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Editorial Reviews
Internationally acclaimed crime writer Jo Nesbø’s antihero police investigator, Harry Hole, is back: in a bone-chilling thriller that will take Hole to the brink of insanity.
Oslo in November. The first snow of the season has fallen. A boy named Jonas wakes in the night to find his mother gone. Out his window, in the cold moonlight, he sees the snowman that inexplicably appeared in the yard earlier in the day. Around its neck is his mother’s pink scarf.
Hole suspects a link between a menacing letter he’s received and the disappearance of Jonas’s mother—and of perhaps a dozen other women, all of whom went missing on the day of a first snowfall. As his investigation deepens, something else emerges: he is becoming a pawn in an increasingly terrifying game whose rules are devised—and constantly revised—by the killer.
Fiercely suspenseful, its characters brilliantly realized, its atmosphere permeated with evil, The Snowman is the electrifying work of one of the best crime writers of our time.
From the Hardcover edition.
Oslo in November. The first snow of the season has fallen. A boy named Jonas wakes in the night to find his mother gone. Out his window, in the cold moonlight, he sees the snowman that inexplicably appeared in the yard earlier in the day. Around its neck is his mother’s pink scarf.
Hole suspects a link between a menacing letter he’s received and the disappearance of Jonas’s mother—and of perhaps a dozen other women, all of whom went missing on the day of a first snowfall. As his investigation deepens, something else emerges: he is becoming a pawn in an increasingly terrifying game whose rules are devised—and constantly revised—by the killer.
Fiercely suspenseful, its characters brilliantly realized, its atmosphere permeated with evil, The Snowman is the electrifying work of one of the best crime writers of our time.
From the Hardcover edition.
Related Reviews
We're all crazy. We're restless spirits that cannot find their way home.
Jo Nesb
Nothing like curling up with a good serial killer. But that is exactly what you should do. Go on, get good and comfy, turn off the phone, gather up your favorite munchies and prepare for a pounding long session with Jo Nesbo's Harry Hold and his neighborhood of friends and thugs. The fifth (English publication) in a series from master Norwegian yarn spinner, Nesbo maintains Detective Hole's premier position as the best of the hard driven cops in print. Not your typical boiler plate fare, this series stays taut and original from opening to close. Nesbo's books are extremely atmospheric with the Norwegian weather becoming a tactile character on its own. Likable or not depending on their personal take on life, the human characters are distinctive thinking forms of flesh and blood. Colors are every shade of gray in your imagination. There's just something about the way Nesbo weaves his tale and creates Hold's world that make his books unforgettable and not-put-downable.
"If you're frightened, you should find yourself another job."--Harry Hole
In his fifth novel starring Oslo police inspector Harry Hole and his fellow officers, author Jo Nesbo provides a complete surprise. The Snowman, unlike his other novels, contains an element of horror that may soon make this his most popular novel among US audiences, a breakthrough novel which may finally put to rest the misperception that the Norwegian Nesbo is some kind of "successor" to the Swedish Stieg Larsson. It takes nothing away from Larsson and his terrific Millenium trilogy to say that Nesbo is a more versatile and more polished writer who has now written sixteen novels since 1997, including three children's novels, all of them huge successes in Scandinavia. He has received eight major prizes for his work and four "shortlist" nominations. If you enjoy tantalizing mysteries in the "Nordic Noir" genre and have not yet discovered Nesbo, I guarantee that when you do, you will not ever compare him to any other Scandinavian writer.
The novel opens dramatically in 1980, as Sara, a young mother with her son in the car, makes a stop at the home of her lover for a last goodbye. Their love-making is observed by a snowman who looms at the window, and Sara's young son, waiting in the car, believes that they are all going to die. Nothing more is heard about this episode, but in 1992, a terrible murder and dismemberment takes place on top of a mountain in Bergen, the first of the disappearances/murders by a serial killer who strikes on the first day of snow each year from 1992 - 2004. Each crime is witnessed by a snowman who appears at the murder scene. Police inspector Harry Hole, in charge of the investigation, is soon being taunted by the snowman whose sole purpose seems to be to suggest that innocent people are behind the crimes.
