Knife Summary
Jo Nesbo

Knife Overview

In the novel Knife by Jo Nesbo, detective Harry Hole is set on revenge after his estranged wife, Rakel, is murdered. He usually has a good memory, even when he is drunk. However, Harry remembers nothing of the night that Rakel died. He has been told that he had been drinking at a bar and was taken home by his friend, Bjørn Holm. Suspended from active duty, Harry begins his investigation. As Harry eliminates suspects, he begins to believe that he killed Rakel. A question raised by the novel is whether or not all men have a natural instinct to kill. Other themes include the need to make amends, vigilante justice, and the significance of biological relations.