I'm not typically drawn to short stories, but I am a fan of Nesbo's Harry Hole series, so this seemed like a logical choice for a winter's read. The book is divided into two parts, the first titled "Jealousy" (which is the theme of the stories), the second "Power" (its theme.) All the stories were clever, but as with any collection,there are standouts.Among my favorites in "Jealousy" were _The Line_ about a refugee working in a convenience store, a story that begins benignly enough but quickly turns dark and with a gut-push of a conclusion. _Odd_ is only 10 pages long, the entire story an interrogation of a murder suspect; that the motive, method and opportunity can be presented, discovered and concluded in such rapid succession was thrilling. Three of the stories in "Power" are science-fictiony and set in a dystopian future (_Rat Island_ , _The Shredder_ and my favorite, _Cicadas_), a departure for Nesbo, both with extremely satisfying endings.That Nesbo quickly creates sympathetic characters and rapidly creates both McGuffin and plot was a joy to read - I am much more accustomed to a more lesiurely pace in writing, the almost urgent pace (a necessity in this genre) kept me riveted to the page. And as one would expect from a giant in Nordic noir, there is a darkness that runs through all the stories, each with conclusions that - in most cases - will catch you off guard.For readers unfamiliar with Nesbo (or perhaps turned off by Harry Hole's internal demons), I encourage you to give _The Jealousy Man_ attention: a departure from his usual fare, but thumping good reading.