Not my favorite (yet) of Garnier's books, but still a unique take on two couples and a single woman who find themselves living in a retirement community. A mixture of the mundane and outrageous, but somehow it all seems so plausible as things spiral out of control. Garnier takes the quirks of human nature and lets them get just a little bit out of control, and look what happens! Bleakly funny. Recommended. ( )

I have read quite a few of Pascal Garnier’s short (novella sized) crime stories. Gallic Noir tales full of gallows humor, unsavory characters, and shocking plot twists. The problem is there are only about 10 or so translated out of his 60 plus works. I have been savoring them. After Moon in a Dead Eye I only have one left and am constantly hoping that a new set of translations will arrive at some time.

Garnier, to provide a reference, has a style that can be likened to a cross between James Elroy and James M. Cain. Obviously he is an original in his own right, but that gives a new reader an idea. In my opinion he is required reading for anyone who enjoys mystery/crime fiction and is a master level noir writer.

Garnier is so dark and twisted (at least his stories are!) that he can take a concept like a retirement community and turn it into something sinister and foreboding. As with most of his stories the characters (fully realized and completely believable characters) are damaged with secrets and hidden agendas that eat away at their peace of mind and color their actions. You can also be sure that no matter how idyllic the situation, very soon (these are novellas so the action comes on fast) the crap is going to hit the fan and the whole thing will wind up getting darker by the minute.

I only have one Garnier book left and am desperately waiting more translations. He is as good as it gets when it comes to noir/crime novelists, in my opinion. ( )

I read this in the original French not to show off but because I'm trying to improve my French and it seemed a very short and accessible novel. I'd also read good things about the writer. And it was a very entertaining read even if I found the French quite challenging because it relies a lot on subtle characterisation and dark humour which don't always translate easily.
It builds tension well and is very funny in places. If you're about to retire, it's a timely warning of what not to do with your retirement. It's only weakness is an unnecessarily over the top ending. ( )

Quick, fast-paced read of only 127 pp. -- a mixture of mystery, black humor, surrealism and psychological studies of several old people in a newly-minted gated community. We get to know each one and their foibles intimately. Spare prose with terse dialogue. Recommended. ( )

An inauspicious start to life in retirement in the South of France, plus it's raining.
Then 3 things happen. The sun shines, new neighbours arrive and more ominously gypsies take up residence outside the retirement village.
A funny, tense, violent story.
I was given a digital copy of of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review. ( )