The Snowman

A Harry Hole Novel

By: Jo Nesbø, Don Bartlett

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Internationally acclaimed crime writer Jo Nesbø’s antihero police investigator, Harry Hole, is back: in a bone-chilling thriller that will take Hole to the brink of insanity.

Oslo in November. The first snow of the season has fallen. A boy named Jonas wakes in the night to find his mother gone. Out his window, in the cold moonlight, he sees the snowman that inexplicably appeared in the yard earlier in the day. Around its neck is his mother’s pink scarf.

Hole suspects a link between a menacing letter he’s received and the disappearance of Jonas’s mother - and of perhaps a dozen other women, all of whom went missing on the day of a first snowfall. As his investigation deepens, something else emerges: he is becoming a pawn in an increasingly terrifying game whose rules are devised - and constantly revised - by the killer.

Fiercely suspenseful, its characters brilliantly realized, its atmosphere permeated with evil, The Snowman is the electrifying work of one of the best crime writers of our time.

©2011 Jo Nesbo (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Jo Nesbø is my new favorite thriller writer and Harry Hole my new hero.” (Michael Connelly)

I waited too long on this one, DON'T!

Like most people that enjoy books, I have an enormous list that causes me anxiety; hence my love for audio books. I kept putting this one on the back burner for over a year but once I started the ride it was blazing and bloody. I love the authors realistic style relative to people and how we interact.
Sadly, many voice actors just can't pull it off; not the case here. The voice actor puts this great book way over the top.

Not as great as "The bat"

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

Yes: I think hardcore thriller fans will like it. I love a good listen, but I am not what I consider a thriller-lover:,Sure, I love a great plot. However, I listen to few thrillers. "Suspect" by Robert Crais had me at the edge of my Seat. The first book by Nesbo "The bat" brought me fantastic joy.

This story did not keep me checking my pulse. Robin Sachs could have been better when it comes to Harry's name. They have another verson of this with a much better narrator.

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

All books by Nesbo except for "The bat" which is beyond fantastic. It made me understand there are thrillers for a fiction lover like myself.

What aspect of Robin Sachs’s performance would you have changed?

Sachs needs to know how Harry's last name should sound.

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

No: Would need more hours in a day to make it possible.

Any additional comments?

If you love thrillers this will give you a great time.

one of best so far

audible is the better way to cover Nesbo. book reading is too difficult but having the story told suits Nesbo. and this reader.

Wanted to read before movie...

I loved this book and hoping they stay true to it in the movie, as best they can.

This is the first book I've read where I truly felt they tied it all together and didn't leave any loose ends. Sometimes, you find little details thrown in that have absolutely nothing to do with the story, this is not the case here. Yes, there are many, many, twists and turns and you might guess the killer as I did beforehand but this book is truly one of the best. The narration is superb and the story and writing is intelligent and dramatic. I thought it would be a little more gory, but it wasn't needed.

I cannot wait to see the movie!!

very good listen

it keept me guessing till the very end highly recommend its 100 times better than the movie.

Chilling Thriller that Keeps You Guessing…

With the new Snowman movie coming I wanted to read this novel by Jo Nesbo before seeing the film, but I had never read anything by the author before. I did a little digging online and discovered that The Snowman was the seventh book in the Harry Hole series (the first 6 being The Bat, Cockroaches, The Redbreast, Nemesis, The Devil's Star and The Redeemer for those who are interested). This created two questions for me. Should I start a book in the middle of an ongoing series and should I seriously consider reading anything with a lead character named Harry Hole? I rolled the dice and gave it a try, despite my concerns and I’m so glad that I did. As for the first question, Nesbo does a solid job of making this story look like a standalone novel and not one of a series. The main characters are well defined and I never felt like I was missing out on something that might have happened in the books prior to this one. As for the lead character, you soon forget that he has a ridiculous name and I felt that was important for this story to work. Instead of it being a recurring punchline, the name Harry Hole is just his name and nothing more (so don’t let that scare you away from the novel- it never factored in as a downside to this book). The story was intense and each character introduced becomes a possible suspect. Nesbo dangles these characters throughout the story and keeps the reader guessing. It’s exactly how a “whodunit” should be done. I will definitely return to this series and pick up at the beginning- the book was that enjoyable. As for the narration, Robin Sachs was perfect. He captured the feel of this world and these characters with his voice and made this audio book highly entertaining.

“AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY”

Nine audible book...

This was my first Jo Nesbo /Harry Hole book. I really enjoyed it. No pauses in the action and the narrator is a good fit for the book. I will be checking out other Nesbo books.

Very engaging!

I really enjoyed this—minus the gruesome parts. Lots of twists and turns. Excellent narration, great characters.

Beat so far

Love the new narrator and this book is the best in the HH series - so far!

A long romp through Norwegian noir

I thoroughly enjoyed this story an especially immersive experience! The movie didn’t do it justice!