His writing style is often compared to Stieg Larsson, and his critically acclaimed books offer a fast pace with twists and turns and a dark yet intriguing insight into the criminal mind. His first translation into english, Nemesis, was recently nominated for an Edgars Award in the "Best Novel" category. The Edgars will celebrate the best mystery novelist of 2009, in New York on the 29th of April. Jo Nesbø has been reviewed in publications all across the U.S., from east to west, and from the New York Times Book Review to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Jo Nesbø gets amazing praise, including a new blurb from Michael Connelly that reads; “Jo Nesbø is my new favorite thriller writer and Harry Hole my new hero”.
The Devil's Star will be available in bookstores everywhere on March 9th, and can also be ordered directly from Amazon.com.
In connection with his new book launch in the US, we wanted to ask Jo Nesbø a few questions about his own work as a writer.
Who is your favorite writer?
It´s impossible to pick one. Knut Hamsun, Ernest Hemingway, Vladimir Nabokov, Henrik Ibsen, Charles Bukowski.
Who would you say has influenced you the most in your writing?
Ernest Hemingway. Not because I write like him, but because I tried at a young age to copy him, and that´s when I found out that you can´t. That you have to find and use your own style, your own voice, that it´s impossible to hide between someone else.
What do you think about the translation of your books?
I think Don Bartlett is doing a great job. So if you don´t like the books it´s not his fault ....
Why do you think your books are so popular in the U.S.?
I really don´t know. I could of course suggest that it has to do with the Americans being bright and competent readers ...
What is in your opinion the biggest difference between Scandinavian and American crime fiction?
The spelling of the names and the letter ø. The way I see it, the differences are bigger between individual writers than between nations.
If you want to hear more from Jo Nesbø, then don't miss his book signing tour of the U.S. starting on March 15th in New York. His event schedule can be accessed at HarperCollins.com.