Maak dat je wegkomt (original 2001; edition 2003)

Chief Inspector Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg has got what he really wanted, a murder squad to lead in Paris. The only problem now is that he has to learn 28 new names of the members of his team so it's a good job Danglard, his trusty no.2, has come along with him to help him out. While they're getting their new offices kitted out a woman comes in to report a strange case of graffiti, someone has been painting backwards 4's on the doors in her apartment block. Thinking nothing of it, Adamsberg fobs her off with some vague reassurances but is then more intrigued when the woman returns reporting other instances around different districts in Paris. Danglard has a fuzzy recollection of the symbol and Camille, Adamsberg's lover, also remembers seeing it in a history book of a friend. While all this has been going on, there's a town crier who's been getting some very strange messages, which seem to be snippets of old history books left for him to read. One of his friends manages to trace where the texts are coming from and what they portend they realise they should inform the police and as the friend in question has had dealings with Adamsberg before that's who they arrange to see and advise him that someone may be planning to release the black death at any moment. When he hears the tale, Adamsberg decides to track down the meaning of the backwards 4's and contacts Camille's historian friend, who turns out to be one of The Three Evangelists so if you've read that book it's a nice little cameo, and that also relates to the plague being used as a talisman to ward it off. Is someone seriously about to unleash the Black Death or is it just fear mongering or perhaps there's something else behind it all. Whichever, it's not long before the first victim is found and the pronouncements left for the crier are getting worse.

Adamsberg is not a typical detective, often following gut instinct even when there's no logic behind his feelings. He's somewhat absent-minded, especially with names and dates but he often sees more than even he realises at the time with pictures of events returning to him with a vital clue as to what he may be looking for. The author manages to use her knowledge as an historian to really help set the scene and ramp up the tension with each step. The story does meander along for a while at the beginning but Vargas' characters are so bright and varied I didn't mind one bit. Last time I visited this series I found the translation to be a bit clunky but even though it was done by the same person I had no problems this time around. An original voice in a genre that is increasingly difficult to find something that bit different, recommended for those looking for a more off-beat police procedural. ( )

That is a brilliant if somewhat quirky thriller. It's Adamsberg at the top of his game. Vargas writes an intricate tapestry of characters, a very scary bogey man, the threat of a black plague epidemic is a scary, scary thing. She uses history, psychology and an unorthodox way of putting things together that pulls the reader inside the story and you feel you have to read the next page and the next to find out the next clue, the next move of the killer and the next countermove of Adamsberg. It's a wonderful ride and you learn things too. Great bonus. ( )

The profession of old-time town crier is alive and well in one of the arrondissements of Paris: former sailor Joss Le Guern occupies his time by reading, for a fee, news, weather and the sorts of announcements you find in the classified section of the local paper. However, lately he's had some very odd announcements showing up in his box: the style seems centuries old, and the tone ominous. Then signs start appearing on doors: a backwards 4, believed to be a talisman against the plague. THE plague. The "Black Death." But surely that can't be returning to Paris? Commissaire Adamsberg will have to find out what's behind this story…

I was intrigued from the start. Granted, the first third or so takes a bit of time to set the scene, but that seems to be par for the course with Vargas so I was prepared to invest the time required to become fully immersed in the story (which also had added to it the extra time I need when reading books in French, which is my second language). Vargas is also highly knowledgeable about the plague, having previously written a book about its epidemiology, so the parts dealing with past plagues felt especially vivid. And once the populace really started fearing that the plague was upon them, I couldn't stop reading.

This installment of the Adamsberg series is also the one where he and his lieutenant, Danglard, meet the crew of the Groupe homicide for the first time. Adamsberg's attempts to commit all of their names to memory serve as a running theme throughout the book and help us picture all of them as individuals. We also get a glimpse into his life with the elusive Camille, while Danglard's softer side is revealed in an unexpected way.

As to the writing style, I read more for content when I'm reading in French, so I don't really have too much to say about it, other than that the humour can be dry and very cutting in places (which is fine with me). And as mentioned, the narration can be a bit meandering while the story is first being set up. Still, it's worth a read if you are interested in the historical events referenced by the story or if you like mysteries with a dollop of weird. ( )

I think I liked [book: Seeking Whom He May Devour] more, but nice writing style and still enjoyable. ( )

Is there anyone else like Fred Vargas? (because I would like to read them!) The unlikely policeman Adamsberg, the winebibbing Danglard, the element of the occult...she's amazing! ( )