Cockroaches

The Second Inspector Harry Hole Novel

By: Jo Nesbø

Narrated by: John Lee

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this installment of the New York Times bestselling series, Inspector Harry Hole heads to Thailand to investigate the murder of a Norweigian ambassador.

"Nesbø never lets a page go by without making characters and situations vivid."—Houston Chronicle

“I can’t think of anyone who makes my skin crawl like Nesbo."—The New York Times Book Review

When the Norwegian ambassador to Thailand is found dead in a Bangkok brothel, Inspector Harry Hole is dispatched from Oslo to help hush up the case. But once he arrives Harry discovers that this case is about much more than one random murder. There is something else, something more pervasive, scrabbling around behind the scenes. Or, put another way, for every cockroach you see in your hotel room, there are hundreds behind the walls. Surrounded by round-the-clock traffic noise, Harry wanders the streets of Bangkok lined with go-go bars, temples, opium dens, and tourist traps, trying to piece together the story of the ambassador’s death even though no one asked him to, and no one wants him to—not even Harry himself.

Don't miss Jo Nesbo's new thriller, Killing Moon, coming soon!

©2014 Jo Nesbo (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Nesbø never lets a page go by without making characters and situations vivid."—Houston Chronicle

"The world is dark and frozen, according to Nordic noir, and so is the human heart. But it's the magic Nesbø works with the genre's tropes that matters.... [He] might be my favorite of the lot."—Michael Robbins, Chicago Tribune

"Satisfyingly twisty.... A compelling, hard-edged thriller."—Booklist

Very good

I got the book Snowman from this series for Christmas and was pulled right in. I'm a avid book and podcast listener and the only complaint is the different narrators in the series. Which I know cannot be avoided but other than that looking forward to the rest of the series.

As always, amazing

The Harry Hole series never fails to deliver. Here's another in the detective sage: a series of surprising murders, a cascade of suspects, a world of depravity and sin, and our hero, Harry, stuck in the middle. This time Harry finds himself sent out to Bangkok to investigate a diplomat’s murder in a seedy motel room. The unfolding layers of insider drug rings, ruthless businessmen, and illegal pornography conspire to give Harry his most dangerous case yet.

As always, Nesbo delivers real human drama, strong characters, and an interesting plot. As I’ve always said, the Harry Hole books use genre clichés to deliver unfaltering character studies. This book is no exception, and the narrator’s pretty amazing too.

A bit dull...

Kept checking to see how much longer it would be before it was over. Never a good sign. I try to start a series at the beginning, but the first two Harry Hole books left much to be desired. Maybe I'll just skip to the newer ones.

Harry hole!

just once, I'd like the bad guy to get away! but the good guy always wins.I thought good /nice guys finish last?

A Journey into the Underbelly of Bangkok

Introduction
The second installment in Jo Nesbø's Inspector Harry Hole series, "Cockroaches," takes us far from the Australian outback to the bustling streets of Bangkok. While the novel is engaging and offers even more depth to its characters than its predecessor, it may not be everyone's cup of tea—and that's perfectly okay.

A Personal Note
As someone who grew up in an Asian country, I found that the book's setting brought back memories and emotions that were not entirely pleasant. It's not a matter of bias; it's a matter of personal experience coloring my perception of the narrative. Reading and experiencing are two different things, and this book serves as a poignant reminder of that.

Character Development
One of the standout features of "Cockroaches" is the depth of its characters. If you thought the first book was rich in character development, this one takes it a notch higher. Inspector Harry Hole continues to evolve, and the supporting cast is equally compelling.

The Story Itself
The plot is engaging but not entirely riveting, at least for me. It's a well-crafted narrative that will undoubtedly appeal to many, especially those interested in the complexities of Bangkok's underbelly. However, it didn't fully capture my attention, not because it lacks quality, but because it wasn't my preferred story.

The Voice Behind the Words
A special mention must go to John Lee, the narrator of the audiobook version. His narration is, as always, impeccable. Lee has a knack for bringing characters to life, adding an extra layer of immersion to an already engaging story.

The Verdict
While I haven't finished the book, I can confidently say that if the subject matter were more aligned with my personal preferences, I would have found it captivating. My rating is not biased; it's a reflection of my own reading experience, which is as valid as any other.

Conclusion
"Cockroaches" is a well-written, engaging novel that dives deep into the complexities of its characters and setting. While it may not be a universal favorite, it's a worthy read for those who find the subject matter intriguing.

Just a good book all around

I like the main character and I liked the humor he used in this book. It is a dark subject and a dark book but the character having a sense of humor lightened it up. Will definitely read another by this author.

We’ll

Too many dead bodies and torture stories. Pretty grim stuff and so much unhappiness but Harry is a hero! He just can’t stop himself!

Bad performance

The reader has two voices and three accents he uses on all the characters in the book.
When a thai police officer speaks with an eastern european english accent and a norvegian police boss speaks with a scottish accent, my nerves start to tremble.

Linking the chain

Love Jo Nesbo. Love the Harry Hole series. Harry is not really a very likable character. He has lots of issues but is amazingly astute. I have never figured the ending of the Nesbo Books which is what makes them so damn fun. On top of that, you get to go to different cultures which lends to the "what" in the who, where, when, what scenarios Nesbo serves up again and again. Highly recommended.

Tedious plot

Would you try another book from Jo Nesbo and/or John Lee?

Yes

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The setting was interesting. The author carried the tormented soul of Harry Hole a bit far.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

The reader was great for all characters.

Was Cockroaches worth the listening time?

Barely.