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Victor Lessard #3
Never Forget
From the acclaimed “master of the Quebec thriller” comes an action-packed, breakneck mystery featuring Montreal police detectives Victor Lessard and Jacinthe Taillon, who race to track down a ruthless killer.
When an eccentric homeless man jumps to his death in Old Montreal, the police discover two wallets in his possession: those of a retired psychiatrist who was recently murdered in a bizarre ritual and a powerful corporate lawyer who has vanished. As police detective Victor Lessard and his partner, Jacinthe Taillon, work to solve the separate mysteries, a dark history begins to emerge.
While the pressure builds and the bodies accumulate, dark and disturbing secrets come to light about a pivotal moment in Quebec’s history. But will Lessard and Taillon crack the case in time to prevent the killer from striking again?
When an eccentric homeless man jumps to his death in Old Montreal, the police discover two wallets in his possession: those of a retired psychiatrist who was recently murdered in a bizarre ritual and a powerful corporate lawyer who has vanished. As police detective Victor Lessard and his partner, Jacinthe Taillon, work to solve the separate mysteries, a dark history begins to emerge.
While the pressure builds and the bodies accumulate, dark and disturbing secrets come to light about a pivotal moment in Quebec’s history. But will Lessard and Taillon crack the case in time to prevent the killer from striking again?
576 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
50 people are currently reading
3082 people want to read
About the author
Martin Michaud
38 books239 followersReconnu par la critique comme le « maître du thriller québécois », Martin Michaud a pratiqué le métier d’avocat d’affaires pendant vingt ans avant de se consacrer pleinement à l’écriture.
Ses romans lui ont valu un vaste lectorat au Québec et en Europe, ainsi que de nombreux prix littéraires.
Depuis 2017, il scénarise pour la télé la série Victor Lessard, qui a remporté le premier prix au Banff World Media Festival et cumulé plus de 6 millions de visionnements sur le Club Illico. Les droits de distribution de la série ont été récemment acquis par ZDF Entreprises.
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Born in 1970, Martin Michaud is a musician, novelist and screenwriter. He worked as a business lawyer for twenty years before devoting himself to writing full-time in 2012.
His novels have gained a wide readership in Quebec and Europe, winning numerous literary prizes. He is hailed by critics as “the master of the Quebec thriller.”
Author of the bestselling Victor Lessard crime novels, Martin Michaud is also the writer of the hit TV series Victor Lessard, adapted from the books. The series won first prize at the Banff World Media Festival. It has had over 6 million views on Club Illico, and has been bought by ZDF for global distribution.
Ses romans lui ont valu un vaste lectorat au Québec et en Europe, ainsi que de nombreux prix littéraires.
Depuis 2017, il scénarise pour la télé la série Victor Lessard, qui a remporté le premier prix au Banff World Media Festival et cumulé plus de 6 millions de visionnements sur le Club Illico. Les droits de distribution de la série ont été récemment acquis par ZDF Entreprises.
-
Born in 1970, Martin Michaud is a musician, novelist and screenwriter. He worked as a business lawyer for twenty years before devoting himself to writing full-time in 2012.
His novels have gained a wide readership in Quebec and Europe, winning numerous literary prizes. He is hailed by critics as “the master of the Quebec thriller.”
Author of the bestselling Victor Lessard crime novels, Martin Michaud is also the writer of the hit TV series Victor Lessard, adapted from the books. The series won first prize at the Banff World Media Festival. It has had over 6 million views on Club Illico, and has been bought by ZDF for global distribution.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
January 5, 2020
This is Martin Michaud's third in the DS Victor Lessard Montreal series written in French but the first to be translated into English. This is a complex story, with numerous threads, that take quite a while to become connected, making this feel on occasion like an unwieldy and choppy read until it begins to make sense. Lessard is a divorced, disgraced, PTSD suffering, police detective who has returned to the Major Crimes Unit, partnered with Jacinthe Taillon. He has a traumatic family history, plagued by fits of rage and drink issues, has two children, Martin, with a troubled history and Charlotte, and is in a relationship with a younger cop, Nadja. It all begins with the suicide of a homeless man, Andre Lortie, a man with mental health issues, who commits suicide at the Stock Exchange Tower. He has on him two wallets belonging to Judith Harper, a retired psychiatrist, and Nathan Lawson, a renowned gay lawyer, both in their seventies, distinguished, respectable and prosperous professionals but it seems highly unlikely he would have known either of them.
Soon after, Harper is discovered murdered in a warehouse, having been tortured with a medieval instrument known as a heretic's fork, and Lawson is missing, having left his law firm with a old file from the archives. The Montreal police team are baffled, and, for a while, entertain the idea that Lortie killed Harper. Lortie had been in and out of a psychiatric hospital through the years, suffering from delusions and memory loss, but has left behind hidden papers, and strange hieroglyphs on a cardboard sheet that take some time to yield their secrets. Interspersed is the story of siblings, Charlie and Lennie, and their concerns over what is happening to their father. In a twisted narrative with a rising body count, connections emerge between Harper, Lawson and the homeless Lortie, a history that goes back to the sixties and seventies, unethical psychiatric experiments at McGill University funded by the CIA, cover ups, old Quebec history, and surprising links to the JFK assassination and Lee Harvey Oswald.
This is a story of memory, its loss, its fundamental importance to our sense of identity around which Michaud weaves a compelling story, utilising actual realities, although he does take liberties with those events and people. He depicts the unsavoury darker aspects of the psychiatric profession in the present but which goes back historically, involving the widespread global misuse of psychiatry to imprison, harm, torture and destroy individuals by governments, intelligence agencies, powerful individuals and the military. I am not sure I understood the logic or reasoning in translating the third book first, and I believe the first two books in the series are lined up to published in English soon. The central protagonist, Victor, is a fascinatingly flawed creation with enough to him to carry him through a long series. I liked the other characters in the police team, although I did not warm in the slightest to Victor's partner, Jacinthe, who seemed to lack the ability to make any sensitive or positive contribution to the investigation, an unpleasant, sadistic and nosy character with little in the way of redeeming qualities. This is a great read for those who like their crime reads to be intricate and complicated puzzles. Many thanks to Dundurn Press for an ARC.
Soon after, Harper is discovered murdered in a warehouse, having been tortured with a medieval instrument known as a heretic's fork, and Lawson is missing, having left his law firm with a old file from the archives. The Montreal police team are baffled, and, for a while, entertain the idea that Lortie killed Harper. Lortie had been in and out of a psychiatric hospital through the years, suffering from delusions and memory loss, but has left behind hidden papers, and strange hieroglyphs on a cardboard sheet that take some time to yield their secrets. Interspersed is the story of siblings, Charlie and Lennie, and their concerns over what is happening to their father. In a twisted narrative with a rising body count, connections emerge between Harper, Lawson and the homeless Lortie, a history that goes back to the sixties and seventies, unethical psychiatric experiments at McGill University funded by the CIA, cover ups, old Quebec history, and surprising links to the JFK assassination and Lee Harvey Oswald.
This is a story of memory, its loss, its fundamental importance to our sense of identity around which Michaud weaves a compelling story, utilising actual realities, although he does take liberties with those events and people. He depicts the unsavoury darker aspects of the psychiatric profession in the present but which goes back historically, involving the widespread global misuse of psychiatry to imprison, harm, torture and destroy individuals by governments, intelligence agencies, powerful individuals and the military. I am not sure I understood the logic or reasoning in translating the third book first, and I believe the first two books in the series are lined up to published in English soon. The central protagonist, Victor, is a fascinatingly flawed creation with enough to him to carry him through a long series. I liked the other characters in the police team, although I did not warm in the slightest to Victor's partner, Jacinthe, who seemed to lack the ability to make any sensitive or positive contribution to the investigation, an unpleasant, sadistic and nosy character with little in the way of redeeming qualities. This is a great read for those who like their crime reads to be intricate and complicated puzzles. Many thanks to Dundurn Press for an ARC.
