JO NESBO

Detective Harry Hole - erratic, alcoholic, shambolic. He takes us a while to warm to, yet when we do we take him to heart in his fight against Tom Waaler. Where did the inspiration come from for such a complex yet likeable character?

He is a combination of two and a half friends of mine, one guy who is definitely not a friend, Frank Miller's Batman and an old, grumpy and famous Norwegian soccer coach. And - I'm afraid - a little bit of myself.

The relationship between Hole and Waaler isn't what we're used to seeing in the current crime scene however we think it works well as it adds another dimension to the novel. Why did you choose two central characters over one?

I wanted Waaler to manifest "the dark side", not as Harry's opposite, but as his mirror, his twin. I want to show the thin line that seperates the hero from his antagonist.

Is Harry coming back for more?

He is. We've already released "The Saviour" in Norway and I'm working on another Harry Hole novel right now.

Any connection between Crime and cold weather?

As in crime fiction? Maybe. Cold weather, staying alone indoors goes well with reading, I guess. And writing. A friend of mine once said that the most important talent for a writer is the talent for being alone.

What could get you arrested?

You mean; what got me arrested? Well, dropping my pants and mooning for a passing police car when I was eighteen. A bit drunk and nothing I'm very proud of, but it gave me the chance to do some research. I know what the inside of a cell looks like.

We hear you were also in Di Derre, one of Noway's biggest selling bands. Have you forsaken 'sex, drugs and rock 'n roll' for a life of Crime?

I honestly can't tell the difference. And I'm still playing.

What's your favourite Crime novel?

"The Killer Inside Me," Jim Thompson.

Do you have any rituals/habits or things you need by your side while you are writing? (Coffee, Vodka etc)

Coffee. And music. Loud music, actually.

Do you know how the novel is going to end when you first sit down to start it?

Oh yes.

When can we expect your next novel and is there any space for two characters called Joe and Megan?

In English? This year I hope. I'm always looking for names for new characters. And Joe sounds familiar ....