J

Jo Nesbo

Bestselling Author • 8 Series • 32 Books

Crime
8
Series
32
Books
8
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Harry Hole Books
Start with: The Bat (1997)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Doktor Proctor Books
Start with: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder (2007)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Blood on Snow Books
Start with: Blood on Snow (2014)

About Jo Nesbo

Jo Nesbo is truly a man of many talents. Having studied business, he left the mainstream and became a rock star. Once the music world was conquered as such, he turned his talent to writing and produced a series of best selling crime novels. Rather than keep to the same characters he wrote stand alone novels, one of which was made into a film and became an award winning blockbuster. That would be enough for most people to accomplish in a lifetime, but Jo Nesbo decided to challenge himself as a writer and created a series of children’s stories that astound with their imaginative story line and their humor. The future is bound to hold many interesting projects for Jo Nesbo. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series, Jo Nesbo has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Jo Nesbo

Publication Order of Harry Hole Books
14 books 1997–2026 Crime
1

The Bat

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Harry Hole Books with The Bat, another outstanding contribution from Jo Nesbo.

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1997
2

Cockroaches

Cockroaches is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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1998
3

The Redbreast

The Redbreast continues the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books story arc with Jo Nesbo's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2000
4

Nemesis

Nemesis continues the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books story arc with Jo Nesbo's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2002
5

The Devil's Star

The Devil's Star is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2003
6

The Redeemer

The Redeemer is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2005
7

The Snowman

The Snowman is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2007
8

The Leopard

The Leopard is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2009
9

Phantom

Phantom is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2011
10

Police

The investigation intensifies in Police, as this installment of the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Jo Nesbo's creation.

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2013
11

The Thirst

The Thirst continues the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books story arc with Jo Nesbo's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2017
12

Knife

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Harry Hole Books with Knife, another outstanding contribution from Jo Nesbo.

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2019
13

Killing Moon

A gripping mystery unfolds in Killing Moon as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series showcases Jo Nesbo's mastery of suspense.

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2023
14

Kill Shot

A gripping mystery unfolds in Kill Shot as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series showcases Jo Nesbo's mastery of suspense.

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2026
Publication Order of Doktor Proctor Books
7 books 2007–2017
1

Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder

Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder continues the Publication Order of Doktor Proctor Books story arc with Jo Nesbo's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2007
2

Bubble in the Bathtub / Time-Travel Bath Bomb

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Doktor Proctor Books with Bubble in the Bathtub / Time-Travel Bath Bomb, another outstanding contribution from Jo Nesbo.

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2008
3

Who Cut the Cheese?

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Doktor Proctor Books with Who Cut the Cheese?, another outstanding contribution from Jo Nesbo.

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2010
4

The Magical Fruit

Magic takes center stage in The Magical Fruit, a spellbinding addition to the Publication Order of Doktor Proctor Books series that expands the enchanting world created by Jo Nesbo.

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2012
5

The Great Gold Robbery

The Great Gold Robbery continues the Publication Order of Doktor Proctor Books story arc with Jo Nesbo's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2013
6

Silent (But Deadly) Night

A gripping mystery unfolds in Silent (But Deadly) Night as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Doktor Proctor Books series showcases Jo Nesbo's mastery of suspense.

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2016
7

Can Doctor Proctor Save Christmas?

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Doktor Proctor Books with Can Doctor Proctor Save Christmas?, another outstanding contribution from Jo Nesbo.

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2017
Publication Order of Blood on Snow Books
2 books 2014–2015
1

Blood on Snow

A gripping mystery unfolds in Blood on Snow as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Blood on Snow Books series showcases Jo Nesbo's mastery of suspense.

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2014
2

Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Blood on Snow Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2015
Publication Order of Kingdom Books
2 books 2020–2024
1

The Kingdom

Epic adventure awaits in The Kingdom, a landmark entry in the Publication Order of Kingdom Books series that raises the stakes across the realm Jo Nesbo has built.

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2020
2

Blood Ties

A gripping mystery unfolds in Blood Ties as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Kingdom Books series showcases Jo Nesbo's mastery of suspense.

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2024
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
4 books 2008–2025
1

Headhunters

Headhunters is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2008
2

The Son

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Son, another outstanding contribution from Jo Nesbo.

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2014
3

The Night House

The Night House is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2023
4

Wolf Hour

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Wolf Hour, another outstanding contribution from Jo Nesbo.

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2025
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
1 books 2021–2021
1

London

London is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2021
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
1 books 2021–2021
1

The Jealousy Man and Other Stories

The Jealousy Man and Other Stories is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2021
Publication Order of Hogarth Shakespeare Books
1 books 2018–2018
1

Macbeth

Macbeth is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Hogarth Shakespeare Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Jo Nesbo have come to expect.

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2018

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jo Nesbo?

Jo Nesbo is a bestselling author known for 8 book series containing over 32 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Harry Hole Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Jo Nesbo series to start with?

For readers new to Jo Nesbo's work, the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 14 books. Begin with The Bat to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Jo Nesbo written?

Jo Nesbo has written over 32 books across 8 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Jo Nesbo books in order?

Yes, reading Jo Nesbo's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Jo Nesbo write in?

Jo Nesbo writes primarily in Crime. With 8 series across 32 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Jo Nesbo's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Jo Nesbo's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Jo Nesbo's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Jo Nesbo's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Harry Hole Books series. The first book, The Bat, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.