Jo Nesbø

Jo Nesbø (b. 1960) is a musician, songwriter, screenwriter, and economist, as well as one of the leading crime writers in the world. He is recognized for having widened the scope of the thriller with his unusual literary qualities and ambitions, his psychological insights and his in-depth knowledge of life in a modern, globalized world. His books have garnered countless international awards, sold more than 60 million copies, and been translated into 51 languages. In addition to the Harry Hole series and The Kingdom diptych, Nesbø is the author of several stand-alone novels as well as the children’s books in the Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder series.

“Jo Nesbo is my new favorite thriller writer and Harry Hole my new hero.”
Michael Connelly

“I am the world’s greatest living crime writer. [Jo Nesbø] is a man who is snapping at my heels like a rabid pitbull poised to take over my mantle when I dramatically pre-decease him.”
James Ellroy

“Many authors know how to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Jo Nesbo’s one of the few who keeps them there.”
Linwood Barclay

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo is relentless. His terrifying transformation of a childhood icon permeated my sleep. I started Redbreast but it was too much. I gave it to my guitarist Lenny Kaye and he was hooked. Now my band is reading Nesbo but I am too petrified to crack open the Phantom….”
Patti Smith

“Jo Nesbø is one of today’s most interesting thriller writers, and Harry Hole is an all-time great character – for me, a 100% buy-today-read-tonight delight.”
– Lee Child

“Norway boasts Henrik Ibsen, Edvard Munch and the best-selling thriller writer Jo Nesbø as native sons.”
New York Times

“The next Munch or Ibsen could be Jo Nesbø … And, if there’s any justice, one day Harry Hole will be just as big as Harry Potter.”
CNN

