Inspector Harry Hole tracks a Norwegian serial killer in this installment of Jo Nesbø’s New York Times bestselling series. Now a Major Motion Picture starring Michael Fassbender.
One night, after the first snowfall of the year, a boy named Jonas wakes up and discovers that his mother has disappeared. Only one trace of her remains: a pink scarf, his Christmas gift to her, now worn by the snowman that inexplicably appeared in their yard earlier that day. Inspector Harry Hole suspects a link between the missing woman and a suspicious letter he’s received. The case deepens when a pattern emerges: over the past decade, eleven women have vanished—all on the day of the first snow. But this is a killer who makes his own rules . . . and he’ll break his pattern just to keep the game interesting, as he draws Harry ever closer into his twisted web. With brilliantly realized characters and hair-raising suspense, international bestselling author Jo Nesbø presents his most chilling case yet—one that will test Harry Hole to the very limits of his sanity.
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"This book definitely lived up to the hype. I would recommend this to anyone in the mood for a good murder mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Nesbo does an amazing job of letting you into the life of the main character (Harry Hole) and his internal struggles with alcoholism, life as a detective, and past marriage failure. The scene is set perfectly for an ongoing series!"
— Patrick (4 out of 5 stars)
“If you don’t know Nesbø, it’s time to get with it.”
— USA TodayJo Nesbø is my new favorite thriller writer and Harry Hole my new hero.
— Michael ConnellyFiendishly complex and terrifically entertaining.
— The New York Times Book ReviewIf you don’t know Nesbø, it’s time to get with it.
— USA TodayNesbø explores the darkest criminal minds with grim delight and puts his killers where you least expect to find them. . . . His novels are maddeningly addictive.
— Vanity FairA superb thriller—smart, stylish, beautifully paced and meticulously plotted.
— NewsdayThe Snowman is strung together with great care, playful in certain stretches, grisly in others, all of it highly readable.
— NewsweekThe writer most likely to take the ice-cold crown in the critically acclaimed—and now bestselling—category of Nordic noir.
— Los Angeles TimesNesbø's books have a serious, socially significant heft, as well as a confident (even cocky) narrative stride that is unmatched. These aren’t mere investigatory trifles to be enjoyed and forgotten; their unnerving horrors linger.
— Richmond Times-DispatchNesbø’s pace is unerring, and the way he builds up suspense will incite Pavlovian page-turning.
— Time Out New YorkThis is reading as you experienced it in childhood, without any gap between eye and mind, but with the added pleasures that adult plots and adult characters can bring. . . . Unputdownable. The Snowman is probably the most terrifying and certainly the most addictive book in the whole series.
— SlateThis is crime writing of the highest order, in which the characters are as strong as the story, where an atmosphere of evil permeates, and the tension begins in the first chapter and never lets up.
— The Times (London)Spine-chilling. . . . This most ambitious of Nesbø’s crime novels banishes any fears that the omniscient serial killer scenario has been exhausted.
— The Independent (London)Macabre and disturbing. . . . Deft plotting, strong characterization, adrenaline-fuelled action sequences and a whole raft of social issues raised along the way make this book a spectacularly good example of how a tried and tested (and often tired) formula can be made exhilarating and fresh.
— The Guardian (London)Hole is all a fictional detective should be.
— Times Literary SupplementIf you’re still grieving the loss of Stieg Larsson, it’s time to move on. Nesbø’s waiting for you.
— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel“The Snowman is strung together with great care, playful in certain stretches, grisly in others, all of it highly readable.”
— Newsweek“Fiendishly complex and terrifically entertaining.”
— New York Times Book Review“This is crime writing of the highest order, in which the characters are as strong as the story, where an atmosphere of evil permeates, and the tension begins in the first chapter and never lets up.”
— Times (London)“A superb thriller—smart, stylish, beautifully paced, and meticulously plotted.”
— Newsday“Nesbø explores the darkest criminal minds with grim delight and puts his killers where you least expect to find them…His novels are maddeningly addictive.”
