But I recommended it highly to Jim, because he is a fanatic Coen Brothers fan, so I felt pretty sure he would have fun with this book. Nevertheless, as intensely as I like the Harry Hole series by Nesbo, I could have given this standalone book a pass. But I have to admit that once the book entered the “Fargo-in-Oslo” mode, the pacing was terrific, and some of the antics were – well, I can understand how this could have become, as it has, a blockbuster movie in Norway.

Jill’s Evaluation and Rating: I didn’t actually like this book much, because I didn’t like the characters, I’m not into black humor, and I don’t like Coen-Brothers-type plots. You don’t need to let all your standards decline just because you have become a murderer.” But changed my mind and fetched a glass from the overhead cabinet. “I grabbed a carton of grapefruit juice and was about to put it to my mouth. The book was made into a movie released in Norway in 2011, and was nominated for multiple awards, including four Amanda Awards and a BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Roger even becomes a bit more likable (but only in comparison to the other characters) and Nesbo winds it all up with his usual bookend-style twist. Roger’s ambition to get the pièce de résistance of stolen art turns into a Fargo-in-Oslo type debacle, with plenty of black humor and plot twists. His beautiful wife Diana requires quite a bit of money to keep her happy, and he has worked out a good way to take care of the problem. For Roger also has a side business, which is art theft. Thereby he figures out weaknesses, buttons to push, Achilles heels, and one other important thing: if the candidate owns any valuable works of art. He then subjects each prospect to the FBI’s nine-step interrogation techniques developed by Inbau, Reid and Buckley.

He is obsessed with his height, or lack thereof, at 5’5”, and so always insists that a good candidate must first of all be a tall one.

Roger Brown, age 35, is a corporate headhunter who is considered to be the best in his field. (But once it takes off, it really flies!) It doesn’t really take off, however, until after the somewhat boring initial set-up section. Jo Nesbo has written a standalone crime novel, eminently suited for a movie directed and produced by the Coen Brothers. Note: Jim and I co-wrote this review, and each gave it different ratings.

Jo nesbo headhunters book