Awards

Longlisted for the Petrona Award (Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year) UK – Kongen av Os Blood Ties 2025
Greek Public Book Awards (Best Translated Book of the Year) Greece – Kongen av Os Blood Ties 2025
Shortlisted for the Riverton Prize Norway – Kongen av Os Blood Ties 2025
The Pepe Carvalho Award (for his entire literary work) Spain 2024
Shortlisted for Grand Prix des lectrices de ELLE France – Blodmåne Killing Moon 2024
Shortlisted for the Storytel Awards (Best Suspense) Sweden – Blodmåne Killing Moon 2024
Shortlisted for the Mofibo Awards (Best Translated Fiction of the Year) Denmark – Blodmåne Killing Moon 2024
Shortlisted for the Swedish Academy of Crime Writers’ Award (Best Translated Crime Novel of the Year) Sweden – Blodmåne Killing Moon 2023
Honorary Doctorate of the University of West Attica (for his rich body of work, his contribution to literature, and the promotion of reading) Greece 2023
Francisco Gonzalez Ledesma Award (for his entire literary work) Spain 2023
‘London’ Shortlisted for the CWA Short Story Dagger UK – Sjalusimannen og andre fortellinger The Jealousy Man and Other Stories 2022
Longlisted for the CWA Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger Award UK – Kongeriket The Kingdom 2021
Shortlisted for the Mofibo Awards (Best Crime & Suspense) Denmark – Kongeriket The Kingdom 2021
Shortlisted for Lubimy Czytać’s Best Book of the Year (Best Crime Fiction) Poland – Kongeriket The Kingdom 2020
Shortlisted for the Adlibris Awards (Best Crime Fiction) Sweden – Kongeriket The Kingdom 2020
Shortlisted for the Ozon Book Award (Best Fiction) Russia – Kniv Knife 2020
The Riverton Prize (Best Norwegian Crime Novel of the Year) Norway – Kniv Knife 2020
Shortlisted for the Storytel Awards (Best Suspense) Sweden – Kniv Knife 2019
Shortlisted for the Public Book Awards (Best Translated Novel) Greece – Macbeth Macbeth 2019
Shortlisted for the British Book Awards (Book of the Year, Crime & Thriller) UK – Macbeth Macbeth 2019
The Icepick Award (Best Translated Crime Novel of the Year) Iceland – Sønnen The Son 2018
Shortlisted for the Swedish Academy of Crime Writers’ Award (Best Translated Crime Novel) Sweden – Macbeth Macbeth 2018
The Raymond Chandler Award (Lifetime Achievement) 2018
Shortlisted for LovelyBooks’ Der Leserpreis (Best Crime & Thriller of 2017) Germany – Tørst The Thirst 2017
Nordic Noir Thriller of the Year Award Sweden – Tørst The Thirst 2017
Shortlisted for the Book of the Year Award Sweden – Tørst The Thirst 2017
Best Translated Mystery – Reader’s Choice Award Japan – Blod på snø Blood on Snow 2017
Best Translated Mystery Award Japan – Blod på snø Blood on Snow 2017
Shortlisted for the Brage Prize (Best Crime Novel) Norway – Mere Blod Midnight Sun 2017
Boréales Honorary Award (for his entire literary work) France 2017
Honyaku Mystery Award Japan – Blod på snø Blood on Snow 2017
Shortlisted for The European Crime Fiction Star Award Germany 2016
The Riverton Honor Prize Norway 2016
Shortlisted for the Ark’s Book of the Year Award – Mere Blod Midnight Sun 2015
The IcePick Award (Best Translated Crime Novel) Iceland – Blod på snø Blood on Snow 2015
Shortlisted for LovelyBooks’ Der Leserpreis (Best Crime & Thriller of 2015) Germany – Sønnen The Son 2015
St. Petersburg Reads Award (Best International Author of the Year) Russia 2014
Shortlisted for The IcePick Award (Best Translated Crime Novel of the Year) Iceland – Panserhjerte The Leopard 2014
Martinus Readers’ Choice Award (Best Foreign Author of the Year) Slovakia 2014
Martinus Readers’ Choice Award (Best Novel of the Year) Slovakia – Politi Police 2014
The Peer Gynt Prize (for his international success and for putting Norway on the map of international literature) Norway 2013
Shortlisted for the Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards (The Bestseller Dagger) UK 2012
Shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger (Best Translated Crime Novel of the Year) UK – Gjenferd Phantom 2012
Shortlisted for the Edgar Award (Best Novel of the Year) US – Sorgenfri Nemesis 2010
Shortlisted for the Macavity Awards (Best Mystery Novel) US – Sorgenfri Nemesis 2010
The Great Caliber Award of Honour (for his entire authorship) Poland 2010
The Danish Academy of Crime Writers’ Award (Best Crime Novel of the Year) Denmark – Panserhjerte The Leopard 2009
Shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger UK – Frelseren The Redeemer 2009
The Norwegian Book Club Prize (Best Novel of the Year) Norway – Hodejegerne Headhunters 2008
Shortlisted for the Ark’s Children’s Book Award (Best Children’s Book) Norway – Doktor Proktors tidsbadekar Doctor Proctor and the Time-Travel Bath Bomb 2008
The Norwegian Booksellers’ Prize (Best Novel of the Year) Norway – Snømannen The Snowman 2007
The Norwegian Book Club Prize (Best Novel of the Year) Norway – Snømannen The Snowman 2007
Shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger UK – Rødstrupe The Redbreast 2007
The Finnish Academy of Crime Writers’ Special Commendation (Excellence in Foreign Crime Writing) Finland – Marekors The Devil’s Star 2007
Shortlisted for the Ark’s Children’s Book Award (Best Children’s Book) Norway – Doktor Proktors prompepulver Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder 2007
Best Norwegian Crime Novel Ever Written (Awarded by the Norwegian Book Clubs) Norway – Rødstrupe The Redbreast 2004
William Nygaard Bursary Norway – Sorgenfri Nemesis 2002
The Norwegian Booksellers’ Prize (Best Novel of the Year) Norway – Rødstrupe The Redbreast 2000
The Glass Key (Best Nordic Crime Novel of the Year) The Nordic Countries – Flaggermusmannen The Bat 1998
The Riverton Prize (Best Norwegian Crime Novel of the Year) Norway – Flaggermusmannen The Bat 1997
Close award list

Bibliography

The Kingdom

Harry Hole

Doctor Proctor

Short Story Collection

Stand-alone

Related news

‘Wolf Hour’ selected for Richard and Judy Book Club

The paperback edition of Jo Nesbø’s latest standalone novel, Wolf Hour, has been selected as one out of six titles for the Spring 2026 Book Club Picks by the prestigious Richard and Judy Book Club in the UK.

The Richard and Judy Book Club is the biggest book club in the UK and brings readers a carefully handpicked selection of book recommendations. The Wolf Hour paperback is published today in the UK.

Jo Nesbø on the Swedish bestseller lists

Jo Nesbø’s Blood Ties features at No. 2 on the Swedish paperback list for the third consecutive week. The novel also claims the No. 3 spot on the bestseller list for paperbacks for the month of January.

‘Blood Ties’ No. 2 in Sweden

Jo Nesbø’s Blood Ties climbs the official Swedish paperback list, landing at No. 2 this week. Blood Ties is the second installment in The Kingdom series.

The Norwegian Storytel Awards 2026

The Norwegian Storytel Awards 2026 are now open for voting.

