Come Barbarians

A Christopher Kruse Novel #1

by Todd Babiak

Christopher Kruse has moved to the south of France with his wife and daughter to become a better man-to escape his past as a high-priced security agent and his guilt over old wrongs. But after a harrowing accident, he finds himself drawn into a web of political gamesmanship and murder. When his wife disappears, Kruse must draw on his old instincts to find her, ahead of the police and two sinister members of a Corsican crime family. His desperate search leads him closer to his wife, and deeper into the dangerous machinations of the most powerful leaders in the country.

Come Barbarians is a gripping novel of love and loss, murder, revenge and political conspiracy. Todd Babiak has created a complex, magnetic character forced to confront his bleakest hour and his darkest impulses.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Canada, France, Book Club, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2013

About the author

When I think no one else is around, I conduct pretend orchestras.

Reviews

[A.J.B. Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book, though with a few reservations. I have great affection for France, as does Todd Babiak apparently. I feel he does a great job of creating the country and its complex culture (including its politics) on the page. There are some wonderful descriptions throughout the book. On the other hand, the "thriller" aspect of the novel was much less convincing. It seemed overly contrived and far-fetched, and the action scenes of violence began to get tedious as the book went on. So, I enjoyed it and recommend it, but for the way it brings France alive, not so much for its plot. I think if the author wants to write more thrillers, he should streamline the prose and come up with more convincing plot-lines.

[Brie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this so some of my bookish friends and I could have an impromptu book club with the author himself. Ended up really enjoying it. The politics in the book was just enough that it wasn't over my head and still kept my attention (I am not a fan of politics!) The violent/torture scenes were well executed and pretty damn awesome (if I can say that!)

[Lyle Appleyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through A Goodreads Giveaway Contest.

A Canadian couple, with their young daughter, move to the South of France to rebuild their marriage. They are settling into life when the couple's daughter is hit and killed by a prominent local politician. The politician his wife are later found to be murdered. This whole situation stinks. A story involving crooked politians, crooked police and gangsters makes this a suspenseful story that will keep you guessing to the end.

The main character is developed quite nicely. We feel his pain of his daughter's death. We feel his confusion about what is happening to him. We feel his frustration to getting justice. The character development makes the story easier to get into. I did like this character.

The flashbacks at the beginning of the book are necessary to set the story. They help develop the character of main character in the story. They do become a little confusing in the storyline. I was never sure where the writer was. As the story developed, they became less frequent, but still helped in developing the character and the storyline.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Christopher Kruse has taken his wife and little girl to France. While there, his daughter Lily is killed and the one who presumably killed her has been murdered himself. Evelyn, Kruse's wife, has disappeared. Though Kruse himself doesn't want to believe it, the assumption is that Evelyn has killed Lily's killer. Kruse sets out to find Evelyn and to prove her innocence, but other unscrupulous men are after her (and him), as well.

This book was really up and down for me. There were some real suspenseful (and gory, in some cases) moments, but there were also times I lost interest/focus. The suspenseful moments in the book were enough to bring my rating to “good”, 3.5 stars, however.

[Steven Buechler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine if you will being in the south of France. You a living in that idyllic region and your marriage is beginning to flourish again. Your young daughter is amazing, adjusting to the new country with ease. Your wife is loving her job and introducing you to new ideas. And you have a collection of friends and neighbours that are loving and warm. But with the squeal of tires on a wet cobblestone road, all of that is lost and your find yourself in an underworld of political mayhem and murder. That is the realm that Todd Babiak sets out his protagonist in his novel Come Barbarians.
my complete review

[Judy Monchuk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Babiak can definitely write. And the French settings are great reminders of vacation visits.
But this revenge chase, set in the early 1990s mixed with political intrigue involving the far right Front National, was way beyond what I wanted to read. The graphic violence and torture was too much -- especially scenes in front of a (albeit fictional) child.
Couldn't get past that.
A review inside the cover notes that this is "hyper masculine" and will be popular with fans of Taken. Not my genre. This seemed like it was aimed at being a script for one of those movies.
This was a book club book and I'll be interested in hearing what sparked the recommendation.

[Zoë Birss · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Nothing Lasts Forever, the book after which Die Hard was based, Come Barbarians is the second book I've read this year about Male Protagonist with a Very Special Set of Skills who needs to violently confront Very Bad Men because he needs to protect his family. Those familiar with this subgenre of fiction know that government conspiracies often abound. Even if not, there is a general distrust of authority, and Male Protagonist usually has to work things out almost entirely alone, policies, bureaucracy, and laws be damned.

In Come Barbarians, Male Protagonist is Christopher Kruse, a Canadian abroad in France with his wife and daughter. His wife works for the populist French political party. Kruse is a freelance investigator, assassin, and security trained in the IDF Art of Krav Maga. Tragedy strikes, and Kruse must suddenly investigate, pursue, capture, and torture his way through Very Bad Men to the truth and justice, all while being chased as a suspect in a murder for which he is framed.

Come Barbarians is the first in what has recently become a series of books by Edmonton writer Todd Babiak. This kind of book seems to succeed if it grips the reader to its pages from cover to cover, turning in hot breathless anticipation without a break. By this measure, Come Barbarians is certainly a success. It's an exciting, fast-paced read. Babiak's language is spare and sentences are short. Not a word is wasted. I found it easy to connect to the character, and was immersed in the story.

I enjoyed this book. It is definitely the best written of this kind of fiction that I've ever encountered. Babiak brought a certain literary depth to a genre often buried in pulp. There was an artfulness to the description of the use of kitchen utensils in torture. That said, it didn't leave me with a lot at the end. This just isn't my usual genre choice. I may pick up the recently published second book in the series one day as a nice diversion. I don't expect to be seeking it out.

(EDIT: The evening after finishing this book and writing this article, I attended a reading and q&a with the author. Upon hearing his reading of the first page of his follow up to this book, Son of France, I have changed my mind and now very much expect to seek out and enjoy this sequel.)

I highly recommend this book to readers of violent crime and suspense thrillers. Those who aren't into this genre will likely still find something to enjoy in this competently written Canadian action novel.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't understand why it's not rated higher on Goodreads. I actually really enjoyed this! It had a bit of that Jason Bourne feel. The book is super action-packed and a quick read (also a short read, less than 300 pages!). The believability/authenticity of a fish out of water learning his way around France and French culture was an added bonus. Partway through, I didn't find this so much as a who-dunnit as much as it was a why-dunnit. I found it infinitely more interesting that the book delved into the criminals' motivations as the source of mystery. I've already picked up the sequel to this because I want to know what happens next. I hope Christopher Kruse gets a bit of a break in the next book!

[Tomas Nilsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was great (to start, Canadian daughter killed in France, followed by what seems to be a revenge killing by the mother, the father didn’t believe that ofc, and then the plot thickens). But I had a really hard time follow the plot as it made crucial plot twists mid paragraph or worse mid sentence (following a comma?!). As you can tell, I’m not a particularly big fan of this style of storytelling. Good plot though.

[Canlit4ever · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wtaf? The same author who wrote Garneau Block (funny, smart, lovely prose) and Choke Hold (excellent) wrote this derivative, women as madonnas/whores, utterly predictable torture porn? Why, Todd, why?!

[Dave Breakenride · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say it's more a 3.5 than a three. Entertaining.

[Evelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not care for this.

[Pawel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Long and boring.

[Renee Brodeur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not get into this book. I have loved the authors other novels. Maybe was not in the right mood but it jumped all over the place. Maybe will try again to read in the future.

[Tania Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todd Babiak is an Edmonton author who quite clearly states that if you are in Edmonton and invite him to your book club discussion on his book, he will bring wine, homemade hummus, and himself to the discussion. Thus, this review will be not just of his book, but of the experience of book clubbing with this particular author in the room.

I was pretty relieved to have really liked the book; always a little tricky to talk to the author about a book of theirs you didn't like. Come Barbarians is a taut, intelligent political thriller, with Bourne-esque action scenes, and a gripping main character to lead you through the intrigue. It takes place in the early '90s in France, and Babiak has clearly done, and enjoyed, his research on the politics of that time. The novel reveals, bit by bit, many of the political issues that have led to what is currently happening in France, and gives you a greater understanding of the powder keg that modern France has the potential to be both politically and culturally. While I think this book is not meant to be a "deep" read, as someone who does revere quite a bit of the "french" way of life (the books, the food, the conversation, the education system), it did get me thinking about the kind of closed mindedness and exclusion that can come with starting to believe that one way of life is better than others.

If you're not into the politics, Come Barbarians will get you with the torture and the fight scenes, which are also very well researched. Having done several years of martial arts myself, I was very appreciative of how excellent the fight scenes were. I'm the type of girl who annoys the heck out of her partner when watching Game of Thrones as these big, tense scenes are happening and I'm all, "Hey, that use of a sickle as a combat weapon was almost right. Nice going GOT!" So, of course, I just had to ask how Babiak got his fight scenes so spot on, and it turns out he is a former martial arts instructor with many years behind his belt(s) *insert pun snort here*. But still, knowing how to fight and knowing how to write a fight are two separate things, and Babiak clearly knows how to do both. Knowing how to place a reader in the physical space, and getting them to see the action clearly, is a skill that I think is highly overlooked by many authors, and I greatly appreciated the skill level shown in this book.

The last heaping of praise comes for the creation of Kruse. This guy is the character you want heading up a story like this, a former bodyguard of sorts, trying to live the good life, trying to be a good man. Emotionally, he is out of place in a world of violence and politics, but physically and mentally? He's the man for the job. Yes, he's a bit of a stereotype in this genre of novel (think a younger Liam Neeson in Taken), but he is a well-developed character that you can empathize with and be entertained by.

*Sidenote about the book: you'll never look at a vegetable peeler the same way again.

As for the book club itself, I was a little nervous. Not only would I be conversing with the author, but I would also be meeting most of the Edmonton Book Bloggers for the first time. In new social situations, I tend to blather nervously and apologize way too much. I won't deny that there was a little awkwardness at first, but the EBB were awesome (it was so great to finally meet in person), and Babiak's expertise in storytelling was on display, both in how he told stories himself, and in how he got other people around the table to tell their stories. He also signed my book with something sweet about Greenwoods'. Oh, and the wine and hummus he brought? The wine was excellent, but in all honesty, the hummus needed more garlic.

[Chris Lytle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todd Babiak's thriller takes the reader on an intense, violent yet touching roller coaster ride through the cities, villages, history and politics of France. Our reluctant hero, Canadian Christopher Kruse, is a man with a very atypical past who is simply trying to find a new and simpler life in Southern France for his family. Within pages he is thrown into a bizarre and twisted world that would destroy most men.

There is an honest sense of realism throughout this novel, as Kruse shares nuances of the sights and aromas of his ever-changing French backdrop. To add to this, Babiak employs a steady stream of consciousness for Kruse. He shares tidbits of both our hero's recent and far past, filling in the back story, sometimes as a short paragraph and often as a simple sentence. Initially I found this style slightly off-putting and perhaps even a little confusing. However, as I acclimatized, it made me appreciate that while superficially disorganized, it is actually how we all experience life.

Similarly, the intense detail was often followed by gaps in the story. You have to really pay attention and maybe even read between the lines now and then. All told this is a tale that will keep you on your toes as well as glued to the action.

Note: As with any good travel-based adventure, I like to keep Goggle Earth on hand to get an easy birds eye view of the where all the action is.

[Jaima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for the squeamish. One scene in particular I whizzed through with my hand over my mouth--anxious to finish it and terrified about what might come next. The characters were interesting, complicated people and the protagonist immediately won my sympathy. I found it a little harder than usual to get my bearings at the start of the book--perhaps an intentional mirroring of the protagonist's shattered state? I would read another book about Christopher Kruse.
The back cover copy compared Come Barbarians to Le Carré. I thought it was much better. To me, it was more reminiscent of The Exception, by Christian Jungersen.

[Jody Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I didn't read the synopsis before reading the book. It was selected as a book as part of our Bookies book club and I just went with it because Todd is a local author.

The book quickly pulled me in with catchy glimpses at the character Kruse and a tragedy that has fallen upon his family. You are only given a few details to work with and then slowly pieces of the puzzles are introduced as you learn more about Kruse, his wife, and her interest in one of political parties of France.

