Headhunters

After meeting Nesbo with his Snowman, I was hooked. Now five of his books later, I think Headhunters is even better, his best to date. Creative, well-researched and loaded with twists and turns. If you like a gripping, sophisticated mystery, you need tackle this one. Heartily recommend!

I really liked this book; it is the first I have read by Nesbo. I can't help but compare it to the great Stieg Larrson trilogy (both Larrson and Nesbo are from Nordic countries and write similar genre). In a nutshell I would say it was as riveting as "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" series only without all the SLOW spots. It almost felt like I was reading an abridged version of a Larrson novel. There were a few hokie parts, but it was far less predictable... in fact, every time I thought I had it figured out, something changed...right up until the last chapter or two. The narration was not the best I have heard, but certainly not the worst. I plan on looking up this author in the future.

The narrator talks intimately into your ear. You feel as if he is telling a story and speaking only to you. An unusual audio style that's a little disconcerting initially...I wasn't quite sure I was going to continue. But then the story started happening so seductively...so subtlety.. with clever and alluring dialogue that sucks you in and before you know what's happening,you are hooked.

It is not a Harry Hole book, this is something quite different. The story is fascinating and unexpected......don't think for a moment you know where it is going. Pay attention!! it will be worth it.

The story was phenomenal. All kinds of plots and twists that were unexpected but, somehow, plausible. The reader was great -- making the main character as unlikeable and icy cold as I am sure Jo Nesbo meant him to be. I have listened to all the available Jo Nesbo books now and can't wait for the next one.

Staywith it.

I almost gave up on this book several times. The lead character is not a likeable guy and he is presented by the narrator as being arrogant and condescending. Turns out that these are both necessary for the plot. Don't give up on it and you will be pleased.

I liked this book a lot, but there are several key twists that I was sure I missed just by not paying attention. After reviewing those moments, I realized had I been reading the book I'd most likely have paid more attention to the clues. Nevertheless it is a really good mystery.

There are many slyly humorous moments that the reader, Steve West, pulls off brilliantly. His work on this book makes it a 4 star listen.

There are some curious points I'd love to ask the author about. Why was it necessary for one of the characters to be a thief at all? And how is it possible for cheating spouses to simply shrug off their infidelities? Even in Norway I found that remarkably trite.

Some of the reviews mention the over the top violence, but I found it more like the severe type of survival situation similar to the man trapped by a landslide who had to cut his own arm off.

I was a slow starter but once it started I was hooked. Jo Nesbo has a great imagination.

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.

I love Jo Nesbø books. I even have the book in Norwegian.
The number of twists and turns is insane. I am absolutely stunned by
Jo's ability to pull all the threads together at the end.

Any Harry Hole novel by the same author.

Roger - the protagonist.

There already is a Norwegian film of this.

The translation is very good and the narrator is excellent.

Yes. I thought that it delivered a finely crafted story line with so much suspense that I was almost afraid to keep driving while listening to certain parts.

I wanted to compare this with the other Jo Nesbo books (I've read them all!) I thought I would miss Harry Hole, but I didn't. Nesbo broke new ground by introducing fascinating and flawed characters, none of whom got a free pass. There was not a single "good guy" in the bunch. I liked the way the action was organized by stages of a perfect interview by which a head-hunter engages a candidate. In this setting, it became the stages by which a person becomes a murderer.

He read it with the perfect degree of snobbery and disdain. At first, one thought that Roger would never dirty his hands with foul deeds. But, layer by layer, he became the sinister character that became more deeply involved in murderous crimes.

The fall of the white queen.

My friends and I can't decide if Nesbo killed Harry Hole at the end of the last book. I hope not, but...sigh....even if that proves to be the end of my favorite character, I will stick with this author. Nesbo is the best out there.