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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
The focus of this story shifts to Adamsberg and his rapid and the worrying unraveling of his mind when a buried case is revived by his subconscious. The case is dead and buried both the victims and the Judge that Adamsberg had suspected of the crime. But this case brings those memories to the focus and those he shares them with become concerned as he comes to believe the dead man is alive.
Cleverly Vargas takes takes Adamsberg out of Paris and France to Canada on a training course at one point with the rest of his team, which leads to seeing Dangard, his second in command, loose his usual cool prior to and during the flight over. Adamsberg also gets a new sidekick at one point that again shows Adamsberg from a new angle.
Previous novels have hinted at his womanising tendencies and even though we don’t linger on the events themselves we do see some consequences this time, which we haven’t seen before. Especially as he still has a thing for Camille even though he stays out of her way she is a big part of his mental space.
There is always a touch of madness about Adamsberg’s methods, which are especially unorthodox considering his high position in the police force but they seem to work most of the time, even if they are strange hunches to his colleagues who mostly stick to traditional detective procedures he usual nails who needs nailing.
What’s nice about the way this story is constructed is that Adamsberg is the complete focus, though he’d prefer the attention not to be on him in this case it’s inevitable under the circumstances.
And Vargas plays her what if guessing game where you aren’t sure what is true and bearing in mind Adamsberg’s mental state you’d be forgiven to be more unsure of his methods than normal.
But not to worry. Vargas is a mistress of leading us up the garden path and then plunging our understanding into a different direction.
Again Vargas has pulled off a creative and unique police procedural by swapping her focus again and giving us a different view of her hero Adamsberg.
Well worth reading.
Cleverly Vargas takes takes Adamsberg out of Paris and France to Canada on a training course at one point with the rest of his team, which leads to seeing Dangard, his second in command, loose his usual cool prior to and during the flight over. Adamsberg also gets a new sidekick at one point that again shows Adamsberg from a new angle.
Previous novels have hinted at his womanising tendencies and even though we don’t linger on the events themselves we do see some consequences this time, which we haven’t seen before. Especially as he still has a thing for Camille even though he stays out of her way she is a big part of his mental space.
There is always a touch of madness about Adamsberg’s methods, which are especially unorthodox considering his high position in the police force but they seem to work most of the time, even if they are strange hunches to his colleagues who mostly stick to traditional detective procedures he usual nails who needs nailing.
What’s nice about the way this story is constructed is that Adamsberg is the complete focus, though he’d prefer the attention not to be on him in this case it’s inevitable under the circumstances.
And Vargas plays her what if guessing game where you aren’t sure what is true and bearing in mind Adamsberg’s mental state you’d be forgiven to be more unsure of his methods than normal.
But not to worry. Vargas is a mistress of leading us up the garden path and then plunging our understanding into a different direction.
Again Vargas has pulled off a creative and unique police procedural by swapping her focus again and giving us a different view of her hero Adamsberg.
Well worth reading.
Excelente, divertidíssimo e maravilhosamente bem escrito!!!
Onhan tämä Vargas vallan huikea kirjoittaja! Olen nauttinut jokaisesta Adamsberg-sarjan kirjasta, niin tästäkin. Pidin erityisesti tarinan ihanista henkilöhahmoista, joista suosikeikseni tässä osassa nousivat Retancourt ja tietokoneverkkoja hakkeroiva mummo, Josette. Vargasin mielikuvitus lentää ja irtoaa juuri sen verran realiteeteista, että yliluonnollisista kirjoista piittaamatonkin lukija nauttii.
I feel a wee bit guilty about giving this four instead of five stars. I'm wildly impressed by Vargas and greedily bought the remaining eight Adamsberg novels after I finished the first one. Have been pacing myself. It would be a shame to binge read and have nothing left to savor. (For some reason, too, I'm mental about the sequence... I was fairly sure this was #3 but it is listed here as #6. This is the third one I've read at any rate. Was blown away by Chalk Circle Man--was sucked into the plot immediately and couldn't put it down. Then Devour, well, that had Hound of the Baskervilles and Beast of Gevaudan overtones, which grabbed me. This one began well, kept me going but... First issue: in the previous two, Adamsberg has a knowing, an almost pyschic ability to put things together. He was clueless in this one. I found it annoying that his mind was so clouded. I hate the feeling of wanting to scream to your protagonist, "Oh, come on, you idiot, you aren't falling for this, are you?" And while there were all sorts of puzzles to unravel and wonderfully quirky characters, as usual, there was one named dropped that seemed like a clue that was never mentioned again. Seemed like there had to be significance since so many other bits did have significance. The big wrap up at the end was enjoyable. Almost. One great big thing hanging out there. Perhaps it's my American showing that I wanted the bow to be tied snug at the end and plumped pretty. It was not. The bow was put on the package but left loose. Perhaps too, I was disappointed that, much as I loved the Hound of the B/ Gevaudan backdrop, the Trident and Poseidon backdrop didn't quite hold together as well when we find out what the real and odd motivation behind the murders is. Also, I'm a Poseidon fan and he is portrayed in a dark light which dismayed me. Final thought--while this one didn't enthrall me as much as the previous two, I will still readily pick up the next one, and, as with this one, leave housework and duties aside until I've devoured it.
shock. adamsberg che perde le staffe e minaccia uno con una bottiglia proprio non me l'aspettavo.. cioè se cadono i miei punti fermi, le certezze.. cosa rimane?
cmq... come i canadesi a cavallo sono solo per i turisti?!?!?!? ma quante altre certezze mi voleva distruggere la vargas in questo libro?!?
un fantasma del passato può essere troppo distruttivo *-*
cmq... come i canadesi a cavallo sono solo per i turisti?!?!?!? ma quante altre certezze mi voleva distruggere la vargas in questo libro?!?
un fantasma del passato può essere troppo distruttivo *-*
Fred Vargas m’a vraiment fait rire avec l’enchaînement des clichés verbaux sur les Québécois mais malgré des « tu » en veux-tu en v’la c’était toujours aussi passionnant comme intrigue. Tout se place dans le temps et l’imaginaire déborde comme de coutume. Personnages attachants.
Excellent book, as always with Fred Vargas.
It is the abundance of tiny detail that might be like distraction from the main plot that makes the book so delightful.
Can't wait to read the next one.
It is the abundance of tiny detail that might be like distraction from the main plot that makes the book so delightful.
Can't wait to read the next one.
It was an interesting but strange book. Might want to try another Vargas book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes