Police

A Harry Hole Novel

By: Jo Nesbo, Don Bartlett - translator

Narrated by: John Lee

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is now streaming on Netflix • In this “invigorating must-read” installment (Newsweek) of the New York Times bestselling series, Inspector Harry Hole investigates a serial killer targeting Oslo’s police officers.

For years, detective Harry Hole has been at the center of every major criminal investigation in Oslo. His brilliant insights and dedication to his job have saved countless lives over the years. But as the killer grows increasingly bold and the media reaction increasingly hysterical, the detective is nowhere to be found. This time, when those he loves and values most are facing terrible danger, Harry is in no position to protect anyone—least of all himself.

Critic reviews

“A dizzyingly taut feat of storytelling.” —The Boston Globe

"An invigorating must-read." —Newsweek

“The chills are palpable in this nerve-­racking thriller.” —The New York Times Book Review

“A hugely enjoyable game of cat-and-mouse.... Nesbo manages the book’s unnervingly scary scenes so well he should consider tackling a horror novel.” —Richmond Times Dispatch

“Scandinavian crime thrillers don’t come much darker or more tense than the best-selling Harry Hole series, and this tenth outing for the Norwegian detective is the best yet.” —Sunday Mirror (UK)

“Nesbø's dark and gripping crime series featuring the Oslo detective Harry Hole [is] fascinating readers with its ever-deepening portrait, Breaking Bad–style, of a hero's gradual transition to an antihero.” —Chicago Tribune

“So dark, intense, and bone chilling that immersion in [Nesbø’s] world for an extended period is not for the sensitive.” —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“A multi-layered and intertwining story that makes your head spin, while delivering a masterclass in suspenseful writing.... Simply sit back and enjoy every twist and turn.” —Sunday Express (UK)

“An electrifying ride.... A master of suspense, red herrings and false trails, as well as a mesmerizing storyteller. Nesbø is in a league of his own.” —The Sydney Morning Herald

“Plot twists worthy of a möbius strip.” —Bloomberg News

“Attempts at work and sleep [are] futile until it is finished.” —The Daily Telegraph

Thank you Jo!

What a wonderful continuation of the saga. I will leave any description of the story to others... Suffice it to say that Mr. Nesbø does not disappoint and in fact rewards the reader with hours of enjoyment. However being a fan of audio books to bring additional interest to activities like biking, running, laundry, etc. I found myself incredibly disappointed with the book as performed my John Lee. I felt his interpretation of many of the voices to be offputting, especially the females. He just could not capture the essence of the characters that Jo Nesbø has spent 10 books crafting. Using a Welsh brogue for one of the characters was just weird. Sean Barrett also narrates this book. And is far superior and giving you the haunting feel as the plot twists and turns. Please Jo...no more Lee. And I totally understand that the majority of listeners are simply enthralled with Mr. Lee. I am not one of them. If only Robin Sachs were still with us...both he and Sean were far better equipped to handle the special needs required to really bring Jo Nesbø books to life. Let Mr. Lee stick with period piece novels like the Century Trilogy at which he is exceedingly good.

One too many

I assume, if you are reading this review, that you are familiar with the Harry Hole detective series.

If not, go back and get started with "The Bat". There is no noir like Nordic noir, and Jo Nesbo writes great Nordic noir. In my opinion, he is the best of the surprisingly large and productive group of modern, Scandinavian mystery writers,

But if you are familiar with the Harry Hole series, proceed at you own risk. From an aesthetic perspective, the series should end with "The Phantom". By the end of that novel, Nesbo has wrought a Grecian tragedy and brought it to a perfect denouement. Unfortunately Nesbo, like Harry Hole, cannot stop, even when he knows he should; the result is a bit of a hangover.

Hmmmm

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I'd do the impossible and bring back Robin Sachs!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Stop killing off characters around Harry. It serves no purpose, makes the book much less interesting. Harry Hole is a detective not an avenger.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of John Lee?

Not sure but will skip next HH if John Lee is narrator. Not sure if it is his narration or the book or both but many times I caught myself thinking "This is to hokie!

Was Police worth the listening time?

No...But, this may sound stupid...should I listen again to see if it was as bad as I thought.

Fabulous, great, best Harry Hole in the series!

If you could sum up Police in three words, what would they be?

Complex, Gripping, Surprising.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Police?

When the villain(s) murder one particularly memorable officer.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

Harry

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

"Someone is brutally killing police officers previously linked to unsolved and unrelated murders - but, why?"

Any additional comments?

I thought I had beat Harry in figuring out who was the murderer, but not why. Turns out I was right ... but there's more to the story. Kudos to Jo Nesbo for such a thriller and such a puzzler, ... even up to the second-last chapter I was still questioning whether I had it right. And, it was only in the last chapter that Nesbo makes all the pieces fall into place.

What a great story!

John Lee is NOT Harry Hole

Please, please find someone else to perform these wonderful stories! I have not completed this audible, the performance is so jarring....