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Heart Collector
Finding murderers is just a day on the job for police captain Nadia Barka. But when a mutilated corpse is discovered in an old baptistery, she’s faced with some difficult questions: Who left a young woman’s body in a high-security museum in the middle of the night? And where is the victim’s heart?
Barka has no leads, until several days later when unassuming computer technician Julien Lombard comes forward, claiming to have had a premonition of the woman’s abduction and murder. The ensuing investigation turns up nothing, however, and Julien is just as skeptical about his intel as the police are. But, after another woman goes missing, Barka decides to take a chance and trust in Julien’s gift. Does Julien hold the key to preventing another gruesome crime? Working together, can they find the murderer before he steals another heart?
447 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
January 24, 2015
The translation from French to English was not kind to this murder mystery and police procedural novel. Most distracting were the myriad exclamation points used to excess and appearing in awkward places. It made the dialogue a trial to read, even made me snicker a couple of times. It ends up coming across like a badly dubbed foreign film.
I would not have wanted to have paid any more for it than I did, which was nothing. This was a Kindle first offering. Thank you.
I would not have wanted to have paid any more for it than I did, which was nothing. This was a Kindle first offering. Thank you.
January 17, 2015
Got a third of the way through this book and literally could not take anymore. It felt like it had been written by a 10 year old. I love reading, and unfortunately reading this was not a pleasure, more pain. Sorry!
January 27, 2015
The Heart Collector is a standalone crime thriller novel by Jacques Vandroux. It was originally written in French and translated in English. I read it for free with Kindle First. I’m glad I did. I probably wouldn’t of read a foreign book otherwise because my to be read list is too long.
I’ll admit the first 15-20% was a difficult read. I almost didn’t finish it. But I pushed through and I’m glad I did. It reminded me to the beginning of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Unfamiliar names, places and terms led to some of the difficulty. Plus the story was told from 7-8 POV’s. At the beginning, it almost seemed random stories that did not go together. Once I adjusted to the unfamiliar and the story lines started coming together, it was a good solid story.
The characters were well written. I thought Vandroux did an incredible job on Captain Nadia Burka. She was hard as nails police detective and did whatever to get the job done. But he showed a very warm and enduring side to her as well. Julien, who was portrayed as sweet, funny and almost aloof, had a protective streak that I didn’t see coming. Even the villains were multi-faceted.
The story had twists and turns that were good. I had figured things out by mid-book and everything is revealed by 57%, there was enough suspense to keep things moving and interesting. I would say while there is a paranormal element to this story, I would not say it is a paranormal book.
I’ll admit the first 15-20% was a difficult read. I almost didn’t finish it. But I pushed through and I’m glad I did. It reminded me to the beginning of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Unfamiliar names, places and terms led to some of the difficulty. Plus the story was told from 7-8 POV’s. At the beginning, it almost seemed random stories that did not go together. Once I adjusted to the unfamiliar and the story lines started coming together, it was a good solid story.
The characters were well written. I thought Vandroux did an incredible job on Captain Nadia Burka. She was hard as nails police detective and did whatever to get the job done. But he showed a very warm and enduring side to her as well. Julien, who was portrayed as sweet, funny and almost aloof, had a protective streak that I didn’t see coming. Even the villains were multi-faceted.
The story had twists and turns that were good. I had figured things out by mid-book and everything is revealed by 57%, there was enough suspense to keep things moving and interesting. I would say while there is a paranormal element to this story, I would not say it is a paranormal book.
January 6, 2015
This was a Kindle preview so I guess I should offer a review. I liked this book even though it was a bit far-fetched - there's a paranormal element - a young man has visions of a crime - but it works in this context. The translation from the French is smooth and natural but retains a certain French turn of phrase. The detective and the young people involved are likable and easy to identify with. The whole thing feels like a throwback to an earlier style of writing, like the thrillers I read back in the 60's - not a bad thing. It feels like watching a pretty-good movie, very engaging at the time but not something you'd think about for very long afterward.
