BookBingeHarry Hole Books in Order
The short answer
Jo Nesbø · 13 books
- How many books?
- There are 13 books in the Harry Hole series, published 1997–2023.
- Is it finished?
- No — it's ongoing, with book 14 on the way.
- Next book
- Kill Shot, due 5 November 2026.See all upcoming releases →
- Where to start
- Start with The Bat (1997).
About 6,100 pages — roughly 100 hours of reading
A brilliant, self-destructive Oslo detective chases serial killers through Norway's darkest corners.
Here is the complete Harry Hole reading order — all 13 books by Jo Nesbø, in the order you should read them:
Reading order
- The BatSent to Sydney to observe the investigation into a Norwegian woman's murder, Harry Hole is pulled into hunting a serial killer targeting young women.1997374 pages
- CockroachesDispatched to Bangkok to quietly investigate the death of a Norwegian ambassador, Harry uncovers a network of corruption and exploitation.1998387 pages
- The RedbreastHarry investigates a mysterious rifle purchase that leads him to unravel a decades-old secret tied to Norwegian soldiers who fought for the Nazis.2000448 pages
- NemesisA bank robbery turned fatal, and a chilling reunion with an old flame, drag Harry into a case where nothing is as it seems.2002374 pages
- The Devil's StarAs a diamond-shaped red star begins appearing at murder scenes, Harry must work with a corrupt colleague to stop a serial killer.2003522 pages
- The RedeemerThe public assassination of a Salvation Army officer sends Harry after a professional killer caught up in a case of mistaken identity.2005397 pages
- The SnowmanHarry hunts an elusive serial killer who appears connected to the first snowfall of the year and the disappearance of several mothers.2007552 pages
- The LeopardCoaxed out of self-imposed exile, Harry investigates a killer using an unusual and gruesome method tied to a mountain cabin retreat.2009720 pages
- PhantomReturning to Oslo to clear the name of a young man he once mentored, Harry descends into the city's brutal drug trade.2011467 pages
- PoliceAs officers connected to unsolved cases begin turning up dead at the scenes of their old failures, Harry is drawn out of hiding.2013435 pages
- The ThirstA killer using a dating app and a disturbing weapon forces Harry back into the hunt, this time with deeply personal stakes.2017461 pages
- KnifeWhen someone close to Harry is murdered, he becomes both investigator and suspect in a deeply personal case.2019451 pages
- Killing MoonStripped of his police status, Harry is pulled into a private investigation involving a killer targeting society's most vulnerable women.2023
Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.
Upcoming: the next book, Kill Shot, releases on 5 November 2026. BookBinge Pro can notify you the day it drops.
Recap: Starting Kill Shot? Read our recap of Knife and Killing Moon.
On our lists: Long-running mystery series
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Get BookBingeFrequently asked questions
How many Harry Hole books are there?
There are 13 books in the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbø, from The Bat (1997) to Killing Moon (2023). Book 14, Kill Shot, is due 5 November 2026. Together they run to about 6,100 pages.
Is the Harry Hole series finished?
No. Jo Nesbø is still writing it: book 14, Kill Shot, is due 5 November 2026, following Killing Moon (2023).
What is the first Harry Hole book?
The Bat (1997) is book one, at 374 pages. Sent to Sydney to observe the investigation into a Norwegian woman's murder, Harry Hole is pulled into hunting a serial killer targeting young women.
Should I read the Harry Hole series in publication order?
Yes. For the Harry Hole series, reading order and publication order are the same — The Bat (1997) through Killing Moon (2023).
How long does it take to read all Harry Hole books?
About 6,100 pages across 13 books — roughly 100 hours at a page a minute. The longest is The Leopard (720 pages); the shortest is The Bat (374 pages).