Vicki S. (curledupwithabook) - , reviewed on 9/22/2013 + 169 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

This book is translated from the French original. If you speak French or Spanish, you will notice where the translator struggled to convey a mood or thought for which there simply are no good English words. Truth is, English is no romance language, that's for sure. Once I accepted that slight awkwardness, I enjoyed this quirky book. I guess quirky primarily describes the main character, Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg, Commissaire of police headquarters in Paris' 5th arrondissement, but there are others in the book who are just as colorful and kooky.

The mystery is a good one: who's drawing the chalk circles on the street and leaving dead bodies in them? The book is a bit atmospheric and dark, but Ms. Vargas adds some humor and just a smidgen of romance to lighten up the mood. The reader spends a lot of time in Adamsberg's head and it's interesting to know his thoughts on the other characters and see how he figures out the who-done-it. A good book to lose yourself in while on a flight to wherever.

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