Review of Cockroaches: The Second Inspector Harry Hole Novel (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Original)

Another episode where Harry is sent abroad to investigate the murder of a Norwegian, this time in Bangkok. The Norwegian ambassador has been found dead in a seedy motel room, and Harry has been sent to investigate. It’s clear that the Ambassador’s family are hiding some secrets of their own, but few people are willing to talk.

He needs to solve a crime and avoid a scandal as directed by the Norwegian Department of Foreign Affairs. Harry discovers that the Ambassador has lost heavily on gambling, and he may be involved in child porn. As well as this, it appears that the Ambassador is gay, and his wife and daughter may be responsible for his death.

When he in sent home by authorities in Norway, he refuses, and there is an attempt on his life by the local mafia. His only real support is the local police inspector, named Liz Crumbly. The whole scenario is extremely well written and descriptions of Bangkok life is very evocative. The book is a translation from the original Norwegian.