The Leopard

A Harry Hole Novel

By: Jo Nesbø, Don Bartlett - translator

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Two young women are found murdered in Oslo, both drowned in their own blood. Media coverage quickly reaches fever pitch: Could this be the work of a serial killer?

The crime scenes offer no coherent clues, the police investigation is stalled, and the one man who might be able to help doesn't want to be found. Traumatized by his last case, Inspector Harry Hole has lost himself in the squalor of Hong Kong's opium dens. Yet when he is compelled, at last, to return to Norway - his father is dying - Harry's buried instincts begin to take over. After a female MP is discovered brutally murdered, nothing can keep him from the investigation.

There is little to go on: a piece of rope, a scrap of wool, a bit of gravel, an unexpected connection between the victims. And Harry will soon come to understand that he is dealing with a psychopath for whom insanity is a vital retreat, someone who will put him to the test in both his professional and personal lives as never before.

Ruthlessly intelligent and suspenseful, The Leopard is Jo Nesbo's most electrifying novel yet - absolutely gripping from first to last.

©2011 Jo Nesbo (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Intense . . . Nesbø moves the action easily from Hong Kong to Norway, with side trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo, without ever losing the plot’s sense of urgency.” ( Publishers Weekly, starred)

“Nesbø knows exactly what he’s doing [in] this gripping, intricately plotted tale . . . Like all intelligent crime fiction, this book is not only about multiple murders by heinous means. It is also about legacies, most specifically about the good and evil, love and hate, passed from one generation to the next. This vivid, violent novel promises to speak on many levels to many readers.” ( Library Journal)

“Outstanding . . . Probably the best big crime novel you could lay your hands on this year.” ( BBC Radio 4)

Robin Sachs is great. Makes book come alive!

What did you love best about The Leopard?

Robin Sachs' narration.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Leopard?

Haven't finished listening to it yet.

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

Yes, but too long for me to do so. Have to divide it.

Any additional comments?

I'm tempted to buy Redbreast since Robert Sachs is also the narrator for that Jo Nesbo book as well.

It's a bit off putting that Harry Hole has such addiction problems. Wish he'd get over that. I'd probably give every book 5 stars then.

Reluctant Hero

If you could sum up The Leopard in three words, what would they be?

Great Book!

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

The Snowman for all the obvious reasons.

Which character – as performed by Robin Sachs – was your favorite?

Harry Hole of course.

Any additional comments?

I could not put this down. It was so good, I listened to it a second time a few days later.

Compulsive Listening

If you liked The Snowman, you'll like The Leopard. I really couldn't stop listening to it! The violence was a bit over the top, if you ask me. I will admit to skipping a few little mini parts when the very worst of the violence was happening; it was that graphic. But the action and the plot were good. It was complex, but not to the point of being hard to follow.

Nesbo brings it home again

With more curves than a roller coaster.
This is not light listening, found myself going back a few times to catch every cructial detail. If you like to get lost in long character driven mysteries this book is for you. Never predictable, always exciting. always a travelogue to exotic places, sometimes wistful and sad. Take time to concentrate on listening to this book, and the end is very, very rewarding.

Another A+ for HH

Heavily enjoying the Harry Hole series. Character development, not rushing through anything (almost to a fault) is such a nice change from some of the other crime series I have ran through. I like Harry’s growth and depth. I should perhaps start at the beginning but not ready to give up this narrator- he’s fantastic. A little heavy and repetitive with the exposition and too many “this is it, I know I’m drying” scenes when we all know he’s not dying but otherwise an exceptional series. The writing is brilliant.

I enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator is wonderful! I am not familiar with many of the names; because of this, I would often have to go back and listen again as I would miss important things. This did get a bit frustrating. If I was not trying to do a million other things and able to just focus on the story I think it would have been easier! I recommend this book and will listen to others by this author when I am able to pay attention to the details.

To long very boring maybe if I knew the towns

What disappointed you about The Leopard?

Very gruesome and dark
very sick not my style thought I would enjoy but had to force myself to finish it's not
a Stieg Larsson for sure or Henning Mankell
sorry

What could Jo Nesbo and Don Bartlett (translator) have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

not sure if it can

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

just not my cup of tea

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Leopard?

not worth it

Any additional comments?

will do better research in the future

Robin Sachs IS the voice of Harry Hole!

Great thriller--you have to pay close attention to keep up with this one. I thought I had it figured out a couple of times, but I ended up being surprised. They just keep getting better-and I want to add- I hope there are no plans for changes with the narrator. Which brings me to my next comments--

An interesting issue has come up recently with the release of Jo Nesbo's early novels about Harry Hole. In The Bat, which is the first book in the series, the narrator pronounces Harry Hole different from the way Robin Sachs does it (Robin is correct by the way.) I have seen some reviewers mention that they thought the narrator for The Bat was the best one, as he pronounced the name correctly--(or so they thought)

If you are interested in a little back story on how Jo picked the name for his hero, you can listen to a video from the BEA Author Breakfast from June 7 2012. Just go to the website for Jo Nesbo and scroll down. Start at the 42 minute mark for the entire speech, or start at the 55 minute mark to get the information about the name. I listened to the whole thing- quite interesting- who knew Jo Nesbo had such a good sense of humor?

Jo pronounces the name Harry Hole (like a hole in the ground) and Robin Sachs narrates the book true to the author's intent. I can't imagine any other narrator being as good for this character- and sincerely hope there are no changes in the future. Giong back and forth with narrator's ruins the continuity of the "feel" of novels- when you get a great combination of author and narrator- stick to it.

Great whodunnit

Plot sophistication what I have come to expect from Nesbo.
The narrator does a great job and a beautiful, mellifluous voice and relaxed cadence. Varied, 3D characters. As usual Nesbo keeps you guessing about the guilt and motivations of his protagonists. Very convincing artifact as instrument of torture - so convincing I can't believe he invented the concept, which is believable in the post-colonial Africa he describes so well.

Best Yet

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

I have listeed to all of Jo Nesbo's books and he is only gettinng better. This book held my attention throughout and just as I though I knew what was ahead, somethinng totally different appeared. I highly reccommend this book!