In all this is a fast paced, compelling and violent read that necessitates reading with one hand partially covering the eyes at times and sleeping with the light on. This referencing adds another layer to the narrative and is cleverly executed. As I have read a considerable number of books since reading Alex this was not too much of a problem for me.īack to the merits of the book great character development, a rich and twisted plot, a narrative that pays homage to other esteemed books of crime fiction including but not limited to American Psycho and the Black Dahlia. He has won exceptional critical and public acclaim as a master of the crime novel and has won the Prix du Premier Roman de Cognac, the Prix du Meilleur Polar Francophone, and the Prix du Polar Europeen du Point. Which also meant that the reader already had some idea of the outcome for the book before they started reading Irene. Pierre Lemaitre worked for many years as a literature professor before become a full-time writer. However with reflection and distance I can see the book is very well written and translated, the only problem here that this, the first book in the series was translated and released second to the memorable Alex, Alex is outstanding. The horror, torture, brutality and the vivid depiction of the savage crimes against women left me stunned and shattered my dreams. My first thoughts are that this book is bloody and dark and twisted beyond my general tolerance for such things. There can only be one winner – whoever has the least to lose.

With both men in the public eye, the case develops into a personal duel, each hell-bent on outsmarting the other. When he discovers that the killer has killed before – that each murder is a homage to a classic crime novel – the fourth estate are quick to coin a nickname.

Worse still, the press seem to have it in for him – his every move is headline news. For Commandant Verhœven life is beautiful: he is happily married, expecting his first child with the lovely Irène.īut his blissful existence is punctured by a murder of unprecedented savagery.

Irène by Pierre Lemaitre