Among the nominated in the category Crime & Suspense are Jørn Lier Horst’s The Lake, Lars Kepler’s The Sleepwalker, Jo Nesbø’s Blood Ties, and Liza Marklund’s Storm Mountain.

In the Children’s category, Martin Widmark is nominated for both The Dinosaur Mystery and Nelly Rapp and the Mare.

The winners will be announced on February 12. To cast your vote, click “Read more” below.

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Teaser trailer released for ‘Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole’

This morning Netflix revealed the teaser trailer for Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, the first TV-series based on Nesbø’s internationally bestselling novels featuring Harry Hole, marking the beginning of a new era for one of literature’s most iconic detectives, played by actor Tobias Santelmann.

Author, creator and executive producer Jo Nesbø: It’s been just great working with Tobias Santelmann and creating a character that is fresh, still  true to the character and his universe in the novels. I’m really looking forward to presenting this Harry Hole to the audience.

Actor: Tobias Santelmann: “Stepping into Harry Hole’s shoes has been a tremendous honor and a thrilling challenge. Jo Nesbø’s world is so rich, and Harry is a truly complex character. I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I hope the audience will enjoy our Harry Hole. Bringing him to life, and working with everyone involved, has been a true privilege.

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will have its global premiere on March 26th.

Jo Nesbø on the Swedish bestseller list

Jo Nesbø’s Blood Ties enters the official Swedish paperback list at No. 3 this week. Blood Ties is the second installment in The Kingdom series.

Photo: Charlie Gray

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis to Compose Original Score for ‘Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole’

This morning Netflix announced that acclaimed musicians and composers Nick Cave and Warren Ellis will create the original score for the highly anticipated new series Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole.

The pairing of Cave and Ellis with the dark, atmospheric world of Harry Hole is a match made in noir heaven. Renowned for their haunting, emotive soundtracks – spanning films such as The Proposition, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and Wind River – Cave and Ellis bring a depth and intensity that perfectly echoes the psychological complexity and Nordic noir sensibility of Nesbø’s universe. 

Composer Nick Cave: “We loved working on this adaptation – Harry Hole’s murky, morally-complex world has been brought to life in all its darkly brutal glory, and it was an honour to work with the legendary Jo Nesbo.

Author, creator and executive producer Jo Nesbø: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis are masters at conjuring mood and tension, and their music is the ideal companion to Harry Hole’s brooding, enigmatic journey through the shadows of Oslo. Their music has always been a soundtrack to my writing process. To have them now scoring the world of Harry Hole feels both surreal and absolutely right.

Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole will premiere on Netflix on March 26th. 

 

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Jo Nesbø, Jørn Lier Horst and Pascal Engman among the most sold in Norway 2025

The official Norwegian bestseller lists for 2025 have been compiled, and claiming the No. 1 spot in hardcover fiction is Jo Nesbø with Wolf Hour. Jørn Lier Horst appears on the lists with two titles, coming in at No. 3 in hardcover and e-book with The Last Case, and No. 3 in paperback with The Lake. Pascal Engman meanwhile has three titles on the lists, starting with Tierra del Fuego and X at No. 6 and No. 7 in paperback, and No One at No. 9 in e-book.

Jo Nesbø‘s ‘Wolf Hour’ No. 2 in Germany

Jo Nesbø’s Wolf Hour, published in Germany last week, has entered Der Spiegel’s bestseller list for hardcover fiction at No. 2.

Jo Nesbø No. 1 in Norway

Jo Nesbø’s Wolf Hour comes in at No. 1 in hardcover on the second to last bestseller list of 2025. Wolf Hour is Nesbø’s latest stand-alone novel.

Netflix announces premiere date for ‘Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole’

This morning, Netflix announced that the nine-episode serial killer mystery based on Jo Nesbø’s internationally bestselling Harry Hole series, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, will premiere globally on March 26th, 2026.

Tobias Santelmann stars as the iconic detective Harry Hole, joined by Joel Kinnaman as Tom Waaler and Pia Tjelta as Rakel Fauke, alongside an all-star ensemble cast including Anders Baasmo, Agnes Kittelsen, Frank Kjosås, Kelly Gale and Ellen Helinder.

Author, Creator and Executive Producer Jo Nesbø: Finally we can reveal the premiere date and share this first look at Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole. Seeing Tobias bring Harry to life has been really exciting and marks a new chapter for the character. I’m looking forward to sharing his take on Harry with the audience, and to have them join us for a truly dark and twisted journey.”

Directed by Øystein Karlsen and Anna Zackrisson, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is a tale of obsession, betrayal, and blurred lines between justice and revenge. As Harry Hole faces off with his nemesis Tom Waaler, audiences will be drawn into a game of cat and mouse where the stakes couldn’t be higher.

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