The Second Inspector Harry Hole Novel (Harry Hole Series)

Nesbo knows how to tell a story. His characters are engaging but different - not run-of-the-mill. His writing is great, the plots are complex, everything takes place in Norway or Thailand or some other great place. I've read and enjoyed everything his written.

Jo Nesbo has perfected the art of creating a flawed character that the reader can identify with on some level. I love Harry Hole. He's smart, sensitive, caring and very real. I feel I know him personally. He is a bit of a magnet for disasters though. Nesbo knows how to plot a novel that keeps you guessing. The master of intrigue!

Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo, the 2nd in the Harry Hole series has definitely addicted me to Nesbo's writing and this series. Although the premise of the alcoholic police detective has been done before, Harry Hole as a character is engaging, smart and honest. I am looking forward to continuing to explore Jo Nesbo's efforts. Well Done!

As usual an excellent Harry Hole novel, unexpected twists and turns and some of the worst, worst case dilemnas. He is the perfect anti hero!! The only reason I didn't give it a five was the disturbing subject matter was tough to get through a few times, but of course these books are not always comfortable. I'm onto the next one.

I love Harry Hole’s intuition and smarts when it comes to investigation. He is always underestimated but solves the crime. I don’t like that he is an alcoholic but such a great asset they hire him every time to get the job done. He outsmarts everyone even his bosses.

Love the series! The main character is so flawed, but brilliant enough to keep the reader coming back for more. Even though I can't pronounce the names of the cities in Norway, the description of the landscape helps me picture the settings of Harry's investigations. All I can say is "keep them coming, Jo"!

Harry Hole is my favorite Scandinavian murder detective. He is such a tortured soul. Nesbo's books seem hard to engage within the first couple of chapters, but before you know it, you can't put the book down and are anxious to see what new and innovative means Hole finds to complete his case. LOTS of intrigue.

I thought this title was a big improvement on the first book in the series. I like the character but was frustrated with the alcoholic theme in the first book,it's such a cliche. The Thai background added a lot to the story. I wish they would publish the 3 rd book in the series ,at the moment the 4 the book was available.

Just finished reading this book and truly enjoyed it. My only problem, and it is my problem, is that it is hard to keep the characters straight. This is made more difficult, for me, since the names are all so strange. A mixture of Nor. and Thai, very confusing.
But I still loved the book. Will be starting to read 'Phantom' shortly.

I am captivated by the story line and the characters are so interesting you have to be pulled into the story. This is a captivating plot. It is written about Norway but it could set anywhere. Some of the use of translation requires a little research. But I think it only makes the story interesting.

I have read all the Harry Hole books. Cockroaches is the weakest effort of the bunch. In chronological order, this is the second book. It's not bad, just not as good as other books in the series. Harry Hole fans will want to read this. If you're new to Harry, start elsewhere-- I recommend The Redbreast.

I enjoy learning the politics and back-alley city-scapes through the eyes of some of our 'fiction' locals. In Bangkok, Sonchai Jitpleecheep in the John Burdett series is one of the masters. While some of the other writers, both Western and Thai, also perform admirably in this genera (as recorded in 'Bangkok Noir,' et al), author Jo Nesbo could be a possible contender, as well.

Missing some of the subplots, cultural sticky murks with peep-shows, and, of course, the ever present humidity of Krungthep (City of Angels), Jo Nesbo does give the reader a novel that 'sucks you in!'.......a fast-paced read....This was my first foray into his world........ Will probably not be my last............

However, loved it and it meets my criteria of "going to reread again and again." I think I will try to do the series on order this time to see the development of the flawed Harry Hole. He seems to have extraordinarily bad luck and bad cooping skills in addition to his gift for detecting.

I really enjoyed Cockroaches, the second book in the Harry Hole series. Though it was not a great as the first book (but honestly, how could it be), it was still a great continued development of the Hole character. I love how broken Harry is, and how well Nesbo just sucks you into his world. Superbly written (I assume, I dont read Norwegian), even with the odd little translation issues.

So far I have read the first 5 in the series, I am looking forward to starting The Snowman.
I would put this book behind #1 and #3, but solidly as the third best in the series.

I chose this rating because this is a great book, but not as exciting as some of his others, However, I didn't put it down too often in the reading. This book developed Harry Hole's personality further. I did enjoy the book and would recommend it to readers of mystery/suspense novels.

Another superbly crafted Nesbo thriller. Hole is neck deep in this quagmire of a plot. Set on a pedophile theme in Thailand, the plot broadens out with power players and serious lieutenants all wanting Hole just to go back to Norway or be dead.

I love Harry Hole stories. Have been reading them in order, however, I had missed "Cockroaches" and went back to it. The translation is not as good as the later books, but the story is pretty good. I'm starting on "The Redeemer" now.

An early effort by Nesbo reveals his remarkable character Harry Hole and how his brilliant and perverse mind leads him to solve heinous crimes. A Ronin-type hero, Harry lives in a world of his own despite being a policeman. A great read and fine place to begin sharing the angst and drive that makes Harry intriguing.

You find yourself worrying for Harry Hole while the plot unfolds. He is fighting his own demons and routing out demons around him with his own uncompromising need to solve the crime. Jo Nesbo ads sight and sound to the plot with his descriptions of the sights, food, culture and sound woven through the action. I love the Harry Hole series and had been waiting to read Cockroaches.

If you you liked Steige Laessen, you will love Jo Nesbo. Harry Hole is a persistent and brilliant cop from Oslo. The only problem was the killer was fairly obvious but, the story and the locale were interesting enough to keep you turning the pages.

Once I discovered Jo Nesbo's series of Detective Harry Hole (Hoo-le pronunciation) I was hooked. I waited a long time for this second book to be translated to English. A cliffhanger to the end - then what a surprise - just the way I like them.

Another great book by Nesbo. Harry Hole is a tremendous flawed character. I wish that this book has been available in English in the sequence it was originally written because it goes a long way in defining Hole and his darkness

The books stand alone but much better when you can read them in order. The author continually builds Harry Hole's character and sometimes lack of character but the reader (me anyway) continually wants to make things right for him.

Jo Nesbo's books are all great. It is interesting to how Nesbo has developed Harry Hole - a little more each book allows a deeper understanding of his main character. I have read all the Harry Hole series, but also other novels by Nesbo - I always find myself checking how far I have read so that I can pace myself. The locations are intriguing and exciting, but the most important aspect is that the stories twist and turn - you may think you've solved the puzzle several times as you're reading only to have a surprise at the very end!

I love the Harry Hole series. The early novels weren't available until just recently so reading them after having read all the later novels, I could see what a complex character he became but wasn't quite yet in this novel, thus only 4 stars instead of 5. Still, an excellent novel.