January 6, 2020
Once again, I’m starting a mystery series in the middle. But for once, it’s through no fault of my own. The publisher decided to start translating the series, originally written in French, with the third book. The problem with this is that we know Lessard had a rough go from a prior case. He’s been demoted and is still recovering, both physically and mentally. In a bit of a twist from the normal detective, he gets sick every time he sees a dead body. Not so his partner, Jacinthe Taillon. She’s tough as nails, raunchy and rough. Michaud does a great job of painting her in just a few words. “Jacinthe’s foot on the accelerator was as heavy as the rest of her.” They have a contentious relationship and threaten to go nuclear multiple times.
I picked this up because I love mysteries in different locales and the idea of Montreal intrigued me. But I can’t say it worked well for me. I’m trying to decide if my trouble with the story was the translation, the starting in the middle of a series or what. The plot was initially very confusing and it took me longer than normal to get a feel. Once I did, about a ⅓ into the book, I was engaged. Although I do believe the book could have used a good edit. And the ending didn’t exactly work for me, as it entailed a conspiracy theory which I found way too far fetched.
I did appreciate that Michaud makes Montreal and its winter another character in the book. Not just the bitter cold, but also the driving hazards. In fact, there’s a fabulous car chase towards the end of the book.
The jury is still out as to whether I will try another book in this series.
My thanks to netgalley and Dundurn Press for an advance copy of this book.
I picked this up because I love mysteries in different locales and the idea of Montreal intrigued me. But I can’t say it worked well for me. I’m trying to decide if my trouble with the story was the translation, the starting in the middle of a series or what. The plot was initially very confusing and it took me longer than normal to get a feel. Once I did, about a ⅓ into the book, I was engaged. Although I do believe the book could have used a good edit. And the ending didn’t exactly work for me, as it entailed a conspiracy theory which I found way too far fetched.
I did appreciate that Michaud makes Montreal and its winter another character in the book. Not just the bitter cold, but also the driving hazards. In fact, there’s a fabulous car chase towards the end of the book.
The jury is still out as to whether I will try another book in this series.
My thanks to netgalley and Dundurn Press for an advance copy of this book.
September 15, 2019
This series has been adapted into a TV show that is hugely popular in Quebec but the books were only available in french. Now they’re being translated, beginning with book #3. The MC’s are detectives Victor Lessard & Jacinthe Taillon, partners in the Major Crimes Unit in Montréal. As the story opens, we learn Victor has just returned to work after being demoted. HIs last case left him a changed man & his physical/psychological fitness is about to be tested.
It all begins when an elderly woman’s body is discovered in a warehouse. There’s not much to go on…just some very odd marks on her skin. But she is soon identified as Judith Harper, a retired psychiatrist.
Across town, a respected lawyer has received some disturbing mail. Not to worry. Nathan Lawson prepared for this day a long time ago & quickly puts his plan in motion.
Meanwhile, a beat cop in another part of the city is struggling to find family of an elderly man who jumped 10 stories to his death. It’s not like he didn’t have ID. In fact, he had 2 wallets….one belonging to someone named Judith Harper, the other to a Nathan Lawson.
Oh, Victor. You might want to see if you have any vacation time left. The story begins with several diverse plot lines following separate characters. Initially the only common denominator is none of them are having a good day (especially Judith 😱). As more characters are introduced & the body count rises, it’s clear Victor & his team have a big, snarly murder spree on their hands.
The plot is like a labyrinth that twists in a multitude of directions, some of which reach back to seminal moments in the province’s political past. Canadians in particular will recognize references to the FLQ & October Crisis (see link below). It’s impossible to summarize & better to go in blind anyway. The cast is large & some of the chapters feature characters in different decades so you need to pay attention to the time lines. There are a lot of moving parts but instead of getting lost, I quickly found myself in “Damn it, I need to know what’s going on” territory.
Interspersed with all the chaos are subplots that expand on the characters’ personal lives, mostly in regard to Victor. He’s a flawed man whose recent experience has him reflecting on the mistakes he’s made. Despite dealing with PTSD, he’s a smart & intuitive cop given to poking around wherever his gut feeling leads.
So you’re probably wondering why 4 stars. Well, there are a couple of nitpicky procedural things that don’t ring true but unfortunately my main issue was with Jacinthe. Her character is crude, offensive & belligerent. Think Roberta Steel minus any humour. Her only obvious talent was an ability to navigate the snow covered streets of Montréal at high speed & I’m still pondering the author’s goal behind how she is portrayed. Perhaps as a foil for Victor? I don’t have to like a character but I do need to feel they’re adding a particular element or fulfilling a necessary role. In his notes, the author states “everything, always, must serve the story” so it feels like I missed something as her contribution to the investigation is negligible.
It’s all down to personal taste & luckily for me, a number of compelling characters & the intricate plot made up for it. The present day investigation takes place during the Xmas season & the interminable snow fall lends a claustrophobic feel that effectively adds to the building tension.
Just a heads up: there’s a fair amount of sexual content & the killer’s MO will have you googling a certain medieval torture device. The title is fitting & plays off the motto “Je me souviens” featured on Quebec license plates. It’s a well written & ambitious procedural that is all about memories….whether they be cherished, forgotten or tweaked.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_d...
It all begins when an elderly woman’s body is discovered in a warehouse. There’s not much to go on…just some very odd marks on her skin. But she is soon identified as Judith Harper, a retired psychiatrist.
Across town, a respected lawyer has received some disturbing mail. Not to worry. Nathan Lawson prepared for this day a long time ago & quickly puts his plan in motion.
Meanwhile, a beat cop in another part of the city is struggling to find family of an elderly man who jumped 10 stories to his death. It’s not like he didn’t have ID. In fact, he had 2 wallets….one belonging to someone named Judith Harper, the other to a Nathan Lawson.
Oh, Victor. You might want to see if you have any vacation time left. The story begins with several diverse plot lines following separate characters. Initially the only common denominator is none of them are having a good day (especially Judith 😱). As more characters are introduced & the body count rises, it’s clear Victor & his team have a big, snarly murder spree on their hands.
The plot is like a labyrinth that twists in a multitude of directions, some of which reach back to seminal moments in the province’s political past. Canadians in particular will recognize references to the FLQ & October Crisis (see link below). It’s impossible to summarize & better to go in blind anyway. The cast is large & some of the chapters feature characters in different decades so you need to pay attention to the time lines. There are a lot of moving parts but instead of getting lost, I quickly found myself in “Damn it, I need to know what’s going on” territory.
Interspersed with all the chaos are subplots that expand on the characters’ personal lives, mostly in regard to Victor. He’s a flawed man whose recent experience has him reflecting on the mistakes he’s made. Despite dealing with PTSD, he’s a smart & intuitive cop given to poking around wherever his gut feeling leads.
So you’re probably wondering why 4 stars. Well, there are a couple of nitpicky procedural things that don’t ring true but unfortunately my main issue was with Jacinthe. Her character is crude, offensive & belligerent. Think Roberta Steel minus any humour. Her only obvious talent was an ability to navigate the snow covered streets of Montréal at high speed & I’m still pondering the author’s goal behind how she is portrayed. Perhaps as a foil for Victor? I don’t have to like a character but I do need to feel they’re adding a particular element or fulfilling a necessary role. In his notes, the author states “everything, always, must serve the story” so it feels like I missed something as her contribution to the investigation is negligible.
