How To Read Jo Nesbø’s Detective Harry Hole Books In Order (& Which Titles Have Been Adapted)

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Jo Nesbø is Norway’s bestselling author, and his new Netflix series is highly anticipated. Called Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, the show is based on his popular Harry Hole novels, which feature a complex and dedicated detective investigating dark and violent cases across the globe.

This is only the second time the Harry Hole novels have been made into a TV series, but early reviews for Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole are very promising. Some are calling it “the perfect mix of Reacher and True Detective.” If you’re interested in the main character, it’s a good idea to read the Harry Hole books first.

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Harry Hole Books In Order

It’s common for TV adaptations to fall short of the original books, but even excellent shows based on books can be made even better by reading the source material. The Harry Hole series has 13 books, which might seem like a lot, but you don’t need to read them in order. Each book features a separate, standalone case.

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Harry Hole Books In Order
English Title Release Year
The Bat 1997
Cockroaches 1998
The Redbreast 2000
Nemesis 2002
The Devil’s Star 2003
The Redeemer 2005
The Snowman 2007
The Leopard 2009
Phantom 2011
Police 2013
The Thirst 2017
Knife 2019
Killing Moon 2022

If you want to understand Detective Harry Hole and how he changes throughout the series, it’s best to start at the beginning with The Bat. This book introduces Harry and his struggles with loneliness and addiction. However, his real journey of development begins with The Redbreast, and many readers suggest starting there.

As a big fan of thrillers, I’ve found that Jo Nesbø’s first couple of books are perfect if you enjoy the Jack Reacher series – they have a similar vibe. But honestly, you don’t need to read them right away; you won’t be lost later on. The Harry Hole books are best enjoyed in order, because you really see the character grow and change, but even if you jump in with something like The Snowman, you can still totally get lost in the story. It’s not crucial to have read everything before.

Which Jo Nesbø Book Was Adapted Into A 2017 Movie Starring Michael Fassbender As Harry Hole

Given how popular Jo Nesbø’s novels are, it’s surprising that only one Harry Hole book has been made into a movie – not counting the new TV series that’s coming out. The Snowman is a beloved book and considered one of the best in the series, but the film version was a major disappointment, receiving negative reviews from both viewers and critics.

The Snowman’s Rotten Tomatoes Ratings
Title Release Year Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Rating Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating
The Snowman 2017 7% 19%

Despite featuring a strong cast including Rebecca Ferguson and Michael Fassbender as Harry Hole, the movie The Snowman received overwhelmingly negative reviews. The film significantly simplified the original book’s plot, leaving out key details and making the story confusing. It also failed to capture the book’s dark and unsettling atmosphere, resulting in scenes that felt unintentionally humorous instead of frightening.

Netflix’s adaptation of Detective Hole has the potential to improve upon the unsuccessful movie version, potentially leading to more seasons and adaptations of Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole novels. The show’s creators made a smart decision by avoiding The Snowman and instead choosing a story that happens earlier in the series.

Jo Nesbø’s The Devil’s Star Was Adapted For Netflix’s Detective Hole Show

The upcoming series, Detective Hole, is based on Jo Nesbø’s novel The Devil’s Star, the fifth book featuring detective Harry Hole. The show will follow Hole as he investigates a serial killer who commits ritualistic murders while also dealing with corruption within his own police force. Unlike the film adaptation of The Snowman, Jo Nesbø is directly involved in writing the series.

The new crime drama Detective Hole is drawing comparisons to hits like True Detective and Reacher, but it’s also promising to be different. Unlike the seemingly invincible Jack Reacher, the lead character, Hole, will be shown with flaws and will sometimes fail. This suggests the show won’t simply copy other successful series and will instead establish its own unique style.

Great thriller TV shows need a unique feel, and a compelling detective is key. Given the popularity of the Harry Hole books, a new TV adaptation has the potential to become a legendary crime series—but only if it successfully captures the dark and atmospheric tone that the movie The Snowman missed. If it does, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole could be the next big thing in the genre.

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2026-03-26 20:12