Book-to-screen adaptations have become a staple of modern streaming, with platforms like Apple TV+ and Prime Video carving out their own niches. Netflix, however, has been more eclectic, dabbling in everything from romance to sci-fi. But when it comes to crime thrillers, the streamer has occasionally struck gold, and that's exactly what happened earlier this year with the debut of Detective Hole, based on Jo Nesbø's beloved Norwegian detective.
The series, starring Tobias Santelmann as the troubled Harry Hole, was a critical and commercial hit. It earned a stellar 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and spent four weeks in Netflix's global top ten for non-English shows. The first season adapted The Devil's Star, the fifth book in the series, and introduced viewers to a world of corruption and moral ambiguity, with Harry clashing with the dangerously unhinged Tom Waaler, played by Joel Kinnaman.
While Netflix hasn't yet announced a second season, fans of the character have plenty to celebrate this week. On November 5, Vintage Publishing released Kill Shot, the fourteenth installment in the Harry Hole saga. This 544-page thriller, translated by Seán Kinsella, is available in paperback for around $13.50, with an audiobook edition narrated by Sean Barrett also on offer. A hardcover version is slated for February 23 of next year, priced at $35.
For those who've followed Harry's journey from the beginning, Kill Shot finds him in a very different place. No longer a detective, he's trying to keep his distance from the chaos that once defined his life. But Oslo is facing a new kind of terror: a killer staging murders inspired by iconic movie scenes, each more shocking than the last. The evidence points to the city's biggest film set, and Harry's stepson, Oleg, is caught in the middle of the investigation.
Despite his efforts to stay away, Harry's instincts—honed over years of chasing the worst humanity has to offer—pull him back into the fray. He reunites with his old team, but this time the stakes are deeply personal. As the killer saves their most dramatic scene for last, Harry must race against time while wrestling with the line between professional duty and personal loyalty. The novel's final twist is being hailed as a jaw-dropper that will leave readers reeling.
The success of Detective Hole on Netflix has undoubtedly boosted interest in the book series, and Kill Shot is poised to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers eager for more of Nesbø's dark, intricate storytelling. If you're in the mood for another gripping crime saga, you might also want to check out this Knives Out successor on Netflix, or keep an eye on Richard Madden's upcoming thriller for more streaming excitement.
All nine episodes of Detective Hole are currently streaming on Netflix, and Kill Shot is available now wherever books are sold. Stay tuned for more updates on the future of the series and any potential second season announcements.
