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Lucas Rocco #4
Death at the Clos du Lac
Picardie, France 1964. Midnight at the exclusive and mysterious Spa St Jean des Eaux, near Poissons-les-Marais. A man is standing in the therapy pool. But he’s not there for his health; someone has chained him to the bottom and let him to die very, very slowly. Along with the unusual and elaborate method of execution, the dead man has Inspector Lucas Rocco’s name and number in his pocket… Patrons at the Clos du Lac refuse to speak and the ministry officials sent from Paris to ‘assist’, only attempt to derail Rocco’s efforts to find answers. With the clock ticking away precious minutes, the body count rises and Rocco realizes he must fight against time as well as the ministry. And Rocco’s digging begins to uncover secrets far better left hidden and he wonders if this investigation will end his career or his life.
- GenresCrimeMystery Thriller
380 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2013
29 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Magson
48 books100 followersAdrian Magson is a British crime-writer, his books often involve conspiracies, and have two repeating main characters - Riley Gavin, a young female investigative reporter, and Frank Palmer, a former RMP (British Royal Military Policeman) now a private investigator.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 4, 2014
This is a very accomplished Crime Thriller by the excellent writer Adrian Magson. His character Inspector Lucas Rocco now in his fourth outing is a growing name in crime fiction. Magson flits between writing these police procedurals set in 1960's France and a series of modern day spy thrillers.
This is by far the best Rocco book to date; the detective is comfortable in his rural surroundngs having been transfered in the first episode from Paris. The writing is more action thriller centred as political intrigue spills over again into this agricultural setting. The police side is well established with trusty colleagues and even a better working relationship with his boss.
The story centres on a murder at a private sanitorium which a government department tries to suppress; this only spurs Rocco on to investigation ministerial cover-ups and conspiracies. Especially as he learns that rather than responding to events the Ministry may be orchestrating matters for more shader purposes.
This series is getting stronger and the plots do justice to a modern readers desire for action and danger, however this is another era and as a result the books are a wonderful counterpoint to the many similar comtemporary crime novels which seem to try to out do each other with darker writing. Consequently, Magsons Rocco novels will delight and provide a sense of rest, amid the action and thrills within its pages.
This is by far the best Rocco book to date; the detective is comfortable in his rural surroundngs having been transfered in the first episode from Paris. The writing is more action thriller centred as political intrigue spills over again into this agricultural setting. The police side is well established with trusty colleagues and even a better working relationship with his boss.
The story centres on a murder at a private sanitorium which a government department tries to suppress; this only spurs Rocco on to investigation ministerial cover-ups and conspiracies. Especially as he learns that rather than responding to events the Ministry may be orchestrating matters for more shader purposes.
This series is getting stronger and the plots do justice to a modern readers desire for action and danger, however this is another era and as a result the books are a wonderful counterpoint to the many similar comtemporary crime novels which seem to try to out do each other with darker writing. Consequently, Magsons Rocco novels will delight and provide a sense of rest, amid the action and thrills within its pages.
December 7, 2015
Closer to 2.5* Adrian Magson writes a good story but the plot in this book was far-fetched with no real depth to any of the characters. Although it starts off quite well it became more implausible with each chapter. Many readers enjoyed this book with five star ratings, however, I couldn’t quite buy into the whole scenario. Having read Magson’s books before and enjoyed his style, I will definitely read more by this author but unfortunately found this one disappointing.
April 13, 2017
I am so glad I found this series, it is one of the best I've read this year. For those of you that have read Martin Walkers books about Bruno chief of police you have to try this.
I find that I am hooked on smalltown police and detective series.
Regardless of where in the world or what time period it is set.
This series is set in a rural France in political turmoil during the early sixties, very interesting.
Just as facinating as Reavis Z. Worthams RedRiver mystery set in rural Texas in the same period.
A must read.
I find that I am hooked on smalltown police and detective series.
Regardless of where in the world or what time period it is set.
This series is set in a rural France in political turmoil during the early sixties, very interesting.