In the midst of all the turmoil involving the disappearances and the effects on the distraught families, Harry, an alcoholic, is trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, to stay on the straight and narrow. His long-time love, Rakel, has found peace with a new lover, and her relationship with Harry seems to be over. Other characters from past novels also appear here. Beate Lonn, an expert on facial recognition, is now caring for her baby son, born after the death of Halvorsen, who was her lover and Harry's partner. The obnoxious Magnus Skarre is still making Harry's life miserable. And a new female recruit, Katrine Bratt, is introduced and impresses Harry with her diligence and intelligence.
It is impossible to describe the complexity and cleverness of this plot without risking spoilers, and the novel is too much fun to read to risk that. Suffice it to say, the novel is detailed and intelligent, and will keep even the most jaded mystery lover intrigued and wanting to see how it is all resolved. Medical mysteries run parallel with the murders, old mysteries from the cold case files get dredged up and investigated, characters are not who they appear to be, and who the snowman is and exactly how he is able to pull off his crimes with the whole country watching keep the reader on tenterhooks. When the last little piece finally falls into place at the end, every detail in the novel suddenly makes sense--and provides a satisfying sense of finality to this challenging case. A non-stop thriller that may very well keep you up reading till the wee hours--and great fun! Mary Whipple
The novel opens dramatically in 1980, as Sara, a young mother with her son in the car, makes a stop at the home of her lover for a last goodbye. Their love-making is observed by a snowman who looms at the window, and Sara's young son, waiting in the car, believes that they are all going to die. Nothing more is heard about this episode, but in 1992, a terrible murder and dismemberment takes place on top of a mountain in Bergen, the first of the disappearances/murders by a serial killer who strikes on the first day of snow each year from 1992 - 2004. Each crime is witnessed by a snowman who appears at the murder scene. Police inspector Harry Hole, in charge of the investigation, is soon being taunted by the snowman whose sole purpose seems to be to suggest that innocent people are behind the crimes.
In the midst of all the turmoil involving the disappearances and the effects on the distraught families, Harry, an alcoholic, is trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, to stay on the straight and narrow. His long-time love, Rakel, has found peace with a new lover, and her relationship with Harry seems to be over. Other characters from past novels also appear here. Beate Lonn, an expert on facial recognition, is now caring for her baby son, born after the death of Halvorsen, who was her lover and Harry's partner. The obnoxious Magnus Skarre is still making Harry's life miserable. And a new female recruit, Katrine Bratt, is introduced and impresses Harry with her diligence and intelligence.
It is impossible to describe the complexity and cleverness of this plot without risking spoilers, and the novel is too much fun to read to risk that. Suffice it to say, the novel is detailed and intelligent, and will keep even the most jaded mystery lover intrigued and wanting to see how it is all resolved. Medical mysteries run parallel with the murders, old mysteries from the cold case files get dredged up and investigated, characters are not who they appear to be, and who the snowman is and exactly how he is able to pull off his crimes with the whole country watching keep the reader on tenterhooks. When the last little piece finally falls into place at the end, every detail in the novel suddenly makes sense--and provides a satisfying sense of finality to this challenging case. A non-stop thriller that may very well keep you up reading till the wee hours--and great fun! Mary Whipple
If you are reading this then your curiosity has been peaked by a recommendation or you may have, like myself, read the Stieg Larsson Millennium Trilogy and have heard that Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole detective novels are also very good. Not true. They are great. Equal to Larsson's book and better if you like crime/detective novels. If you are an American like myself you'll feel like you know Oslo pretty well by the third book and have found a new friend in Harry, a sympathetic schlub of a detective with unique Colombo-ish insights. Nesbo is a story teller of the highest order who'll keep you guessing all the way. Enjoy.
