Could not put it down. Starts in Hong Kong, then Norway, and then Ruwanda and former Belgian congo as Harry chases bad guys, using sound detection (not like his over eager under achiever supervisor who just wants to arrest someone to get his TV and news sound bites). Harry is beset by his own demons as he chases real killers. COMPLEX and multilayered. Harry, a great cop and a faulty human being, is a hero as well. Can't wait for the next one.
Harry Hole returns for another thrilling case in Jo Nesbø's The Leopard. Devastated after the aftermath of catching the Snowman, Harry is recalled from his opium-smoking retreat in Hong Kong to help the Norwegian police solve a series of murders which may or may not be the work of a serial killer. Although this is a completely separate set of crimes, readers need to have read the previous installment, The Snowman, in order to understand who some of the characters are and what Harry is going through. This case similarly features a meticulous plot, real-time sections featuring the villain and the victims, and gruesome scenes. New this time are the international locales, a turf-war between law enforcement branches, and a heavier focus on Harry as a person. I almost don't want another sequel because I don't want to see Harry any more worse for wear.
This is a good book but it is not as good as the Snowman. If I read this book before reading the Snowman my expectations would not have been so high. A little confusing trying to keep all the characters straight at the end. Definitely a suspense novel with plenty of twists but maybe one too many in the end. Not as rewarding as Nesbo's earlier books but still a good read.
