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Jacques Forêt #2
Merle
Jacques Foret, a former gendarme turned investigator, delves into the murky world of commercial sabotage - a place where people lie and misrepresent, and where information is traded and used as a threat.
The Vaux organisation is losing contracts and money, and Jacques is asked to undertake an internal investigation. As he works through the complexity of all the evidence, he finds more than he bargained for, and his own life is threatened.
When a body of a woman is found, it appears to be suicide. But as the investigation takes another turn, Jacques suspects there is more to it.
Who is behind it all...and why? Will Jacques find the answer before another person ends up dead?
Merle - #2 in a new French crime series featuring investigator, Jacques Foret.
Also in the series:
Messandrierre (#1)
The Vaux organisation is losing contracts and money, and Jacques is asked to undertake an internal investigation. As he works through the complexity of all the evidence, he finds more than he bargained for, and his own life is threatened.
When a body of a woman is found, it appears to be suicide. But as the investigation takes another turn, Jacques suspects there is more to it.
Who is behind it all...and why? Will Jacques find the answer before another person ends up dead?
Merle - #2 in a new French crime series featuring investigator, Jacques Foret.
Also in the series:
Messandrierre (#1)
- GenresFrance
208 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2017
65 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Angela Wren
21 books53 followersI’m an actor and director at a small theatre a few miles from where I live in the county of Yorkshire in the UK. I did work as a project and business change manager – very pressured and very demanding – but I managed to escape and now I write books.
I’ve always loved stories and story telling so it seemed a natural progression, to me, to try my hand at writing and I started with short stories. My first published story was in an anthology, which was put together by the magazine ‘Ireland’s Own’ in 2011.
I particularly enjoy the challenge of plotting and planning different genres of work. My short stories vary between contemporary romance, memoir, mystery and historical. I also write comic flash-fiction and have drafted two one-act plays that have been recorded for local radio.
My full-length stories are set in France where I like to spend as much time as possible each year. I’m currently researching and working on the follow-up to Merle.
I’ve always loved stories and story telling so it seemed a natural progression, to me, to try my hand at writing and I started with short stories. My first published story was in an anthology, which was put together by the magazine ‘Ireland’s Own’ in 2011.
I particularly enjoy the challenge of plotting and planning different genres of work. My short stories vary between contemporary romance, memoir, mystery and historical. I also write comic flash-fiction and have drafted two one-act plays that have been recorded for local radio.
My full-length stories are set in France where I like to spend as much time as possible each year. I’m currently researching and working on the follow-up to Merle.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 18, 2017
Another amazing book by author Angela Wren.
Second in the Jacques Forêt series, it's as good as the first and worth the almost two year wait.
Forêt is now working as an investigator in a company full of problems. Owned by two brothers, they've been hacked, are losing clients and can't see eye to eye how to solve them.
When one of the workers in the company is murdered, the case goes from a simple commercial problem to one much more darker. Even though Forêt is no longer a gendarme, he takes an active part in the investigation, part because of his background and part because of his working in the same company as the victim.
The narrative goes to and fro, from the day after the murder to several weeks before, and then after.
We are reunited from some of the characters from the previous book "Messandrierre" and the atmosphere of a small French town is amazingly detailed. And there's also Beth, Forêt's love. All the characters in the book are extremely well described, including some very nasty ones, like Forêt's ex girlfriend who works in the same company as him.
All in all, a great book. Looking forward to #3.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Second in the Jacques Forêt series, it's as good as the first and worth the almost two year wait.
Forêt is now working as an investigator in a company full of problems. Owned by two brothers, they've been hacked, are losing clients and can't see eye to eye how to solve them.
When one of the workers in the company is murdered, the case goes from a simple commercial problem to one much more darker. Even though Forêt is no longer a gendarme, he takes an active part in the investigation, part because of his background and part because of his working in the same company as the victim.
The narrative goes to and fro, from the day after the murder to several weeks before, and then after.
We are reunited from some of the characters from the previous book "Messandrierre" and the atmosphere of a small French town is amazingly detailed. And there's also Beth, Forêt's love. All the characters in the book are extremely well described, including some very nasty ones, like Forêt's ex girlfriend who works in the same company as him.
