The Leopard

A Harry Hole Novel

By: Jo Nesbø, Don Bartlett - translator

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 21 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

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 Nesbo's most electrifying novel yet - absolutely gripping from first to last.

©2011 Jo Nesbo (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“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 Journal)

“Outstanding . . . Probably the best big crime novel you could lay your hands on this year.” ( BBC Radio 4)

WOW, What a great book.....

This is a very well written and suspenseful book. I was sorry when it ended. I am looking forward to listening to more books by this author and esp. this Harry Hole series. I definitely recommend it.

50|50

Having the benefit of hindsight, I can say that it is worth listening to the slower first part of the book to get to the rest of the book and the remaining books in the series. I'm not a big war buff so I didn't get into the first half and I think it could have been edited. Of all of the Harry Hole books, it's just the first part of this book that I disliked. Nonetheless, the story is {as always} good, with twists and turns and Harry doing what Harry does best... solve crimes.

Riveting and Fantastic!

Another fantastic Nesbo novel superbly narrated by Robin Sachs. Looking forward to the next Harry Hole story.

Another solid Harry Hole story

Love Nesbo books for their twists and turns that aren’t contrived, and the real flaws in the characters.

Robin Sachs didn’t annoy me as much this time as narrator but I still find his use of upper & lower class British regional accents substituting for regional Norwegian accents is truly odd and out of place.

Definitely worth a listen, but had to skip a gory bit near the end.

Amelia-always listening.

One of the best books I have listened to this year. The narrator fits the part extremely will, and makes the book with his solid pronunciations. Going the listen to the rear in the Harry Hole serious, but already disappointed that this narrator did not do them al.

A Tough Listen, an Irresistible Series

I've listened to every available Jo Nesbo Harry Hole book. Each one seems to get more violent and harder to listen to, yet they keep me hooked. The plots are intricate and twisted. Mistakes are made. But I want Harry to be happy, and it seems that he suffers more emotionally and physically with each book. The author is literally dismatling Harry by bits--a finger in the Snowman, his jaw in the Leopard. A brilliant, flawed and doomed hero. How can you resist that?

I hope the books currently unavailable in the US are soon translated; I want to know what happens in between those now available and in the beginning. I'll keep coming back as long as the books keep coming over.

Another enjoyable Hole installment

Finding out what Leopold's apple is is half the fun. Robin Sachs is a great narrator for this series.

Terrific

Would you listen to The Leopard again? Why?

Yes, a true who done it with twists and turns.
Loved the narraters voice.

What other book might you compare The Leopard to and why?

Not sure as I don't read that many who done it mysteries.

What about Robin Sachs’s performance did you like?

He was great, a true detective gravely voice. Took me back to
the radio shows I listened to as a kid.
Also like the switching characters very nice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Pretty long for one sitting but I did listen whenever I was on the
road or working.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to the Snowman.
Guess i am working backwards.

Not as good as the Snowman yet it was pretty good

I liked it. After reading several reviews I debated about ordering The Leopard because I really enjoyed The Snowman. However after playing the sample audio I decided to take a chance. I was not disappointed. I found the mystery compelling with just enough twists and action to keep me entertained. I also tried to not set expectations based on my enjoying The Snowman. There are some lags here and there. And the Harry's occasional introspective soliloquies are a bit boring. But over all I liked the book. And I think I am hooked on the character of Harry Hol.

Another great Harry Hole book!

We enjoyed listening to this book. Harry is a complex but likable character. We are on to the next one in the series, The Phantom.