Jo Nesbo Reading Order
8 series Β· 38 books
Jo Nesbo is a Norwegian crime writer who has become the bestselling author from his country, with over 50 million copies sold globally. He is best known for his dark and intricate Harry Hole detective series, which established him as a master of Scandinavian noir, though he has since expanded into multiple series spanning literary thrillers, reimagined Shakespeare works, and children's fantasy adventures. Before establishing himself as a novelist in 1997, Nesbo was a successful musician and frontman for the Norwegian country-pop band Di Derre, bringing his creative ambitions across both artistic mediums.
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Blood on Snow Series
Complete2 books (2014β2015)
Jo Nesbo's Blood on Snow series comprises two crime thrillers published between 2014 and 2015. The complete duology should be read in publication order, beginning with Blood on Snow followed by Midnight Sun. This mystery series blends noir atmosphere with intricate plotting characteristic of Nesbo's work in the thriller genre.
Start with Blood on Snow and read in order.
Start this series with Blood on Snow
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blood on Snow |
| 2 | Midnight Sun |
Doktor Proctor Series
Complete7 books (2007β2017)
Jo Nesbo's Doktor Proctor series consists of seven complete books published between 2007 and 2017, following publication order for the best reading experience. This children's fantasy adventure series features the eccentric Doctor Proctor and his inventions, with each installment offering standalone adventures while building on the world established in the first book. The series spans from Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder through Can Doctor Proctor Save Christmas?, concluding with the final entry in 2017.
Start with Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder, the first of 7 books in the Doktor Proctor series.
Start this series with Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder |
| 2 | Bubble in the Bathtub / Time-Travel Bath Bomb |
| 3 | Who Cut the Cheese? |
| 4 | The Magical Fruit |
| 5 | The Great Gold Robbery |
| 6 | Silent (But Deadly) Night |
| 7 | Can Doctor Proctor Save Christmas? |
Harry Hole Series
Ongoing14 books (1997β2026)
The Harry Hole series is a 14-book Norwegian crime thriller sequence by Jo Nesbo, following detective Harry Hole across cases spanning from 1997 to 2026. The series remains ongoing and should be read in publication order, beginning with The Bat and continuing through recent entries like Killing Moon and Kill Shot. Each novel builds on character development and recurring storylines, making sequential reading essential for maximum impact.
Start with The Bat, the first of 14 books in the Harry Hole series.
Start this series with The Bat
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Bat |
| 2 | Cockroaches |
| 3 | The Redbreast |
| 4 | Nemesis |
| 5 | The Devil's Star |
| 6 | The Redeemer |
| 7 | The Snowman |
| 8 | The Leopard |
| 9 | Phantom |
| 10 | Police |
| 11 | The Thirst |
| 12 | Knife |
| 13 | Killing Moon |
| 14 | Kill Shot |
Hogarth Shakespeare Series
Complete7 books (2015β2018)
The Hogarth Shakespeare series comprises seven standalone novels published between 2015 and 2018, each written by a different contemporary author who reimagines a classic Shakespeare play in a modern setting. Rather than following a single narrative thread, each book offers an independent retelling by authors including Jeanette Winterson, Margaret Atwood, Howard Jacobson, Anne Tyler, Edward St. Aubyn, Tracy Chevalier, and Jo Nesbo. While the novels can be read in any order, reading them in publication order provides the intended experience of discovering how various literary voices approach Shakespeare's timeless works. This complete series blends mystery, thriller, and literary fiction elements across its diverse collection.
Start with The Gap of Time(By: Jeanette Winterson), the first of 7 books in the Hogarth Shakespeare series.
Start this series with The Gap of Time(By: Jeanette Winterson)
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Gap of Time(By: Jeanette Winterson) |
| 2 | Hag-Seed(By: Margaret Atwood) |
| 3 | Shylock is My Name(By: Howard Jacobson) |
| 4 | Vinegar Girl(By: Anne Tyler) |
| 5 | Dunbar(By: Edward St. Aubyn) |
| 6 | New Boy(By: Tracy Chevalier) |
| 7 | Macbeth |
Kingdom Series
Ongoing2 books (2020β2024)
Jo NesbΓΈ's Kingdom series comprises two mystery thrillers published between 2020 and 2024, with the series continuing as ongoing. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with The Kingdom followed by Blood Ties. This duology represents NesbΓΈ's venture into a new mystery franchise separate from his other detective series.
Start with The Kingdom and read in order.
Start this series with The Kingdom
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Kingdom |
| 2 | Blood Ties |
Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete1 book (2021β2021)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | London |
Short Story Collections Series
Complete1 book (2021β2021)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Jealousy Man and Other Stories |
Standalone Novels Series
Ongoing4 books (2008β2025)
Jo Nesbo's Standalone Novels series comprises four mystery and thriller books published between 2008 and 2025, with the series still ongoing. These self-contained stories should be read in publication order, beginning with Headhunters and continuing through The Son, The Night House, and Wolf Hour. Each novel stands independently while showcasing Nesbo's distinctive approach to the crime and thriller genre.
Start with Headhunters, the first of 4 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Headhunters
Buy Book 1 πΊπΈπ§ Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Headhunters |
| 2 | The Son |
| 3 | The Night House |
| 4 | Wolf Hour |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Jo Nesbo written?
- Jo Nesbo has written 38 books across 8 series. Their published works span from 1997 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each Jo Nesbo series?
- Here are the first books in Jo Nesbo's series: Blood on Snow: Blood on Snow; Doktor Proctor: Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder; Harry Hole: The Bat; Hogarth Shakespeare: The Gap of Time(By: Jeanette Winterson); Kingdom: The Kingdom.
- What order should I read Jo Nesbo's books?
- We recommend reading Jo Nesbo's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Jo Nesbo still writing new books?
- Yes, Jo Nesbo has 3 ongoing series: Harry Hole, Kingdom, Standalone Novels.