Just as facinating as Reavis Z. Worthams RedRiver mystery set in rural Texas in the same period.
A must read.
November 17, 2017
It was with great anticipation I returned to Picardie and the delightful company of Inspector Lucas Rocco, and Magson did not disappoint me. This is the fourth book in the series and he has settled into a comfortable groove balancing tense, atmospheric crime thriller plotting, careful characterisation, police procedure, politics, social comment and dry humour.
I particularly enjoy the way Magson shows the rural way of life in early 60s France and the obvious affection in his portrayal of various local inhabitants of the close-knit community where Rocco admits he is happy to live.
Rocco is dashing, in his dark suits and English shoes, and, as ever, averse to following orders, this time drawn into dark goings-on in a shady government department to do with trade negotiations going on at the time between France and the People's Republic of China. There's a particularly nasty rogue intelligence officer who made my skin crawl every time he appears, a real Bad Egg.
As usual Rocco puts the pieces together before anyone else but he's very much part of a team working together. There might be a hint of some development in his love life, too.
I particularly enjoy the way Magson shows the rural way of life in early 60s France and the obvious affection in his portrayal of various local inhabitants of the close-knit community where Rocco admits he is happy to live.
Rocco is dashing, in his dark suits and English shoes, and, as ever, averse to following orders, this time drawn into dark goings-on in a shady government department to do with trade negotiations going on at the time between France and the People's Republic of China. There's a particularly nasty rogue intelligence officer who made my skin crawl every time he appears, a real Bad Egg.
As usual Rocco puts the pieces together before anyone else but he's very much part of a team working together. There might be a hint of some development in his love life, too.
April 16, 2024
This is a great series set in rural France in the 1950s, with Rocco, a former Parisian policeman who finds himself in this rural backwater. In this story a body is found in a swimming pool in an exclusive medical retreat. But all is not as it seems - the 'patients' are more prisoners. The wife of an important politician is kidnapped, but not for ransom but to influence her husband's actions on trade negotiations. Their 'fixer' Dolombre has Rocco in his sights and he never loses his prey.
Rocco is drawn into this interconnecting web and has to use all his skills to keep the body count low and to try to retrieve the woman.
Its a great read, part of a good series.
Rocco is drawn into this interconnecting web and has to use all his skills to keep the body count low and to try to retrieve the woman.
Its a great read, part of a good series.
September 21, 2025
Yet another first rate, Lucas Rocco novel
I've now read most of them (though not in sequence). Every one has been excellent and this one is no different. Corruption in high places, threats from above and armed opposition does not deterre Rocco from doing his duty. Somehow these books seem much more believable than thief US equivalentents. Maybe it's because the abilities of the characters are more realistic.
Read and enjoy.
I've now read most of them (though not in sequence). Every one has been excellent and this one is no different. Corruption in high places, threats from above and armed opposition does not deterre Rocco from doing his duty. Somehow these books seem much more believable than thief US equivalentents. Maybe it's because the abilities of the characters are more realistic.
Read and enjoy.
January 29, 2020
Another very entertaining Lucas Rocco adventure. This one features ruthless Government operatives and businessmen employing violence and murder to influence French trade policy with China. As always in this series, the atmosphere of '60s France is beautifully evoked and the characterisation and writing is excellent. Highly recommended.
April 8, 2020
Set in the 1960s in France, this is a fascinating insight into politcs, business and the secret service - if of, course, it bears any relationship to the truth. Rocco is the tradition of handsome, smart, ornery detectives - fighting the system in order to resolve the mystery. All somewhat predicable - apart from the setting and the story.
January 5, 2022
I enjoyed this.
When I think about it, there must be places like this where government agencies can stash people who have had breakdowns due to their work, or else who have too much insider knowledge and are possibly going to spill it.
Lots of action, not especially gory.
When I think about it, there must be places like this where government agencies can stash people who have had breakdowns due to their work, or else who have too much insider knowledge and are possibly going to spill it.
Lots of action, not especially gory.
June 13, 2017
A good procedural police tale. With a mild French flavour. Not a huge amount of local colour but some. And some idea of the hierarchy of the different police forces.
April 3, 2018
An excellent series. Rocco is a great character and the threads in the story fit together well. Looking forward to reading more from the author
April 10, 2018
My third Rocco novel, and definitely a good one! Perhaps slightly formulaic when compared with the first two, but a fun read with some nice twists and great characters.
October 22, 2021
Typical of Magson at least in the Rocco novels. Interesting characters. The plot here was not totally credible, but OK
April 27, 2023
I really tried to like this, but I just couldn't get into it. I didn't finish, I'm afraid.
June 7, 2014
I have been enjoying this series. Set in France, we have the Parisian flic, Inspector Lucas Rocco, who has moved to the rural wilderness of Picardie. He has gradually become accustomed to the rural crims and made a few friends. Now it is 1964 and there is a very nasty murder at the exclusive and mysterious Spa St Jean des Eaux.
The trouble is that the ministry seem to be in charge and that seems to mean covering things up.
Rocco has landed himself in the midst of a nasty and dangerous conspiracy and does not know who he can trust. With professional killers on the loose, a kidnapping, a beautiful lady and his boss going berserk Rocco has his hands full.
This is Number 4 in the series and Adrian Magson is now very comfortable with his material. The historical details are there for the reader without being cumbersome. The writing is light and amusing, but the plot is tight and the tension builds well. Rocco is a reader friendly character and his sidekicks have developed interesting depth.
Definitely a book for those who like foreign whodunits, police procedurals and a good detective story without excess blood and gore.
The trouble is that the ministry seem to be in charge and that seems to mean covering things up.
Rocco has landed himself in the midst of a nasty and dangerous conspiracy and does not know who he can trust. With professional killers on the loose, a kidnapping, a beautiful lady and his boss going berserk Rocco has his hands full.
This is Number 4 in the series and Adrian Magson is now very comfortable with his material. The historical details are there for the reader without being cumbersome. The writing is light and amusing, but the plot is tight and the tension builds well. Rocco is a reader friendly character and his sidekicks have developed interesting depth.
Definitely a book for those who like foreign whodunits, police procedurals and a good detective story without excess blood and gore.
January 29, 2020
#4 in the Adrian Magson's Lucas Rocco series. I enjoy this series. These books are such good reads! I like the main characters and the bad guys are always really really bad! This outing was even moreso. It's amazing how many ways there are to be bad. Rocco is such a great character, especially in his interactions with Claude. And Desmoulins. He's up against the security services, some highly placed industrialists, and a strange death to start, a kidnapping, more murders, and some intensity at the end of the story. Well, actually, some really crazy intensity at the end.... #5 is rising quickly in my to read list!
January 10, 2014
Another great mystery featuring Inspector Lucas Rocco, who, despite being stationed in a rural French setting, always seems to find himself involved with crimes which affect France at a national level. This book begins with the drowning of a man in the pool of a sanatorium which houses unidentified "patients" and the staff includes an armed guard. When Rocco tries to investigate he is warned off by senior French security officials but that doesn't stop him. A real page turner and a worthy addition to this series.
September 17, 2020
V Good !
I like these Inspector Rocco stories, good pace,reasonable plots, decent characterisation.
Placing them in the sixties avoids all the technology increase crap,that does almost nothing for a story anyway. So,good.
I like these Inspector Rocco stories, good pace,reasonable plots, decent characterisation.
Placing them in the sixties avoids all the technology increase crap,that does almost nothing for a story anyway. So,good.
August 26, 2023
Fast-paced murder and politically-driven kidnapping mystery set in France in the 1960s. The story is suspenseful, and the main character, Inspector Rocco, is an admirable and upstanding man. There's a lot of corruption exposed in the upper echelons of French law enforcement.
May 15, 2015
Another excellent Lucas Rocco mystery.
August 15, 2014
This is the fourth in a very good series -- police procedurals set in rural France of the 1960s
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews