The Leopard: A Harry Hole Thriller, Book 8

I love Jo Nesbo' work for one simple reason it is gripping!
A little unrealistist - maybe, beautifully written in the sense of a classic then no, but a fantastically entertaining, can't stop listening too, kind of book. More on audiobook please!

I've read a couple of Jo Nesbo's books and so was familiar with the main protagonist Harry Hole and his quirks. This particular book, expertly read by the wonderful Sean Barrett was enjoyable but I did find it rather convoluted and rather too long - it was almost as if Mr Nesbo didn't know how to bring it to an end and I consequently found it a bit laboured by Chapter 91.

This is the first audiobook I got when I signed up to Audible.
So I wasn't sure what to expect, but I absolutely loved it! The story is gripping, with interwoven plot lines. A classic who-dunnit, with modern day themes. I couldn't stop listening to it. On the way to work, at work (during my more mundane tasks!), on the way home, in the evening.... I think it took me a week to get through, so addictive.
I also love the narrator's voice and intonation. He lulls you into the story as easily as if you were reading. He does different character's voices quite well too. I have no experience with narrators, but I thought this guy was perfect.
Very highly recommend!

I like Harry Hole ... he reminds me in many ways of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch (never a bad thing)

I bought The Snowman because the cover said he was the new Stieg Larrson. He isn't, but that little marketing ploy introduced me to an author I am thoroughly enjoying

Densely plotted, and filled with well-drawn characters, the book is narrated in a way that brings it all to life. You feel like you know Norway really well and the characters are people you might actually know.

highly recommended to all crime fiction fans

As soon as I'd pressed 'play' I couldn't stop. Bar a couple of night time naps I listened to the whole book, beginning to end, in one go - the whole 19.5 hours of it. I was hooked. Yes, the book is long, but it never seemed too long for me. Every time I thought I'd got the plot now - I knew who the bastard was - something else came up. So instead of me being smarter than the writer for once, Jo Nesbø was the one who kept outsmarting me. Apart from the detours via Hong Kong and the Congo, the book is mainly set in Oslo and the desolate Norwegian mountains, and Nesbø is excellent at using the potentially destructive and terrifying forces of nature and weather to drive his story. From what I understand, this is the eighth novel featuring detective Harry Hole and so I'm planning to work my way backwards, starting with his previous book, 'The Snowman'. I've been told to look forward to/fear the contents of that book! Finally, Sean Barrett's narration is first class and I love his voice. I'll be looking out for more audiobooks by him, too!

Excellent listen. First experience of Nesbo's work and certainly will not be my last. At times twisted and dark, certainly some imagery that will remain with me for a while, but genius. Brilliant.

I much preferred this title to 'The Snowman', the writing style felt more assured. It breathed new life into the clich? of hard-done-by cop persuaded back onto the force to investigate a serial killer. It's a lean well researched, story that cracked along with some great twists. However, a word to the squeamish, I have a pretty cast-iron stomach and even I found myself a little queasy over some of the more violent passages. That aside I would definitely recommend this to crime fans who like their Larsson and Mankell.

Thoroughly engrossing made you want for more.

This is my second Jo Nesbo book and it's on a par with The Snowman, which I thought was one of the best audio books for a while. Excellent narration helps the story along at a reasonable pace and helps to make the characters and locations seem more rounded and realistic.
Perhaps half hour too long but given the length of the book that's not a terrible thing!

Very heavy going typical two police forces against each other. Very dark wasn't concerned about the outcome - might go back to it.