Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Commandant Servaz, a top-notch investigator for the city of Toulouse, France, at the foot of the Pyrenees, relies more on his gut than on science. Servaz is annoyed when he is called away from an investigation to a new crime scene at the hydroelectric plant of Arruns, so high above sea level that the only way to reach it is by cable car. A beheaded body is hung on the upper deck; it is not a human body, however, but rather that of a Thoroughbred horse. This disturbing scene only gets more disturbing when the DNA of an inmate at Institute Wargnier, the nearby psychiatric prison, is found on the horse. This case gets priority as the horse belonged to Eric Lombard, CEO of a multinational company and member of a very influential family with strong political ties to the area. In a parallel story, Diane Berg, a new psychologist, has arrived at the institute and is not entirely welcome, especially after she uncovers flagrant mistreatment of the prisoners. The pervasiveness of evil in this tense and disturbing novel makes for very compelling reading, with the suspense bordering on horror. It should appeal to those who enjoyed Pierre Lemaitre's Alex (2013) as well as the edgier Scandinavian thrillers.--Alesi, Stacy Copyright 2014 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
French author Minier's assured debut adroitly combines a genuinely creepy series of crimes, a literally chilling atmosphere, and a dogged detective. Commandant Martin Servaz, of the regional crime unit in Toulouse, is annoyed to be pulled off the sadistic murder of a homeless man for a case that doesn't even involve homicide. The mutilated and beheaded corpse of a horse was left suspended at a cable car terminus, terrifying the workers at a water power plant that the tram services. The horse belonged to ultrawealthy Eric Lombard, who owns the plant and has companies all around the world, as well as friends in high places. A nearby psychiatric institution specializes in the treatment of extremely dangerous murderers, including a Hannibal Lecter-like sociopath, but the asylum's security measures make it impossible for any of the patients to escape. Minier's execution equals his considerable cleverness. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Set in the French Pyrenees, Minier's debut thriller introduces Commandant Martin Servaz of the Toulouse police, who has been called to the scene of an unusual and brutal crime. The prized yearling of a local wealthy businessman has been decapitated, and its headless corpse is found hanging from cables suspended near the cable car terminus on a mountain peak. Servaz reluctantly begins his investigation and finds, shortly thereafter, the DNA of a notorious murderer on the horse's body. This lead is baffling as this killer is currently incarcerated in a nearby asylum for the criminally insane. A few days later, a chemist in a neighboring town is found horribly murdered with the same improbable DNA found on the scene. Servaz and his team rush to piece together the dark and twisted story of wealth, sex, and revenge in order to head off a ruthless murderer. VERDICT Complex, fast-paced, and completely absorbing, Minier's wickedly plotted mystery has already been published in numerous languages and found a place on international best sellers lists. Thriller and crime fiction fans will have a hard time putting this mix of police procedural and psychological thriller down.--Madeline Solien, Deerfield P.L., IL (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
When the corpse of a decapitated horse is found strung from the support tower of a hydroelectric plant high up in the French Pyrenees, suspicion naturally turns to a nearby high-security institution that houses the worst of the worst serial killers.Called from Toulouse to investigate, Commandant Martin Servaz does indeed match DNA found on the horse to one of the inmates of the Wargnier Institute, where, to discourage misbehavior, shock treatment is used as punishment. ric Lombard, the superwealthy owner of the plantand former owner of the prized horsehas no idea who might have it in for him. And potential witnesses to the atrocity are denying they heard or saw anything unusual. When a human body is found hanging from the bridge, the game is on for the placid Servaz and attractive police captain Irne Ziegler. Meanwhile, a fledgling psychiatrist, Diane Berg, is beginning an ill-advised stay at the institute to study the criminally insane. Soon enough, she has her hands full with the brilliant, Hannibal Lector-like Julian Hirtmann, the cagiest and most dangerous of subjects. The story also features a rash of teenage suicides and the killing of a homeless man back in Toulouse. Minier, who grew up in the foothills of the Pyrenees, exploits the unusual setting exceptionally well. While his first novel is derivative of sources ranging from classic horror films to Thomas Harris' Silence of the Lambs, it's such an absorbing effort that you forgive its debts. A high-altitude thriller, this novel is a great summer read for more than the usual reasons. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
