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Police  By  cover art

Police

By: Jo Nesbø
Narrated by: Don Bartlett, John Lee
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Publisher's summary

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this “invigorating must-read” installment (Newsweek) of the New York Times bestselling series, Inspector Harry Hole investigates a serial killer targeting Oslo’s police officers.

For years, detective Harry Hole has been at the center of every major criminal investigation in Oslo. His brilliant insights and dedication to his job have saved countless lives over the years. But as the killer grows increasingly bold and the media reaction increasingly hysterical, the detective is nowhere to be found. This time, when those he loves and values most are facing terrible danger, Harry is in no position to protect anyone—least of all himself.

Don't miss Jo Nesbo's latest Harry Hole thriller, Killing Moon!

©2013 Jo Nesbø (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A dizzyingly taut feat of storytelling.” (The Boston Globe)

"An invigorating must-read." (Newsweek)

“The chills are palpable in this nerve-­racking thriller.” (The New York Times Book Review)

Featured Article: Worldwide Thrills—The Best International Thriller Audiobooks


Thriller audiobooks are a great escape. They can whisk you around the world and beyond without ever having to leave your home. They can take you to places near and far without having to pack a suitcase. (Oh, and if you are taking a trip, you can bring a book with you—that's two trips in one!) From Havana to Nigeria to Tokyo, these suspense-packed listens will take you on a heart-pounding, journey from the first shocking twist to the final gasp.

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What listeners say about Police

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Simply the Best Detective Series In any Language

If this isn't your first Harry Hole novel, all you really need to know that Police is every bit as good as Snowman, The Bat and Devil's Star. And it's read by the best British narrator, john Lee.

If you've never listened to a book by Jo Nesbo, now is the time to start. It's the best in its genre including all the great American and British works. The police work is gritty, meticulous, competitive and brilliant. The story is simply magnificent. It's mystery is unique and, well, mysterious.

Sometimes I hate reviewing books because I simply cannot devote the time to do it justice.
Do yourself a favor and listen to Police.

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44 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thank you Jo!

What a wonderful continuation of the saga. I will leave any description of the story to others... Suffice it to say that Mr. Nesbø does not disappoint and in fact rewards the reader with hours of enjoyment. However being a fan of audio books to bring additional interest to activities like biking, running, laundry, etc. I found myself incredibly disappointed with the book as performed my John Lee. I felt his interpretation of many of the voices to be offputting, especially the females. He just could not capture the essence of the characters that Jo Nesbø has spent 10 books crafting. Using a Welsh brogue for one of the characters was just weird. Sean Barrett also narrates this book. And is far superior and giving you the haunting feel as the plot twists and turns. Please Jo...no more Lee. And I totally understand that the majority of listeners are simply enthralled with Mr. Lee. I am not one of them. If only Robin Sachs were still with us...both he and Sean were far better equipped to handle the special needs required to really bring Jo Nesbø books to life. Let Mr. Lee stick with period piece novels like the Century Trilogy at which he is exceedingly good.

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Maybe a place to stop

I have listened to all of the Harry Hole series and this one may be one of the best. Harry is still plagued by his demons, but is not controlled by them. This book was a slight surprise because I though the series ended with the last book, but once again Harry Hole manages to escape. He does, however, make a later than normal appearance in this book. It is much less "dark" than many in the series.

If you want to listen to this book, I would suggest starting at the beginning of the series (although you can skip The Bat since that is based in Australia rather than Oslo, Norway) The setting is just as interesting as the characters, so the Oslo based books are much better. Once you start listening, and like the genre, you will be hooked, and wind up using many of your monthly credits by the time you are done.

We have the same characters again, some who will wind up dead or at least maimed, but won't give it away who that would be. Harry once again is the detective who ca figure out the good from the bad guys.

One issue with book, however, is it leaves you a place to exit the series. Again not giving anything away, when the book ends you may find yourself saying, I better stop now because things can only go downhill again, and you want to happy for Harry. This will be the last one I listen to. It's sort of like the Harry Potter series, and all good things must finally come to an end.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

how does he do it?!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Jo Nesbo just gets better and better!!! If you like Nesbo's Harry Hole series, then you must read this one. It is a ride and a half. I kept thinking that I couldn't take it anymore, but you just cannot stop listening.
A word about John Lee: I am in love with this man as a narrator. Absolutely the best.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Police?

Several, but all would be spoilers, so...I will keep them to myself.

Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

SO many!! And this is as perfect as all the others. He is the best.

Any additional comments?

Listen. You will not regret it.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

One too many

I assume, if you are reading this review, that you are familiar with the Harry Hole detective series.

If not, go back and get started with "The Bat". There is no noir like Nordic noir, and Jo Nesbo writes great Nordic noir. In my opinion, he is the best of the surprisingly large and productive group of modern, Scandinavian mystery writers,

But if you are familiar with the Harry Hole series, proceed at you own risk. From an aesthetic perspective, the series should end with "The Phantom". By the end of that novel, Nesbo has wrought a Grecian tragedy and brought it to a perfect denouement. Unfortunately Nesbo, like Harry Hole, cannot stop, even when he knows he should; the result is a bit of a hangover.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The best one yet! But why not Robin Sachs?

Would you consider the audio edition of Police to be better than the print version?

No. But only because I'm not used to this narrator. I had to check out the book too, just to review that the names he was reading were the ones I was used to hearing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course, Harry had always been my favorite in the series, but I guess now it will have to be Baete Lonn. Or will it? Ha ha.

Would you listen to another book narrated by John Lee?

He is a good narrator, but I've listened to the whole series read by Robin Sachs for the most part. John Lee had more of a WW II "... AND WHAT ABOUT OUR BOYS IN THE PACIFIC...." type of news reporter tone.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The one thats already been used somewhere. 'He's back. Or is he?"

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Nesbo at his very best. Breathless thriller!

Please read some or all of the previous Harry Hole books as they provide important background that makes this one all the better. This one has the most twists, turns and hold-your-breath moments of any of Nesbo's others. Virtually un-pause-able.

Narrator does a good job - gets better as he goes.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Narrator Lee Ruins Story

What could Jo Nesbø have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I've read most of the Harry Hole books (and loved them) but this one ranks towards the bottom of the list in terms of the story line. Not enough Harry in the book for me.

What didn’t you like about John Lee’s performance?

But the worst part was John Lee's performance. His interpretation of the female characters is so artificial and sing-songy. I just can't listen to another Jo Nesbo book narrated by him. What a tragedy to have lost Robin Sachs.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Serialized Harry Hole…Dead…Undead…Dead…Undead???

Jo Nesbo can do gritty-city-OMG as well as any of the best contemporary writers publishing today. So, why in this novel do we have to experience the very predictable - "is he dead…not dead…dead…not dead" gimmicks of serialized comic strip writers. Of course he's not dead. If he were dead we would all pack it in and download Arnaldur Indridason instead of Jo Nesbo.

Serial killers are Nesbo's forte, but I am going to have to say (if reluctantly) that this Harry Hole Novel will leave you feeling a victim of serial manipulation. Please note that I own every Nesbo audiobook available and I know I will buy more. However, in the case of this audiobook (Police)…I am a victim and not a fan.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Did not care for this book

What could Jo Nesbø have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I was not very impressed with this book at all. For one thing there were way too many people with weird names & most of them were killed by a real maniac. A maniac you have to wait until the last 10 pages to find out who it is. By that time I was yawning. I can see the point of serial murders, but when the author tried to sell the idea that the killings were done in “Love,” that is where I gave up trying to be at all interested. Yuck! Harry Hole was missing until nearly half the book went by because he was almost killed & then he went through it again before the book ended. Enough already. The idea of him trying to save himself from a bomb by climbing in a refrigerator was a bit much but then he had to add another man (without a face) to the mix - & the guy ended up living & having nothing good to say about Harry. Please! Most of the woman characters sounded weak & or confused & just sort of just filled up the spaced between the pages. I am not really sure the ending was a happy one either which if anything it sure deserved a little bit of finality. It seems like Harry Hole can't make up his mind what happiness is. Too bad.

Did John Lee do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

He did the best he could with what he had which was too much!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No. And I am getting a little tired of books coming out that seem to feel they HAVE to include gays, lesbians in them. It is like the authors feel they have to make them as bad as the worst serial killers around like there wasn't enough to write about..

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