Грязная война

Lola Jost & Ingrid Diesel #5

by Dominique Sylvain, Доминик Сильвен, Оксана Чуракова (Translator)

Серия романов об экс-комиссаре полиции Лоле Жост и стриптизерше Ингрид Дизель принесла Доминик Сильвен, одному из самых популярных французских детективных авторов, Гран-при журнала Elle и европейскую славу.
На сей раз подруги тайно расследуют убийство молодого адвоката, причастного к торговле оружием. Дело ведет неотразимый майор Саша Дюген, которого связывают с Ингрид непростые отношения.
Роман удостоен премии парижского журнала Lire "Лучший детектив года".

Аннотация:
На краю олимпийского бассейна обнаружен труп молодого адвоката, подвергнутого так называемой "казни папаши Лебрена" - распространенной в Африке пытке, когда на шее приговоренного поджигают автомобильную покрышку. Зверский способ убийства и то обстоятельство, что убитый - помощник известного в политических кругах торговца оружием, всколыхнули весь Париж. Майор уголовного розыска Саша Дюген вынужден работать в нечеловеческих условиях. На него открыто давят спецслужбы, в команде не прекращаются мелкие дрязги, да еще в расследование постоянно вмешивается колоритная парочка, известная по предыдущим романам Сильвен, - экс-комиссар полиции Лола Жост и ее подруга-стриптизерша Ингрид Дизель, бывшая возлюбленная Дюгена. Сложные отношения с очаровательной Ингрид выбивают майора из равновесия. Убийства, между тем, следуют одно за другим, и война, которую ему приходится вести, становится по-настоящему грязной.

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having really enjoyed the first mystery featuring retired Commissaire of police Lola Just and the American masseuse Ingrid Diesel, “Dark Angel,” I was pleased to get the chance to read this second translated in the series (although, as far as I can tell, number 5 in the original series). Overall, it is a much darker novel than the first book and recalls events mentioned in “Dark Angel”, when a young officer of African origin, Toussaint Kidjo, was killed five years before events in this story. Lola Just obviously felt she had failed in solving that case, and that she had a personal responsibility towards one of her own officers. Now, this book begins with the violent murder of lawyer, Florian Vidal, in a crime reminiscent of that of Kidjo’s.

While the official investigation is being carried out by Sebastian Menard, Lola Just soon discovers the links between the crimes, due to Lieutenant Jerome Barthelemy, who is still loyal to his old boss. With tension in the department and the crime a delicate one, as Florian Vidal worked for ‘Mr Africa,’ Richard Gratien, a key player in French-African relationships, Lola convinces Ingrid to help her investigate the case.

Before long, there are more deaths, in a high profile investigation which involves arms sales, political ambitions and long held secrets. Alongside this crime, is that of a well respected auctioneer, Nora Nungesser, who has killed her son’s murderer on his release from prison and fled the country. Although it seems unlikely that the two crimes are linked, what soon becomes obvious is that the answers lie in the past. As before, the unlikely pairing of Lola and Ingrid works brilliantly. Lola is, if anything, even more determined to solve this crime, whatever it takes, and discover what really happened to the case she thought she would never solve. With a good cast of characters, a fast moving plot and a dark and believable undercurrent of tension, this is an even better addition to a great series. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

[Marina Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I like the Lola/Ingrid dynamic and was rather sorry that there wasn't more of it in this book. However, the story is complex and this time police inspector Sacha Duguin is more centre-stage. The 'dirty war' of the title, which wealthy countries carry out on the African continent is barely mentioned within the African context itself. Instead we see a stream of characters with links to the Congo (perhaps too many characters, it gets hard at times to keep track), all acting out their sad tale of corruption, revenge and nasty secrets on the streets of Paris. Sylvain can write a good old plot twist as well as the best of them, but the opening and close of this novel prove what a great writing style she has too. Now I need to read the next in the series, which takes up where this story left off.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gruesome murder leads to the uncovering of dark secrets.

