2/11/25; 384 pages
Knopf Doubleday
Brothers Carl and Roy Opgard are on their way to being moguls in the small Norwegian town of Os. Carl (mis)manages the area’s successful spa and hotel and has plans to expand while Roy owns an auto repair shop and convenience store. Roy plans to get financing to buy land and open an amusement park with the world’s largest wooden roller coaster and Carl also wants money to finance his plans. Threatening their success is a new highway to be built nearby, bypassing Os and taking tourist dollars away from them.
Roy must shrewdly (and violently) handle the situation and find a way to prevent the bypass from happening. At the same time Sheriff Kurt Olsen is determined to present new evidence linking the Opgard brothers to old crimes. Adding to the complexities is the return of Natalie Moe, who Roy rescued years ago as a teenager. Natalie is now in charge of marketing for the spa and showing an interest in Roy, which is mutual.
The slow-burning start helps set up the
various schemes and plans the Opgard brothers have and also serves as a
way to establish the character's role and history in their relationship.
There are a lot of moving parts in the plot. There is no doubt that Roy
is a killer and can resort to violence, but he is one with his own
deliberate standards. His role is to be the enforcer for any plans he
and Carl have. As the older brother he feels it is his job to protect
Carl. This care isn't always reciprocated. The second half of the novel
picks up the pace and the complexities, keeping you glued to the pages.
As expected the
writing is excellent, capturing the atmosphere while portraying various
characters as unique individuals. The brothers are connected by blood,
as the title refers to, and Roy takes this burden on as his most
important role. Carl abusing this tie to his benefit. Roy must confront
the question how far does loyalty and family ties go. Those who read and enjoyed The Kingdom will definitely want to read Blood Ties.
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