“With Henning Mankell having written his last Wallander novel and Stieg Larsson no longer with us, I have had to make the decision on whom to confer the title of best current Nordic writer of crime fiction . . . Jo Nesbø wins.” —Marcel Berlins, The Times (U.K.)
Two young women are found murdered in Oslo, both drowned in their own blood. Media coverage quickly reaches fever pitch: Could this be the work of a serial killer?
The crime scenes offer no coherent clues, the police investigation is stalled, and the one man who might be able to help doesn’t want to be found. Traumatized by his last case, Inspector Harry Hole has lost himself in the squalor of Hong Kong’s opium dens. Yet when he is compelled, at last, to return to Norway—his father is dying—Harry’s buried instincts begin to take over. After a female MP is discovered brutally murdered, nothing can keep him from the investigation.
There is little to go on: a piece of rope, a scrap of wool, a bit of gravel, an unexpected connection between the victims. And Harry will soon come to understand that he is dealing with a psychopath for whom “insanity is a vital retreat,” someone who will put him to the test—in both his professional and personal lives—as never before.
Ruthlessly intelligent and suspenseful, The Leopard is Jo Nesbø’s most electrifying novel yet—absolutely gripping from first to last.
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"I can't put Nesbo's books down. I've read them all starting with "Robin Redbreast," and up through the last two: "The Snowman" The Leopard." All of them are riveting murder mystery stories featuring Norwegian crime investigator Harry Hole. Hole has his problems, such as drinking too much and tardiness for work but even his bosses recognize his talents for crime solving, especially murders and tolerate his miscues. Nesbo's writing style is fresh, innovative, modern, and historical with great insights into police work and deductive reasoning. If you love mysteries with flawed and exciting characters you'll love Nesbo."
— Gary (5 out of 5 stars)
Outstanding . . . Probably the best big crime novel you could lay your hands on this year.
— BBC Radio 4This 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 JournalIn 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.)" Harry Hole is such a cool guy! "
— Nathaniel, 2/17/2014" Another great Harry Hole story by Nesbo! Very interesting twists and turns in this investigation into a serial killer. I'm looking forward to the next one. "
— Beth, 2/16/2014" Jo Nesbo is my new favorite. "
— Dede, 2/16/2014" Pretty dark--even for me. "
— Sheila, 2/12/2014" Excellent writing. Tough to make it through the first 50 pages. "
— Hank, 2/8/2014" Loved it. Love Harry Hole. Great story as always "
— Angela, 2/6/2014" A psychothriller about a renegade Norweigan policeman who is trying to find a murderer. Of course there are a lot of false starts, false leads, but he does eventually catch him in the end. The price was high, very high. Inspector Harry Hole even consults with the last killer he detained, and yet his own life came into jeopardy, not once, not twice but three times. Can't wait to read more from this author. "
— Carmen, 2/1/2014" Loved this book!! Just as good as the Snowman. It is a long book but I flew thru it!! I love Harry Hole and his I don't care attitude. "
— Kelly, 1/19/2014" I'm a huge fan of Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series, and like all the previous books this one lives up to expectations. If you haven't read one yet then give them a go! "
— Lynne, 1/19/2014" a very good detective story, and a reflection about humanity "
— Sandra, 1/19/2014" interesting, gory, a pretty good heir to the "girl with the dragon tattoo" series. the main character's name is harry hole! ha. i feel like i was reading this book for months. "
— Annie, 1/10/2014" Unlike the Snowman, this was rather boring. I can't get rid of thinking Nesbo was stealing from himself... "
— Vlad, 12/28/2013" Huge fan of the series. You will not be disappointed. "
— LotToRead, 12/19/2013" A little more far-fetched than a Steig Larson book, but the same kind of dark, gritty story in a dark gritty environment. "
— Lynn, 12/9/2013" Good story, didn't want to put the book down. "
— Bev, 9/30/2013" harry hole at his best "
— Mossy, 7/11/2013" Lots of suspense and action. I was hooked from the first page! "
— Gretchen, 6/30/2013" Fast paced. Dark and troubling. For me too violent. "
— Jill, 6/26/2013" Must stop reading Norwegian chrime. It's fucking bat country. Plus one for volcanophilia though, nice touch! "
— Emanuel, 3/5/2013" Fun twist and turns. Too much sex. One to many gotcha moments. 100 pages too long "
— Teresa, 2/11/2013" This is my second Jo Nesbo book - after reading The Snowman - and it is a great book. The storyline is well crafted and very gripping. You just can't put it down. "
— Em, 9/4/2012" norwegian detective, norwegian serial killer. grim. noir. depressing. "
— Michele, 9/3/2012" Love, love this author and his anti-hero, Harry Hole.. I'm a sucker for Scandinavian thrillers and Nesbo is king of the castle... "
— Tania, 8/18/2012" Intense intellectual crime novel complete with violent murders, unsuspected twists, love and betrayal...and Harry Hole, the inspector who knows the scum in the bowels of the earth as well as they know themselves because he has walked among them. What's not to like? "
— Sändra, 6/21/2012" This is a first-rate detective thriller but if you're even slightly squeamish be forewarned that the story, which deals with a series of brutal serial killings, is extremely violent and does not let up at all in that regard. I never felt like the violence was gratuitous at all though as it is truthfully integral to the story. And what a story that is. Great writing, taut suspense and an enjoyably complex plot add up to one thriller that will keep you awake into the wee hours. "
— S.M., 6/18/2012" Great read - like all his books! "
— Trehane, 5/16/2012" Jo Nesbo has been compared by many to Stieg Larrson and it's not an unfair comparison as both authors have worked with similarly dark themes. However I feel Nesbo's writing is generally superior to Larsson's and I found The Leopard to be an enjoyable (albeit pretty dark and disturbing) listen. The narration of the audiobook is top-notch. "
— Ellen D., 5/14/2012" This was just way too sick for me and I gave it up pretty quickly. It's the literary equivalent of those disgusting torture-porn movies that have become disturbingly popular. "
— D.J., 4/28/2012" Great book but very gruesome so if you find that sort of thing disturbing, you might want to pass up on this one. For those that can stomach the more unpleasant details of a series of murders committed by a depraved serial killer an expertly crafted murder mystery is in store for you. There's no lack of twists and intrigue which makes for a very satisfying mystery novel. "
— Rick B., 3/11/2012" This is a bleak and rather depressing story as well as a very complex and engaging mystery. Overall it's a very satisfying read and I'm now a big fan of Police Investigator and serial killer expert Harry Hole. Looking forward to many more novels featuring Harry! "
— B.T., 1/20/2012" Harry Hole is back causing trouble in Hong Kong, Norway and The Congo like a Norwegian John Rebus. He comes out of self-imposed retirement to help with a new serial killer, facing ghosts from the past and new foes from both sides of the law. "
— Rich, 1/2/2012" This is one of those books where at the end of each chapter I felt thoroughly compelled to immediately start the next one. This made for some sleepless but suspense-filled nights. A very well-done mystery that I recommend quite highly. "
— Anita C., 12/22/2011Jo Nesbø is a musician, songwriter, and economist, as well as a writer. His Harry Hole novels include The Redeemer, The Snowman, The Leopard, and Phantom, and he is also the author of several stand-alone novels and the Doctor Proctor series of children’s books. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Glass Key for best Nordic crime novel.
Judy Young is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.