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Praise for Fred Vargas:
"A Vargas novel is as good as a trip to Paris. The style has the same hyper-real quality as all her writing-the real world, but filtered through a strange prism-but it's the plotting that really hits the spot: ingenious and eccentric."
--"Daily Express" (UK)
"A Vargas novel is as good as a trip to Paris. The style has the same hyper-real quality as all her writing-the real world, but filtered through a strange prism-but it's the plotting that really hits the spot: ingenious and eccentric."
--"Daily Express" (UK)
"From the Hardcover edition."
Waterstone's Books Quarterly
`Vargas is famous for creating gripping crime thrillers and her latest offering is no different... drama and suspense in spades'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is amazing! I started it with a struggle. Read the first few chapters and wondered whether or not to put it down and I'm pleased I decided the writing was worth perservering. Fred Vargas has such a good command of language; her writing is tremendous and it was this alone that kept me going. The translation is fine and I can't comment on how much work the translator has done.
The characters take a little bit of time to warm to but Adamsberg, the lead character, has such an amazing mind. Join all of the best detectives together and you have this one. The description of the the characters eventually brings them all to life - male or female. As the narrative is so well written you feel like you're in their minds and unsure who to trust.
The plot is adequately discussed in the blurb that it needs little clarification. Judge Fulgence didn't quite come to life as much as I was hoping but then I felt he wasn't the centre stage here and that it was as much about Adamsberg's journey for truth as it was the story of the Judge.
With unlikely heroes and heroines and the reader being taken down some wonderful paths this novel is one to be savoured rather than devoured. Minor characters change direction and suddenly have massive parts to play; characters that you thought you could trust arouse suspicion. All the elements necessary for a GOOD crime fiction novel.
This is my first novel by Fred Vargas and I would happily read something else she has written. Take your time, don't rush it and if you aren't enjoying it as you approach the half way mark then that's the time to stop.
The characters take a little bit of time to warm to but Adamsberg, the lead character, has such an amazing mind. Join all of the best detectives together and you have this one. The description of the the characters eventually brings them all to life - male or female. As the narrative is so well written you feel like you're in their minds and unsure who to trust.
The plot is adequately discussed in the blurb that it needs little clarification. Judge Fulgence didn't quite come to life as much as I was hoping but then I felt he wasn't the centre stage here and that it was as much about Adamsberg's journey for truth as it was the story of the Judge.
With unlikely heroes and heroines and the reader being taken down some wonderful paths this novel is one to be savoured rather than devoured. Minor characters change direction and suddenly have massive parts to play; characters that you thought you could trust arouse suspicion. All the elements necessary for a GOOD crime fiction novel.
This is my first novel by Fred Vargas and I would happily read something else she has written. Take your time, don't rush it and if you aren't enjoying it as you approach the half way mark then that's the time to stop.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Views on Fred Vargas could hardly be more divided with the same book getting one star and five star reviews.
I can only conclude that some people naturally tune into her world and some people expect something different and are confused/unsatisfied by it. Although they contain crime and detection they don't really fit into that genre. Finding out who did it is largely incidental and if realism is what you're after you'll be disappointed. If you want to lose yourself in an alternative reality and you enjoy the quirky and eccentric then you're in for a treat.
If you like her books, as I do, you can't wait for the next translation to come out! I hope she's writing more to keep the translators going!
I can only conclude that some people naturally tune into her world and some people expect something different and are confused/unsatisfied by it. Although they contain crime and detection they don't really fit into that genre. Finding out who did it is largely incidental and if realism is what you're after you'll be disappointed. If you want to lose yourself in an alternative reality and you enjoy the quirky and eccentric then you're in for a treat.
If you like her books, as I do, you can't wait for the next translation to come out! I hope she's writing more to keep the translators going!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I know of no other writer who could possibly pull off the kind of books Vargas writes - eccentric, witty crime novels in which the protagonist wilfully embraces the impossible, and it turn out to be correct. She is a true marvel. Adamsberg is a genius creation - intuitive, thoughtful, stubborn, romantic and very, very interesting. And her plots are works of wicked, imaginative genius as well. She's a marvel and we are immensely lucky that her books are being translated into English. Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand is supremely intelligent crime fiction, written with sprightliness and wit, at the same time as being completely bonkers. It's absolutely first-class entertainment.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mahjong-inspired killing spree
Fred Vargas defies and challenges all conventions and expectations about police procedurals.
This 5th volume in a series of nine so far, is a high point in Fred Vargas' tale... Read more
This 5th volume in a series of nine so far, is a high point in Fred Vargas' tale... Read more
Published 9 months ago by P. A. Doornbos
Disappointing
I was shocked by poor quality of the writing in this thriller. The author is widely acclaimed by literary critics and this book has won an international award. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Strikethree
Tremendously enjoyable
Another marvellous entry in Vargas' highly eccentric series starring Commissaire Adamsberg. Adamsberg is convinced that he knows the true identity of the perpetrator of several... Read more
Published 13 months ago by M. V. Clarke
A wonderful book by a compelling writer
First Sentence: Leaning his shoulder against the dark basement wall, Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg stood contemplating the enormous central heating boiler which had suddenly stopped... Read more
Published on 31 May 2010 by L. J. Roberts
Larger than life but fascinating
I'd warn those new to Vargas not to expect totally believeable plots or painstaking proceduralism. Her detective Adamsberg is charismatic and wondrous strange - Maigret on a... Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2009 by Huck Flynn
Undecided at this point
I have just ordered another Fred Vargas - but I have to admit I struggled a bit with this book. Whilst having no trouble following the plot, the language felt stilted and awkward... Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2008 by lmhh
Extraordinarily Bad
This was my first Fred Vargas novel. I hope it will be my last.
Wash This Blood... is one of the poorest crime novels I've ever read, and its astonishing that I managed to get... Read more
Wash This Blood... is one of the poorest crime novels I've ever read, and its astonishing that I managed to get... Read more
Published on 23 April 2008 by Particular Press
Brilliant detective novel
I'm hooked on Vargas, she is possibly the best crime fiction writer in the world at the moment. On holiday I read this after a couple of other crime novels, including Simon... Read more
Published on 1 April 2008 by andymss
The cult of the weird
Why can I not stop reading Fred Vargas, when her books get on my nerves so much ? Do I enjoy being irritated as well as hooked ? Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2008 by Josephine Huys
Is there something wrong with me?
I adore French crime writing. I have devoured Magnan, Claudel, Dufosse, Grange, and came to this book with high hopes.
After ten pages, however, I admitted defeat. Read more
After ten pages, however, I admitted defeat. Read more
Published on 17 July 2007 by Sam Weaver
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