It’s all down to personal taste & luckily for me, a number of compelling characters & the intricate plot made up for it. The present day investigation takes place during the Xmas season & the interminable snow fall lends a claustrophobic feel that effectively adds to the building tension.
Just a heads up: there’s a fair amount of sexual content & the killer’s MO will have you googling a certain medieval torture device. The title is fitting & plays off the motto “Je me souviens” featured on Quebec license plates. It’s a well written & ambitious procedural that is all about memories….whether they be cherished, forgotten or tweaked.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_d...
April 19, 2020
EXCERPT: They were startled by a noise resembling the striking of a matchstick: the burner on the gas furnace had just lit up. Victor released his breath, wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, and opened the door at the far end of the workshop.
The beam of his flashlight slid across the room, and a cry froze in his throat. An odour of death and offal hung in the air. The body of a man in his underwear lay in a puddle of blood and excrement.
The detective sergeant snapped a mental image of the scene: the corpse was lying face up, arms crossed. Brownish wounds were visible on the diaphanous skin of the throat and chest. The wrists bore purple bruises, and the cracked dry lips had split open in several places.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When an eccentric homeless man jumps to his death in Old Montreal, the police discover two wallets in his possession: those of a retired psychiatrist who was recently murdered in a bizarre ritual and a powerful corporate lawyer who has vanished. As police detective Victor Lessard and his partner, Jacinthe Taillon, work to solve the separate mysteries, a dark history begins to emerge.
While the pressure builds and the bodies accumulate, dark and disturbing secrets come to light about a pivotal moment in Quebec’s history. But will Lessard and Taillon crack the case in time to prevent the killer from striking again?
MY THOUGHTS: It's complicated . . .
I am unsure why a publisher would choose to start translating a series with the third book. I know that some series are easy to pick up part way through. This isn't one of them.
The plot is complex. The characters are complex, and there are a lot of them. It took me a long time to settle into this book, and even then, I managed to lose my way a couple of times and had to go back and reread things. There are frequent references to past cases, past events, past history.
Victor Lessard is an alcoholic (not drinking, but once an alcoholic...) suffers from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and tends to vomit at the sight of a body. There is a lot of vomiting takes place. His partner, Jacinthe Taillon, is obsessed with food and only trusts Lessard to a certain point. Not an easy working relationship. She is rude, insensitive and brings nothing to the story other than her ability to break down doors.
If you are a fan of conspiracy theories, you will love this book. It covers a lot of historical ground, from CIA funded experiments into mind control using drugs and other even more barbaric methods to the assassination of President John Kennedy.
This was definitely an interesting read, but as I said, it is complicated. Would I read more in this series? That would depend on being able to start from the beginning.
🤯🏙🚔
'Evil creeps. Evil prowls. It insinuates itself into the soul's blank spaces. And sometimes, for no apparent reason, when you're sure it's busy elsewhere, it catches your scent of ashes on the cold air, turns from its path and follows you.'
'By deinstitutionalizing the mentally ill, we've put all our eggs in one basket. We've gone from one extreme to the other. It's gotten to the point where most people who need custodial care are now on the streets.'
'Once a mistake is made, there's no going back to unmake it.'
'Unlike the movies, where there's always a ruthless logic behind every action, reality can be disappointing and disturbing.'
THE AUTHOR: Born in 1970, Martin Michaud is a musician, novelist and screenwriter. He worked as a business lawyer for twenty years before devoting himself to writing full-time in 2012.
His novels have gained a wide readership in Quebec and Europe, winning numerous literary prizes. He is hailed by critics as “the master of the Quebec thriller.”
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Dundurn Press via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Never Forget by Martin Michaud for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The beam of his flashlight slid across the room, and a cry froze in his throat. An odour of death and offal hung in the air. The body of a man in his underwear lay in a puddle of blood and excrement.
The detective sergeant snapped a mental image of the scene: the corpse was lying face up, arms crossed. Brownish wounds were visible on the diaphanous skin of the throat and chest. The wrists bore purple bruises, and the cracked dry lips had split open in several places.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When an eccentric homeless man jumps to his death in Old Montreal, the police discover two wallets in his possession: those of a retired psychiatrist who was recently murdered in a bizarre ritual and a powerful corporate lawyer who has vanished. As police detective Victor Lessard and his partner, Jacinthe Taillon, work to solve the separate mysteries, a dark history begins to emerge.
While the pressure builds and the bodies accumulate, dark and disturbing secrets come to light about a pivotal moment in Quebec’s history. But will Lessard and Taillon crack the case in time to prevent the killer from striking again?
MY THOUGHTS: It's complicated . . .
I am unsure why a publisher would choose to start translating a series with the third book. I know that some series are easy to pick up part way through. This isn't one of them.
The plot is complex. The characters are complex, and there are a lot of them. It took me a long time to settle into this book, and even then, I managed to lose my way a couple of times and had to go back and reread things. There are frequent references to past cases, past events, past history.
Victor Lessard is an alcoholic (not drinking, but once an alcoholic...) suffers from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and tends to vomit at the sight of a body. There is a lot of vomiting takes place. His partner, Jacinthe Taillon, is obsessed with food and only trusts Lessard to a certain point. Not an easy working relationship. She is rude, insensitive and brings nothing to the story other than her ability to break down doors.
If you are a fan of conspiracy theories, you will love this book. It covers a lot of historical ground, from CIA funded experiments into mind control using drugs and other even more barbaric methods to the assassination of President John Kennedy.
This was definitely an interesting read, but as I said, it is complicated. Would I read more in this series? That would depend on being able to start from the beginning.
🤯🏙🚔
'Evil creeps. Evil prowls. It insinuates itself into the soul's blank spaces. And sometimes, for no apparent reason, when you're sure it's busy elsewhere, it catches your scent of ashes on the cold air, turns from its path and follows you.'
'By deinstitutionalizing the mentally ill, we've put all our eggs in one basket. We've gone from one extreme to the other. It's gotten to the point where most people who need custodial care are now on the streets.'
'Once a mistake is made, there's no going back to unmake it.'
'Unlike the movies, where there's always a ruthless logic behind every action, reality can be disappointing and disturbing.'
THE AUTHOR: Born in 1970, Martin Michaud is a musician, novelist and screenwriter. He worked as a business lawyer for twenty years before devoting himself to writing full-time in 2012.
His novels have gained a wide readership in Quebec and Europe, winning numerous literary prizes. He is hailed by critics as “the master of the Quebec thriller.”
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Dundurn Press via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Never Forget by Martin Michaud for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 7, 2020
Never Forget by Martin Michaud is the third in the Detective Victor Lessard series, however this novel is the first to be translated from French into English and I have no doubt the previous ones will soon follow. The author is also the screenwriter for the very successful television series based on these novels. Detective Victor Lessard and his quirky partner Jacinthe Taillon have been assigned to the suicide of a homeless man who, at the time of his demise, had in his possession two wallets: one belonging to a tortured murder victim and one belonging to a missing person. As the detectives investigate, the body count goes up. The puzzle is baffling for all involved and the police may need to go back in time, as far as the 1960s, to solve it. If you enjoy Scandinavian noir fiction and psychological thrillers, this mystery is for you. Highly recommended. Thank you to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2019
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars.
Victor Lessard and Jacinthe Taillon are Montreal Police detectives who are investigating the death of a woman found in a warehouse. More deaths occur and they do eventually find who is responsible.
Pros: I liked the characters and the way the plot is developed. The translation is excellent. This is the 1st book in the series translated into English. There are vivid descriptions of car chases in bitter cold winter in Montreal.
Cons: The murders are connected to a conspiracy theory about the "real killers" behind President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963. These conspiracy theories are numerous and far fetched. The book hangs a major element in the plot upon a thin conspiracy description.
There are some elements of truth in the plot. There are connections to CIA experiments in mid control drugs in the 60s, some of which took place in Canada.
One quote, by a Medical examiner thinking about a body: "Pearson had noticed long ago that when life departed a body, the remaining husk no longer seemed quite real, as though it were stripped of its essence. He had that impression now at the Jane Doe's ashen face, which, at first glance, he didn't recognize."
Thanks to Dundurn Press and the author for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Victor Lessard and Jacinthe Taillon are Montreal Police detectives who are investigating the death of a woman found in a warehouse. More deaths occur and they do eventually find who is responsible.
Pros: I liked the characters and the way the plot is developed. The translation is excellent. This is the 1st book in the series translated into English. There are vivid descriptions of car chases in bitter cold winter in Montreal.
Cons: The murders are connected to a conspiracy theory about the "real killers" behind President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963. These conspiracy theories are numerous and far fetched. The book hangs a major element in the plot upon a thin conspiracy description.
There are some elements of truth in the plot. There are connections to CIA experiments in mid control drugs in the 60s, some of which took place in Canada.
One quote, by a Medical examiner thinking about a body: "Pearson had noticed long ago that when life departed a body, the remaining husk no longer seemed quite real, as though it were stripped of its essence. He had that impression now at the Jane Doe's ashen face, which, at first glance, he didn't recognize."
Thanks to Dundurn Press and the author for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
March 10, 2020
Break out the Canadian Whiskey, the Canada Dry ginger ale, and brown up some Canadian bacon, put your feet up, and relax. You are about to enter the realm of Montreal's master of the crime thriller, Martin Michaud. His five-book Victor Lessard series is set in the grittiest streets and alleys of Montreal and is now being made available in English (expertly translated), starting with the third book in the series.
The Victor Lessard series became so highly popular that it was turned into a hit television series, now in its third season. This novel is the basis for season one (10 episodes) of the television series.
Victor is a battered cynical detective, surviving career-ending injury and a bout with the bottle and with nicotine. He’s partnered with Jacinthe Taillon, who has the not-so-svelte figure of Bertha Cool (see Erie Stanley Gardner’s Bertha and Cool series) and the grace of a linebacker. Between devouring boxes of donuts, Jacinthe worries Victor about possible police brutality every time she gets near a suspect. An odd pair, but they work the way any Mutt and Jeff couple does. They both fly by the seat of their pants, operate on intuition, and seldom hold back their emotions.
This case begins quite mysteriously with a homeless crazytown guy flying off a roof with two wallets in his possession not belonging to him. One belonging to a well respected psychiatrist and one to a well known attorney. Sounds simple. It’s not. What appears to be a simple missing person/ murder case gets far more complex. It involves medieval torture devices, Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK, the CIA, drugs, mind control, memory wiping, and the dirty underside of Quebec politics.
This is a harrowing piece by piece painstaking investigation doggedly pursued by a fascinating pair of detectives and involving events going back fifty years and head-spinning connections.
The Victor Lessard series became so highly popular that it was turned into a hit television series, now in its third season. This novel is the basis for season one (10 episodes) of the television series.
Victor is a battered cynical detective, surviving career-ending injury and a bout with the bottle and with nicotine. He’s partnered with Jacinthe Taillon, who has the not-so-svelte figure of Bertha Cool (see Erie Stanley Gardner’s Bertha and Cool series) and the grace of a linebacker. Between devouring boxes of donuts, Jacinthe worries Victor about possible police brutality every time she gets near a suspect. An odd pair, but they work the way any Mutt and Jeff couple does. They both fly by the seat of their pants, operate on intuition, and seldom hold back their emotions.
This case begins quite mysteriously with a homeless crazytown guy flying off a roof with two wallets in his possession not belonging to him. One belonging to a well respected psychiatrist and one to a well known attorney. Sounds simple. It’s not. What appears to be a simple missing person/ murder case gets far more complex. It involves medieval torture devices, Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK, the CIA, drugs, mind control, memory wiping, and the dirty underside of Quebec politics.
This is a harrowing piece by piece painstaking investigation doggedly pursued by a fascinating pair of detectives and involving events going back fifty years and head-spinning connections.
July 30, 2019
I wish to extend my thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for this gripping, fast-paced police procedural with its ingenious, but very complicated plot.
I see that this is the 3rd book in the Victor Lessard series, but the first to be translated from French into English. This intense, thrilling mystery can be read as a standalone and references have been made to previous situations and events. It is apparent that Lessard and his partner have a working history in past criminal investigations, and I was happy to see that the first two books in the series are being translated for publication in English. Martin Michaud, the author, has won awards for his mysteries in French, and a TV series has been popular in Quebec. I am glad that the publisher has introduced me to a new, compelling series and look forward to the new translations.
Adding to the complexity of the plot were the names of so many characters. They would be described by either their first name or family name initially. Once I thought I had them all straightened out in my mind, there would be a switch from their first or last name by which they were originally introduced, leaving me to figure out to which character was now being named in the narrative. There were some uncomfortable descriptions of torture, violence and a few sex scenes I thought unnecessary. However, these problems did not detract from my enjoyment of the very intelligent plot which kept me riveted.
Detective Sergeant Victor Lessard has returned to the Major Crimes unit in Montreal, after leaving in disgrace. He has sustained a leg injury and has been treated for anxiety and depression. He is struggling with the urge to drink alcohol. He is a relentless, intelligent, gruff police officer, determined to restore his reputation. His partner is a junk food-loving, loud, brash policewoman with a sarcastic, annoying sense of humour.
A mentally disturbed, homeless man jumps off a rooftop to his death. Wallets belonging to a retired female psychiatrist and a prominent male attorney are found on his person. The psychiatrist is found murdered in a bizarre ritual, and the lawyer has gone missing.
The bodies begin to pile up. Two have been killed with a medieval torture device, adapted to make it even more deadly, and two others have been shot by bow and arrow. As Lessard and other police officers try to find a connection between victims, they begin to discover other killings in the past which may be related. There may be some involvement by mental health officials, lawyers and a much-admired Senator. The path leads to some scandalous, unorthodox experiments secretly carried out upon mental patients decades earlier, and finally leads Lessard to the USA for answers and hears some shocking revelations and theories.
In the meantime, as Lessard attempts to untangle what may be a conspiracy, he is facing personal problems. His son has been arrested for his involvement in a terrorist plot. His loving girlfriend, Nadja, has a brother in law enforcement and he and Lessard dislike each other.
This is an intense, compelling thriller about what is remembered and what one is forced to forget. It deals with regrets, revenge, retribution, guilt, and past abuse within the mental health system. Recommended to readers who like a complex police procedural set in Montreal, Quebec. Awaiting more English versions of the Victor Lessard crime series. 4.5 stars
I see that this is the 3rd book in the Victor Lessard series, but the first to be translated from French into English. This intense, thrilling mystery can be read as a standalone and references have been made to previous situations and events. It is apparent that Lessard and his partner have a working history in past criminal investigations, and I was happy to see that the first two books in the series are being translated for publication in English. Martin Michaud, the author, has won awards for his mysteries in French, and a TV series has been popular in Quebec. I am glad that the publisher has introduced me to a new, compelling series and look forward to the new translations.
Adding to the complexity of the plot were the names of so many characters. They would be described by either their first name or family name initially. Once I thought I had them all straightened out in my mind, there would be a switch from their first or last name by which they were originally introduced, leaving me to figure out to which character was now being named in the narrative. There were some uncomfortable descriptions of torture, violence and a few sex scenes I thought unnecessary. However, these problems did not detract from my enjoyment of the very intelligent plot which kept me riveted.
Detective Sergeant Victor Lessard has returned to the Major Crimes unit in Montreal, after leaving in disgrace. He has sustained a leg injury and has been treated for anxiety and depression. He is struggling with the urge to drink alcohol. He is a relentless, intelligent, gruff police officer, determined to restore his reputation. His partner is a junk food-loving, loud, brash policewoman with a sarcastic, annoying sense of humour.
A mentally disturbed, homeless man jumps off a rooftop to his death. Wallets belonging to a retired female psychiatrist and a prominent male attorney are found on his person. The psychiatrist is found murdered in a bizarre ritual, and the lawyer has gone missing.
The bodies begin to pile up. Two have been killed with a medieval torture device, adapted to make it even more deadly, and two others have been shot by bow and arrow. As Lessard and other police officers try to find a connection between victims, they begin to discover other killings in the past which may be related. There may be some involvement by mental health officials, lawyers and a much-admired Senator. The path leads to some scandalous, unorthodox experiments secretly carried out upon mental patients decades earlier, and finally leads Lessard to the USA for answers and hears some shocking revelations and theories.
In the meantime, as Lessard attempts to untangle what may be a conspiracy, he is facing personal problems. His son has been arrested for his involvement in a terrorist plot. His loving girlfriend, Nadja, has a brother in law enforcement and he and Lessard dislike each other.
This is an intense, compelling thriller about what is remembered and what one is forced to forget. It deals with regrets, revenge, retribution, guilt, and past abuse within the mental health system. Recommended to readers who like a complex police procedural set in Montreal, Quebec. Awaiting more English versions of the Victor Lessard crime series. 4.5 stars
February 18, 2020
Never Forget reminds me of coming late to a darkened movie theater in the middle of the flick.
You try to find a seat, hunker down, and adjust your mega container of popcorn. Meanwhile, your eyes adjust to the dim lighting and you squint to make sense of who these characters are and what's been happening. But once you do, it all begins to make sense.
For your perusal: It's 1980 in Montreal and we're introduced to Victor Lessard, a detective in the Major Crimes Unit of the Montreal Police. He and his partner, Jacinthe Taillon, have been called out to the suicide of a homeless man. Let me fill you in on Taillon. Taillon will curl your toes with her mouthy comebacks and her ability to cause a tidal wave in a pond of still water. She's a food hound and there's not a donut that doesn't have her name on it. She doesn't play well with others either. But she has the eyes and ears of a bloodhound.
Back to the homeless guy......no one can prevent him from jumping off the roof of a inner city building. But he's left behind two wallets on the ledge before he takes the plunge. One of the wallets is from a retired female psychiatrist and the other is from a successful male lawyer. How are these two individuals connected to this unfortunate soul? We'll follow the breadcrumbs later as the body count starts to rise.
Said lawyer sits in a meeting going through a file. There's a drawing of a hangman with blanks to figure out the missing word. We don't know, but our lawyer buddy does. Rattled, he leaves abruptly and takes a large amount of folders in the trunk of his car. Lawyer Guy stops at a local cemetery, enters a crypt, deposits bag of folders, and leaves the key on the top of a headstone some distance away. You'll have to stick with this one to find out what happens to Lawyer Buddy and why.
I grabbed this one because I love the idea of a fine-tuned detective storyline set in Montreal. It's a gritty one, but we've come to expect real life. This one is #3 in the series and has been recently translated into English. I'm not sure that #1 and #2 have been translated yet. That's why there's a bit of confusion with the background noise in this one. But once you've gotten a feel for the characters, you're good to go. Looking forward to the next one in line, please.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Dundurn Press and to Martin Michaud for the opportunity.
You try to find a seat, hunker down, and adjust your mega container of popcorn. Meanwhile, your eyes adjust to the dim lighting and you squint to make sense of who these characters are and what's been happening. But once you do, it all begins to make sense.
For your perusal: It's 1980 in Montreal and we're introduced to Victor Lessard, a detective in the Major Crimes Unit of the Montreal Police. He and his partner, Jacinthe Taillon, have been called out to the suicide of a homeless man. Let me fill you in on Taillon. Taillon will curl your toes with her mouthy comebacks and her ability to cause a tidal wave in a pond of still water. She's a food hound and there's not a donut that doesn't have her name on it. She doesn't play well with others either. But she has the eyes and ears of a bloodhound.
Back to the homeless guy......no one can prevent him from jumping off the roof of a inner city building. But he's left behind two wallets on the ledge before he takes the plunge. One of the wallets is from a retired female psychiatrist and the other is from a successful male lawyer. How are these two individuals connected to this unfortunate soul? We'll follow the breadcrumbs later as the body count starts to rise.
Said lawyer sits in a meeting going through a file. There's a drawing of a hangman with blanks to figure out the missing word. We don't know, but our lawyer buddy does. Rattled, he leaves abruptly and takes a large amount of folders in the trunk of his car. Lawyer Guy stops at a local cemetery, enters a crypt, deposits bag of folders, and leaves the key on the top of a headstone some distance away. You'll have to stick with this one to find out what happens to Lawyer Buddy and why.
I grabbed this one because I love the idea of a fine-tuned detective storyline set in Montreal. It's a gritty one, but we've come to expect real life. This one is #3 in the series and has been recently translated into English. I'm not sure that #1 and #2 have been translated yet. That's why there's a bit of confusion with the background noise in this one. But once you've gotten a feel for the characters, you're good to go. Looking forward to the next one in line, please.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Dundurn Press and to Martin Michaud for the opportunity.
January 31, 2020
This book will really appeal to Jo Nesbø / Harry Hole fans. The books main character Victor Lessard is a Detective Sergeant who is carrying a lot of baggage. He and his equally volatile partner Jacinthe Taillon are investigating some very brutal and disturbing murders that seem to be pointing to a link to the assassination of JFK. Not sure if this is a legitimate link or a red herring the two constantly bicker and argue about whether to believe this or not.
In the meantime it appears that Victor's son Martin may be involved with some sort of neo-nazi faction and getting quickly out of his depth.
The unfortunate thing with this book is that it is number 3 in a series but the first to be translated from French to English, I am not sure why they have chosen to go with book 3 first as I think some of the confusion I had about the characters comes from an assumption that I am already familiar with their back story.
Despite all of this I was intrigued and hooked and find myself looking forward to more of this series being translated (or I could challenge my rust high school French and attempt to read the originals).
Thank you Dundurn Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the meantime it appears that Victor's son Martin may be involved with some sort of neo-nazi faction and getting quickly out of his depth.
The unfortunate thing with this book is that it is number 3 in a series but the first to be translated from French to English, I am not sure why they have chosen to go with book 3 first as I think some of the confusion I had about the characters comes from an assumption that I am already familiar with their back story.
Despite all of this I was intrigued and hooked and find myself looking forward to more of this series being translated (or I could challenge my rust high school French and attempt to read the originals).
