There has long been a strong tradition of Continental thriller fiction that sells well in Britain, from Simenon’s Maigret to Mankell’s Wallander. One of the book trade’s recent ‘big’ questions is ‘what are we going to find to replace the Larsson trilogy?’ The ‘Millenium’ series has been a huge success internationally, deservedly so. Although dark and often gruesome, they have raised the bar on thriller fiction, in no small part to superb translations. But Stieg Larsson famously died before his works achieved their success, so that well is dry. What next? Mankell is revisiting Wallander next year, not doubt encouraged by TV sales. Some have put their money on Jo Nesbo and ‘The Snowman’, but I found that crude, derivative and clumsily translated. The best I have yet seen to get anywhere near to the dizzy heights of Larsson is a pair of new novels by Paris-based Scot – David Barrie. Like Larsson, he effectively uses the environment it is set in. Rather than the bleak cold of Sweden, it is the ultra-chic world of fashion and high society in Paris that provides the backdrop and a fallen-from-favour spy is the policeman/ sleuth.
In Wasp-Waisted (John Law media; £7.99) - A young model is found dead in a luxury hotel in Paris. A stunning photo of the scene features on the cover of the country's top-selling scandal sheet. It was delivered before the police found the body. In a city obsessed with images of perfection, the murderer's artistic talents are the object of much admiration. It's Franck Guerin's first criminal case. Used to the murky world of national security, he has to learn to play by the rules. Not so easy when your only clue is the ultra-chic lingerie in which the victim was draped. The fashion trail takes him into a universe of desire, deceit, beauty and profit. As the victims mount and the images roll in, Franck has to train his eye to spot the killer's signature. Not to mention whoever is collecting photos of him.
In Night-Scented (John Law media; £7.99) - Isabelle Arbaud, as acerbic as she is ambitious, is determined to provoke a revolution in the elitist world of luxury brands. She has poached her rival’s most talented perfumer in order to invent an irresistible scent that will catapult her upstart fashion house to the head of the pack. Someone out there doesn’t want her to succeed. The investors who bankroll her efforts keep dying in circumstances which are, to say the least, suspicious. One is run off the road. Another is found shot in the head. Franck Guerin takes on the case. As other killings follow, however, he begins to wonder whether the real explanation for what is happening lies elsewhere – with an enigmatic homeless man who hovers on the periphery of each crime.
Even better, we have both books on sale at half price.
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