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JACQUOT AND THE MASTER
by Martin O'Brien
Headline, February 2007
416 pages
19.99 GBP
ISBN: 0755335031


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

There I was, racking my brains a few weeks ago for crime novels with rugby players in – and managed to overlook Martin O'Brien's series featuring former French star Daniel Jacquot (come to think of it, the only other series I can think of with a rugby link is Dominique Manotti's Supt Daquin books where our hero wreaks havoc on and off the pitch with his fists).

Both Jacquot and Daquin enjoy their food, and the former is summoned from a leisurely Saturday lunch to investigate a suspicious case at an exclusive hotel. A woman has disappeared and there's lots of blood, but no sign of a body. What there is, though, is a large cast of painters and business sharks dancing attendance on the shadowy figure that is the Master, an elderly artist.

Chief Inspector Jacquot's been moved from Marseilles to Cavaillon after a bust-up with a colleague, and the crime rate out in the sticks appears to be in minus numbers. So there's time for him to hang around the hotel and see what happens. When two bodies turn up, and a huge summer storm cuts off the hotel, the book turns into an old-fashioned mystery where you know those responsible are part of the group.

JACQUOT AND THE MASTER is what you might call a leisurely slow burner. The first 75 pages are devoted to the cast of supporting characters – and there's a fair few of them. Expect to flick backwards and forwards often, especially when it comes to the painting group.

Even when the bodies are found, the book still proceeds at a stately pace. And unless I missed something, O'Brien's not over-generous with clues (although one strand is easy to spot).

O'Brien is an elegant writer and he's particularly strong on his scene-setting – you really will believe you're in Provence, admiring the scenery and partaking of some sumptuous meals.

This is a rich, leisurely read. Jacquot's not a cop to be rushing around – he enjoys his food and his cigarettes and the occasional joint. So relax and enjoy a strong addition to what's turning into an impressive series.

Reviewed by Sharon Wheeler, February 2007

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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