Thank you Dundurn Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2021
Break out the Canadian Whiskey, the Canada Dry ginger ale, and brown up some Canadian bacon, put your feet up, and relax. You are about to enter the realm of Montreal's master of the crime thriller, Martin Michaud. His five-book Victor Lessard series is set in the grittiest streets and alleys of Montreal and is now being made available in English (expertly translated), starting with the third book in the series.
Victor is a battered cynical detective, surviving career-ending injury and a bout with the bottle and with nicotine. He’s partnered with Jacinthe Taillon, who has the not-so-svelte figure of Bertha Cool (see Erie Stanley Gardner’s Bertha and Cool series) and the grace of a linebacker. Between devouring boxes of donuts, Jacinthe worries Victor about possible police brutality every time she gets near a suspect. An odd pair, but they work the way any Mutt and Jeff couple does. They both fly by the seat of their pants, operate on intuition, and seldom hold back their emotions.
This case begins quite mysteriously with a homeless crazytown guy flying off a roof with two wallets in his possession not belonging to him. One belonging to a well respected psychiatrist and one to a well known attorney. Sounds simple. It’s not. What appears to be a simple missing person/ murder case gets far more complex. It involves medieval torture devices, Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK, the CIA, drugs, mind control, memory wiping, and the dirty underside of Quebec politics.
This is a harrowing piece by piece painstaking investigation doggedly pursued by a fascinating pair of detectives and involving events going back fifty years and head-spinning connections.
Victor is a battered cynical detective, surviving career-ending injury and a bout with the bottle and with nicotine. He’s partnered with Jacinthe Taillon, who has the not-so-svelte figure of Bertha Cool (see Erie Stanley Gardner’s Bertha and Cool series) and the grace of a linebacker. Between devouring boxes of donuts, Jacinthe worries Victor about possible police brutality every time she gets near a suspect. An odd pair, but they work the way any Mutt and Jeff couple does. They both fly by the seat of their pants, operate on intuition, and seldom hold back their emotions.
This case begins quite mysteriously with a homeless crazytown guy flying off a roof with two wallets in his possession not belonging to him. One belonging to a well respected psychiatrist and one to a well known attorney. Sounds simple. It’s not. What appears to be a simple missing person/ murder case gets far more complex. It involves medieval torture devices, Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK, the CIA, drugs, mind control, memory wiping, and the dirty underside of Quebec politics.
This is a harrowing piece by piece painstaking investigation doggedly pursued by a fascinating pair of detectives and involving events going back fifty years and head-spinning connections.
February 3, 2020
Compelling Quebec thriller!
A gritty murder mystery that segues into the bizarre. Set in Montriel, a detective and his partner are confronted by a series of grotesque murders that have a dark history.
I reveled in this thriller. Devastating Quebecian crime noi! Always that cutting edge that is present in many of the movie and literary contributions from this part of the world.
I loved Victor Lessard a detective sergeant with the Major Crimes Unit of the Montreal Police. Victor is introspective, taciturn and a recovering alcoholic, taking copious amounts of anti anxiety pills, who has returned to the major crimes unit after having left in disgrace. He has a hair trigger temper when aroused. Jacinthe Taillon is his gung-ho, take no prisoners partner. She's dynamite and totally not PC. Together they are a seemingly ill matched yet superb duo.
When the murders lead to past CIA experiments in mind control and questions are raised about JFK's assassination in relation to these experiments, the story enters the twilight zone of political theories and deniability.
This is the first Victor Lessard novel to be translated into English. I look forward to more.
A most satisfying read!
A Dundurn Press ARC via NetGalley
A gritty murder mystery that segues into the bizarre. Set in Montriel, a detective and his partner are confronted by a series of grotesque murders that have a dark history.
I reveled in this thriller. Devastating Quebecian crime noi! Always that cutting edge that is present in many of the movie and literary contributions from this part of the world.
I loved Victor Lessard a detective sergeant with the Major Crimes Unit of the Montreal Police. Victor is introspective, taciturn and a recovering alcoholic, taking copious amounts of anti anxiety pills, who has returned to the major crimes unit after having left in disgrace. He has a hair trigger temper when aroused. Jacinthe Taillon is his gung-ho, take no prisoners partner. She's dynamite and totally not PC. Together they are a seemingly ill matched yet superb duo.
When the murders lead to past CIA experiments in mind control and questions are raised about JFK's assassination in relation to these experiments, the story enters the twilight zone of political theories and deniability.
This is the first Victor Lessard novel to be translated into English. I look forward to more.
A most satisfying read!
A Dundurn Press ARC via NetGalley
August 18, 2019
It seems that we in the English speaking world have been missing out on a great series. Luckily for us, that omission has now been set right with the upcoming publication of Martin Michaud's third book in the Victor Lessard series, Never Forget.
This book as the title suggests, revolves around memories, or as here, the lack of memories. As Andre Lortie says at the beginning of the book, "I woulda liked to have memories'. His memories were stolen from him in an experimental mind control program, run by the CIA in an attempt to erase certain events from his mind, in an age when these methods were thought to be acceptable.
From the very early pages we are drawn into events that took place years earlier. The assassination of John F Kennedy is invoked with the phrase "I didn't kill anybody, no sir, a phrase spoken by Kennedy's alleged killer, Lee Harvey Oswald.
DS Victor Lessard and his partner Jacinthe Taillon, members of the Major Crimes Unit of the Montreal Police, are on a mission to find the killer of Judith Harper, and to discover why the wallets of the murder victims ended up in the possession of Lortie, who commits suicide rather than go on living without being sure of his past actions. This takes them on a never ending search among some of the darker sides of medical research. Lessard who also has a darker side, somehow manages to keep functioning, even when events spin out of control. He is a man driven by his fears and past ghosts, but always searching for the truth. He uses his intuition as much as his detective skills to decode the past and bring an end to the terror that stalks some of the city's most privileged citizens. Men whose dark deeds lay undiscovered for decades.
The author Martin Michaud never rushes through the facts. He takes time to give detailed accounts, some of which seems unlinked to the events. To me this seemed a nice change to the typical book, which rushes to bring the plot to fruition in under 350 pages. I appreciated the chance to become deeply involved in everyday life in the Major Crime Squad, who for once act as a team, rather than being a foil to some brilliant detective. I will certainly be waiting to read the next two books to be released in English, sadly that won't be soon enough for me. I thought this was great book and I gave it a 5 Star rating.
Thank you NetGalley and Dundern Press for a digital advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This book as the title suggests, revolves around memories, or as here, the lack of memories. As Andre Lortie says at the beginning of the book, "I woulda liked to have memories'. His memories were stolen from him in an experimental mind control program, run by the CIA in an attempt to erase certain events from his mind, in an age when these methods were thought to be acceptable.
From the very early pages we are drawn into events that took place years earlier. The assassination of John F Kennedy is invoked with the phrase "I didn't kill anybody, no sir, a phrase spoken by Kennedy's alleged killer, Lee Harvey Oswald.
DS Victor Lessard and his partner Jacinthe Taillon, members of the Major Crimes Unit of the Montreal Police, are on a mission to find the killer of Judith Harper, and to discover why the wallets of the murder victims ended up in the possession of Lortie, who commits suicide rather than go on living without being sure of his past actions. This takes them on a never ending search among some of the darker sides of medical research. Lessard who also has a darker side, somehow manages to keep functioning, even when events spin out of control. He is a man driven by his fears and past ghosts, but always searching for the truth. He uses his intuition as much as his detective skills to decode the past and bring an end to the terror that stalks some of the city's most privileged citizens. Men whose dark deeds lay undiscovered for decades.
