Anyone who has set foot in a bookstore in the last couple of years knows that Scandinavian crime thrillers are hot, thanks in great part to the late Stig Larson and his tattooed lady friend. Popular as Larson’s novels may be, those who truly appreciate a well-written yarn know to turn to Norwegian Jo Nesbø, author of the Harry Hole series and Edgar Award-nominated writer of some of the best crime fiction around today. Headhunters is the first Nesbø book to make it to the big screen, and it proves that his work is a perfect match for the movies.
This twisted tale of a corporate headhunter who moonlights as a professional art thief provides enough action, suspense, surprises and all-out fun to remind us there’s a reason these Scandinavian authors are so popular: they really know how to tell a story and entertain an audience, something Headhunters does with exceptional skill. — Matthew Kiernan