This has been adapted into a film and is currently out at the cinema. It's a Harry Hole story, who is Jo Nesbo's most famous police inspector (the first Harry Hole novel was published in 1997). Jo Nesbo is a very popular Norwegian author, who writes both adult crime novels and children's books.

This is the first Harry Hole story I've read, and the first thing I must say is that it's quite violent and gory, but I've since heard it said that that is the main feel of the Hole books, along with featuring women in peril (which this one definitely does). The Snowman is about a serial killer who targets married women with children, and disposes of them in rather gruesome ways. It was hard to put this down. I thought I'd guessed who the killer was, but I was wrong. Nesbo takes you through twists and turns in the storyline, throwing in red herrings and extra characters to keep you thinking. I got a bit confused with the Norwegian police department names and some of the officer's names, but on the whole it was a gripping read. I'm sure fans of Harry Hole will not be disappointed.

This is the first Harry Hole book I have read - in fact the first Jo Nesbo book I have read - and I really enjoyed it. Not sure if it would've been more enjoyable had I been more familiar with the character and series. However, I still enjoyed the book and found the characters totally intriguing. The plot is very clever and I eagerly anticipate watching the film scary as it is likely to be!

If you've been following Angelnet Reviews for a while you'll already know that I like a good Scandi Noir to while away the dark winter evenings! The Snowman has just hit the big screen with a film adaptation starring Michael Fassbender and has done for snowmen what Tim Curry did for clowns back in the day.

The Snowman is actually the seventh book in the Harry Hole series set in Oslo. You can just pick up the story here and you'll soon realise that our Harry is a bit of a tortured hero. Pretty much an alcoholic with a tendency to disappear for days on end on a bender, his colleagues and friends have grown tired of making excuses for him. Do check out the rest of the books to find out how Harry has ended up in this situation.

As the snow starts to fall across the city a young child wakes up and realises that his mother is missing. When he looks out the window there is a new snowman outside with her favourite scarf wrapped around its neck.

As Harry starts delving into the details of the case he finds a number of older cases where wives and mothers have gone missing or been murdered. When a second woman is killed his suspicion is confirmed. There is an active serial killer in the city.

This is such a wonderful series of books. Atmospheric page turners that leave you guessing right to the end. If you have enjoyed the movie give yourself a treat and join Harry in his adventures in Oslo.

Supplied by Net Galley and Vintage in exchange for an honest review.

Originally published in 2007, this is the film tie-in edition of The Snowman – the film is released on 13th October and stars Michael Fassbender in the lead role. Although the seventh book in the Harry Hole detective crime series (that currently has 11 books), it’s the first I’ve read by Jo Nesbo and it really does work as a stand-alone story.

When detective Harry Hole (the only police officer in Norway to ever successfully capture a serial killer) notices a pattern emerging among the murders of mothers across the Oslo area – that of a snowman being left at the scene of every crime as the killer’s calling card – he suspects he may have another serial killer on his hands. With his small, trusted team, including new addition Katrine Bratt, he takes on this intriguing case.

As we often see with a book series built on one character, the focus is very much on Harry Hole and, in many ways, he is your cliched detective. He has alcohol issues, a surly temperament, has let his obsessive approach to his job ruin relationships and very much plays by his own rules. But, he is also more than that: he acknowledges his flaws, is often self-deprecating, has a caring, personable side and is a truly engaging character that you want to succeed.

One little writing quirk I noticed were the random music mentions that would pop up frequently. Example: ‘What would Hank Williams have done? Buried his head in a drink. Sid Vicious? Shown him the finger and legged it. And Elvis? Elvis. Elvis Presley. Right.’ It turns out that Jo Nesbo, as well as being an author, is the lead singer in a Norwegian band, Di Derre, so that explains his love of musical references scattered throughout. Not that these are a negative thing, it’s just when there are a lot of them, you start to wonder why!

Overall though, the pace of this story never lets up. From the intriguing opening flashback to the twisting way the case unravels, there were several moments I actually felt my jaw drop slightly, as I was not expecting what I had just read. Often, when a thriller builds up the anticipation so steadily you are left a bit deflated at the final reveal – not the case here.

I have to admit, I’ve seen Jo Nesbo’s books on many a shelf while browsing through the years, but never felt I’d enjoy his books. As one of those authors whose name is often larger than the book title, I thought they would all be a bit thriller-by-numbers. BUT, I’m pleased to say The Snowman smashed my expectations and I enjoyed it so much that I’ll definitely be checking out others in the Harry Hole series.

I tried reading a Harry Hole book before and didn't like it but this one was so different. From the start i was pulled in by the writing and couldn't wait to read more. Harry is such a complex character and i loved the relationship with Katrine.

Book 7 in the Harry Hole series and every bit as good a read as the previous ones. A very detailed, well written and very creepy book. As usual, set in Norway and can be read as a stand alone. Thank you Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Goodreads and Amazon.

Thank you Vintage publishing for a copy of this book prior to its film release.
This is my first Harry Hole book I have read. It’s the 7th in the series. I had started this book a few years ago but gave up. I thought it would change my mind by re-reading it but, my opinion is still the same. I struggled through this book and yet again didn’t finish it.
Harry Hole is not your normal detective. He likes working on his own. And the only cop on the force who has dealt with a serial killer. So when, a list of killings of women happen in the Norway town he is appointed to lead the case to find the killer.
This is a well written novel and it’s easy to read but, I’m sorry for me personally it didn’t grab me and I found it quite boring.

This is how you do crime Scandinavian style.

Harry Hole is a sober alcoholic, well sort of, sometimes. His inner demons are always there lurking just below the surface, waiting to drag him back down below the murky depths of his disease.

He finds himself drawn into the cat and mouse game of a vicious serial killer called The Snowman, who leaves behind an icy calling card after every kill.

His superiors seem reluctant to accept the existence of a serial killer, which is detrimental to his investigation, and leads to quite a few mistakes. Harry is also saddled with a new colleague and she brings a whole load of baggage with her. Sometimes her actions and statements set his alarm bells ringing. Is she just not up to the job or is something else going on?

I had the Snowman pegged from the beginning. There was just something in the attitude, the demeanour, and in general in the air. A particularly clever talent of the author, to be able to point all the arrows in every direction but at the culprit, and yet at the same time being able to leave a subliminal trail leading straight to the killer.

Nesbo is a master storyteller with an instinct for crime. It will be interesting to see how the story translates onto the big screen, and whether or not they can accurately portray this particular setting and main character without losing the gritty charm.

Didn't finish this book. I really couldn't get interested in it!

I loved this book. I adore anything Scandinvian crime. I also adore a flawed hero. In this book I have found both. Harry Hole is the ultimate flawed hero and, despite his often shocking attitude and behaviour, I cannot help but love him. His quest for the answer is unstoppable and each twist left me begging for more. The ending is a little far-fetched and slightly more 'Hollywood' than the previous books in the series but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

I had already seen the trailer for the movie version of The Snowman before starting to read this so I’m sure that influenced how I saw the characters in my minds eye. This is the first Harry Hole that I have read and I have probably ruined the series for myself by starting here but I knew I would go see the movie anyway. I was reading on a kindle version and thought I was finding the book a bit slow but on checking realised that it’s much longer than most books I read. That said, there was a lot covered in the present time story and the retrospective. The author managed to maintain the tension to the end and I thought the overall plot was very clever. I don’t think the happy snowman figures which feature so much on Christmas cards will ever have quite the same appeal but I am looking forward to seeing how this transfers to the movie screen.

