The Leopard

A Harry Hole Novel

By: Jo Nesbo, Don Bartlett - translator

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is coming soon to Netflix • “Meaty, gripping, full of tantalizing twists” (Associated Press), this installment of the international bestselling series brings Inspector Harry Hole back from Hong Kong hot on the trail of a serial killer.

Inspector Harry Hole has retreated to Hong Kong, escaping the trauma of his last case in squalid opium dens, when two young women are found dead in Oslo, both drowned in their own blood. Media coverage quickly reaches a fever pitch. There are no clues, the police investigation is stalled, and Harry—the one man who might be able to help—can’t be found. After he returns to Oslo, the killer strikes again, Harry’s instincts take over, and nothing can keep him from the investigation, though there is little to go on. Worse, he will soon come to understand that he is dealing with a psychopath who will put him to the test, both professionally and personally, as never before.

Critic reviews

“Outstanding . . . Probably the best big crime novel you could lay your hands on this year.” —BBC Radio 4

“This one stands up to the ante one more time . . . Harry Hole [is] crime fiction’s most tortured and compelling hero.” —Booklist (starred)

“Intense . . . Nesbø moves the action easily from Hong Kong to Norway, with side trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo, without ever losing the plot’s sense of urgency.” —Publishers Weekly (starred)

“Nesbø knows exactly what he’s doing [in] this gripping, intricately plotted tale . . . Like all intelligent crime fiction, this book is not only about multiple murders by heinous means. It is also about legacies, most specifically about the good and evil, love and hate, passed from one generation to the next. This vivid, violent novel promises to speak on many levels to many readers.” —Library Journal

“In The Leopard, Nesbø deploys all the key ingredients of a cracking good thriller with expertise and verve. The ticking clock, the tension expertly ratcheted ever upwards, the changing scenery, the constantly shifting goalposts, and his effortless, triumphant outpacing of the reader’s ability to guess what’s going to happen will keep you gripped to the last page.” —The Guardian (U.K.)

Robin Sachs is great. Makes book come alive!

What did you love best about The Leopard?

Robin Sachs' narration.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Leopard?

Haven't finished listening to it yet.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but too long for me to do so. Have to divide it.

Any additional comments?

I'm tempted to buy Redbreast since Robert Sachs is also the narrator for that Jo Nesbo book as well.

It's a bit off putting that Harry Hole has such addiction problems. Wish he'd get over that. I'd probably give every book 5 stars then.

Reluctant Hero

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

Great Book!

What other book might you compare The Leopard to and why?

The Snowman for all the obvious reasons.

Which character – as performed by Robin Sachs – was your favorite?

Harry Hole of course.

Any additional comments?

I could not put this down. It was so good, I listened to it a second time a few days later.

Compulsive Listening

If you liked The Snowman, you'll like The Leopard. I really couldn't stop listening to it! The violence was a bit over the top, if you ask me. I will admit to skipping a few little mini parts when the very worst of the violence was happening; it was that graphic. But the action and the plot were good. It was complex, but not to the point of being hard to follow.

Nesbo brings it home again

With more curves than a roller coaster.
This is not light listening, found myself going back a few times to catch every cructial detail. If you like to get lost in long character driven mysteries this book is for you. Never predictable, always exciting. always a travelogue to exotic places, sometimes wistful and sad. Take time to concentrate on listening to this book, and the end is very, very rewarding.

Another A+ for HH

Heavily enjoying the Harry Hole series. Character development, not rushing through anything (almost to a fault) is such a nice change from some of the other crime series I have ran through. I like Harry’s growth and depth. I should perhaps start at the beginning but not ready to give up this narrator- he’s fantastic. A little heavy and repetitive with the exposition and too many “this is it, I know I’m drying” scenes when we all know he’s not dying but otherwise an exceptional series. The writing is brilliant.