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Midnight Sun

Discover the novel that inspired addictive new film The Hanging Sun
By Jo Nesbo
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Check link for latest rating. ( 18,992 ratings, 1,735 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Midnight Sun by Jo Nesbo follows a hitman named Jon Hansen who is on the run in the far northern reaches of Norway. Seeking refuge in a small, isolated village, he attempts to escape his past while interacting with the local residents. The novel combines suspense, human drama, and the stark beauty of the Arctic landscape.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you love gripping thrillers with flawed yet relatable characters, intense atmosphere, and a blend of suspense and dark humour. This story of a man on the run seeking redemption in a remote and chilling landscape offers an engaging and thrilling read.

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Jon is on the run. He has betrayed Oslo's biggest crime lord: The Fisherman. Fleeing to an isolated corner of Norway, to a mountain town so far north that the sun never sets, Jon hopes to find sanctuary amongst a local religious sect.

In a remote corner of Norway - a mountain town so far north the sun never sets - a man is running for his life in the follow-up to number one bestseller Jo Nesbo's Blood on Snow

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Midnight Sun by Jo Nesbo is a gripping exploration of crime, redemption, and the haunting beauty of the Norwegian wilderness. Set against the backdrop of Norway’s northern regions, where the sun never sets during the summer months, this tale weaves an intricate narrative of tension and survival. Jon, our protagonist, finds himself on the run after betraying Oslo’s most formidable crime lord, known only as the Fisherman.

Jon escapes to a remote mountain town, seeking refuge among a secluded religious sect. As he hides away in a shepherd’s cabin, he contends not only with his pursuers but also with the relentless, maddening light of the midnight sun. His only companions are Lea, a bereaved mother grappling with her own demons, and her young son, Knut, whose innocence and kindness offer Jon brief moments of respite and hope.

Lea’s act of kindness in providing Jon with a rifle, and Knut's brave endeavour of delivering essential supplies, form a fragile lifeline. However, tranquility is elusive as Jon grapples with encroaching insanity driven by perpetual daylight and the incessant threat of discovery. The Fisherman’s men draw ever closer, turning Jon’s hideaway into a pressure-cooker of suspense.

This novel is a brilliantly crafted thriller, where every word is meticulously chosen to build an atmosphere of unyielding tension. Nesbo’s narrative brilliance is on full display, delivering a succinct and lyrical story that strikes deeply and lingers long after the final page.

NOW A MAJOR FILM AS THE HANGING SUN

"A perfectly formed thriller that pierces the heart with its icy brilliance" Sunday Mirror

Brilliant... A short, lyrical tale where every word counts" Daily Express

Jo Nesbo, acclaimed for his masterful storytelling, has sold over 50 million books worldwide. Midnight Sun is a testament to his ability to evoke atmospheric settings and complex characters within the claustrophobic constraints of a taut thriller.

Discover Jo Nesbo's new book, The Jealousy Man, available now.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A perfectly-formed thriller, written in pure, unadorned prose, that pierces the heart with its icy brilliance, according to the Sunday Mirror. It is considered a thrilling tale by Mail on Sunday and another success for Nesbo according to the Daily Mail. Described as a short, lyrical tale where every word counts, building tension effectively, and another brilliant thriller from a master storyteller, as per the Daily Express. The Belfast Telegraph lauds it as short, brisk, emotionally compelling, and stylishly written.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784703899

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 June 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Contributors:

  • Translated by Neil Smith

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 110.0mm

Height: 178.0mm

Weight: 140g

Pages: 224

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Jo Nesbo Penguin Books

About the Author

Jo Nesbo (Author)
Jo Nesbo is one of the world's bestselling crime writers. When commissioned to write a memoir about life on the road with his band, Di Derre, he instead came up with the plot for his first Harry Hole crime novel, The Bat. His books The Leopard, Phantom, Police, The Son, The Thirst, Macbeth and Knife have all since topped the Sunday Times charts. He's an international number one bestseller and his books are published in 50 languages, selling over 60 million copies around the world.

Neil Smith (Translator)
Neil Smith has translated many acclaimed Norwegian and Swedish novels, including books by Fredrik Backman and Leif G. W. Persson's The Dying Detective, winner of the CWA International Dagger 2017. He lives in Norfolk.

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