Headhunters

By: Jo Nesbø, Don Bartlett

Narrated by: Steve West

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Cockroaches comes a funny, dark, and twisted caper worthy of Quentin Tarantino and the Coen brothers—about an aspiring art thief and the target who’s about to destroy his life.

“If you don’t know Nesbø, it’s time to get with it.” —USA Today

Roger Brown is a corporate headhunter, and he’s a master of his profession. But one career simply can’t support his luxurious lifestyle and his wife’s fledgling art gallery. At an art opening one night he meets Clas Greve, who is not only the perfect candidate for a major CEO job, but also, perhaps, the answer to his financial woes: Greve just so happens to mention that he owns a priceless Peter Paul Rubens painting that’s been lost since World War II—and Roger Brown just so happens to dabble in art theft. But when he breaks into Greve’s apartment, he finds more than just the painting. And Clas Greve may turn out to be the worst thing that’s ever happened to Roger Brown.

Don't miss Jo Nesbo's new thriller, Killing Moon, coming soon!

©2011 Jo Nesbo (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“If you don’t know Nesbø, it’s time to get with it.” (USA Today)

“Like [Stieg] Larsson, Nesbø explores the darkest criminal minds with grim delight and puts his killers where you least expect to find them. . . . [and] his novels are maddeningly addictive.” (Vanity Fair)

“Chances are you’ll be hooked ... as Nesbø lays down a trail rich in Nordic atmosphere and in character-driven development ... Ultimately, though, what sets Nesbø apart is his ability to keep the pages turning with such intellectual dexterity.” (Newsday)

First time review

I've read other novels by Jo Nesbo and this one is unlike the others.This book was frightening without being gory. The darker side of human nature is shown The characters are all unlikeable but compelling. The story is beautifully developed and suspenseful. I highly recommend it as a literary thriller.

As good as Harry Hole Series

I love John Nesbo's Harry Hole series so I thought I would give this a try. It is quite good and keeps you on your toes guessing what will happen next. Although all of the characters are wanting in moral character, the combination of them is a good fit. Set in Oslo, Norway like the Harry Hole series, the backdrop is the same. The book even brings in Krepos, the same crime squad Harry works in ( but no Harry). Roger Brown, the Headhunter, has his faults but undergoes an evolution during book. In the end, everyone get what they deserve.

As some reviewers mentioned, it reminds me of the Girl with Dragon Tattoo series. If you like either that series or other John Nesbo books you will like this.

Not the same but ok

I agree with other reviewers, that this story doesn't seem to hold the listener--at least not this listener--the same way or to the same degree that Nesbo's Harry Hole novels do. I enjoyed the first third, forwarded some through the second third, and listened to the final third, which made up for some of the middle third. The end is so unexpected, that it made up for some of the missing enjoyment. Oh, but this story just reminded me how much I miss Harry's "MMMMs". And nothing else but that will do, I guess. For me, apparently, it's not enough to have a Nesbo novel, but it must be a Harry Hole novel. The story and character he's created there just can't be filled with anything else. So, if you feel that same way, this story--though, certainly, ok--won't feel the Harry Hole hole for your either. I suppose it's one of the downsides of Nesbo having created such an enigmatic character and such a believable world in the Harry Hole novels.

headhunters

fantastic performance of Steve West. Amusing story. Steve West's talent is incredible. story was good .

Thrilling!!

What made the experience of listening to Headhunters the most enjoyable?

The emotions I felt while listening to this audio book are exactly what I look for in a mystery / thriller. As soon as you start to think you know what will happen next, a new twist has the story going in another direction. Jo Nesbo is absolutely the master of of unique villians, violent situations and heart-stopping pace. I was not disappointed with the story at all.

Who was your favorite character and why?

OK, here is where my review goes in a different direction. You will be hard-pressed to find a character in this story that you like or care anything about. Many of the characters are, at the least, sociopaths. This is strange since I find Nesbo's Harry Hole series full of characters I care about very deeply.

What three words best describe Steve West’s voice?

Slow - plodding - mediocre

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The last twist and the epilogue. My jaw dropped -- literally.

Any additional comments?

If you love fast paced, heart-stopping thrillers, this is your next pick.

Sorry when it ended

Where does Headhunters rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I keep going back to Jo Nesbo and am not disappointed. The stories are complex, dark and with just the right amount of "detail". This is my favorite of his so far, partly because I get so frustrated with Harry's additictions and self destructive behavior and he's nowhere to be found in this book. I like the intrigue and suspense - you never know what's coming next.

Not the Jo Nesbit I am used to.

Quite black interspersed with humor. Great plot twists. The narrator took a bit of getting used to but as the character developed, he was the perfect choice.

It was just okay.....

The plot was pretty unbelievable. The Headhunter character....well--I don't want to read any more about him....It lacked the strength of Nesbo's other books and characters and plots. Disappointing.

Coffee. I need more coffee.

I've listened to 3 other books by Jo Nesbo (The Snowman, The Redbreast & The Devil's Star) and loved them. Headhunters feels like it was written by someone else, and the reader is beyond dry. Deadly dull. I gave up after 4 chapters.

Main character tough to listen to

The reader is good, but as the narrator of the story the main character is an a-hole and hard to listen to. Perhaps the story or character become more balanced later in the book, but 3 hours I. I’ve had to put it down.