The Harry Hole series presents the reader with somewhat of an anomaly. On the one hand, we are informed that Norway is virtually free from serial killers. On the other hand, Hole is reputed to be the only detective in the nation with experience in catching serial killers, having accomplished his experience in Australia and also attending an FBI course. And then, serial killers tend to appear in the Harry Hole novels, including this one.
The first of several missing persons is a married mother, and the only clue is a snowman outside her home. Shortly before her disappearance, Hole received a mysterious letter which, in retrospect, leads him to believe there was a link between it and the woman's vanishing. In reviewing unsolved cases, Harry and his team find an alarming number of wives and mothers have gone missing over some years.
Once again, Jo Nesbo has written a taut thriller, one that is forceful and gripping and, this time, full of madness. His novels just keep on getting better and better. Fast-paced and staggering, always keeping the reader looking ahead to the next shift, keeping one off balance with wonder. Highly recommended.
The first of several missing persons is a married mother, and the only clue is a snowman outside her home. Shortly before her disappearance, Hole received a mysterious letter which, in retrospect, leads him to believe there was a link between it and the woman's vanishing. In reviewing unsolved cases, Harry and his team find an alarming number of wives and mothers have gone missing over some years.
Once again, Jo Nesbo has written a taut thriller, one that is forceful and gripping and, this time, full of madness. His novels just keep on getting better and better. Fast-paced and staggering, always keeping the reader looking ahead to the next shift, keeping one off balance with wonder. Highly recommended.
WOW! A real thriller! (No spoilers)
In many crime novels you can usually spot the perp about halfway through. Not this bad boy!! I never saw this coming until the very end. Suspenseful doesn't really cover it, even Harry Hole doesn't figure this one out until the end. Extremely well written, shocking, complex, interesting, unique. I just don't know how else to describe it.Hats off to Nesbo, this one's a stunner. Loved it Loved it loved it.
This is an outstanding novel. It held my interest from beginning to end, reaching a dramatic conclusion that effectively brought several story elements together.
The hero is Harry Hole. (That's probably a cool name in Norway.) He's a police detective based in Oslo. Demon Rum is always lurking in his shadows; an old flame, Rakel, still lights his fire. He's slovenly and somewhat misanthropic. Harry is also iron tough, clever, and incredibly resourceful. His sometimes eccentric behavior is trumped by his ability to catch the bad guys.
In this novel, Harry is on the trail of a serial killer, possibly Norway's first. This killer builds snowmen which bear little resemblance indeed to the cheerful Frosty of Christmas fame.
The plot includes a debilitating hereditary disease, sons who don't know their fathers, and missing digits.
I read and reviewed for this site author Jo Nesbo's Redbreast, giving it five stars. This book is much better
The hero is Harry Hole. (That's probably a cool name in Norway.) He's a police detective based in Oslo. Demon Rum is always lurking in his shadows; an old flame, Rakel, still lights his fire. He's slovenly and somewhat misanthropic. Harry is also iron tough, clever, and incredibly resourceful. His sometimes eccentric behavior is trumped by his ability to catch the bad guys.
In this novel, Harry is on the trail of a serial killer, possibly Norway's first. This killer builds snowmen which bear little resemblance indeed to the cheerful Frosty of Christmas fame.
The plot includes a debilitating hereditary disease, sons who don't know their fathers, and missing digits.
I read and reviewed for this site author Jo Nesbo's Redbreast, giving it five stars. This book is much better
Supercharged from beginning to end
Have you ever received an electric shock from the mere act of picking up a book? I have. It happened with NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN by Cormac McCarthy, and now again with THE SNOWMAN, Jo Nesb
Loved this book,am an avid fan of Scandanavian,English hard-boiled mysterys,the character Harry Hole makes for an interesting,exciting,can't put down read... You can read just one book in the series,but I would suggest reading them all,You won't be disappointed.
Oh! Those brilliant Scandinavians....!
High quality crime fiction - if you like good writing, gritty details, totally engrossing plots - here they are. An intelligent book for intelligent readers. I highly recommend reading all Nesbo's books.
WOW.. Kept me reading well past bedtime.
