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)

Clever and Scary

Jo Nesbo leaves no details unturned. Sometimes a bit confusing to follow but always manages to tie it together well.

Thrilling Story

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

Oh yes... suspenseful & thrilling!

What did you like best about this story?

It was really full of suspense from beginning to end and I kept thinking whodunnit :)) I kept thinking it was one person and then another who was guilty. Great book.

What does Robin Sachs bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Really good characterizations... he did a great job...

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

Suspenseful thriller!!

Any additional comments?

No

thought provoking

Would you listen to The Leopard again? Why?

I don't listen to books more than once but do recommend this book to anyone who liked girl with the dragon tattoo.

What does Robin Sachs bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Does a great job of doing different intonations for different characters.

Any additional comments?

Plan to listen to or read other Jo Nesbo books

If you loved the Snowman you will be be happy with

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

Top 10 %.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Leopard?

When one of the characters was released from custody and you begin to realize who the killer could be.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Any additional comments?

It kept me guessing and that is always a plus.

The Leopard

Thrilling, sexy, philosophical,smart, fast paced...everything you could want from a police procedural. Add in the smooth voice of narrator Robin Sachs, and you're near to crime novel perfection.

I loved The Leopard

If you could sum up The Leopard in three words, what would they be?

Suspenseful, entertaining, optimistic

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Leopard?

When I figured out what was really going on.

Which scene was your favorite?

Harry escaping his imprisonment in the house in Africa

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

No, because you have to think and digest all the little clues and it's sometimes tiring to keep the characters straight with the Norwegian names.

Any additional comments?

I liked this book much better than The Snowman. While the torture device was pretty gruesome, its function and results were only described once, at the beginning, and it was a great shocker and great way to get the story rolling. I found the descriptions of the actual murders in The Snowman much harder to take. As to Harry's miraculous escapes from dire situations, you have to read it like you would watch Mission Impossible or a Bourne movie, suspend belief and just go with the story. The police villian in this story was nothing like Waller, he was politically corrupt but not brutal and murderously insane. And, I liked the ending. The Instead of plunging back into self-destruction, Harry might actually try to "get better" and win Rakel back.

another great Harry Hole mystery

Another terrific narration by Robin Sachs. Jo Nesbo has even more twists and turns in the plot. Even the smallest loose end is tied off. Great listen and can't wait for the next.

Simply Fantastic! A great buy!

I have to say I've enjoyed the Harry Hole series just as much as the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, if not more. The detective work is fascinating and clever. The infighting and inter-dept police politics bring both frustration and humor to this remarkable novel.

Best of all we are blessed to see inside the mind of a genious detective and possibly the best hero I've encountered in any series. Buy this book! You will not regret it.

The Gauntlet Has Been Thrown Down, Michael

Michael Connelly, Jo Nesbo - the two best writers of detective fiction over the last decade in this humble reviewers opinion. Occasionally I've decided that Michael is the best on the planet after an inspired story - but then I go through an intense journey with Jo and have to admit that the Norwegian has all the tools to claim that mantle.

This story has a lot of subtle twists I did not see coming. I even thought the book was over and did not understand why my ipod indicated that there was 3 hours left. Does it really take that length of time to wrap things up? I quickly learned that there was a lot of adventure, suspense and twists still in store for me.

Nesbo introduces a diabolical device called a Leopold's Apple in this book. I had to research if it really exists after finishing the book. I will leave the answer to that for all the mystery readers who do not read the back of the book first or in this case Google the answers before starting their new adventure.

So Michael (as if he really cares), you were the best a few months ago - but the gauntlet has just been thrown down by Mr. Nesbo. I hope you and your narrator are up to the challenge and I get to reap the rewards when I acquire your next audiobook.

No Dragon Tattoo!

I picked this book because I heard that this author was as good as Stieg Larsson. That may be but this book was no better than just OK. The characters are not nearly as interesting as they could have been - they did not develop or learn anything - they just sort of muddled along. I don't think I will be choosing another book by this author, Very unsatisfying story and the most violent I have read.