The Leopard

Main Characters and Their Development

• Harry Hole - the main character, a detective who returns to Norway from Hong Kong to investigate a series of murders. He battles personal demons, including alcohol addiction and guilt over past mistakes. During the investigation, he faces dangers and betrayal, but his persistence and intuition help him solve the case.
• Katrine Bratt - Harry's colleague who assists him in the investigation. She is smart and determined but also has her own secrets and motives that gradually unfold throughout the story.
• Mikael Bellman - an ambitious police officer striving for power. He is willing to do anything to advance his career, making him a potential antagonist for Harry.
• Rakel Fauke - Harry's former lover with whom he has a complicated relationship. She plays an important role in his personal life and influences his decisions.
• Oleg Fauke - Rakel's son, whom Harry treats as his own. Their relationship also develops against the backdrop of the investigation.
• Anders Wessel - one of the suspects in the series of murders, whose personality and motives become key in the investigation.