I am glad it's spring and there is no chance of Snow. Great book,just when I thought I had it figured out, bam..I was wrong. The only issue I had was keeping track of the characters. Worth the Kindle price.
The inexplicable success of Stieg Larsson's mysteries is the best thing that has happened to Scandinavian writers since Selma Lagerlöf. Larsson's untimely death left a void that publishers are trying to fill desperately. Scandinavian names, long descriptions of cold weather and depictions of carnage in Sweden, Norway and Denmark are suddenly in vogue. Since many Americans are a bit confused on where Sweden is actually located, all European mystery authors are experiencing a surge of interest in their books.
As you can see from the cover of Jo Nesb
As you can see from the cover of Jo Nesb
Its ok a little disjointed and hard to follow in places, but the interesting thing to me was that I knew who the bad guy was almost from the the get go. Even with lots of head fakes, I never changed my mind. The main character Det. Harry Hole is a very good character and the supporting cast is pretty good too. I would wait for the price to down and get the paper back.
A superb novel. The Snowman, pacey and gritty with many twists and turns, is the perfect thriller. I thought I figured it all out at least three times but failed completely to spot the killer. In addition to his ability to keep the reader on his toes all the way through, Nesbo is fantastic when it comes to his characters and Harry Hole, the troubled and tortured police inspector, is impossible not to fall in love with. Harry should be tiresome with his alcohol problems, anti-authoritarian personality and messed up relationships, but Nesbo has managed to make him the most compelling fictional detective I have ever come across. I would recommend this novel to anyone with a strong heart and a fondness for suspense.
Last summer, when we were going on vacation and I was looking for good vacation reads, my spouse suggested I try reading the Stieg Larsson series starting with "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" based on reviews by other Amazon readers. I love crime/mystery thrillers, but typically have only read American authors in the past - not intentionally, but it just turned out that way. Once I got into the style, I quickly loved the Larsson books because I love the cold weather and unusual locations of the Scandinavian settings, unlike reading about the USA. When I finished the last Larsson book I searched Amazon for series that other readers liked if they enjoyed the Larsson books. My first find was "The Snowman." The title and the subject of a serial killer got my attention. It was also my first Kindle book (and I did not know how I would feel about the Kindle - I, like others, said "I like how a book feels in my hands and don't know if I would like it). Turns out I loved the kindle and the book! Det. Harry Hole is a great character - I started reading and did not stop until it was over. Even when I would ordinarily turn on the TV at the end of a night, instead I read "The Snowman." I just ordered my next Jo Nesbo book. I will not give away the plot or details of "The Snowman," but I will say that if you liked the Larsson books, you will probably like "The Snowman."
Of the four Harry Hole books by Nesbo available in the States, The Snowman is the best by far. Fans of this series might wonder how this could be possible after losing so many wonderful characters in previous novels, but Jo Nesbo does a superb job of creating wholly new characters for us to enjoy as well as bringing back a few of the old ones and nudging them further into the light. The Snowman sees a dramatic change in Hole as he accepts the leadership thrust upon him at the end of the previous book. He still struggles with alcoholism, but his perspective seems to have changed towards it, imperceptably. And his nemesis in The Snowman is truly quite the monster, and perhaps the worst one he has had to face of the entire series. Excellent and tough to put down, The Snowman is everything you might expect from Inspector Harry Hole, and everything you want in a detective thriller.
One of the finest Scandinavian policemen, Harry Hole, is back is this new release from Nesbo.
During the first snow of the season in Oslo, a young boy wakes up to find his mother has disappeared. Outside of his window there is a new snowman wearing his mother's scarf. Harry Hole and Katrine Bratt are investigating the disappearance when another woman goes missing during a new snowfall, and again, a snowman suddenly appears. But this time, the killer has added part of the woman's body to his icy sculpture.
Harry received a strange letter months earlier that made reference to snowmen and a serial killer from early in his career. He realizes that the anonymous letter is connected to these new murders but he doesn't yet know what the connection is. As the investigation and murders continue, it's apparent that the killer is taunting Harry personally. With his bosses and the press breathing down his neck, the race is on to find the killer.
Nesbo continues to paint Hole as an intelligent and intuitive investigator, but at the same time a lonely and damaged man. Harry still struggles with his drinking problem and his relationship with Rakel is all but over. She has moved on, but Harry is having trouble letting go, in part because of the sexual tension between them.
Darker than Nesbo's previous novels, THE SNOWMAN is a stunning and complex mystery that deserves to go to the top of your reading list. Lynn Kimmerle
During the first snow of the season in Oslo, a young boy wakes up to find his mother has disappeared. Outside of his window there is a new snowman wearing his mother's scarf. Harry Hole and Katrine Bratt are investigating the disappearance when another woman goes missing during a new snowfall, and again, a snowman suddenly appears. But this time, the killer has added part of the woman's body to his icy sculpture.
Harry received a strange letter months earlier that made reference to snowmen and a serial killer from early in his career. He realizes that the anonymous letter is connected to these new murders but he doesn't yet know what the connection is. As the investigation and murders continue, it's apparent that the killer is taunting Harry personally. With his bosses and the press breathing down his neck, the race is on to find the killer.
Nesbo continues to paint Hole as an intelligent and intuitive investigator, but at the same time a lonely and damaged man. Harry still struggles with his drinking problem and his relationship with Rakel is all but over. She has moved on, but Harry is having trouble letting go, in part because of the sexual tension between them.
Darker than Nesbo's previous novels, THE SNOWMAN is a stunning and complex mystery that deserves to go to the top of your reading list. Lynn Kimmerle
This was my second Harry hole book and I loved it.Harry is out there, but do I love him, yes.
A series that has grown on me, this is probably Nesbo's best book yet. If I ever do a top ten Nordic writers list, Nesbo will be in there. Promise! For the time being, the list remains:
1. To Kill a Mocking Bird - Harper Lee. 2. Past Imperfect - John Matthews. 3. Mystic River - Dennis Lehane. 4. Presumed Innocent - Scott Turow. 5. The Client - John Grisham. 6. Tell No One - Harlan Coben. 7. Silence of the Lambs - Thomas Harris. 8. The Emperor of Ocean Park - Stephen L. Carter. 9. No Time for Goodbye - Linwood Barclay. 10. The Poet - Michael Connelly.
1. To Kill a Mocking Bird - Harper Lee. 2. Past Imperfect - John Matthews. 3. Mystic River - Dennis Lehane. 4. Presumed Innocent - Scott Turow. 5. The Client - John Grisham. 6. Tell No One - Harlan Coben. 7. Silence of the Lambs - Thomas Harris. 8. The Emperor of Ocean Park - Stephen L. Carter. 9. No Time for Goodbye - Linwood Barclay. 10. The Poet - Michael Connelly.
Not my usual type of read but after finishing the Stig Larsen books wanted more of this genre. Found Harry Hole a very good character and enjoyed the book enormously.
I can not say enough good things about this book. It was terrifyingly captivating. I would suggest it to absolutely anyone.
Solid Thriller Mystery; 3.5 Stars
The latest installment in a series featuring the alcoholic Norwegian police detective Harry Hole. This book has many of the positive qualities of the earlier books; lever plotting, good attention to detail, competent writing, and a sympathetic main character. Nesbo, unfortunately, is starting to repeat himself. Hole's personality and problems have been well explored in prior books. The plot is perhaps a bit too clever with an overabundance of red herrings. Nesbo tries to increase suspense by placing Hole's girlfriend and foster son in jeopardy, something he has done previously. Still better than most books in the genre.
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Review - The Snowman (Harry Hole, Book Seven)
Little snowflakes start to fall taunting us with what's to come. Flurries grow stronger settling softly on the ground, powdery and fluffy at first but darkness soon takes hold, the cycle turns. Subfreezing temperatures, crystals formulate and yet dipped in magical moonlight everything sparkles and glisten. This brings a gentle calm of all things white and beautiful..............until someone builds a Snowman!
November Oslo, Jo Nesb