The author Martin Michaud never rushes through the facts. He takes time to give detailed accounts, some of which seems unlinked to the events. To me this seemed a nice change to the typical book, which rushes to bring the plot to fruition in under 350 pages. I appreciated the chance to become deeply involved in everyday life in the Major Crime Squad, who for once act as a team, rather than being a foil to some brilliant detective. I will certainly be waiting to read the next two books to be released in English, sadly that won't be soon enough for me. I thought this was great book and I gave it a 5 Star rating.
Thank you NetGalley and Dundern Press for a digital advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
October 28, 2019
Quickly I realized this book is not for me.I had a really tough time following this story. I did not connect with the characters or the story line for that matter. It’s a really really long book, over 500 pages. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this complimentary book. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 28, 2019
A Victor Lessard Thriller book #1
This is cleverly weaved and thought-provoking story will send shivers down your spine within its few first pages. This tale is set in francophone Montreal and because Victor Lessard is the kind of series that makes you addicted, incredibly so. I am warning you will be hooked from the start. I was, I simply devoured this book!
“Never Forget” is a difficult investigation with multiple bifurcations in a snowy Montreal, "sloché" and icy that begins for Detective Sergeant Victor Lessard and his teammate, the voluminous and strong Jacinthe, ten days before Christmas.
The opening scene hits hard….
“He is the murderer. No, it's her. Finally, it must be him. Oh boy!...I don’t know anymore”
The book is written with finesse. As the bodies are falling, my frustration at not finding who the killer is also rising at the same pace as those of the characters who are investigating, so I need to find out and continue reading, and read and read till the conclusion….what a page-turner.
Martin Michaud does not go without a dead hand. In less than 100 chapters, in less than 700 pages he manages to evoke the Middle Ages and his refined tortures with a crime weapon poetically named "the fork of the heretic", makes live and die Lortie , a poor fellow, "perfect scapegoat, a former victim of the MK-ULTRA program, fragile and psychologically unstable, he flies over contemporary history with the assassination of JFK and its hypothetical plots. The author also offers his detective sergeant a suspicious story whose son twists up to catch the CIA and the FLQ. These sidebars will resonate for Quebecois and those who were around in the 60’s and 70’s.
“Never Forget is well written, action packed, fast paced and very suspenseful, the plot leaves no respite until the denouement. We find with pleasure characters that become more complex as we read on…
We are definitely in good hands with this book. I simply loved this murder investigation and the police procedural that went with it.
I receive this ARC from the publisher DunDurn Press via NetGalleys for my thoughts.
This is cleverly weaved and thought-provoking story will send shivers down your spine within its few first pages. This tale is set in francophone Montreal and because Victor Lessard is the kind of series that makes you addicted, incredibly so. I am warning you will be hooked from the start. I was, I simply devoured this book!
“Never Forget” is a difficult investigation with multiple bifurcations in a snowy Montreal, "sloché" and icy that begins for Detective Sergeant Victor Lessard and his teammate, the voluminous and strong Jacinthe, ten days before Christmas.
The opening scene hits hard….
“He is the murderer. No, it's her. Finally, it must be him. Oh boy!...I don’t know anymore”
The book is written with finesse. As the bodies are falling, my frustration at not finding who the killer is also rising at the same pace as those of the characters who are investigating, so I need to find out and continue reading, and read and read till the conclusion….what a page-turner.
Martin Michaud does not go without a dead hand. In less than 100 chapters, in less than 700 pages he manages to evoke the Middle Ages and his refined tortures with a crime weapon poetically named "the fork of the heretic", makes live and die Lortie , a poor fellow, "perfect scapegoat, a former victim of the MK-ULTRA program, fragile and psychologically unstable, he flies over contemporary history with the assassination of JFK and its hypothetical plots. The author also offers his detective sergeant a suspicious story whose son twists up to catch the CIA and the FLQ. These sidebars will resonate for Quebecois and those who were around in the 60’s and 70’s.
“Never Forget is well written, action packed, fast paced and very suspenseful, the plot leaves no respite until the denouement. We find with pleasure characters that become more complex as we read on…
We are definitely in good hands with this book. I simply loved this murder investigation and the police procedural that went with it.
I receive this ARC from the publisher DunDurn Press via NetGalleys for my thoughts.
January 19, 2020
Why the decision was made to translate to English the third book in this series instead of the first remains a puzzle to me, but I'm sure my enjoyment of it suffered as a result (as well as from a few glitches in the translation). While this book stands on its own fairly well, knowing more about the main characters' backgrounds and previous interactions would have made my reading more enjoyable. Nor was I comforted by the author's suggestion that readers are "not to worry" about the lack of background because we "will be able to learn more" when the first two books are translated later this year and next. Sorry, but it's rare that I go back and read prior books in any series.
So for the first half or so, I struggled. But I hung in there, and for the most part, my overall experience was positive as the pace - and my understanding of the rather complex plot - picked up. Detective Victor Lessard of the Montreal Police is an interesting and, for the most part, likable character; hints reveal that he's been shaped, for better or worse, by his background (hence the desire to learn more about what that was). Fighting demons of his past and dealing with two grown children and a new love - a woman named Nadja - keep him on the edge of self-destruction throughout.
His partner, Jacinthe Taillon, doesn't fare so well in my eyes. She and Victor have a contentious yet cautiously respectful relationship, which certainly adds spice. On the other hand, I couldn't help the feeling that considerable effort went into making her unappealing - and I must say that for the most part it succeeded. She's mouthy, irreverent, impatient and basically portrayed as a fat slob who never saw a French fry she wouldn't eat (at one point, for instance, she "came up behind him [Victor] with the grace of a dump truck." Maybe it stems from my feminist leanings, but the overweight digs seemed a bit excessive (pun intended).
The plot is complicated mostly by rather abrupt shifts and an abundance of characters - sometimes called by their first names, sometimes by their last and sometimes by something entirely different - but it's definitely intriguing. At the beginning, a woman's body turns up in a warehouse sporting some very strange markings; later, it's discovered that she was a retired psychiatrist. Then, a homeless guy jumps off a roof, leaving behind a couple of wallets. One belongs to a recently murdered man (also a psychiatrist), and the other to a ritzy corporate attorney who has gone missing.
While constantly dealing with Jacinthe's disagreeable nature, Victor has to work around a few health issues of his own. And unbeknownst to Victor, his son Martin finds trouble of his own, putting him in danger and causing friction between Victor and Nadya. As the police investigation into the suicide and murder victims and missing lawyer continue, evidence of an almost unbelievable conspiracy with ties to the United States begins to emerge, and even more bodies turn up - done in by a fiendishly wicked weapon.
In the end, things are wrapped up rather nicely, making this is a worthwhile read (albeit not an easy one to wade through). Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for introducing me to a new series by way of an advance review copy.
So for the first half or so, I struggled. But I hung in there, and for the most part, my overall experience was positive as the pace - and my understanding of the rather complex plot - picked up. Detective Victor Lessard of the Montreal Police is an interesting and, for the most part, likable character; hints reveal that he's been shaped, for better or worse, by his background (hence the desire to learn more about what that was). Fighting demons of his past and dealing with two grown children and a new love - a woman named Nadja - keep him on the edge of self-destruction throughout.
His partner, Jacinthe Taillon, doesn't fare so well in my eyes. She and Victor have a contentious yet cautiously respectful relationship, which certainly adds spice. On the other hand, I couldn't help the feeling that considerable effort went into making her unappealing - and I must say that for the most part it succeeded. She's mouthy, irreverent, impatient and basically portrayed as a fat slob who never saw a French fry she wouldn't eat (at one point, for instance, she "came up behind him [Victor] with the grace of a dump truck." Maybe it stems from my feminist leanings, but the overweight digs seemed a bit excessive (pun intended).
