilling scene that sets the tone for the high-stakes drama to follow.

Nesbø’s ability to create tension and suspense is on full display, as he weaves a narrative that is both compelling and unpredictable.

Roy and Carl are deeply flawed yet relatable, their sibling rivalry and shared history adding layers of complexity to the story. Nesbø delves into their psyches, exploring the motivations and fears that drive their actions. This character-driven approach makes the novel not just a thriller, but a profound study of human relationships and the bonds that tie us together.

Nesbø’s writing is as sharp and evocative as ever. His descriptions of the Norwegian landscape are vivid and atmospheric, creating a sense of place that is integral to the story. The village of Os, with its secrets and tensions, becomes a character in its own right, its cold, remote setting amplifying the novel’s themes of isolation and desperation.

The plot of Blood Ties is meticulously crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Nesbø expertly balances action with introspection, allowing for moments of quiet tension that build to explosive climaxes. The pacing is impeccable, ensuring that the story never loses its grip on the reader’s attention.

Blood Ties is a compelling and thought-provoking thriller that showcases Jo Nesbø’s talent for storytelling. With its complex characters, intricate plot, and atmospheric setting, this novel is a must-read for fans of crime fiction.

Whether you’re new to Nesbø’s work or a longtime fan, Blood Ties is sure to captivate and intrigue, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Opgard brothers’ saga.

Nesbo
I love love love Harry Hole, so I approached this series cautiously. But, secrets, murder, and betrayal, and two characters who are worth a series, and you have another Nesbo hit.

This is the second in the series but stands alone, though I do encourage you to pick up the first. You won't be disappointed. Ha, ha, ha. Like you could be disappointed with a Jo Nesbo book. That's a good one.

They really need to change the star system. Im choosing five but its really a ten.

Bloodlines by Jo Nesbo

This book is part of a series which can also be read as a standalone, I however have not read the previous books and was enthralled just the same.

This book is about the dark side of humans at its best! Carl and Roy Opegard are from a small Norwegian town and this follows their story about how Roy and his brother have built their hotel called Os Spa and Roy is planning on building an amusement park. As stress tightens Carl is wanting Roy to help him save the hotel as it faces trouble alone but the local sheriff has other ideas as he now has evidence linking the two brothers to his father’s death.
This book was gritty and edgy as you follow the lives of these men, looking around every corner as to the cleverness of these men rise above.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage catalog!

Blood Ties by Jo Nesbo

I’ve read all of Nesbo’s Harry Hole series and a few standalones, but I didn’t realize this was an addition to another series until after receiving the ARC. While this is the second in a series, it isn’t necessary to have read the first - it did not diminish my enjoyment of this one. Now I’ll have to go back and read the first.

Given the economics of small villages, Os was heading towards financial decline. With the possibility of a new tunnel connecting major cities, the main road would be re-routed, and Os would have even fewer visitors, no longer being on the road to a big city destination. Businesses and jobs would be lost, including those of the Opgard brothers, Carl and Roy; owners of the spa and hotel, gas station and bar, respectively. This is a story of deceit, secrets, murder, infidelity, retribution, with a touch of sibling rivalry and competition thrown in. Nesbo’s characters are complex – while they may act in evil ways (ends justifying the mean?), does that make them inherently evil?

The story is a slow burn and picks up about midway into the book and I found it hard to put down. If you like the Harry Hole series, you will enjoy this one – a flawed main character and noir sub-genre.

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, and Jo Nesbo for an ARC of this book.
Amazon review to be added when published in the U.S.

I'm a longtime fan of Jo Nesbo. He has written one of my favorite series of books ("Harry Hole") and he had the concept for one of my favorite TV series (Okkupert). That being said, Blood Ties might be the best thing he has ever produced. It's masterful. Poignant at times. Violent at times. Even funny at times. Always enthralling. This is the work of a writer at the top of his game. The story of Carl and Roy Opgard is an instant classic. It's a staggering tale of love and death. It's not to be missed. Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor & NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.