A really good showing. It's a pretty fast read with interesting characters. I can actually picture it as a movie so I hope someone snaps this up and makes it into on.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me point out that this is a great book from an Edmonton author. Very cool. Way different from a previous book I read by this same author, this one starts with tragedy and takes us through a whirlwind, fairly graphic, seedy look at France, politics and intrigue. Another reviewer said, and I agree, just enough politics to make it interesting but not so much that I felt bogged down or over my head. I enjoyed the people, the relationship and the emotions of the main character. Definitely worth a read!

[Ed Mckeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

With villains as ready-made as the French National Front, Christopher Kruse, a self-proclaimed protector can't seem to keep his own family safe. As he tries to pin responsibility for a horrific murder on a likely suspect, Cruse encounters crooked gendarmes, dreadful Corsican crime bosses, ruthless politicians and complicit journalists. It's not so much a question of whether he can avenge the wrongful death, as it is whether a novice French speaker can unweave the tangled threads he finds in a complex French society.

[Joanne]

Christopher Kruse and wife and daughter are living in France when the daughter is killed by a drunk driver. He is known as Jean-Francois, a member of the Nat'l Front. When he and another are found murdered in their home, suspicion falls on Evelyn Kruse's wife believing it to be retaliation for the death of daughter Lily.
Grisly scenes of torture; political; Jean Francois was drugged before getting begind the wheel of the car.
Kruse is haunted by Lily's death and desperate to find Evelyn.
At times confusing.
Annette, Journalist, and her daughter Anouk.

Good nevertheless.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I give up. I received this as a Goodreads Giveaway over a year ago. I have tbeen trying to read it since then. I haven't even gotten past the first chapter. The storyline sounds interesting but I just can't read it without wishing that I was doing anything else. By the time I was able to figure out kind of the was happening, iI already was bored of the characters. I am going to keep it around. Maybe some other time I will be able to get at it

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come Barbarians is not for the faint of heart. The subject matter takes us places, that in our own lives we can only hope never to go.

The story takes place in France, where our protagonist is thrown into this mysterious turmoil and forced to fight through his pain while he seeks answers. I could not walk away from this story even though, at times, I really wanted to.

I would definitely recommend this book be added to your reading list.

[Angie Fehl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot had several elements that normally intrigue me -- French setting, crime family, man risking all to protect his family -- and the writing was solid as far as the author's way of describing environments and such, but something about it was just too dry and stiff for me to get really invested in the story. Took too long for anything all that interesting to happen (the torture scenes were attention-grabbing, I admit, but hella graphic, so be ready!) and by then my interest was only so-so.

[Goodryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I was skeptical when I read the comparisons to le Carre and Graham Greene. But also a little worried: Graham Greene can be a bit boring. Anyway, this is both beautifully written and heartbreaking and pretty damn thrilling too. No spoilers but one of the scenes in here, involving something from your kitchen and mine, is .... unforgettable. Awesome. Sequels?

[Emily Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

my review should be taken with a grain of salt; I usually don't read books like this but I was compelled to.
it seems as though the author shares traits with the main character. the book comes off as cold and calculating with a slight touch of warmth...the desire this man feels is palatable.
I would not be surprised if the author chose every word carefully over the period of many years.

[Elizabetmarshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several of my friends had a difficult time "getting into" this book and said that page 50 was the spot at which they become involved in the story. I liked the slow beginning that set the stage for the story. However, I did not like this book. For some reason that I can not put my finger on, the plot left me totally cold.

[Ammar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Kruse a Canadian security expert who leaves Canada to the South of France. a humane protagonist, who does mistakes and understands his limitations. Not a boring. Would recommend it to anyone who enjoys political thrillers.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like most about this book is that my dad might actually enjoy it too. Vaguely reminiscent of the Bourne series. Only in France. And without the spy stuff. And better writing. Very vaguely. Them again it was only about 15 years ago that I read those. Huh.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a detective story. Not really sure what genre this falls in other than "bone-crunching." Overall, I would have preferred less gory violence and more story. Nevertheless, Babiak can really write. I think I will check out his works in a different genre.