January 15, 2015
The Heart Collector is an okay read for a day or two.
If you're looking for a light mystery/thriller with a sprinkling of the supernatural, then this might be for you. The story isn't anything new, but I did enjoy the characters. But yes after about fifty pages in you'll be able to guess how this story will play out.
If you're looking for a light mystery/thriller with a sprinkling of the supernatural, then this might be for you. The story isn't anything new, but I did enjoy the characters. But yes after about fifty pages in you'll be able to guess how this story will play out.
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June 27, 2018DNF at 45%. Not sure whether it has something to do with the fact that this has been translated from French or whether it is indeed the writing, but I just can't get into this, and I'm almost half way through. Neither the characters nor the plot are particularly interesting, there is far too much unnecessary detail, and the narration is annoying me because of the unsuitable accents the reader is using for the characters.
January 28, 2015
Several times, I really wondered if it was worth finishing the book. I found the writing style to be stilted. I don't know if it was the translation or something else. I read a lot of mysteries by foreign authors (particularly the Scandinavians), and I have never found those books to be as off-putting to read as this was. I noticed someone else also felt assaulted by exclamation points...the characters are frequently excited! by developments. The descriptions of the character's interactions also feel as if they were written for an audience that doesn't understand basic human emotion.
I am not opposed to a little bit of the paranormal in my mysteries, as I have enjoyed some of Stephen King's forays into the genre, so I didn't mind having that worked in. But I am used to characters in stories being more skeptical of people who have visions than the characters in this story were. Indeed, that is often one of the more interesting parts of the plot. It is interesting to watch someone convince others they are trying to be helpful, and they aren't crazy. But that doesn't happen here.
I don't know....it should have been my type of book, but it just didn't work for me.
I am not opposed to a little bit of the paranormal in my mysteries, as I have enjoyed some of Stephen King's forays into the genre, so I didn't mind having that worked in. But I am used to characters in stories being more skeptical of people who have visions than the characters in this story were. Indeed, that is often one of the more interesting parts of the plot. It is interesting to watch someone convince others they are trying to be helpful, and they aren't crazy. But that doesn't happen here.
I don't know....it should have been my type of book, but it just didn't work for me.
January 19, 2015
Interesting story
Interesting story and secondary characters that were developed beyond the norm.
I will admit to being confused on occasion and not being able to keep the characters straight. I had to back track to understand which character was doing what action.
I did enjoy the story and am willing to read more by this author.
Interesting story and secondary characters that were developed beyond the norm.
I will admit to being confused on occasion and not being able to keep the characters straight. I had to back track to understand which character was doing what action.
I did enjoy the story and am willing to read more by this author.
April 28, 2020
J'ai mieux aimé cet ouvrage de l'auteur, qui reprend l'inspecteur Barka, que j'avais bien aimé dans un autre livre :) Beaucoup de fantastique dans ce thriller, il faut le noter, mais cela ne me dérange, étant une grande lectrice des genres de l'imaginaire, mais la précision est importante pour les futurs lecteurs je pense ^^ Bref, bon moment passé avec cet ouvrage !
February 13, 2019
This was a pretty good read despite some of the reviews I'd read.
It was exciting and fast paced in the beginning. Setting in France, with use of pertinent landmarks intertwined in the story line. It slowed a little in the middle, however, the details and descriptions to enhance the plot were still well written and necessary. It provided some background on the characters to help set the tone. At some points in the story, you could feel some of the emotions/pain as portrayed by the character(s) . It picked up pace again towards the end. Providing a fast paced, and heroic finale.
I do appreciate the family ties described and the portrayal of "love" throughout the story.
As I don't speak French, I did have difficulty with some of the language as it was written. Otherwise, it was a good novel.
