Harry Hole Books In Order

Okay, let's talk Harry Hole. Not that kind of hole, mind you. We're diving headfirst into the world of Jo Nesbø's hard-drinking, brilliant-but-flawed detective.

You wanna read them in order, right? Everyone says you have to. But do you really?

Harry Hole: Chronological Chaos

So, officially, it goes like this:

The List (aka: The Order of the Officially Obsessed)

The Bat (1997). Then Cockroaches (1998). The Redbreast (2000) follows. After that, Nemesis (2002). Next up is The Devil's Star (2003). The Redeemer (2005) comes after. Then, The Snowman (2007). The Leopard (2009) pads out the list. Phantom (2011) arrives. Police (2013) is next, then The Thirst (2017). And finally, Knife (2019), Killing Moon (2023), and The Night House (2023).

Deep breath. That's a lot of Hole.

My (Slightly Heretical) Harry Hole Opinion

Now, here's where things get spicy. I’m gonna say something controversial.

You don't have to read them in order.

Gasp! Clutch your pearls! I know, I know. But hear me out.

The first few? The Bat and Cockroaches? They're… fine. They're set in Australia and Thailand. It doesn't feel quite like the Oslo-based Harry we know and (sort of) love.

They're like prequels where the protagonist hasn't fully become the person they are. Think young Han Solo – charming, but not quite the same scoundrel.

And honestly, the plots can be a little... convoluted. You might get lost in the Australian outback. Or the seedier side of Bangkok.

Where to ACTUALLY Start (My Unpopular Recommendation)

Want my advice? Jump in with The Redbreast.

This is where Harry Hole REALLY becomes Harry Hole. Oslo Noir at its finest. Plus, the plot is gripping. The historical context is fascinating. It’s a game changer.

From there, you can pretty much read them in order. The character development flows a little better.

You'll understand Harry's baggage. His demons. His crippling need for a drink. (And maybe you’ll sympathize, just a little.)

But What About Spoilers?!

Okay, fair point. There are ongoing storylines. Recurring characters. Things that happen in previous books that get referenced later.

But honestly? It's not the end of the world. Most of the important bits are explained well enough that you won't be completely lost.

And sometimes, a little mystery is a good thing. It keeps you on your toes!

The Real Danger: Getting Burned Out

Let's be real. Eleven (now thirteen!) books is a commitment. A serious, "I'm dedicating a significant chunk of my life to this fictional alcoholic detective" kind of commitment.

If you slog through the first two and don't love them, you might give up. And that would be a tragedy! (Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration.)

So, skip them. Come back later. See if you're feeling completist.

In Conclusion (aka: Do What You Want)

Ultimately, it's your call. Read them in order. Don't read them in order. Listen to them on audiobook while you fold laundry. Whatever floats your boat.

Just promise me you'll give Harry Hole a try. He's a complex, compelling character. Even if he does make questionable life choices (like, all the time).

Happy reading! And maybe keep a bottle of bourbon handy. Just in case. (You know, for... research.) 😉

Remember, this is just my opinion. Don't come at me, book purists!