The Leopard (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard)

The Leopard by Jo Nesbo is a masterfully-written crime fiction novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Set in Oslo, Norway, the story follows Inspector Harry Hole as he reluctantly returns from Hong Kong to investigate a string of gruesome murders. Two young women are found dead, both drained of their own blood, and with no coherence among the crime scenes or any clear clues, the police investigation stalls quickly. The media goes into a frenzy, and whispers of a serial killer spread like wildfire. Harry's buried instincts come to life, and he quickly finds himself on the hunt of a psychopath in a case that will test his limits in both his professional and personal lives. Nesbo's writing is both suspenseful and intelligent, and his plot twists will keep you guessing until the very end. His characters are well-drawn and complex, and he infuses the story with just the right amount of nuance and moral ambiguity to keep you engaged and guessing. His vivid descriptions of Oslo and its inhabitants make for a fully immersive reading experience. This is Jo Nesbo's most electrifying novel yet and is highly recommended for any fan of crime fiction.