This is the first book I have read by this author and, although book 7 in the Harry Hole series, I don't feel I have missed out by not having read the previous 6 books.
So, women are going missing at first snowfall. Initially though of as isolated incidents, it soon become apparent that there's a pattern. But who is doing this and why and, more importantly, can the police bring them to justice before the body count gets any higher? Enter Harry Hole, a bit of a maverick cop - bit stereotyped insofar as he's an alcoholic. High functioning at times but completely under the spell of the wicked juice at others. Teamed up with new partner, Katrina, can they together get to the bottom of things? Things hot up and the stakes get higher when Harry himself is targeted by the killer.
This was a bit of a strange book for me. On one side it was quite formulaic and a bit "police procedural by numbers" but at the same time it pushed the boundaries and the author coloured outside the lines a bit too.
Well plotted, it definitely kept me guessing throughout as there were plenty of suspects and I, alongside Harry and his crew, wrote them in, then out, then they were back in play once again as more was uncovered and revealed as the truth.
Characterisation was interesting. I am not over keen on alcoholic cops personally but Harry did turn out to be one of the better ones of the genre. I am also not too fond of killers and cops having personal connections. Again, not too bad here but both these things tend to be a little overcooked these days. I did enjoy his relationship with his partner.
All that said, this book did keep my attention nicely throughout as it meandered through slower parts of the investigation and the more frenetic, action packed scenes, leaving me mostly satisfied at the end. I was a bit confused initially by the final scene but, having thought about it, I now think I get it, I'm just unsure of why and the bigger picture. Maybe if I had started from book one and read in order... maybe...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I can promise you one thing; my days of making snowmen are over. No more! The British winter isn’t far away and if one of my neighbours decides to build a snowman in our quiet, secluded street, I’m booking the first flight to Barbados and running! I’m not kidding; this is one hell of a creepy crime thriller! – They don’t have snow in Barbados do they?

Two days ago I entered the world of the snowman and within seven pages I know I was hooked. Psychologically it scared me to death; I guess it had the desired effect!

“We’re going to die” a young lad proclaims in the back of his mother’s car.

Jo Nesbo’s “The Snowman” is without doubt one the best books I have read, period. It has everything. A tight storyline; electrifying pace and imaginative prose; all morphing together to produce a magnificent on the edge of your seat Norwegian thriller. You won’t know who to trust!

The Independent newspaper claims Jo Nesbo is the next Stieg Larsson – I’ll go one further and say Jo Nesbo is the next Jo Nesbo.

Translated by Don Bartlett, The Snowman is the fifth internationally acclaimed novel featuring Inspector Harry Hole.

Soon the first snow will come. And then he will appear again. The Snowman. And when the snow has gone, he will have taken someone else. What you should ask yourself is this; “Who made the snowman”? Who makes snowmen? Who gave birth to the Murris? For the Snowman doesn’t know.

Jonas wakes to a house filled with silence. His father left the night before to catch an overnight flight and when he went to bed he only had his mother and a snowman in the garden for company – A creepy snowman he hadn’t built. He cries out for his mother but when no one answers he walks out into the garden; the snowman is there and so is the pink scarf he gave his mother for Christmas. His mother is missing.

This is not my first book in this series. Harry Hole is your stereotypical recovering alcoholic detective who has lost his home, wife and child because of his workaholic attitude. Katrine Bratt is his new capable and versatile side-kick. Skarre is his patronising colleague. They are working on a case of disappearing women. There is a sinister edge to this tale and I shall never feel quite the same about snowmen again. From the descriptions of Norway I think I'll put it on my wish-list. The book is spiced up with entertaining extras like the behaviour of seals, golden oldie music that Harry enjoys and his obsession with American Presidents. All incidentals and interesting. It is sprinkled with a few obscure clues or misleading clues and amusing banter. Thank you for letting me read it. I shall post this review on Amazon, GoodReads and my blog after publication.

This was my first Harry Hole book and it won't be my last.

Harry is an interesting character who is treated with a certain amount of leeway by his superiors.

The story involves a serial killer who is killing mothers. I thought I'd worked out the killer about halfway through but I was completely wrong. There are twists and turns all the way through. A really enjoyable book.

This is the seventh Harry Hole novel in the series but it is not really important to read the previous novels to get into the action. This captures the reader from the beginning and doesn’t let go.

Jo Nesbo writes a rich tapestry of events and characterizations that leads the author through the murder crime of the Snowman. With its exotic locations and his use of Norway’s frozen palette this is a thought provoking, scary but deeply satisfying thriller. Although the novel does give it a nod to his contemporaries of crime thrillers and the book is pretty much plotted along the same lines as those. The true special aspect is the setting and for many English readers the foreign setting of a culture that we really know very little of.

The landscape and the culture is cold so we are left with a cultural divide and story that is translated from the Norwegian text that might leave a few readers out of sorts due to the lack of warmth of the writing. Saying this, I personally like this aspect of Scandinavian writing and I am big fan.

As the new film comes out with Michael Fassbender in October 2017, this book is a true treat and highly recommended. It is an involved read and totally gripping from beginning to end.

With the first snow comes another missing woman, and Harry Hole is sent a letter that drags him into the case and pits him against the perpetrator - The Snowman.

Despite The Snowman being number 7 in the series, this is my first time reading Jo Nesbo - and I loved it! I was instantly hooked - a devious and intelligent murderer, a mysterious new member of the small investigative team, and Harry coming to terms with Rakel, his ex-partner, moving on with her life. The book had a balanced blend of police procedural drama, gritty thriller, personal motivation, and savant detective work that makes Harry a cut above the rest.

Some of the writing was fairly clunky, which may in part be a translation/cultural issue - the whole metaphor of the mould man felt redundant and shoe-horned in to provide an extra layer of depth that the book simply didn't need. Similarly, Skarre as the obligatory bumbling policeman felt overdone and unbelievable - who would honestly let that man have any role of responsibility in a high-profile murder case?

Slightly disappointing was that I figured out who the killer was halfway through, and honestly I don't understand how it's something that Harry missed (view spoiler). However I did enjoy the twists and turns that the book took - expect a lot of red herrings - and I can see why Jo Nesbo is a go-to for good crime fiction.

On a more personal note, I really could have done with at least one female character who wasn't lying/cheating/psychopathic, and I thought Katrine - Harry's new partner in the force - was predictable and unrealistic. Overall, The Snowman was a book I couldn't put down and kept me suitably freaked out after dark.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

To be honest, this went on too long for me. It just seemed incredibly drawn out towards the end and I think would have been better finished earlier without so much faffing around. Overall though I enjoyed it. I haven't read any of the previous books in the series so was a bit concerned I wouldn't get into it easily but that wasn't the case at all. I did have a few problems with names. Somehow when it's a fantasy book Jljastihgaso'hjopsth can be just plain Jason but I just can't seem to do it in other genres! Soon got used to it though and mostly enjoyed the book.

I found a lot of the book was predictable. Guessed the killer early on and the red herrings didn't really make any sense to me. Not sure whether that's just because I've read so many books in the genre though. I like Harry Hole despite being a bit tired of the whole antisocial single loner with an alcohol problem trope. Seriously are there ANY fictional cops out there who don't fit that description?

Overall there was nothing about this book that made it stand out from the crowd for me. It was an enjoyable read but I didn't think it anything incredibly special. Pretty typical for the genre really.

This is another success for the author. The writing is up to the usual standard and it is an exciting read that holds the reader to the end. Set in Norway it is a story that spans decades. Episodes from earlier periods are introduced throughout the book as they fit within the plot. This does mean that the story jumps around a little, but does not cause a problem in terms of reading.

As ever there are false clues and red herrings. Some of these could be anticipated and as such does make the tale a little less exciting. It is a who done it and the author reveals the villain in a timely manner with the last of the flashbacks. Was it a big surprise? Not really, as quite a number of the possibilities had already been eliminated, but the revelation does allow for a clever explanation of a plot thread that was unexplained.

The ending provides the necessary race to a resolution and the reader is left with a bittersweet ending that is typical Harry Hole. I look forward to the next book.

Brilliant. I am so pleased that this book has been made into a film. I am a big fan of Harry Hole. I read this book when it first came out and I really enjoyed reading it again. Harry Hole is an engaging character and there is a lot packed into this book. I was hooked from the start. The details of Harry's personal life make him more interesting and adds to the story. This is a fast moving thriller that is gory and gruesome in places and gave me chills down my spine. This book and all of Jo Nesbo's books are well and truly worth reading.