Author:Fred Vargas,Siân Reynolds
Discover the addictive first book in Fred Vargas’s internationally acclaimed Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg series
‘The hottest property in contemporary crime fiction’ Guardian
Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg is not like other policemen. His methods appear unorthodox in the extreme: he doesn't search for clues; he ignores obvious suspects and arrests people with cast-iron alibis; he appears permanently distracted. In spite of all this his colleagues are forced to admit that he is a born cop.
When strange blue chalk circles start appearing overnight on the pavements of Paris, only Adamsberg takes them - and the increasingly bizarre objects found within them - seriously. And when the body of a woman with her throat savagely cut is found in one, only Adamsberg realises that other murders will soon follow…
‘Rich and witty' Independent
**Winner of The CWA Duncan Lawrie International Dagger**
Rich and witty
—— IndependentShe wants to surprise, unsettle, frustrate and amuse - and succeeds in writing a gripping novel that takes readers out of their comfort zones
—— The ScotsmanThe hottest property in contemporary crime fiction
—— GuardianThe novel shows Vargas in riveting form right from the start of her writing career
—— The TimesWitty, inventive and vaguely surreal, this novel should win over the most diehard crime fiction fans
—— Melissa McClemets , Financial TimesCunningly constructed... Vargas is everything Grisham is not: witty, intriguing, disconcerting and seductively romantic
—— Arminta Wallace , Sunday TelegraphIt is Vargas's eerie, sensuous portrait of Paris, at once a place of romance and dread, which resonates most hauntingly in this novel
—— Dan Sheehan , The Irish TimesA flavoursome translation, it shows her [Vargas'] dark charm from the off
—— Boyd Tonkin , Independent on SundayMark Haddon's portrayal of an emotionally dissociated mind is a superb achievement. He is a wise and bleakly funny writer with rare gifts of empathy
—— Ian McEwanI have never read anything quite like Mark Haddon's funny and agonizingly honest book, or encountered a narrator more vivid and memorable. I advise you to buy two copies; you won't want to lend yours out
—— Arthur Golden, author of 'Memoirs of a Geisha'Original, moving and entertaining for adults as well as for older children
—— Julia Donaldson , Daily ExpressA deservedly acclaimed read.
—— Time Out LondonIt may be McHugh’s debut psychological crime novel, but in my book, The Weight of Blood, puts this talented writer up there with the best of them. Inspired by a true story that took place in the town in the Ozark Mountains where McHugh spent part of her childhood, this gripping thriller bravely confronts the scandalous treatment of young women in modern-day America… A compulsive debut filled with suspense, this book leaves me wanting more from McHugh
—— Peterborough Evening TelegraphA chilling psychological thriller with two distinct strands... This is tense, atmospheric stuff well told, an impressive debut
—— Love ReadingOne of my favourite reads of last year, this is a well-written cleverly plotted and chilling story
—— Daily ExpressCompelling.
—— Sunday TelegraphThere is a fantastically handled creeping dread to the narrative flow… The ambiguity of Jake's story and her history are played with brilliantly throughout, making this an eerie, creepy kind of existential thriller.
—— Doug Johnstone , Big IssueTim Winton [is] a writer with whom the fearless Wyld deserves serious comparison.
—— Catherine Taylor , Sunday TelegraphCompletely and utterly monumental. Powerful and beautiful written... I was a fan of Evie Wyld beforehand and this is such a leap forwards. An important book.
—— Bidisha , Saturday Review, Radio 4Thriller, beast-fable and fantasy, Evie Wyld’s second novel is a sparky, dark yarn set in a georgic world of sheep husbandry where things have gone spectacularly awry.
—— Stevie Davies , IndependentIn a sense, this is a tale of possible love and redemption, at once energetic and dark. In another sense, it is a book about summary justice and suspicion, which we readers have been indulging in too… Clever and very unexpected indeed.
—— Kathleen Jamie , GuardianA story that asks darkly whether we can rid ourselves of our past.
—— Julia Wigan , Country LifeWyld has a skill for creating flawed characters you can’t help but root for.
—— Mariella Frostrup , CosmopolitanIt is written with wit and affection.
—— Four ShiresThis is a wonderfully atmospheric novel with a gripping narrative that keeps the reader on edge all the way through.
—— Good Book GuideA dark, powerfully disturbing and beautifully observed story about a haunting, both physical and temporal.
—— William Boyd , New StatesmanEvie Wyld merges into her mysterious tale of a lonely shepherdess a savage Australian back-story that lends a haunting extra dimension to a novel of troubling beauty.
—— Boyd Tonkin , IndependentA page-turner.
—— Viv Groskop , ObserverAll the Birds, Singing is a gracefully written, absorbing thriller from a new literary talent.
—— StylistA hair-pricking rural thriller that confirms the talents of a thrilling prose stylist.
—— Patricia Nicol , MetroI’ve never taught a creative writing course, but if I did I’d certainly introduce my would-be students to Evie Wyld’s All the Birds, Singing... Written in the future tense, the book has an ending of extraordinary pathos and beauty.
—— Ciarán Collins , Sunday Business PostThis is a powerful, gritty, strong story of suffering and survival... It is quality stuff, stunning.
—— BooksellerA wonderfully atmospheric novel with a gripping narrative.
—— Good Book GuidePrecise, intense, haunting and poetic… This is a subtle exploration of suffering and resilience and, for once, the hype matches the talent.
—— Lucy Atkins , Sunday TimesBroodingly lyrical… Spellbinding.
—— Megan O'Grady , Vogue USWyld uses language that is purely gorgeous, even – perhaps especially – when underscoring dread.
—— Barbara King , Washington PostImpressive.
—— New York TimesA tough and tender take on suffering and redemption.
—— PsychologiesSuspenseful and melancholy… Masterful
—— New YorkerA compelling, tense novel that lingers with the reader long after it has been finished
—— Eastern Daily PressWith beautiful writing, it is a compelling, rather dark story which makes you laugh and cry
—— Morag Watkins , Watford ObserverI am obsessed with it, and with what Wyld is going to do next
—— Lisa Coen , Irish Times