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JACQUOT AND THE ANGEL
by Martin O'Brien
Headline, January 2006
544 pages
6.99GBP
ISBN: 0755322878


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

JACQUOT AND THE ANGEL is the second in the excellent series by Martin O'Brien to feature former French international rugby player Chief Inspector Daniel Jacquot. In contrast to the first book in the series, JACQUOT AND THE WATERMAN this time we find Jacquot resident in the usually trouble-free village of St Bedard-le-Chapitre in Cavaillon. He is now a member of the Cavaillon Regional Crime Squad as opposed to the hustle and bustle and mean streets of Marseilles where readers first met him.

In this latest baffling case, Jacquot and his colleague Jean Brunet find themselves investigating the brutal murder of Dr Martner, a retired German dentist orchid connoisseur, and his family. What could have prompted this vicious attack? Could it have something to do with Martner's past as a Nazi officer and the wartime resistance? It is clear that some of the villagers still harbour bitter resentment about what happened during the war.

Where did he get all the money from to spend on his exotic trips and orchids? From the initial investigation by the police, it is obvious that the late doctor could not really afford his lavish lifestyle. In addition, who is the mysterious 'Angel' who appears out of nowhere and charms most of the villagers?

The case takes a further unexpected turn when the German Police also become involved. With the trail going back to the beginning of the war, Jacquot soon finds that his own family had a crucial part to play in the events which he is investigating.

From the start of JACQUOT AND THE ANGEL, this is much more than a straightforward police procedural -- the tension is evident; the storyline develops at a satisfying speed. The fact that Jacquot finds that he has a private connection to the case does not detract from the elegant storytelling; on the contrary it adds another intense dimension to the whole story.

Jacquot is not your typical police officer -- it is not often that you see police officers (of any country) wearing a ponytail but he is a determined police officer who leaves no stone unturned when it comes to investigating cases.

Apart from the fact that this is a brilliant stylistic police procedural one of the best things for me about JACQUOT AND THE ANGEL is the way in which the author manages to make you feel part of the countryside and the village. All the characters are interesting and you can quite easily imagine yourself being part of the village life.

If you have read any of the books by Fred Vargas then you will certainly enjoy the Jacquot series as well. O'Brien may not live in France, but he certainly knows how to bring the dark, sultry secrets once thought to be well-hidden to life and to the notice of discerning readers.

Reviewed by Ayo Onatade, January 2006

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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