All in all, a great book. Looking forward to #3.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Merle, Book 2 of the Jacques Foret series. Messandrierre (Book 1) introduced the main characters of Jacques Foret and Beth but it also introduced many of the secondary characters who appear again in Book 2. For that reason I was very glad to have already read Book 1.
The French setting is well described and the characters are neatly drawn, making it so easy to love Jacques. Beth grew on me a lot more in Book 2 than Book 1!
It’s interesting to read how Jacques has branched out on his own as a private detective but still maintains contact with the French police force, especially useful when he needs to use their ‘facilities’. Following the plots and developments within Vaux Enterprises was a nice challenge though there were a couple of situations that threw me off a bit– one near the end which I won’t mention since it would be a spoiler. It did make me wonder about Book 3 of the series…
The French setting is well described and the characters are neatly drawn, making it so easy to love Jacques. Beth grew on me a lot more in Book 2 than Book 1!
It’s interesting to read how Jacques has branched out on his own as a private detective but still maintains contact with the French police force, especially useful when he needs to use their ‘facilities’. Following the plots and developments within Vaux Enterprises was a nice challenge though there were a couple of situations that threw me off a bit– one near the end which I won’t mention since it would be a spoiler. It did make me wonder about Book 3 of the series…
September 12, 2017
After reading Messandrierre earlier in the year I was looking forward to the next Jacques Forêt mystery set in rural France. Jacques is a considerate likeable detective who has now left the police force and is a private investigator working for Alain Vaux of Vaux Investments. Initially his task was to find the source of industrial espionage which is causing Alain’s company to loss contracts and money, but as we learn at the beginning of the book, there is now a link to murder.
On the personal front, Beth Samuels has returned from England. Will he be able to persuade her to move in with him and stay in France? She is looking into the possibility of setting up a photography business and in the meantime, is helping Jacques to follow leads.
The plot is complex, involving several employees, one of them Jacques’ old flame, Madeleine Cloutier. She seems to be flirting with him but he tries to keep his distance since she is one of the suspects. This reminds Jacques of his reason for leaving the gendarmerie in Paris and adds depth to our understanding of his character.
The investigation of weaknesses in IT security and unprofessional behaviour from some of the employees occurs against the background of a sinister figure who is a threat to Jacques and Beth. I would have liked to have read more about Jacques and Beth’s relationship but the intriguing murder mystery builds up to a thrilling conclusion.
On the personal front, Beth Samuels has returned from England. Will he be able to persuade her to move in with him and stay in France? She is looking into the possibility of setting up a photography business and in the meantime, is helping Jacques to follow leads.
The plot is complex, involving several employees, one of them Jacques’ old flame, Madeleine Cloutier. She seems to be flirting with him but he tries to keep his distance since she is one of the suspects. This reminds Jacques of his reason for leaving the gendarmerie in Paris and adds depth to our understanding of his character.
The investigation of weaknesses in IT security and unprofessional behaviour from some of the employees occurs against the background of a sinister figure who is a threat to Jacques and Beth. I would have liked to have read more about Jacques and Beth’s relationship but the intriguing murder mystery builds up to a thrilling conclusion.
August 8, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable read (no spoilers)
This is the second of the series and I enjoyed it more. I really like the characters especially the two main ones, and the hero solves the case with serious leg work, using his brain rather than just lucky breaks or villain stupidity. I'd like a bit more emotionalism from the main characters occasionally but that's a personal preference. I love the detail and the life of France which is conveyed without masses of exposition. A thoroughly enjoyable crime story which has lots of different threads solved satisfactorily at the end, as well as an additional mystery or two. It is well written ans clever. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
This is the second of the series and I enjoyed it more. I really like the characters especially the two main ones, and the hero solves the case with serious leg work, using his brain rather than just lucky breaks or villain stupidity. I'd like a bit more emotionalism from the main characters occasionally but that's a personal preference. I love the detail and the life of France which is conveyed without masses of exposition. A thoroughly enjoyable crime story which has lots of different threads solved satisfactorily at the end, as well as an additional mystery or two. It is well written ans clever. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Read
August 17, 2017Merle is the second book from Angela Wren's series, Jacques Forêt. I have not read the first book in the series but did not feel lost or as if I was missing anything. I do hope to one day go back to read it soon.
I found Merle to be a good read. I love the beautiful French setting. Jacques Forêt is a fun investigator and a likable character. He finds himself in a story that is full of mystery and suspense. I never knew what was going to happen next with him. There were so many twists and turns. I was intrigued and had a hard time putting the book down.
I most definitely believe this book to be a must read and I would give Merle four and a half stars. I look forward to more of this series and by Angela Wren in the future. I have become a new fan of her work.
I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I found Merle to be a good read. I love the beautiful French setting. Jacques Forêt is a fun investigator and a likable character. He finds himself in a story that is full of mystery and suspense. I never knew what was going to happen next with him. There were so many twists and turns. I was intrigued and had a hard time putting the book down.
I most definitely believe this book to be a must read and I would give Merle four and a half stars. I look forward to more of this series and by Angela Wren in the future. I have become a new fan of her work.
I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
September 19, 2017
This is the second book in Angela Wren’s Jacques Forêt mystery series and I have to admit to developing quite a soft spot for him in book one, so was looking forward to returning.
In this book, work takes Jacques away from village life in Messandrierre and into the dark world of corporate espionage and yet again Angela Wren makes her readers think. There is a lot going on, both at work and in the village, with many characters and sub plots to raise my suspicions and for Jacques to keep track of. Sensibly he always has his notebook with him and I wished I’d done the same thing as at times I felt I’d missed something. Jacques neatly ties up all loose ends at the Vaux organisation, but with lots going on in the village, alongside the main plot, some things seemed to me to be left unfinished. Hopefully this was intentional as I’m certainly looking forward to reading more about Jacques Forêt from Angela Wren in the future.
There was a lot to love about this book, including strong characters, location and good plot twists, and happily I’m still a big fan of Jacques, despite him being so caught up in his investigations there seemed to be little time to focus on Beth and the possibility of a life together. Although as an independent woman, trying her best to set up her photography business in France, I think she was strong enough to cope with that.
In this book, work takes Jacques away from village life in Messandrierre and into the dark world of corporate espionage and yet again Angela Wren makes her readers think. There is a lot going on, both at work and in the village, with many characters and sub plots to raise my suspicions and for Jacques to keep track of. Sensibly he always has his notebook with him and I wished I’d done the same thing as at times I felt I’d missed something. Jacques neatly ties up all loose ends at the Vaux organisation, but with lots going on in the village, alongside the main plot, some things seemed to me to be left unfinished. Hopefully this was intentional as I’m certainly looking forward to reading more about Jacques Forêt from Angela Wren in the future.
There was a lot to love about this book, including strong characters, location and good plot twists, and happily I’m still a big fan of Jacques, despite him being so caught up in his investigations there seemed to be little time to focus on Beth and the possibility of a life together. Although as an independent woman, trying her best to set up her photography business in France, I think she was strong enough to cope with that.
October 2, 2019
I was a little disappointed. While I liked the detailed detecting through the data trail, and the contemporaneity of the corporate setting, I found the corporate characters much less rounded and easy to distinguish than those in the rural setting of the first book. The setting itself was also sketchier.
My main disappointment, however, was the rush at the end to tie up the case. While some of the trail had been well laid, another had not. It’s a shame - there was quite a bit of promise here but it felt to me that the author lost interest in anything other that bringing the book to an end.
My main disappointment, however, was the rush at the end to tie up the case. While some of the trail had been well laid, another had not. It’s a shame - there was quite a bit of promise here but it felt to me that the author lost interest in anything other that bringing the book to an end.
September 7, 2017
VERDICT: Suspenseful and intriguing events in a picturesque corner of France.
my full review is here:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2017/09/07/...
my full review is here:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2017/09/07/...
January 9, 2018
[Longer review follow.]
Jacques Foret is no longer a policeman and as a private investigator, he is drawn into a different crime this time. There is still a body at the opening, but the feel of the case and the story is different.
However, familiar characters and settings return from the village setting of Messandrierre - Book 1 - including the unresolved case of a missing person. The blend of the familiar and the new - Mende is the main setting for the corporate investigation - creates two plotlines that work alongside each other.
