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Harry Hole books in order: the complete series
Looking for Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole books in order? Look no further!
Norwegian author Jo Nesbo is perhaps best known for his brilliant, bestselling Harry Hole series – eleven thrillers featuring the Oslo Crime Squad detective.
These perfectly crafted thrillers have sold millions of copies across the world. Harry, a flawed, troubled officer struggling with alcoholism, often disobeys orders from his superiors and flouts the rules to get results.
If you haven’t discovered the series yet, here’s a taster of the Harry Hole books in order!
Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole books in order:
The Bat by Jo Nesbo
1. The Bat (1997)
Detective Harry Hole is meant to keep out of trouble. A young Norwegian girl taking a gap year in Sydney has been murdered, and Harry has been sent to Australia to assist in any way he can.
When the team unearths a string of unsolved murders and disappearances, nothing will stop Harry from finding out the truth. The hunt for a serial killer is on, but the murderer will talk only to Harry.
Here’s Jo Nesbo to introduce his first Harry Hole thriller.
Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo
2. Cockroaches (1998)
Detective Harry Hole arrives in a steaming hot Bangkok. The Norwegian ambassador has been found dead in a seedy motel room, and Harry has been sent to investigate. It’s clear that the Ambassador’s family are hiding some secrets of their own, but few people are willing to talk.
When Harry lays hands on some incriminating CCTV footage, things only get more complicated. The man who gave him the tape goes missing, and Harry realises that failing to solve a murder case is by no means the only danger that faces the unwary.
The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
3. The Redbreast (2000)
A report of a rare and unusual gun – a type favoured by assassins – being smuggled into the country sparks Detective Harry Hole’s interest. Then a former WW2 Nazi sympathizer is found with his throat cut. Next, Harry’s former partner is murdered. Why had she been trying to reach Harry on the night she was killed?
As Harry’s investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the killer is hell-bent on serving his own justice. And while the link between the cases remains a mystery, one thing is certain: he must be stopped.
Nemesis by Jo Nesbo
4. Nemesis (2002)
How do you catch a killer when you’re the number one suspect?
A man is caught on CCTV, shooting dead a cashier at a bank. Detective Harry Hole begins his investigation, but after dinner with an old flame he wakes up with no memory of the past 12 hours. Then the girl is found dead in mysterious circumstances and he begins to receive threatening emails. Is someone trying to frame him for her death?
As Harry fights to clear his name, the bank robberies continue with unparalleled savagery…
The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo
5. The Devil’s Star (2003)
A young woman is murdered in her flat and a tiny red diamond in the shape of a five-pointed star is found behind her eyelid. Detective Harry Hole is assigned to the case, alongside his long-time adversary Tom Waaler, and initially wants no part in it.
But Harry is already on his final warning and has little alternative but to drag himself out of his alcoholic stupor when it becomes apparent that Oslo has a serial killer on its hands.
The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo
6. The Redeemer (2005)
It is a freezing December night and Christmas shoppers have gathered to listen to a Salvation Army carol concert. Then a shot rings out and one of the singers falls to the floor, dead. Detective Harry Hole and his team are called in to investigate but have little to work with – there is no immediate suspect, no weapon and no motive.
But when the assassin discovers he’s shot the wrong man, Harry finds his troubles have only just begun.
The Snowman by Jo Nesbo
7. The Snowman (2007)
The night the first snow falls a young boy wakes to find his mother gone. He walks through the silent house, but finds only wet footprints on the stairs. In the garden looms a solitary figure: a snowman bathed in cold moonlight, its black eyes glaring up at the bedroom windows. Round its neck is his mother’s pink scarf.
Harry is convinced there is a link between the disappearance and a menacing letter he received some months earlier. As the team delve into unsolved case files, they discover that an alarming number of wives and mothers have gone missing over the years. When a second woman disappears Harry’s suspicions are confirmed: he is a pawn in a deadly game. For the first time in his career Harry finds himself confronted with a serial killer operating on his turf, a killer who will drive him to the brink of insanity.
The Leopard by Jo Nesbo
8. The Leopard (2009)
In the depths of winter a killer stalks the city streets. Two women are found drowned in their own blood. A third woman is hanged from a diving board.
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 catch the killer. But Inspector Harry Hole doesn’t want to be found.