I found this story a bit confusing - there were too many (side) characters for me. Plus I found it difficult to engage with the writing style and the murder’s identity / the reason for the murders appeared to come out of nowhere.

[James Lawther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frivolous, fanciful, far-fetched and phoney; but fun.

Dirty War, is one of three Lola and Ingrid novels available in English. Lire, the French literary magazine proclaimed it the best crime novel of 2011. It is a light-hearted romp through the back streets of Paris as the unlikely investigators race the police to find the murderer.

Whilst the initial murder is a little grim, Sylvain doesn’t feel the need to turn your stomach with vivid descriptions of murder and torture. She is more interested in playing on the curious friendship of a stripper and a retired police officer, and their rivalry with the police. Though she doesn’t milk the storyline for laughs, she squeezes the humour out of it.

Sylvain reveals clues, witnesses and discoveries at such an alarming rate that you have to work hard to keep up. The pace is frantic and the plot goes so far beyond incredulous you will banish disbelief as an irrelevance as you tear through the pages.

If you are looking for a French author who will challenge your thinking, choose Manotti. If you want a story, choose Vargas. If you want nightmares try Lemaitre. If you want a light-hearted and frivolous diversion, Sylvain’s Dirty War is just the job.

A word of warning, the book ends with a cliffhanger and you will be tempted to buy the next, Shadows and Sun. Fortunately, it has been translated into English as well.

Read a little more at https://crimebooks.uk/book/dirty-war-2/

[GAUBLOMME Viviane]

Espagne

[Sara Aye Moung · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a good read. Stylish and interesting with 2 strong female protagonists

[Myriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

J'aime bien lire Dominique Sylvain car j'ai le sentiment de partager les mêmes références culturelles, je me dis que nous devons avoir le même âge. C'est peut-être bête mais c'est comme retrouver quelqu'un que l'on connait depuis longtemps.
J'ai bien aimé lire Guerre Sale, mais j'ai eu un peu de la peine à finir le livre. Au départ j'ai failli ne même pas le lire, à cause de la description de la torture qu'avait subi la victime, mais mon ami qui a lu le livre avant, m'a informée que c'était justifié, puisque le reste de l'histoire et l'enquête reposaient en partie sur le modus operandi du meurtre de cette principale victime. Je n'aime pas les livres "torture-porn", ce n'est pas ragoûtant du tout. Mais évidemment avec Dominique Sylvain, on s'attache ensuite plus aux personnages qui mênent l'enquête, ce que j'apprécie..il y a un peu de Fred Vargas dans sa façon de dépeindre des personnages attachants et humains, souvent bon vivants, et discutant par exemple autour d'un verre ou d'un bon petit plat. (aussi à la façon du personnage de Montalban, Pepe Carvalho). C'est étrange mais j'ai d'ailleurs pas mal cuisiné dans les jours où je lisais ce livre, sans doute un effet inconscient. J'ai eu un peu de mal à m'intéresser à l'intrigue et les magouilles des politiques dans les affaires France-Afrique, mais bien entendu, je voulais tout de même savoir qui avait fait le coup.
Petit bémol, je tique lorsque des personnages mênent des actions contraires à leur caractères, comme cette femme-flic à la retraite qui se met à menacer de trouer la peau à une jeune hotesse de l'air en échange d'information ? Non je n'y ai pas cru. Et aussi, on nous rappelle à la fin du livre que durant tout ce temps, elle portait une minerve, et que ça la soulage bien de pouvoir enfin l'oter. Sauf que jamais on nous a dit comment ça entravait ses mouvements ou si ça lui faisait mal, même si au départ, oui, on sait qu'elle tombe dans l'escalier. Mais bon cela est vite éludé et ça ne l'empèche pas de boire des coups et de mener son enquête comme si de rien était. Donc oui, un peu bizarre.

[Agnesca]

Vu l'auteur hier soir à la "Grande librairie"

Intéressée par un livre où les héros citent, entre autres, Valery Larbaud !

[Béatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bien ficelé, ce polar mi politique mi africain!