The relationship between Jacques and Beth grows throughout the book, building on events in Messandrierre - and other villagers are developed.
This area of France is my favourite and it felt real, although aspects were left up to the reader's imagination.
The office drama and the suspicious behaviour of people involved make for a number of suspects - and in the closing scenes, the corporate puzzle comes together neatly.
I wanted more on the resolution of the other mystery, although it was solved. The device of leaving something unresolved from Book 1 was clever, and I wondered if there was a hint at a secondary plot the next book. I will be waiting for that expectantly.
Although this felt like a slower read than Book 1, I would still recommend it.
Jacques Foret is no longer a policeman and as a private investigator, he is drawn into a different crime this time. There is still a body at the opening, but the feel of the case and the story is different.
However, familiar characters and settings return from the village setting of Messandrierre - Book 1 - including the unresolved case of a missing person. The blend of the familiar and the new - Mende is the main setting for the corporate investigation - creates two plotlines that work alongside each other.
The relationship between Jacques and Beth grows throughout the book, building on events in Messandrierre - and other villagers are developed.
This area of France is my favourite and it felt real, although aspects were left up to the reader's imagination.
The office drama and the suspicious behaviour of people involved make for a number of suspects - and in the closing scenes, the corporate puzzle comes together neatly.
I wanted more on the resolution of the other mystery, although it was solved. The device of leaving something unresolved from Book 1 was clever, and I wondered if there was a hint at a secondary plot the next book. I will be waiting for that expectantly.
Although this felt like a slower read than Book 1, I would still recommend it.
September 8, 2017
This one started out slow for me. It's not often I say that about mystery novels, but it did. I'm not sure why; perhaps my mind wasn't in quite the right set. And it had been so long since I'd read the previous novel, Messandrierre. But, it did pick up, and by halfway I was intrigued. Who was behind the sabotage? There are so many possibilities, so many people with motive and desire. As with the first book, I did not entirely expect the result (though one or two characters tweaked my interest there). So in that way it was satisfying.
I think the main reason why it took so long to get into is that the characters did not seem as vivid as Messandrierre's. The townsfolk in that book seemed to have stronger personalities and were more memorable. I had a hard time remembering names in the first bit of this novel.
It is good though, and worth reading if you like mysteries, particularly the corporate espionage types.
I think the main reason why it took so long to get into is that the characters did not seem as vivid as Messandrierre's. The townsfolk in that book seemed to have stronger personalities and were more memorable. I had a hard time remembering names in the first bit of this novel.
It is good though, and worth reading if you like mysteries, particularly the corporate espionage types.
December 21, 2021
I have a bad habit of treating myself to things just before my birthday or Christmas. it drives family and friends mad! This year, I did it again. I treated myself to Merle by Angela Wren shortly beofre Christmas and read it immediately!
The Blurb
Jacques Forêt, a former gendarme turned investigator, delves into the murky world of commercial sabotage – a place where people lie and misrepresent, and where information is traded and used as a threat.
The Vaux organisation is losing contracts and money, and Jacques is asked to undertake an internal investigation. As he works through the complexity of all the evidence, he finds more than he bargained for, and his own life is threatened.
When a body of a woman is found, it appears to be suicide. But as the investigation takes another turn, Jacques suspects there is more to it.
Who is behind it all…and why? Will Jacques find the answer before another person ends up dead?
The Review
Merle is the second novel in the Jacques Foret Mystery series from the pen of author Angela Wren. I had read the first book in the series and was looking forward to reading this book.
The main character Jacques Foret has now left the police force and taken up employment as a private investigator. As he is no longer a member of the police, Jacques does not have ready access to some of the information he had previously.
In Merle, Jacques is appointed to carry out an internal investigation within a company, Vaux, that is losing money and contracts. His life is further complicated by his ongoing romance with Beth.
There are several viable suspects who have the expertise to conduct the commercial sabotage that has occurred but when events become threatening, a body is found and then Jacques himself is in danger. In the novel, Merle, the reader is treated to a taut, complex novel that is as exciting as it is entertaining. I thoroghly enjoyed it and highly recommend to those who enjoy a good crime thriller.
The Author
I’m an actor and director at a small theatre a few miles from where I live in the county of Yorkshire in the UK. I did work as a project and business change manager – very pressured and very demanding – but I managed to escape and now I write books.
I’ve always loved stories and story telling so it seemed a natural progression, to me, to try my hand at writing and I started with short stories. My first published story was included in an anthology, which was put together by the magazine ‘Ireland’s Own’ in 2011. I also contribute to the Miss Moonshine anthologies of feel-good stories.
I particularly enjoy the challenge of plotting and planning different genres of work. My short stories vary between contemporary romance, memoir, mystery and historical. I also write comic flash-fiction and have drafted two one-act plays that have been recorded for local radio.
My full-length stories are set in France where I like to spend as much time as possible each year. Currently, I'm working on the follow-up stories in my Jacques Forêt series of novels and I continue to write my blog every week where you can find lots of info about France, books, book reviews and author interviews.
The Blurb
Jacques Forêt, a former gendarme turned investigator, delves into the murky world of commercial sabotage – a place where people lie and misrepresent, and where information is traded and used as a threat.
The Vaux organisation is losing contracts and money, and Jacques is asked to undertake an internal investigation. As he works through the complexity of all the evidence, he finds more than he bargained for, and his own life is threatened.
When a body of a woman is found, it appears to be suicide. But as the investigation takes another turn, Jacques suspects there is more to it.
Who is behind it all…and why? Will Jacques find the answer before another person ends up dead?
The Review
Merle is the second novel in the Jacques Foret Mystery series from the pen of author Angela Wren. I had read the first book in the series and was looking forward to reading this book.
The main character Jacques Foret has now left the police force and taken up employment as a private investigator. As he is no longer a member of the police, Jacques does not have ready access to some of the information he had previously.
In Merle, Jacques is appointed to carry out an internal investigation within a company, Vaux, that is losing money and contracts. His life is further complicated by his ongoing romance with Beth.
There are several viable suspects who have the expertise to conduct the commercial sabotage that has occurred but when events become threatening, a body is found and then Jacques himself is in danger. In the novel, Merle, the reader is treated to a taut, complex novel that is as exciting as it is entertaining. I thoroghly enjoyed it and highly recommend to those who enjoy a good crime thriller.
The Author
I’m an actor and director at a small theatre a few miles from where I live in the county of Yorkshire in the UK. I did work as a project and business change manager – very pressured and very demanding – but I managed to escape and now I write books.
I’ve always loved stories and story telling so it seemed a natural progression, to me, to try my hand at writing and I started with short stories. My first published story was included in an anthology, which was put together by the magazine ‘Ireland’s Own’ in 2011. I also contribute to the Miss Moonshine anthologies of feel-good stories.
I particularly enjoy the challenge of plotting and planning different genres of work. My short stories vary between contemporary romance, memoir, mystery and historical. I also write comic flash-fiction and have drafted two one-act plays that have been recorded for local radio.
My full-length stories are set in France where I like to spend as much time as possible each year. Currently, I'm working on the follow-up stories in my Jacques Forêt series of novels and I continue to write my blog every week where you can find lots of info about France, books, book reviews and author interviews.
February 14, 2024
Jacques Foret is no longer a police officer, and has been asked to investigate potential commercial sabotage. The group he now works for has been losing contracts and the suspicion is that an insider is passing information to a rival. Jacques puts himself in danger by his persistent questioning. I really enjoyed this book. The story is quite different from the first but no less interesting, and a little hangover from his previous investigation pops up. His personal life takes an upturn too. An altogether satisfying read.
October 11, 2018
Another great read set against the glorious backdrop of the French countryside. Our hero may no longer be a policeman but that doesn't stop him getting involved in a murder case connected to the investigation into financial shenanigans at the company for which he now works. The danger intensifies when things start to get personal.
A fascinating collection of characters kept me riveted to this book as the story rattled on to its finale.
A fascinating collection of characters kept me riveted to this book as the story rattled on to its finale.
February 6, 2018
Fun French mystery stories!
May 15, 2019
Terrific novel by Wren. Foret is a likable character. This is a good story about cyber crime and I found it most interesting. A good read.
July 25, 2025
Readers of Louise Penny will love the Jacques Forêt series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews