Jean-Patrick Manchette (1942–1995)

The woman at the center of this story has definitely take a page from Hammett's Continental Op in her manipulation of a whole town. Engrossing from start to finish, with great action scenes, dialogue, and a nihilistic world view that is actually quite refreshing. Really a novelette, which is the perfect length for Manchette's near-perfect story. This is my third Manchette book and he has to be near the top of noir writers. Those who are trying to read this like they would an Agatha Christive novel--or even one by Dashiell Hammett are missing the point entirely. If you are fed up with the way the world works, read this--or any of his other works you come across.… (more)

The title is appropriate. This is a pretty unhinged, mostly chase, thriller about a dying killer, a somewhat deranged nanny, a rich architect and his ward, a few more killers, and a lot of innocent bystanders. The little details about places and things, together with the nonstop action and excellent writing (and translation) make this an enjoyable romp. Despite the level of violence, the treatment makes it less dark and serious than the other Manchette books I have recently read. But in any case, he was a master.… (more)

When he left Nauzac at nineteen Martin Terrier had a life plan: Make enough money to return in a decade and retrieve his girlfriend Anne Freux. Whatever his plan, he joined the army, moved on to mercenary work, then was recruited by a “firm” as a hired killer, an assassin. Now that he wants to leave that life, the firm objects. He goes anyway to find Anne has married while he was gone. Then the turmoil begins.

There are murders and kidnappings that Martin gets caught up in, caused by his former boss at the shadowy firm. He’s meant to be a scapegoat. There’s the Anne issue. Maybe he comes out on top – it’s subject to interpretation. And then there’s his father’s legacy. There’s more to the story than assassinations, murder and conspiracies. That’s what set this book aside from others of the genre.… (more)