Headhunters

By: Jo Nesbø, Don Bartlett

Narrated by: Steve West

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Cockroaches comes a funny, dark, and twisted caper worthy of Quentin Tarantino and the Coen brothers—about an aspiring art thief and the target who’s about to destroy his life.

“If you don’t know Nesbø, it’s time to get with it.” —USA Today

Roger Brown is a corporate headhunter, and he’s a master of his profession. But one career simply can’t support his luxurious lifestyle and his wife’s fledgling art gallery. At an art opening one night he meets Clas Greve, who is not only the perfect candidate for a major CEO job, but also, perhaps, the answer to his financial woes: Greve just so happens to mention that he owns a priceless Peter Paul Rubens painting that’s been lost since World War II—and Roger Brown just so happens to dabble in art theft. But when he breaks into Greve’s apartment, he finds more than just the painting. And Clas Greve may turn out to be the worst thing that’s ever happened to Roger Brown.

Don't miss Jo Nesbo's new thriller, Killing Moon, coming soon!

©2011 Jo Nesbo (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“If you don’t know Nesbø, it’s time to get with it.” (USA Today)

“Like [Stieg] Larsson, Nesbø explores the darkest criminal minds with grim delight and puts his killers where you least expect to find them. . . . [and] his novels are maddeningly addictive.” (Vanity Fair)

“Chances are you’ll be hooked ... as Nesbø lays down a trail rich in Nordic atmosphere and in character-driven development ... Ultimately, though, what sets Nesbø apart is his ability to keep the pages turning with such intellectual dexterity.” (Newsday)

Terrific

The story was phenomenal. All kinds of plots and twists that were unexpected but, somehow, plausible. The reader was great -- making the main character as unlikeable and icy cold as I am sure Jo Nesbo meant him to be. I have listened to all the available Jo Nesbo books now and can't wait for the next one.

Wicked Good Read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I thought that it delivered a finely crafted story line with so much suspense that I was almost afraid to keep driving while listening to certain parts.

What other book might you compare Headhunters to and why?

I wanted to compare this with the other Jo Nesbo books (I've read them all!) I thought I would miss Harry Hole, but I didn't. Nesbo broke new ground by introducing fascinating and flawed characters, none of whom got a free pass. There was not a single "good guy" in the bunch. I liked the way the action was organized by stages of a perfect interview by which a head-hunter engages a candidate. In this setting, it became the stages by which a person becomes a murderer.

What about Steve West’s performance did you like?

He read it with the perfect degree of snobbery and disdain. At first, one thought that Roger would never dirty his hands with foul deeds. But, layer by layer, he became the sinister character that became more deeply involved in murderous crimes.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The fall of the white queen.

Any additional comments?

My friends and I can't decide if Nesbo killed Harry Hole at the end of the last book. I hope not, but...sigh....even if that proves to be the end of my favorite character, I will stick with this author. Nesbo is the best out there.

Excellent Nesbo!

What made the experience of listening to Headhunters the most enjoyable?

Narration is perfect for this story's perspective. Good plot, twists- liked the cocky & interestingly complex headhunter character. The only negative is the bit about the abortion. It was just unbelievable that a woman who wants children so badly would do that.

Which scene was your favorite?

The outhouse scene is the best...

Any additional comments?

I love Jo Nesbo's style and the narration really shines- just the right amount of a-hole for this character! Love it!!

Definitely not Harry Hole

What did you like best about Headhunters? What did you like least?

There were some interesting twists. There was nobody to really root for and a fairly simple story reall dragged on.

Would you recommend Headhunters to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not. Any Harry Hole novel is much better and I believe better written.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

Jo, stick to Harry Hole.

Great beginning, but then it falters.

This book and its premise about professional headhunters, people who recruit high level professionals for employment, got off to a great start with a great character. Then came a nice, well-placed twist. So far so good. Then, the main character begins an adventure that lasts the majority of the book and requires a HUGE amount of suspension of disbelief. The ending is mildly entertaining but I did not care for Nesbo's methods of exposition through a lot of the book. He's written better ones. I will say the narrator was excellent in all respects.

Tremendously enjoyable suspense - missing grandeur

I had a wonderful time listening to Headhunters, and Steve West does a terrific job keeping the listener in perfect suspense. He brings across all the charm and wit that is necessary for the lead character. And the story definitely had me at the edge of my seat for long stretches.

It was just at the very end that I realized... all that action, and for what? The motivations for the characters on a scene by scene basis are highly understandable, this is a proper thriller with lives in the balance. But looking back at it, it all rang a bit hollow. I was at the edge of my seat because I cared about the character's life... it wasn't until later that I realized, that's all the character cared about, too. This wasn't James Bond, with a world to save. Would have loved a grander set up, a more fundamental motivation, something bigger at stake.

Headhunters is a tremendously well written, suspenseful thriller. It's just not one of the truly great ones.

Tricky - Jo Nesbø at his best

Would you consider the audio edition of Headhunters to be better than the print version?

I love Jo Nesbø books. I even have the book in Norwegian.
The number of twists and turns is insane. I am absolutely stunned by
Jo's ability to pull all the threads together at the end.

What other book might you compare Headhunters to and why?

Any Harry Hole novel by the same author.

Which character – as performed by Steve West – was your favorite?

Roger - the protagonist.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

There already is a Norwegian film of this.

Any additional comments?

The translation is very good and the narrator is excellent.

Fantastic -- the best Jo Nesbo so far

A fan of the Harry Hole mysteries, I was reluctant to try "Headhunters," without one of my favorite protagonists. I got over that immediately. This is a fabulous suspense novel filled with exciting, original characters and a plot line that will keep you guessing until the very end. One of the best audio books I have heard. Steve West is the perfect narrator for this book. He so convincingly embodies the voice/personality of the main character. I will definitely be looking for more books narrated by Steve.

Bottom line: If you like suspense, surprise, lots of action, well developed characters, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages, read this book. It's quite obvious to me why this book has been made into a movie -- as I have missed it's US release date, I'll be first in line to see it once it becomes available on Netflix.

Where Did Jo Nesbo Go?

I miss Jo Nesbo. I miss the way his quiet prose would unsettle you. I miss his subtlety. I miss the characters I could care about and follow. I miss his unerring plotting. I miss how he could always surprise me. I hope he comes back soon. But he did not show up for this novel.

Headhunters is the story of a corporate headhunter who steals a client's priceless work of art. Then the client starts hunting him. I know, it sounded fun and I know Jo Nesbo has produced some of the best fiction of the last decade with his Harry Hole novels. But this is a dry, rambling, experiment of a novel without significant twist or plot. The characters were wholly unlikable and the writing repetitive. The narrator was ok, without deep emotion but also without much to work with.

Please read Jo Nesbo - just not this.

more thoughtful and less violent than some of his

What did you love best about Headhunters?

Descriptions of the main character were fascinating. Nesbo shows his skill for creating an interesting predicament for characters. I love a psychological thriller, but don't always need so much time spent on the gratuitous violence, especially if it isn't well-written. This is one of my favorites of his so far.

What did you like best about this story?

descriptions of main characters/setting

Which character ??? as performed by Steve West ??? was your favorite?

protagonist

Any additional comments?

good if you were looking for something to satisfy your girl with dragon tattoo yearnings.