The Leopard
By Jo Nesbo
(Vintage, Paperback, 9780307743183, June 2012, 688pp.)

The Short of It:

Interesting story line but the pace killed it for me.

The Rest of It:

As many of you know, I am a Nesbo fan and have been since The Devil’s Star. His Harry Hole books have been a very entertaining diversion for many a dull work day, but I could not get into this one! I blame it on the fact that they’ve been translated and published out-of-order and it’s been a challenge keeping up the enthusiasm while reading them as they become available.

This is going to be a very loose review so don’t take your mittens off because you won’t be here that long.

A crazy guy kidnaps people and uses this horrible torture device on them called the Leopold’s Apple. Basically, it’s this apple-shaped device that is placed inside the victim’s mouth. It’s smooth but large so it’s impossible to remove and tampering with it causes spikes to pierce your mouth. Which basically leaves you drowning in your own blood.

Pleasant, yes?

Detective Hole is on the case but he’s a mess this time around. Drunk and dropping acid left and right. I did not like Harry at all in this installment and found myself slogging through these parts only because I adore him and don’t like to see him that way. His girl has moved on and he’s fallen to pieces over it. There are little glimmers of hope here and there, but for the most part, the book is dark. Extremely dark and a tad predictable.

I know I haven’t given you too much to go on but compared to his other books, this one lacked something. In fact, I almost gave up on it. I was sick and feverish and didn’t have the patience for it, but Jill encouraged me to finish it so that I can get to Phantom, the next book in the series and I am totally looking forward to that one because many have raved about it.

If you all wait a little longer, they’ll all be out soon and then you can read them in order. I just saw one of his earlier books on Net Galley so they are working on getting them all out there.

Source: Borrowed
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