The Son/Jo Nesbo/402 pgs.

I have always wanted to read a book by this author, so when this came out as a "stand alone" I grabbed it. This is one of the best mystery/suspense books around. Sonny Loftus has been in prison about half of his 30 years of life. His father, a policeman, commits suicide instead of being exposed as corrupt. Sonny is left with his mother, who turns to drugs and alcohol. Sonny gets hooked on heroin, admits to crimes he didn't commit, and ends up in prison. He's a model prisoner until he learns a long hidden secret about his father's death. He breaks out of prison, seeking revenge against those responsible for crimes against him. Sonny is a complex character, and brilliantly portrayed by Nesbo. There is suspense, mystery, corruption, and surprises throughout the book. I can't recommend this one highly enough!