It was exciting and fast paced in the beginning. Setting in France, with use of pertinent landmarks intertwined in the story line. It slowed a little in the middle, however, the details and descriptions to enhance the plot were still well written and necessary. It provided some background on the characters to help set the tone. At some points in the story, you could feel some of the emotions/pain as portrayed by the character(s) . It picked up pace again towards the end. Providing a fast paced, and heroic finale.
I do appreciate the family ties described and the portrayal of "love" throughout the story.
As I don't speak French, I did have difficulty with some of the language as it was written. Otherwise, it was a good novel.
January 27, 2015
Oh my god this story took forever. It had very few quick moving part and lots of slow slow slow parts. eh I'm glad it's over.
March 2, 2017
1.5 ⭐️ Read a review before starting which mentioned the appalling French translation and that was literally all I could notice. Very Darren Brownesque had to skim read to get to the end. All these Kindle First books are making me lose the will.
June 16, 2018
Full review to come!
July 27, 2018
A little to predictable .
I enjoyed this novel in spite of the predictable storyline . I found it to be rather like a Fairy tale adults only though , definitely not suitable for children as the villains are indeed evil . Unlike others I liked the supernatural element to this tale and I didn't find the translation as awful as some of the reviews I've seen make out .
I enjoyed this novel in spite of the predictable storyline . I found it to be rather like a Fairy tale adults only though , definitely not suitable for children as the villains are indeed evil . Unlike others I liked the supernatural element to this tale and I didn't find the translation as awful as some of the reviews I've seen make out .
January 14, 2021
This book is phenomenal! I loved how competent and determined Nadia was and how the paranormal played a role! A really well done, believable mystery with awesome super dynamic characters!
February 14, 2015
Poor translation - or bored author? One of my weaknesses in literature is reading books by non-American authors. They bring a different outlook, a different landscape to my reading. I also love the language differences – it adds a richness that is often missing in the more mundane voice of ‘American English’.
Heart Collector is translated from the French, and I was looking forward to the ‘quirks’ of French to add to the writing. Add in the police procedural and mystery, along with a slight undertone of supernatural, and I settled in for a highly enjoyable read.
The problem is, it really wasn’t all that enjoyable, for several reasons. I don’t know if it is because the translator couldn’t resist “Americanizing” the language, but the uniqueness of the French language was literally “lost in translation”. Disappointing.
The next thing that bothered me was Jacques Vandroux’s apparent lack of respect for his female characters. Calling a dedicated 30+ year old police officer a “young woman” (ad nauseum) is demeaning to the character. Again, translation issue, or does Vandroux really not feel his character is worthy of respect?
The overall story, a serial killer who takes human hearts, is actually quite clever. I just didn’t feel that the writer was truly involved in his story. You can tell when a writer likes his characters, when they wake up every morning excited to write once more. I didn’t get that feeling from this book. It was more as if it were a slog rather than a joy. Again – boredom of the writer, or just a really poor translation?
Three stars because I don’t want to blame the writer, but at the same time, control of the translation could have been better managed if that is the true issue and not poor writing on Mr. Vandroux’s part.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a realistic review. All thoughts are my own. With a better translation, I may be able to give it a better review.
Heart Collector is translated from the French, and I was looking forward to the ‘quirks’ of French to add to the writing. Add in the police procedural and mystery, along with a slight undertone of supernatural, and I settled in for a highly enjoyable read.
The problem is, it really wasn’t all that enjoyable, for several reasons. I don’t know if it is because the translator couldn’t resist “Americanizing” the language, but the uniqueness of the French language was literally “lost in translation”. Disappointing.
The next thing that bothered me was Jacques Vandroux’s apparent lack of respect for his female characters. Calling a dedicated 30+ year old police officer a “young woman” (ad nauseum) is demeaning to the character. Again, translation issue, or does Vandroux really not feel his character is worthy of respect?
The overall story, a serial killer who takes human hearts, is actually quite clever. I just didn’t feel that the writer was truly involved in his story. You can tell when a writer likes his characters, when they wake up every morning excited to write once more. I didn’t get that feeling from this book. It was more as if it were a slog rather than a joy. Again – boredom of the writer, or just a really poor translation?
