The Leopard: A Harry Hole Thriller, Book 8

By: Jo Nesbø

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

Length: 19 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

In the depths of winter, a killer stalks the city streets. His victims are two young women, both found with twenty-four inexplicable puncture wounds, both drowned in their own blood. The crime scenes offer no clues, the media is reaching fever pitch, and the police are running out of options. There is only one man who can help them, and he doesn’t want to be found. Deeply traumatised by The Snowman investigation, which threatened the lives of those he holds most dear, Inspector Harry Hole has lost himself in the squalor of Hong Kong’s opium dens. But with his father seriously ill in hospital, Harry reluctantly agrees to return to Oslo. He has no intention of working on the case, but his instinct takes over when a third victim is found brutally murdered in a city park.

The victims appear completely unconnected to one another, but it’s not long before Harry makes a discovery: the women all spent the night in an isolated mountain hostel. And someone is picking off the guests one by one. A heart-stopping thriller from the bestselling author of the The Snowman, The Leopard is an international phenomenon that will grip you until the final page.

©2011 Jo Nesbo (P)2011 Random House Audiobooks

Fantastic

Jo Nesbo's 'The Leopard' was exceptional. An excellent story, and performance by Sean Barrett as usual. This audiobook was easier to follow than the previous 'The Snowman', and was far more captivating as events unfolded. It had many twists and turns in the plot which I really liked. This has been the first auidobook to cause me to feel squeamish while listening to some of the 'darker' events in the book. I loved it!!

An excellent production. Well done Jo Nesbo.

Exciting and captivating

Jo Nesbo's 'The Leopard' was exceptional. An excellent story, and performance by Sean Barrett as usual. It is the first Harry Hole book I have listened too and I am going to get the entire series. It had many twists and turns in the plot which I really liked. This has been the first auidobook to cause me to feel squeamish while listening to some of the 'darker' events in the book. I loved it!!

Approaching the Bounds

I regret to say that my favourite Scandinavian Knave detective really pushed the boundaries in this outing. Whereas to now Nesbo has been building to the level of complexity that others (the UK reviewers, notably) compare to Larsson, I could not help but feel that in this episode he crossed the edge of reality. There was too much evil, too much counter-point and too much that was just not "real".
What I've always liked about Harry is how real he is; flawed in his many ways, but deep down, honest. This time he was too resilient, he survived too much. I barely recognise the tall, thin blond cropped anti-hero of the past novels. I can only say that I hope Nesbo returns Harry "home", where he belongs.
For all that, the story is suspenseful and the action exhausting. That's another thing; I felt like I was reading a movie plot, not a Harry Hole. This won't keep me from reading on, but I am trusting that Harry has not plateaued.
Sean Barrett is, as usual, excellent, but I got the impression that even he was having trouble believing what Harry was up to.

If you liked The Snowman, you'll love The Leopard!

I just loved listening to this book and boy is it a long book! However, the story is captivating and thrilling from the very beginning to the end and keeps you in suspense all the time. The narrator, Sean Barrett, is fantastic and a master at emulating the different characters' voices. The very frequent references to contemporary people and concepts are witty and often extremely humourous! The writer's research in terms of the locations depicted, in this book Hong Kong, Oslo and the Congo are meticulous and vividly described - you can just imagine being there! The book's main character Harry Hole is...well, there is only one Harry Hole! I read swedish author Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy and absolutely loved it. I am very tempted to say that the norwegian Jo Nesbo is almost a notch better (sorry Stieg, R.I.P.)!

I like it a lot

Wonderful performance of Sean Barrett. I regret to have Snowman narrated by different guy. Story is nicely worked out and keeps you up all the time. Thanks Jo Nesbo.

loved it!

Jo Nesbo always seems to make the fantastical believeable and Harry Hole always delivers

Perfect Read During a Snowstorm

What did you love best about The Leopard?

I was listening to this during February. Often during snowstorms. It was perfect cold weather listening. Only regret that I'd skipped a book in the series by accident (The Snowman). Enjoyed the story, particularly for its coverage of issues such as assisted suicide. One of the better explorations of the topic I've read.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The visit of his father were particularly well done.

Smart, Fast-Paced Thriller

I have to admit, I was drawn to this book because it seemed like it might resemble The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. I took a chance on it, since I normally like to read reviews before purchasing, and there wasn`t any yet. So glad I did! It`s like a faster paced version of the Tattoo books, full of unexpected twists and turns, intelligent and real characters, and just some really enjoyable action.

I`ve also listened to The Snowman now (the previous book in the series), and can tell you the books are pretty self-contained. You don`t need to read the books in order for them to make sense. I guess the publisher only started translating the bestsellers into English because it doesn`t look like the early Harry Hole novels are available yet in our language unfortunately.

Beware if you don't like violence

This is a well crafted story with a start, a middle and an end. It certainly gripped me to the end. But for my liking this story had far too much very graphic violence. and the hero is a very flawed character indeed. I prefer my heros if not perfect than at least a little admirable.

Like Jo Nesbo

Would you listen to The Leopard: A Harry Hole Thriller, Book 8 again? Why?

No, I would not listen again, for awhile anyway

What did you like best about this story?

I like the plot, although it might do well to be a little bit shorter in telling.

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

It is always good to listen to a story. I knitted a sweeter while listening to the Leopard.

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

No, neither.

Any additional comments?

My only complaint is that Sean Barrett has difficulties pronouncing Norwegian names and places. Is was a little bit confusing in the beginning of the story.