In two noir novels, crime lurks beneath small town life in Norway and New England
NPR's Book of the Day podcast explores two crime novels that uncover the unsettling underbellies beneath small-town life in New England and Norway.
"The Oligarch's Daughter" by Joseph Finder follows a man hiding from Russian oligarchs and their thugs in a New Hampshire town. "Blood Ties" by Jo Nesbø introduces a mass murderer attempting to reform himself in the secretive Norwegian village of Oz. Both authors delve into the nuanced writing challenges they faced — crafting plausible disappearances and sympathetic criminal protagonists within their respective narratives. The episode reveals how Finder and Nesbø drew from their experiences to authentically depict the shadowy worlds of oligarch excess and tightly-knit communities concealing dark secrets.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 21, 2025 episode of the NPR's Book of the Day
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1-Page Summary
Plots and Characters
"The Oligarch's Daughter" by Joseph Finder
Paul Brightman, hiding as boat builder Grant Anderson, evades a Russian oligarch and henchmen in a small New Hampshire town. When Tatiana Belkin, daughter of a Russian billionaire oligarch, enters his life, their relationship is complicated as his past enemies close in, Finder writes.
"Blood Ties" by Jo Nesbø
In the Norwegian town of Oz, mass murderer Roy Upgard tries to reform and start a family, clashing with his successful brother Carl. Nesbø portrays the town as hiding dark secrets fueling the brothers' twisted relationship and crimes.
Writing Challenges
Finder: Making Disappearance Plausible
Finder tackled making Paul Brightman's disappearance plausible in the digital surveillance era. He explored techniques like living off-grid and avoiding a digital footprint, consulting an expert on using cash and evading IRS attention.
Nesbø: Sympathetic Criminal Protagonist
Nesbø made mass murderer Roy Upgard a sympathetic protagonist to root for, likely following a director's advice to focus on problem-solving over heroics, drawing from his musical background for narrative crafting.
Author Backgrounds
Finder: Russian Oligarch Authenticity
Finder realistically depicted Russian oligarchs and their lavish lifestyles through experience and research, including details like custom-made submarines on oligarch super yachts.
Nesbø: Norwegian Roots and Music Influence
Nesbø's upbringing in Norway and touring musician experiences informed his depiction of secretive small-town Oz. His lyricist background taught him to leave narrative spaces for reader imagination.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The plausibility of Paul Brightman's disappearance might still be questioned, as completely evading digital surveillance is increasingly difficult in the modern era, even with expert advice.
- Making a mass murderer like Roy Upgard a sympathetic protagonist could be seen as controversial or potentially insensitive to victims of similar real-life crimes.
- The depiction of Russian oligarchs, while researched, might still fall into stereotypes or fail to capture the complexity of such individuals.
- The portrayal of the small Norwegian town of Oz and its secrets might not resonate with all readers, especially those familiar with Norwegian culture, who might find it lacking in authenticity.
- The use of problem-solving over heroics in character development could lead to a less dynamic or traditionally engaging narrative, which might not appeal to all readers.
- Drawing from a musical background for narrative crafting might result in a writing style that doesn't always translate well to the written word or might be too abstract for some readers.
- Leaving narrative spaces for reader imagination is a stylistic choice that can be divisive, as some readers prefer more detailed world-building and less ambiguity.
- The focus on lavish lifestyles and custom-made submarines might overshadow more nuanced aspects of the characters' lives or broader societal commentary.
Actionables
- You can explore the art of disappearing by planning a "digital detox" weekend where you turn off all electronic devices and use only cash for transactions. This will give you a taste of what it's like to live without a digital footprint and may help you understand the value of privacy in the digital age.
- Try writing a short story from the perspective of a character who is morally ambiguous or traditionally seen as a villain. This exercise can enhance your empathy and challenge you to find redeeming qualities in complex characters, similar to how Nesbø made a mass murderer a sympathetic protagonist.
- Use your personal background or hobbies to inform a creative project, like writing a song, poem, or crafting a narrative. Drawing from your own experiences can add authenticity and depth to your work, just as Nesbø's musical and lyrical background enriched his storytelling.
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Plots, Characters, and Settings of "the Oligarch's Daughter" and "Blood Ties"
Diving into the intense and suspenseful worlds of "The Oligarch's Daughter" and "Blood Ties," we reveal plots centered around deception, danger, and familial discord against the backdrops of a quaint New Hampshire town and a mysterious Norwegian village.
"Paul Brightman, Hiding As Boat Builder Grant Anderson, Evades a Russian Oligarch and Henchmen In 'the Oligarch's Daughter'"
Paul Brightman, Hunted by the Russian Underworld, Finds His Quiet Life in a Small New Hampshire Town Disrupted
In "The Oligarch's Daughter," readers are introduced to a man named Grant Anderson, who is actually Paul Brightman in disguise. Paul has assumed a new identity, living quietly as a boat builder in a small town in New Hampshire. For five years, he has meticulously covered his tracks and lived a low-profile existence, dealing exclusively in cash to avoid the wrath of the Russian underworld that's hunting him down.
Tatiana Belkin Enters Paul's Life, Complicating Their Relationship As Enemies Close In
While attending a fundraiser in New York, Paul meets Tatiana Belkin. Unbeknownst to him, she's not just a photographer; she's the daughter of a billionaire Russian oligarch. As Paul and Tatiana's relationship deepens, the truth of her identity threatens to upend Paul's carefully constructed life, as enemies from his past loom ever nearer.
"Blood Ties" Features Flawed Brothers, Roy and Carl Upgard, Entangled In Murder, Lies, and Secrets
Roy Upgard, a Mass Murderer, Tries to Reform and Start a Family, Clashing With His Successful Brother Carl
In Jo Nesbø's "Blood Ties," readers encounter the troubled lives of brothers Roy and Carl Upgard. Roy, who has a history as a mass murderer, seeks to turn over a new leaf and pursue a normal lif ...
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Plots, Characters, and Settings of "the Oligarch's Daughter" and "Blood Ties"
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore the concept of identity and anonymity by creating a fictional alter ego for yourself in a journal. Write daily entries from the perspective of this alter ego, detailing their life, challenges, and how they navigate their world. This exercise can enhance your creativity and understanding of different perspectives.
- Develop your financial literacy by practicing cash-only transactions for a month. Track your spending manually to gain a better understanding of your financial habits and the value of money, which can lead to more mindful spending and saving behaviors.
- Engage ...
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Challenges In Crafting Compelling Crime Fiction
Crafting crime fiction presents unique challenges for authors, especially when it comes to creating scenarios and characters that resonate with readers while maintaining plausibility.
Finder Tackled Making His Protagonist's Disappearance Plausible in the Digital Surveillance Era
Joseph Finder delves into the difficulties of writing a convincing story about a character, Paul Brightman, who disappears in today’s world of ever-present digital surveillance.
Finder Explored Modern "Disappearing" Techniques Like Living Off-grid and Avoiding a Digital Footprint
Finder recognizes the complexities of "disappearing" in an era dominated by technology, where facial recognition and cameras are commonplace. To make Paul Brightman's disappearance believable, Finder read books on how to vanish and consulted an expert on living off the grid. The expert suggested that the key to evading detection in the digital age is to settle in a small town lacking CCTV, use cash for all transactions, steer clear of bank accounts or receiving interest, and generally avoid any activity that might draw IRS attention.
Jo Nesbø Made a Mass Murderer a Sympathetic Protagonist to Root For
In contrast to Finder's approach to plotting and character development, Jo Nesbø deals with reader perception, making a mass murderer into a character that audiences can sympathize with and root for.
Director Advised Protagonist's Problem-Solving Over Heroics
While not detailed explicitly in the provided content, ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Challenges In Crafting Compelling Crime Fiction
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Joseph Finder's approach to making a character's disappearance plausible is commendable, it could be argued that focusing too much on the technicalities of disappearing might detract from the narrative flow or character development.
- The idea of making a mass murderer a sympathetic protagonist, as Jo Nesbø does, might not sit well with all readers, who could find it morally problematic or unsettling to empathize with such a character.
- Advising a focus on problem-solving over heroics could potentially lead to a less dynamic or thrilling story, as some readers are drawn to crime fiction specifically for its heroic elements and the vicarious thrill of action-packed sequences.
- While Nesbø's musical background might contribute to the rhythm and pacing of his storytelling, not all readers mi ...
Actionables
- You can develop a deeper understanding of crime fiction by writing a short story that involves a character needing to disappear in today's high-tech world. Start by researching privacy tactics and the concept of living off-grid, then create a scenario where your character must erase their digital footprint to vanish. This exercise will help you grasp the complexities of modern disappearances in storytelling.
- Enhance empathy for complex characters by creating profiles for individuals who have committed morally ambiguous acts. Write down their backstory, motivations, and redeeming qualities to explore how they could be perceived sympathetically. This will allow you to practice crafting characters that challenge readers' moral compasses, similar to how a mass murderer might be portrayed as a protag ...
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Authors' Backgrounds and Their Influence On Writing
The personal experiences and backgrounds of authors Joseph Finder and Jo Nesbø have significantly shaped their writing styles and the authenticity of the worlds they create in their novels.
Joseph Finder Realistically Depicted Russian Oligarchs and Their Luxurious Lifestyles Through Experience and Research
Joseph Finder distinguishes between mere wealth and the staggering wealth of Russian oligarchs in his writing. By delving into the lives of his opulent characters, Finder offers readers a glimpse into an exclusive world of privilege.
Oligarch Yacht Amenities Featured In Novel
Finder's portrayal of oligarchs includes details of them making deals with Putin to protect their fortunes while staying out of politics. In his novel, Arkady, the oligarch character, manages a hedge fund in New York and entices the protagonist, Paul, with a job offer, effectively drawing Paul into the sphere of oligarchic opulence. Finder researched this lifestyle by speaking with a captain typical of those hired by oligarchs. He learned of extravagant luxuries such as custom-made submarines on board super yachts, which he used to embellish the settings in his novel.
Jo Nesbø's Norwegian Upbringing and Musical Experiences Informed His Ability to Craft Detailed Settings and Complex Characters
Jo Nesbø credits his Norwegian roots and musical background for his ability to flesh out his settings and characters with intricate detail and depth.
Nesbø's Familiarity With Norwegian Small Towns Helped Him Create the Secretive, Claustrophobic Town Of Oz
Nesbø draws on his insights from growing up in cities, experiencing small towns, and spending holidays and touring as a mu ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Authors' Backgrounds and Their Influence On Writing
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Joseph Finder's research and personal experiences may add authenticity to his depiction of Russian oligarchs, it could be argued that no amount of research can fully capture the complexities of such lives, and there may be nuances that are inevitably missed or oversimplified.
- Finder's focus on the luxurious aspects of oligarchs' lives might overshadow the potential negative impacts of their wealth accumulation and influence, such as economic inequality or political corruption.
- Jo Nesbø's Norwegian background and musical experiences are undoubtedly assets, but they might also limit his perspective to what he knows and has experienced, potentially leading to a less diverse range of characters or settings.
- Nesbø's technique of leaving room for reader imagination, while eng ...
Actionables
- Explore your own background to enrich creative projects by jotting down unique aspects of your upbringing, local culture, and personal experiences that could add depth to your writing, art, or other creative endeavors. For instance, if you grew up in a coastal town, consider how the sights, sounds, and smells of the sea could influence the atmosphere in a story or painting.
- Create a fictional budget for an ultra-wealthy character in a story or role-playing game, researching and including extravagant items to understand the scale of their wealth. You might include things like a private island, an art collection, or a fleet of luxury cars, and then write or role-play scenarios involving these assets to grasp the complexities of extreme wealth.
- Pract ...
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