Three stars because I don’t want to blame the writer, but at the same time, control of the translation could have been better managed if that is the true issue and not poor writing on Mr. Vandroux’s part.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a realistic review. All thoughts are my own. With a better translation, I may be able to give it a better review.
February 14, 2015
One of my weaknesses in literature is reading books by non-American authors. They bring a different outlook, a different landscape to my reading. I also love the language differences – it adds a richness that is often missing in the more mundane voice of ‘American English’.
Heart Collector is translated from the French, and I was looking forward to the ‘quirks’ of French to add to the writing. Add in the police procedural and mystery, along with a slight undertone of supernatural, and I settled in for a highly enjoyable read.
The problem is, it really wasn’t all that enjoyable, for several reasons. I don’t know if it is because the translator couldn’t resist “Americanizing” the language, but the uniqueness of the French language was literally “lost in translation”. Disappointing.
The next thing that bothered me was Jacques Vandroux’s apparent lack of respect for his female characters. Calling a dedicated 30+ year old police officer a “young woman” (ad nauseum) is demeaning to the character. Again, translation issue, or does Vandroux really not feel his character is worthy of respect?
The overall story, a serial killer who takes human hearts, is actually quite clever. I just didn’t feel that the writer was truly involved in his story. You can tell when a writer likes his characters, when they wake up every morning excited to write once more. I didn’t get that feeling from this book. It was more as if it were a slog rather than a joy. Again – boredom of the writer, or just a really poor translation?
Three stars because I don’t want to blame the writer, but at the same time, control of the translation could have been better managed if that is the true issue and not poor writing on Mr. Vandroux’s part.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a realistic review. All thoughts are my own. With a better translation, I may be able to give it a better review.
Heart Collector is translated from the French, and I was looking forward to the ‘quirks’ of French to add to the writing. Add in the police procedural and mystery, along with a slight undertone of supernatural, and I settled in for a highly enjoyable read.
The problem is, it really wasn’t all that enjoyable, for several reasons. I don’t know if it is because the translator couldn’t resist “Americanizing” the language, but the uniqueness of the French language was literally “lost in translation”. Disappointing.
The next thing that bothered me was Jacques Vandroux’s apparent lack of respect for his female characters. Calling a dedicated 30+ year old police officer a “young woman” (ad nauseum) is demeaning to the character. Again, translation issue, or does Vandroux really not feel his character is worthy of respect?
The overall story, a serial killer who takes human hearts, is actually quite clever. I just didn’t feel that the writer was truly involved in his story. You can tell when a writer likes his characters, when they wake up every morning excited to write once more. I didn’t get that feeling from this book. It was more as if it were a slog rather than a joy. Again – boredom of the writer, or just a really poor translation?
Three stars because I don’t want to blame the writer, but at the same time, control of the translation could have been better managed if that is the true issue and not poor writing on Mr. Vandroux’s part.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a realistic review. All thoughts are my own. With a better translation, I may be able to give it a better review.
February 23, 2016
3.5
*Book source ~ Kindle First
Captain Nadia Barka has many years of experience being a police officer. When the case of a mutilated woman left in a locked baptistery falls to her to solve, she’s stumped. With very few leads she catches a break when a computer technician tells her he saw the abduction and murder, but they were visions, not hard evidence. Barka is skeptical, but with no other leads to follow she checks out his story. Julien Lombard thinks he’s going crazy when he witnesses a second woman’s abduction and murder. Why is he seeing these things? But more importantly, how can he convince the police to take him seriously when he can’t convince himself?
Told from several POVs this tale of suspense isn’t exactly trouble-free. There is some head jumping and some awkwardness in the writing and dialogue that could be from the translation from French to English. Also, there are an inordinate amount of exclamation marks. However, the story was compelling enough for me to soldier on and I’m glad I did. A serial killer with his own weird agenda, a dedicated cop and her team, and a man who is suddenly thrown into a situation he never believed would be possible. I love the touch of the paranormal and the way everyone hunts down leads in trying to prevent another murder from happening. An enjoyable suspenseful read.
*Book source ~ Kindle First
Captain Nadia Barka has many years of experience being a police officer. When the case of a mutilated woman left in a locked baptistery falls to her to solve, she’s stumped. With very few leads she catches a break when a computer technician tells her he saw the abduction and murder, but they were visions, not hard evidence. Barka is skeptical, but with no other leads to follow she checks out his story. Julien Lombard thinks he’s going crazy when he witnesses a second woman’s abduction and murder. Why is he seeing these things? But more importantly, how can he convince the police to take him seriously when he can’t convince himself?
Told from several POVs this tale of suspense isn’t exactly trouble-free. There is some head jumping and some awkwardness in the writing and dialogue that could be from the translation from French to English. Also, there are an inordinate amount of exclamation marks. However, the story was compelling enough for me to soldier on and I’m glad I did. A serial killer with his own weird agenda, a dedicated cop and her team, and a man who is suddenly thrown into a situation he never believed would be possible. I love the touch of the paranormal and the way everyone hunts down leads in trying to prevent another murder from happening. An enjoyable suspenseful read.
January 17, 2015
This was a Kindle preview so, hey, free! I would go 2.5 stars if I could.
Translated from French, this is a search for a serial killer tied into a supernatural haunting. Captain Nadia Barka hasn't quite recovered from trying to find who tortured a young girl several years ago. When a woman's body shows up with its heart neatly removed, memories come back and tensions run high. That's the serial killer part of the book.
Julien Lombard is a computer geek who impulsively follows a young woman who literally disappears. He progressively gets visions that appear to be linked to the heartless victim. And, there's your supernatural part.
The story really got going for me when told from the killer's point of view. What I found a little hard to believe (I let the vision stuff go and the fact that is was mostly accepted without too much disbelief) was that everyone seemed to know everyone else. There was a lot of, "You need to know about subject X? Let me introduce you to person Y who will turn out to know persons A, B and C that we've already been introduced to."
I did like the characters and found the story interesting enough despite seeing most of the turns ahead of time.
Translated from French, this is a search for a serial killer tied into a supernatural haunting. Captain Nadia Barka hasn't quite recovered from trying to find who tortured a young girl several years ago. When a woman's body shows up with its heart neatly removed, memories come back and tensions run high. That's the serial killer part of the book.
Julien Lombard is a computer geek who impulsively follows a young woman who literally disappears. He progressively gets visions that appear to be linked to the heartless victim. And, there's your supernatural part.
The story really got going for me when told from the killer's point of view. What I found a little hard to believe (I let the vision stuff go and the fact that is was mostly accepted without too much disbelief) was that everyone seemed to know everyone else. There was a lot of, "You need to know about subject X? Let me introduce you to person Y who will turn out to know persons A, B and C that we've already been introduced to."
I did like the characters and found the story interesting enough despite seeing most of the turns ahead of time.
April 7, 2017
My second experience with Kindle First, which gives me two free books per month; currently 0-2 in terms of quality.
Mix a bit of the X-Files, James Patterson-esque villains, add flat, prototypical characters, drone on endlessly (Did this really need to be nearly 500 pages?) in utterly unremarkable prose, follow a formulaic storyline that results in a (Surprise...) last minute rescue of the damsel, and hell, why not a tacked-on love story! Voilà: you have The Heart Collector. Perhaps the prose can be blamed on the translation, but that wouldn't account for the agonizing, meandering 'plot' with its fumbling, ham-fisted 'twists.' The author should stick to engineering; He certainly has no talent for original (or good) writing.
