Detective Hole

A few years back stumbled on a Jo Nesbo book and at first thought it was a bit weird.  But then I got hooked and read a few other of his books and two movies.

Jo Nesbo is inventive with his crime plots as well as characters.  At first it might seem grisly, but one gets used to it.

Harry Hole is in a series of books and in "Detective Hole"(2026) although based on "The Devil's Star" much of the characterization comes from previous books.  He has been a problem drinker who goes in spurts and has guilt feelings.  We are introduced to Harry as he is drinking at a bar when called upon to pursue a robber.  He ends up flipping the car and his partner dies.  We are made aware that Harry is required to take regular therapy.

Five years later he gets sidetracked with his girlfriend's son and suggests his partner follow up a lead and he will catch her later.  Another officer, Tom Waaler arrives at the scene of a suspect before the partner and swiftly sets it up so the suspect is forced to kill the partner and then he kills the suspect.  The story is Waaler was too late to prevents the partner being killed and he was lucky to defend himself.  Viewers, of course, realize Waaler has a hidden motive and is almost certainly corrupt.  Hole suspects enough, says so, but is not able to prove anything and his efforts result in being fired.

He was upset over the death of his partner and becomes depressed enough to start drinking.  At about the same time his superior 's attention is drawn to a killing that appears serial.  Realizing Hole is the most experienced officer for such delicate cases, orders he be reinstated.   The condition is that Waaler is in charge of the investigation.

Viewers have been set up for a riveting crime unraveling and sorting out the corruption.  Lots of action, some twists and Hole's personal life is under stress.  Detective Harry Hole is a complex character.  If you like action mysteries this is very well done.

The series exhibits a lot of professionalism and here are some of those responsible.

Jo Nesbo not only wrote the book, but also wrote the script and was an executive producer.  He has performed as a musician, singer and song writer with albums to show for it.  He graduated with a degree in economics and business administration after which he worked as a freelance journalist and stockbroker until his writing got launched.  His books have sold over 50 million copies and have been translated into 50 languages.  Although most noted for his crime novels he has also written children's books.  With films, he has 16 writing credits, 6 for producing and 1 for additional crew including "Headhunters" (2011) and "The Snowman" (2017).

Oystein Karlsen was a director and also an executive producer.  He has 12 directing credits, 10 for writing and 9 for producing.

Anna Zackrisson was the other director.  She has 12 credits for directing, 8 for assistant directing and 5 for the Art Department including "Let The Right One In" (2005).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/06/swedish-movies.html which is a general review of some interesting Swedish films and near the end is a paragraph on "Let the Right One In". 

Tor Arne Ovrebek was one of the producers.  He has 16 credits for producing, 13 production management and 10 for special effects including "Ex Machina" (2014), "Tenet" (2020) and "Dune (Part One)" (2021). 

Tim Bevan was one of the executive producers.  Born in New Zealand.   He has been nominated for 6 Oscars.  Tim has 189 credits for producing and 2 for acting including "Four Weddings and a Funeral" (1994), "Fargo" (1996), "Elizabeth" (1998), "Atonement" (2007), "Les Miserables" (2012), "The Snowman" (2012) and "The Theory of Everything" (2014).

The music was provided and performed by a duo, originally from Australia, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.  They met in 1994 playing in the band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.  They collaborated on several albums and films, but also had many solo efforts.  Nick has also written books.  Warren played the violin, piano, accordion, guitar, flute and a few other instruments.  He and his wife bought land on the island of Sumatra and donated it to the Jakarta Animal Aid Network.  

They each had over 60 composing credits and 19 with the music department, including this one, while Warren had 18 credits for acting.  Between the two of them they contributed their musical talents for "About Time" (2013), "Far From Men" (2014), "Mustang" (2015), "Hell or High Water" (2016) and "Wind River" (2017).  Nick Cave was nominated for the 2025 Oscar for original song in "Train Dreams" (2025).  Warren Ellis wrote the music for "I'm Still Here" (2024)--not yet seen, but winner of the 2025 Oscar for best international film.

Ronald Plante, from Quebec was the cinematographer.  He has 61 cinematography credits, 5 for the camera and electrical department and 1 for acting including "Monsieur Lazhar" (2011), "Jappeloup"(2013), "The Good Lie" (2014), "The Kind Words" (2015), "Bon Cop, Good Cop 2" (2017), "La Bolduc" (2018) and "Three Pines ,Season One" (2022). 

Simen Gengenbach was an editor.  He has 46 editor credits, 6 for the editorial department and 1 for directing.

Tobias Santelmann played Harry Hole.  He started in the Nordic theatre.  Tobias has 41 acting credits, 1 for producing and 1 for cinematography including "Kon-Tiki" (2012) and "Atlantic Crossing" (2020).

 Joel Kinnaman played Tom Waaler, the bad guy.  His father was a Vietnam War army deserter and his mother Swedish.  He grew up speaking English to his father and Swedish to his mother.  He was active in Swedish theatre.  Joel has 57 acting credits and 2 for producing including "Safe House" (2012), "Child 44" (2015), "House of Cards" (2016-2017), "For All Mankind" (2019) and "The Silent Hour" (2024).

Ellen Helinder played Beate, Lonn with the police as a facial recognition expert.  She started acting on stage at age 10.  Ellen has 29 acting credits, 2 for writing and 1 for directing.

Pia Tjelta,played Rakul Fauke, Harry's girlfriend.  She got started in the theatre.  Pia has 39 acting credits and 1 for producing.

Jesper Christensen played  a police support staff.  He has 157 acting credits, 1 for directing and 5 for producing including "The Interpreter" (2005) "Casino Royale" (2006), "Everlasting Memories" (2008), "Flame & Citroen" (2008), "Storm" (2009), "The Young Victoria" (2009), "The Debt" (2010), "Melancholia" (2011), "The Last Sentence" (2012) and "The King's Choice" (2016).  Jesper also was in "Sentimental Value" (2025), not yet seen, but nominated for the best international film Oscar. 

If you love clever mysteries and can handle a little grisly violence this is worth your while.  Available on Netflix subtitled and dubbed.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them pretty good.  Check out the one link to get a fuller idea of what those films offer.