Reviews for Jo Nesbø's The Snowman highlight its gripping narrative and intricate plot, capturing readers with its suspenseful twists. Positive feedback often mentions the strong character development and atmospheric writing. However, some critics find the story occasionally convoluted and pacing uneven. Overall, it's appreciated for delivering a thrilling, intense read.

Fans of gripping, dark crime thrillers like Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl will be captivated by Jo Nesbø's The Snowman. This reader enjoys intricate plots, psychological depth, and atmospheric settings, seeking stories that combine suspense with complex, flawed characters.

Harry Hole investigates a series of disappearances and murders of married women in Norway, marked by snowmen left at each crime scene. Partnering with detective Katrine, he uncovers a connection between the victims' families and a figure called the Snowman. The investigation leads to a chase that endangers Harry's loved ones and culminates in the killer's dramatic reveal. The book contains graphic depictions of violence and murder.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Unnerving / Gritty

- The Snowman is the seventh novel in Jo Nesbø's acclaimed Harry Hole series, a well-known collection of Norwegian crime thrillers that began in 1997 with The Bat.
- The novel was adapted into a film in 2017, starring Michael Fassbender as the iconic detective Harry Hole, bringing the chilling story to an international audience.
- Jo Nesbø is known for weaving intricate plots that often merge societal themes with gripping crime narratives, cementing his reputation as a master of Scandinavian noir.

**Harry Hole**  
Renowned as Norway's top police investigator, known for his distinctive approach and dedication to solving cases. Trained by the FBI in Chicago, he struggles with personal issues, particularly in his relationships.

**Katrine Bratt**  
A strong, newly appointed police officer in Oslo known for her non-conformity and ability to challenge expectations. She joins Harry’s team on her initiative, bringing her own motivations to the case.

**Rakel Fauke**  
Harry’s ex-girlfriend who struggles with the challenges of their past relationship while fostering a supportive bond between Harry and her son, Oleg. She is connected to the story through her current relationship and her family's presence in the plot.

**Mathias Lund-Helgesen**  
Initially introduced as Rakel’s boyfriend and a doctor who assists Harry during the investigation. Charismatic yet quietly influential, he has deeper connections to the events in the narrative.

**Arve Støp**  
Publisher of a popular Norwegian periodical with a controversial personal life involving married women. Central to underlying themes of familial and public deception, his actions have significant implications in the story.

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