Blood Ties

This author needs no introduction as consistently delivers storylines of the highest order with diverse three dimensional characters who demand attention in every word, line and page. This storyline follows the hugely successful book The Kingdom which was a complete story in its own right. To have a follow up with same characters and extension to the storyline is possibly even more gripping than the first in the series., and was a pure joy even if read with enormously high expectations. It did not disappoint, to the contrary, delivering in bucket loads. Every emotion under the sun is drawn from the reader as we are introduced once again to a small community struggling to survive with alliances, vendettas and corruption forming the basis of everyday life. When the characters experience the highs and lows of their successes and disappointments we share their emotion . The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune occur with such regular intensity that we are in danger of becoming desensitised from the violence and tragedy. Cannot recommend too highly. This is a 5* read from first to last page and addictive to the point of binge reading. Huge appreciation and thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to review this ARC.

Blood Ties is the sequel to The Kindom, my favourite Jo Nesbo book.
With a similarly Shakespearean storyline Blood Ties continues the story of the sociopathic Opgard brothers Carl and Roy as the many sins of their past threaten to finally see them facing justice. In Carl's megalomaniac mind he's the self-styled King of Os,the small village full of people with good reason to want his demise. As the law closes in on him and Roy and his shady business practices come to light threatening to bring his empire down Carl becomes increasingly paranoid and driven to behaviour that even by his standards is truly appalling.
The book is written using Roy's voice,the more taciturn but no less evil brother and Nesbo skilfully manages to often elicit sympathy for a truly horrible character ,he does have his own version of a moral compass but it's more a case of the logic of the psychotic.

This is an excellent read, anyone who has ever lived in a small town where many of the inhabitants have grown up together will recognise many of the intrigues and complicated relationships in Os. Those who know the story of the Krays will see the similarities with the Opgard brother's complicated relationship,the totally unstable brother and the equally appalling one desperate for the more normal life that supporting his sibling means will never happen and he's forever on the verge of being dragged down with him.

I'd strongly recommend reading The Kingdom before this one ,it's not absolutely necessary but you'll get so much more out of this if you do.
Like The Kingdom this is dark and violent with a compelling plot,it's also Nesbo on top form,
Highly recommended.

A full review will follow on Lyric Lounge Review. Thank you to Netgalley and Vintage for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
This thriller, as one expects from Jo Nesbo, is a tense and compelling story about the ties that bind us, explored through the tale of two brothers and the town and women that they love. The characters are interesting and the plot is woven with dexterous skill that will make you want to devour the book as quickly as possible because of the intriguing twists and turns in the story. This is definitely a book to put straight on the top of your tbr pile.