Phantom by Jo Nesbo
9. Phantom (2011)
After the horrors of a case that nearly cost him his life, Harry Hole left Oslo and the police force far behind him. Now he’s back, but the case he’s come to investigate is already closed, and the suspect already behind bars.
Denied permission to reopen the investigation, Harry strikes out on his own, quickly discovering a trail of violence and mysterious disappearances apparently unnoticed by the police. At every turn, Harry is faced with a wall of silence.
But Harry is not the only one interested in the case. From the moment he steps off the plane, someone is watching his every move.
Police by Jo Nesbo
10. Police (2013)
A killer is stalking Oslo’s streets. Police officers are being slain at the scenes of crimes they once investigated, but failed to solve. The murders are brutal, the media reaction hysterical.
For years, detective Harry Hole has been at the centre of every major criminal investigation in Oslo. His dedication to his job and his brilliant insights have saved the lives of countless people. But now, with those he loves most facing terrible danger, Harry can’t protect anyone. Least of all himself.
The Thirst by Jo Nesbo
11. The Thirst (2013)
A woman is found murdered after an internet date. The marks left on her body show the police that they are dealing with a particularly vicious killer.
Under pressure from the media to find the murderer, the force know there’s only one man for the job. But Harry Hole is reluctant to return to the place that almost took everything from him. Until he starts to suspect a connection between this killing and his one failed case.
When another victim is found, Harry realises he will need to put everything on the line if he’s to finally catch the one who got away.
Knife by Jo Nesbo
12. Knife (2019)
Harry is in a bad place: Rakel has left him, he’s working cold cases and notorious murderer Svein Finne is back on the streets.
Harry is responsible for the many years Finne spent in prison but now he’s free and ready to pick up where he left off.
When Harry wakes up with blood on his hands, and no memory of what he did the night before, he knows everything is only going to get worse…
Killing Moon by Jo Nesbo
13. Killing Moon (2023)
When a missing woman is found dead, the police discover an unusual signature left by the killer, giving them reason to suspect she won’t be the last victim. Catching the murderer calls for a detective like no other.
But the legendary Harry Hole is gone. Struck off the force, down and out in Los Angeles, it seems that nothing can entice him back to Oslo – until the woman who saved Harry’s life is put in grave danger. He’ll need to bring together a misfit team of former operatives to put an end to the killings, but as the evidence mounts it’s clear there’s more to this case than meets the eye…
There you have it – Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole books in order! How many have you read? Let us know in the comments below…
Books like Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole
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I have read every Harry Hole book and now eagerly anticipating number 13 .I’m sure I’m not going to be disappointed ! Bring on the next Harry Hole – I cannot wait !
I started with the devils star and absolutely loved it so went out and bought the previous books and started from the beginning I have read and reread all of them but have to say my favourite is the snowman Jo Nesbo is a brilliant writer and Harry Hole is perhaps my most favourite detective love love love the books and cannot wait for the latest one
I’ve read the complete series. Just waiting for the new release . I hope this is not the last of Harry Hole
I just love the Harry Hole series. I have just finished The Phantom and now I can’t wait to start The Thirst. I have read them all and in order and so glad I did and recommend anybody new to this series to read them this way.
Iv loved all the Jo Nesbo books Iv read so far not in order though, the first book I read was The leopard then The Snowman then Nemesis and The Devils star then The Redeemer, The Redbreast and Knife. I’m half way through the book Phantom now I’m on chapter 21to be precise and I’m enjoying it so far. Iv got police to read after this one. Love Harry Hole number 1 detective
I’m on my second time round with Harry Hole I’ve got to the Snowman and the books are still excellant
Ive read the first 3 and last 5 cant get enough of this brilliant detective. Just finished Redbreast starting with Nemesis today now. Super stuff
Read all of the Harry Hole books.can,t wait for the next one.when is it due.Hurry up Jo.Great mixed plots and characters
Absolutely brill ?! Going through the Harry Hole series in a Tarantino way ( not in order ), but brilliant writing ??
Read all books love harry would like him to go after serial killers more exciting
I just love Jo Nesbo! Harry Hole….what can I say, the best detective ever. I just finished Phantom, and I was in shock and can’t wait to get the last two in the series. I’ve read all of them, but…..sorry to admit, not in the correct order, I read them as I got the books. I do not have a favorite Harry Hole book, I love the whole series……
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