Headhunters

By: Jo Nesbo, Don Bartlett - translator

Narrated by: Steve West

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Cockroaches comes a funny, dark, and twisted caper worthy of Quentin Tarantino and the Coen brothers—about an aspiring art thief and the target who’s about to destroy his life.

“If you don’t know Nesbø, it’s time to get with it.” —USA Today

Roger Brown is a corporate headhunter, and he’s a master of his profession. But one career simply can’t support his luxurious lifestyle and his wife’s fledgling art gallery. At an art opening one night he meets Clas Greve, who is not only the perfect candidate for a major CEO job, but also, perhaps, the answer to his financial woes: Greve just so happens to mention that he owns a priceless Peter Paul Rubens painting that’s been lost since World War II—and Roger Brown just so happens to dabble in art theft. But when he breaks into Greve’s apartment, he finds more than just the painting. And Clas Greve may turn out to be the worst thing that’s ever happened to Roger Brown.

Terrific

The story was phenomenal. All kinds of plots and twists that were unexpected but, somehow, plausible. The reader was great -- making the main character as unlikeable and icy cold as I am sure Jo Nesbo meant him to be. I have listened to all the available Jo Nesbo books now and can't wait for the next one.

Wicked Good Read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I thought that it delivered a finely crafted story line with so much suspense that I was almost afraid to keep driving while listening to certain parts.

What other book might you compare Headhunters to and why?

I wanted to compare this with the other Jo Nesbo books (I've read them all!) I thought I would miss Harry Hole, but I didn't. Nesbo broke new ground by introducing fascinating and flawed characters, none of whom got a free pass. There was not a single "good guy" in the bunch. I liked the way the action was organized by stages of a perfect interview by which a head-hunter engages a candidate. In this setting, it became the stages by which a person becomes a murderer.

What about Steve West’s performance did you like?

He read it with the perfect degree of snobbery and disdain. At first, one thought that Roger would never dirty his hands with foul deeds. But, layer by layer, he became the sinister character that became more deeply involved in murderous crimes.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The fall of the white queen.

Any additional comments?

My friends and I can't decide if Nesbo killed Harry Hole at the end of the last book. I hope not, but...sigh....even if that proves to be the end of my favorite character, I will stick with this author. Nesbo is the best out there.

Excellent Nesbo!

What made the experience of listening to Headhunters the most enjoyable?

Narration is perfect for this story's perspective. Good plot, twists- liked the cocky & interestingly complex headhunter character. The only negative is the bit about the abortion. It was just unbelievable that a woman who wants children so badly would do that.

Which scene was your favorite?

The outhouse scene is the best...

Any additional comments?

I love Jo Nesbo's style and the narration really shines- just the right amount of a-hole for this character! Love it!!

Definitely not Harry Hole

What did you like best about Headhunters? What did you like least?

There were some interesting twists. There was nobody to really root for and a fairly simple story reall dragged on.

Would you recommend Headhunters to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not. Any Harry Hole novel is much better and I believe better written.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

Jo, stick to Harry Hole.

Great beginning, but then it falters.

This book and its premise about professional headhunters, people who recruit high level professionals for employment, got off to a great start with a great character. Then came a nice, well-placed twist. So far so good. Then, the main character begins an adventure that lasts the majority of the book and requires a HUGE amount of suspension of disbelief. The ending is mildly entertaining but I did not care for Nesbo's methods of exposition through a lot of the book. He's written better ones. I will say the narrator was excellent in all respects.