Skip to content
Jo Nesbø, writer episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 18, 2026 · 50 MIN

Jo Nesbø, writer

from Desert Island Discs · host BBC Radio 4

Jo Nesbø is a writer, known as the king of 'Nordic Noir'. His internationally bestselling crime thrillers following the exploits of detective Harry Hole have been translated into fifty languages, sold over sixty million copies and have been adapted for film and TV. Being a bestselling author was not his first job. As a teenager, he played football professionally before an injury put paid to his sporting career. He played guitar and wrote songs for a band which then became very successful in Norway and he combined his gigging nightlife with a day job on Norway’s stock market. His relentless schedule led to him taking time off from both the band and the stock market and whilst he was travelling on a plane to Australia, he wrote his first draft of his debut Harry Hole novel. He has since gone on to write thirteen Harry Hole novels along with children’s stories and other standalone books. Jo lives in Oslo. DISC ONE: Perfect Skin - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions DISC TWO: Ticket To Ride - The Beatles DISC THREE: Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) - Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel DISC FOUR: I Can’t Be Satisfied – Muddy Waters DISC FIVE: Bus to Baton Rouge - Lucinda Williams DISC SIX: Hand of God - Nick Cave, Warren Ellis DISC SEVEN: Swamp - Talking Heads DISC EIGHT: Independence Day - Bruce Springsteen BOOK CHOICE: Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski LUXURY ITEM: A shoehorn CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Independence Day - Bruce Springsteen Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Sarah Taylor Desert Island Discs has cast other writers away over the years including Lee Child, Steven King and Martina Cole. You can hear their programmes if you search through BBC Sounds or our own Desert Island Discs website.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 18, 2026

Embed this episode

Ready to play

Jo Nesbø, writer

0:00 50:49

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

Epic: Silver Wing Realm EPIC is your new HQ for Realm’s exhilarating action and adventure stories, with new episodes dropping every Monday introduced by host Faith McQuinn. Embark on your greatest adventures yet, whether it’s crash landing on a desolate planet with only a cerebrally-embedded AI to guide you, or realizing that your latest game design is the only thing staving off total global annihilation. So unsheath those earbuds, clench that steering wheel, and buckle up because EPIC is about to take off. This month, we are featuring Silver Wing: On a desert planet in the far future, an old dragon hunter embarks on a desperate journey to save her estranged son. For centuries, the dragons have been sleeping. But in their rest, they provide a crucial energy source necessary to keep the planet Toon Flats habitable. Amphet Dahl is a diviner, gifted with the ability to sense the dragons’ dreams and memories and to the disappointment of her son, Afton, she uses this ability to This Tiny World This Tiny World Podcast Lighthouse keepers. Monks. Night guards. Astronauts. Island caretakers. What do these people all have in common? They live in tiny worlds, hidden from everyday life, where they have to figure out what makes them tick and how to keep themselves entertained. This Tiny World reports the captivating stories of people who live and work off the beaten path, in solitary conditions, or remote areas far from home. Join us as we explore their unique lives and professions. First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen Arizona's Family (3TV & CBS 5) First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen is a show that covers not only weather and climate but also other interesting topics related to Arizona. The Arizona's Family First Alert Weather team uses this platform to explore subjects such as astronomy, desert gardening, our landscape, our precious resources, and more. It's a forum that allows us to go beyond the forecast, which is why it's called First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen. Desert Air Nevada Public Radio Desert Air is the best of Desert Companion magazine for your ears — arts and culture coverage, thoughtful commentary, and creative nonfiction. This podcast provides a space for interviews and storytelling unlike any other, connecting Southern Nevadans with each other and their home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Desert Island Discs?

This episode is 50 minutes long.

When was this Desert Island Discs episode published?

This episode was published on July 18, 2026.

Can I download this Desert Island Discs episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!