— Vanity Fair“The writer most likely to take the ice-cold crown in the critically acclaimed—and now bestselling—category of Nordic noir.”
— Los Angeles Times“Macabre and disturbing…Deft plotting, strong characterization, adrenaline-fuelled action sequences, and a whole raft of social issues raised along the way make this book a spectacularly good example of how a tried and tested (and often tired) formula can be made exhilarating and fresh.”
— Guardian (London)“Nesbø’s books have a serious, socially significant heft, as well as a confident (even cocky) narrative stride that is unmatched. These aren’t mere investigatory trifles to be enjoyed and forgotten; their unnerving horrors linger.”
— Richmond Times-Dispatch“Spine-chilling…This most ambitious of Nesbø’s crime novels banishes any fears that the omniscient serial killer scenario has been exhausted.”
— Independent (London)“If you’re still grieving the loss of Stieg Larsson, it’s time to move on. Nesbø’s waiting for you.”
— Milwakee Journal Sentinal“This is reading as you experienced it in childhood, without any gap between eye and mind, but with the added pleasures that adult plots and adult characters can bring…Unputdownable. The Snowman is probably the most terrifying and certainly the most addictive book in the whole series.”
— Slate" The only problem i had with this book was the way that it jumped storylines and time periods. But...i stuck with it and it was worth it! "
— Kim, 10/29/2017" Excellent book, never figured it out until the very end. "
— Peggy, 2/19/2014" This gets four stars because it is a good, entertaining story, not for any literary value. "
— Jonathan, 2/14/2014" I loved this book. If you loved reading the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo you will love this author. "
— Coleen, 1/28/2014" As usual with Nesbo - always something unexpected around the corner. "
— Susann, 1/23/2014" 2nd Jo Nesbo book I've read - took a while to get into this although narrative picked up to good climactic ending. "
— Nicola, 1/18/2014" It took me awhile to get into this book since it was the first time I've read this series and its the 7th book, but once I did I was hooked! "
— Erica, 1/14/2014" I love how the author likes to add several fake ending during the book - you might think it all over, but you find yourself just halfway the book! "
— Ieva, 1/11/2014" Well written also liked being able to figure out who-done-it for once. "
— Einar, 1/6/2014" Three stars. I do like these Harry the Alcoholic Detective books. I just wish I liked them a little more. "
— Holly, 11/13/2013" I was looking for a book to grab me - a stay up all night to read it kinda book. This is it. "
— Billy, 10/12/2013" Unique setting, wonderfully detailed characters, good story. A little gory, but the suspense kept me plugging through it. "
— Jenni, 10/11/2013" What a thriller! I was glued to this book and finished it in just over a week (that's very fast for me). Definitely scary and suspenseful at times so don't read it before bed! I really loved this book. "
— Hannah, 9/14/2013" Turgid is the word which comes to mind, slow pedestrian, only really gets going in the last 100 pages, not for me im afraid. "
— Sheila, 6/13/2013" Really gripping, I think the Harry Hole series gets better as it goes on. Quite chilling and disturbing in parts, but a great story which really keeps you engaged. "
— Ellen, 6/7/2013" Harry Hole at his best "
— Tom, 10/9/2012" Not as good as Dragon Tattoo series but very satisfying.Twists, turns, and lots of suspense, a real page turner! "
— Megan, 9/11/2012" I found this book quite gripping at first but began to lose interest towards the end when it got predictable. All in all it was a good page turner and I enjoyed it. "
— Sandra, 9/4/2012" I don't usually read thrillers, but I couldn't put this one down. The story was smart with a tight plot but sometimes the words got in the way. "
— Tami, 8/24/2012" It was hard to put down! Exciting, fast paced, twists and turns... "
— Debbie, 6/20/2012" Enjoyable, fast paced thriller. "
— Ginger, 1/31/2012" It was good but a bit too raw for me. "
— Pat, 12/10/2011" Chilly! Also eerie. "
— William, 8/5/2011" I enjoyed the story but knew who the killer was pretty much from the beginning. "
— Nita, 6/30/2011Jo 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.