Follows Harry Hole's efforts to solve the murder of a television celebrity whose demise is linked to a string of serial killings.
Harry Hole Series
This series of detective novels follows Harry Hole, a Norwegian policeman who grapples with personal demons and complex cases. His investigations often reveal the dark sides of human nature and crime. The stories combine tension, psychology, and social commentary. Harry is a character who seeks to find meaning in chaos.
Recommended Reading Order
The thrilling sequel to Jo Nesbo's debut novel, The Bat, The Cockroaches sees Harry Hole sent to Bangkok to investigate the murder of the Norwegian ambassador. Detective Harry Hole arrives in a steaming hot Bangkok. But it's work, not pleasure. The Norwegian ambassador has been found dead in a seedy motel room, and no witnesses have come forward. The ambassador had close ties to the Norwegian prime minister, and to avoid a scandal Harry is sent there to hush up the case. But he quickly discovers that there is much more going on behind the scenes and very few people willing to talk. When Harry lays hands on some CCTV footage that will help him unravel what happened that night, things only get more complicated. The man who gave him the tape goes missing, and Harry realises that failing to solve a murder case is by no means the only danger in Bangkok
The Redbreast
- 368 pages
- 13 hours of reading
A tale moving from the final months of World War II to the present, and from the Russian front to contemporary South Africa, follows the dual adventures of a freedom-seeking war martyr and an alcoholic police officer who is drawn into a mystery with past origins
Oslo Police Detective Harry Hole is assigned to investigate a series of bank robberies of unparalleled savagery while at the same time absolving himself of the murder of his former girlfriend in a criminal investigation led by his longtime adversary Tom Waaler and Waaler's vigilante police force.
Devil's Star, The
- 464 pages
- 17 hours of reading
Set against the backdrop of a sweltering Oslo summer, the story unfolds with the murder of a young woman, marked by a severed finger and a mysterious red diamond pentagram. Detective Harry Hole, struggling with alcoholism and distrust towards his colleague Tom Waaler, finds himself reluctantly partnered with him. As they investigate the case, Harry grapples with his suspicions about Tom's involvement in arms smuggling and the death of his partner, all while trying to maintain his precarious position in the police force.
One freezing night in Oslo Christmas shoppers gather to listen to a Salvation Army street concert. An explosion cuts through the music, and a man in uniform falls to the ground, shot in the head at point-blank range.Harry Hole and his team have little t
The Snowman
- 550 pages
- 20 hours of reading
The night the first snow falls a young boy wakes to find his mother gone. He walks through the silent house, but finds only wet footprints on the stairs. In the garden looms a solitary figure: a snowman bathed in cold moonlight, its black eyes glaring up at the bedroom windows. Round its neck is his mother's pink scarf.
In the depths of winter a killer stalks the city streets. Two women are found drowned in their own blood. A third woman is hanged from a diving board. YOU ARE ALLOWING THIS KILLING TO GO ON. The crime scenes offer no clues, the media is reaching fever pitch, and the police are running out of options. IT'S TIME THIS WAS STOPPED ... There is only one man who can help them catch the killer. But Inspector Harry Hole doesn't want to be found ... BECAUSE I HAVE APPOINTED THE NEXT VICTIM.
Phantom
- 547 pages
- 20 hours of reading
Harry Hole is back in Oslo. He's been away for some time, but his ghosts have a way of catching up with him. The case that brings him back is already closed. There is no room for doubt; the young junkie was shot dead by a fellow addict. Denied permission to reopen the investigation, Harry strikes out on his own. Beneath the city's eerie tranquillity, he discovers a trail, of violence and mysterious disappearances seemingly unnoticed by the police. At every turn Harry is faced with a conspiracy of silence. (From back cover).
Police
- 518 pages
- 19 hours of reading
For years, detective Harry Hole has been at the centre of every major criminal investigation in Oslo. His dedication to his job and his brilliant insights have saved the lives of countless people. But now, with those he loves most facing terrible danger, Harry can't protect anyone. Least of all himself.
The Thirst
- 544 pages
- 20 hours of reading
A woman is found murdered after an internet date. The marks left on her body show the police that they are dealing with a particularly vicious killer. Under pressure from the media to find the murderer, the force know there's only one man for the job. But Harry Hole is reluctant to return to the place that almost took everything from him. Until he starts to suspect a connection between this killing and his one failed case. When another victim is found, Harry realises he will need to put everything on the line if he's to finally catch the one who got away.
Knife
- 640 pages
- 23 hours of reading
"The gripping 12th book in Jo Nesbo's bestselling crime series, featuring the troubled and fascinating Oslo detective Harry Hole. Harry Hole has a lot of experience with waking up hungover. But there's one troubling thing that's different this time: his hands and clothes are covered with blood. It's a sign that not only is Harry about to come to face with an old, deadly foe, but also with his darkest personal challenge yet. A man like Harry better watch his back."--
The Killing Moon
- 496 pages
- 18 hours of reading
'Not just an unbearably tense thriller but another of Nesbo's studies in love and loneliness... there are few greater crime writers' The Times 'Nesb is one of today's most interesting thriller writers, a 100% buy-today-read-tonight delight' Lee Child _________________________________ This killer will get inside your head... and there's nothing you can do to stop it When a body is found in the forest, the police make a horrifying discovery- her scalp has been removed and sewn back on. But they have no idea why. With a second woman reported missing, detectives fear their worst nightmare has come true. A serial killer is stalking the streets of Oslo. With time running out to find the woman, former detective Harry Hole is called in to think like a murderer thinks... and to track down this killer before they strike again. But Harry has ulterior motives for wanting to solve this case and, if he fails, there could be more than one life at risk. ________________________________ 'Nesbo deploys all the key ingredients of a cracking good thriller... effortless' Guardian 'The undisputed king of Scandinavian crime fiction' The Times