Mix a bit of the X-Files, James Patterson-esque villains, add flat, prototypical characters, drone on endlessly (Did this really need to be nearly 500 pages?) in utterly unremarkable prose, follow a formulaic storyline that results in a (Surprise...) last minute rescue of the damsel, and hell, why not a tacked-on love story! Voilà: you have The Heart Collector. Perhaps the prose can be blamed on the translation, but that wouldn't account for the agonizing, meandering 'plot' with its fumbling, ham-fisted 'twists.' The author should stick to engineering; He certainly has no talent for original (or good) writing.
December 29, 2014
This is one of the books that I was able to read before it was published. Really, really enjoyed this book. Jacques Vandroux did an excellent way of capturing his reader. Although this book took me a while to read, it was not due to my choice. Life just gets in the way. Very intriguing, wondering and tons of surprises. Just when you think you know what is going to happen, you don't. If you love mystery and suspense, this is a GREAT one to read. Will look forward to reading more from this writer.
March 23, 2015
Also picked up as part of Kindle First. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't get over the way all of these Europeans acted, spoke and behaved like Americans. I think because the location of the story had been impressed upon me early on, I was expecting a continental flavor. However this was an American story through and through, down to slang, bureaucratic names and procedures, everything. Even the hobo at the beginning was slinging it.
January 16, 2015
lost in translation?
I did manage to get about half way through this book before I deleted it. perhaps if I were able to read it in French, it would have been enjoyable. the construction of some of the sentences, and strange, out of place wording, kept me from concentrating on the story. I did get it for free thanks to amazon prime. so, no loss. I'll be careful next time to read the reviews of a translated book. I see now that others had the same problem.
I did manage to get about half way through this book before I deleted it. perhaps if I were able to read it in French, it would have been enjoyable. the construction of some of the sentences, and strange, out of place wording, kept me from concentrating on the story. I did get it for free thanks to amazon prime. so, no loss. I'll be careful next time to read the reviews of a translated book. I see now that others had the same problem.
January 7, 2015
Mystery, suspense, romance, murder, French
Well-written with great characterization. The English-language version of this book was well done. Reminds me of Steig Larson books. Murder mystery with lots of twists within the plot line. Very well done. Good read for those 16 and older due to violence.
Well-written with great characterization. The English-language version of this book was well done. Reminds me of Steig Larson books. Murder mystery with lots of twists within the plot line. Very well done. Good read for those 16 and older due to violence.
February 23, 2015
Even taking translation into consideration, this reads like it's for an audience of imbeciles. I made it through 20% before deciding I couldn't stand the moronic story and stilted translation. I am just grateful I didn't waste money on it.
January 14, 2015
Intriguing and suspenseful
After I read the first chapter I couldn't wait to read the next, and the next until I finished it. This was a suspenseful thriller. If you like that kind of read you will enjoy this book.
After I read the first chapter I couldn't wait to read the next, and the next until I finished it. This was a suspenseful thriller. If you like that kind of read you will enjoy this book.
January 21, 2015
Beach book
The Heart Collector's scariest moment is when you read the title. Aside from that you are just putting in time. The author tries to write a sexy mystery by alluding to S&M with a couple of romances thrown in. Net result is predictable, all fall flat.
The Heart Collector's scariest moment is when you read the title. Aside from that you are just putting in time. The author tries to write a sexy mystery by alluding to S&M with a couple of romances thrown in. Net result is predictable, all fall flat.
April 7, 2015
History, Mystery, and Murder
For over thirty years young women have disappeared only be found later under strange circumstances. That the actions occur in France in various locations.
For over thirty years young women have disappeared only be found later under strange circumstances. That the actions occur in France in various locations.
January 9, 2015
Maybe something suffered in translation? Regardless mystery is predictable and dialogue is terrible.
January 22, 2015
Couldn't finish it!!
I made it a third of the way through before I couldn't go any further! It seems as if it was written by a child. Simple wording, short sentences and no depth!
I made it a third of the way through before I couldn't go any further! It seems as if it was written by a child. Simple wording, short sentences and no depth!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews