Moon in a Dead Eye

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 show more 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. show less

When Martial and Odette move to a newly built retirement village in the south of France they are the first to arrive. They are eagerly awaiting their new neighbors, wondering who will move in next. Initially, all is well when Maxime and Marlène arrive. But will a retirement paradise become a retirement hell? Only Garnier will tell.

This books is short but brilliant. It manages to say so much about the human condition. The characters are pitch perfect, the atmosphere moves from light to dark and the location is telling. If this is any indication of Pascal Garnier's other work, I can't wait to read more.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallic Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

OK, I admit it: I lied. When I reviewed Pascal Garnier's The A26, I said that next up would be Boxes, also translated by Melanie Florence, but it just didn't sound as deliciously dark as Moon in a Dead Eye. The latter proved to be just as satisfying as it sounded. Garnier had a remarkable ability to get to the dark underbellies of everyday people in a way which feels so organic to the characters that not only the reader, but the characters themselves are surprised by the depths to which they willingly sink. Emily Boyce's translation was beautiful, with none of the incongruities which so distracted me in Florence's take on The A26.

Literary noir seems to be making quite a comeback, with Akashic's Noir Series anthologies leading show more the charge. None of Garnier's work is included in the two French anthologies thus far (Paris Noir and Marseille Noir), however, so kudos once again to Gallic Books for bringing his unique voice to the attention of English-speaking readers.

I received a free copy of Moon in a Dead Eye through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

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 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.