The Leopard

I didn't enjoy The Leopard by Jo Nesbo as much as his previous five books. The murders are very cruel and sadistic. The opening chapter's murder really hits hard, leaving the reader with an horrific image. Inspector Harry Hole is dragged back to Oslo from Hong Kong where he has gone to try and forget the Snowman case and the breakup with his beloved Rakel. He reluctantly returns home and is then embroiled in a power struggle within the police as to who will be responsible for investigating murders. Meanwhile the murders continue and no graphic detail is denied the reader. Harry thinks he's figured out the identity of the murderer but he is led down different paths (as is the reader) before all is revealed. This is a suspenseful story, but the terrible violence of the murders is unnecessary and a turn-off. 4/5.