The plot is complicated mostly by rather abrupt shifts and an abundance of characters - sometimes called by their first names, sometimes by their last and sometimes by something entirely different - but it's definitely intriguing. At the beginning, a woman's body turns up in a warehouse sporting some very strange markings; later, it's discovered that she was a retired psychiatrist. Then, a homeless guy jumps off a roof, leaving behind a couple of wallets. One belongs to a recently murdered man (also a psychiatrist), and the other to a ritzy corporate attorney who has gone missing.
While constantly dealing with Jacinthe's disagreeable nature, Victor has to work around a few health issues of his own. And unbeknownst to Victor, his son Martin finds trouble of his own, putting him in danger and causing friction between Victor and Nadya. As the police investigation into the suicide and murder victims and missing lawyer continue, evidence of an almost unbelievable conspiracy with ties to the United States begins to emerge, and even more bodies turn up - done in by a fiendishly wicked weapon.
In the end, things are wrapped up rather nicely, making this is a worthwhile read (albeit not an easy one to wade through). Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for introducing me to a new series by way of an advance review copy.
July 13, 2019
Martin Michaud has written a taut mystery that will have you guessing until the very end as to who is and why they are killing so many very important and connected people within the Montreal area.
Victor Lassard is a very complex character. Flawed and working hard to keep his demons at bay is an excellent and thought provoking detective sergeant with the Montreal Major Crimes Unit. Lassard and his partner Jacinthe Taillon, as well as the rest of the Major Crimes Unit are working a very difficult case. The Montreal Major Crimes Unit must figure out what if anything ties together a homeless man that’s committed suicide, a psychiatric researcher, a prominent lawyer, a psychiatrist and a Senator.
This story is full of twists and turns you never see coming and keeps you riveted until the very end. I loved this story and highly recommend as a must read.
Martin Michaud has written a thriller that will have the best of you trying to figure out what’s really happening and just when you think you’ve figured it out you haven’t, not until the author reveals the killer and the motive.
Victor Lassard is a very complex character. Flawed and working hard to keep his demons at bay is an excellent and thought provoking detective sergeant with the Montreal Major Crimes Unit. Lassard and his partner Jacinthe Taillon, as well as the rest of the Major Crimes Unit are working a very difficult case. The Montreal Major Crimes Unit must figure out what if anything ties together a homeless man that’s committed suicide, a psychiatric researcher, a prominent lawyer, a psychiatrist and a Senator.
This story is full of twists and turns you never see coming and keeps you riveted until the very end. I loved this story and highly recommend as a must read.
Martin Michaud has written a thriller that will have the best of you trying to figure out what’s really happening and just when you think you’ve figured it out you haven’t, not until the author reveals the killer and the motive.
January 7, 2020
I had great hopes for this book. The blurb sounded really interesting – a homeless man committing suicide, leaving behind two wallets and many questions for a bewildered police force. Unfortunately, my hopes of a good read were not realised. It was not a bad book, and some of the plot lines were quite riveting. But, as a whole, it did not work for me.
I did really like the character of the overweight, deliberately obnoxious police officer, Jacinthe Taillon, whose complete lack of tact was mind-boggling, while concealing a heart of gold. I was much less impressed with her partner, Victor Lessard, who was supposed to be the hero of the book. A man suffering from childhood demons, trying desperately not to slip back into alcoholism, botching yet another promising relationship, flirting with witnesses, and always bordering on (or giving into) violence. Yes, he may get his culprit eventually - but should someone like that really continue to be supported by the police department?
The book was too long, and really slow going for the first quarter. I found it difficult keeping all the characters straight (not helped by each cop being referred to by title or nickname or first name or surname – but not consistently). It then picked up a lot and I was enjoying the read. But, a descent into multiple conspiracy theories – including throwing JFK into the bag (Why???) – ending in a longwinded (barely believable) confession to tie up the (many) loose ends.
I felt, there was a very good story lurking within this book, but it got mired in the highly convoluted, myriad of plot lines, too many baddies, and culprits whose reasons for doing what they did, were rather contrived.
So, a book with promise, but not one that appealed to me.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I did really like the character of the overweight, deliberately obnoxious police officer, Jacinthe Taillon, whose complete lack of tact was mind-boggling, while concealing a heart of gold. I was much less impressed with her partner, Victor Lessard, who was supposed to be the hero of the book. A man suffering from childhood demons, trying desperately not to slip back into alcoholism, botching yet another promising relationship, flirting with witnesses, and always bordering on (or giving into) violence. Yes, he may get his culprit eventually - but should someone like that really continue to be supported by the police department?
The book was too long, and really slow going for the first quarter. I found it difficult keeping all the characters straight (not helped by each cop being referred to by title or nickname or first name or surname – but not consistently). It then picked up a lot and I was enjoying the read. But, a descent into multiple conspiracy theories – including throwing JFK into the bag (Why???) – ending in a longwinded (barely believable) confession to tie up the (many) loose ends.
I felt, there was a very good story lurking within this book, but it got mired in the highly convoluted, myriad of plot lines, too many baddies, and culprits whose reasons for doing what they did, were rather contrived.
So, a book with promise, but not one that appealed to me.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
September 8, 2021
When a homeless man jumps to his death. the police discover two wallets in his possession. One belongs to a retired psychiatrist who was recently murdered. The other belongs to a powerful corporate lawyer who is missing.
Detectives Victor Lessard and his partner, Jacinthe Tailon, are called in to investigate. What they find leads them to a crime committed in the past ... is the same killer still lurking?
This is a long, complex crime thriller, with many characters taking part in the telling. It started a little slow for me, but didn't take long for the suspense to take hold. There are many mentions of past cases, past events, past history. Lessard, as a detective with issues, manages to do his job and do it well. I found his partner to be rude, obnoxious and not very likable. There are twists and turns to follow .. some of them got lost by the end of the book. It was still an interesting read by this French-Canadian author.
Many thanks to the author / the translator / Dundurn Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 1, 2020
Im vorweihnachtlichen Montreal wird die pensionierte Professorin für Psychiatrie Judith Harper in einer Lagerhalle auf perfide Art ermordet. Wenig später veranlasst eine Nachricht mit einer verräterischen Zeichnung den ebenfalls schon betagten Anwalt Nathan Lawson dazu, hastig eine Akte aus dem Archiv holen zu lassen und sofort unterzutauchen. Als sich ein Obdachloser von einem Hochhaus stürzt und die Brieftaschen der beiden Todesopfer zurücklässt, sucht das Team von Victor Lessard bei der Montrealer Kriminalpolizei natürlich nach einem Zusammenhang. Die beiden Opfer, beide über 70 Jahre alt, sind auf bestialische Art mit einem antiken Folterinstrument zu Tode gekommen. Der obdachlose André Lortie war eine Generation zuvor Opfer der sog. Drehtürpsychiatrie geworden. Er wurde immer wieder in die Psychiatrie eingewiesen, dort „behandelt“, setzte seine Medikamente irgendwann ab, um daraufhin wieder aufgegriffen und eingewiesen zu werden. Die Frage liegt nahe, welche Botschaft die ungewöhnlichen Taten vermitteln sollen und ob der bemitleidenswerte Lortie nur ein Werkzeug eines perfiden Täters sein könnte. Spannung entsteht einerseits durch raffiniert ausgelegte Spuren und Beweismittel, die Krimileser natürlich auch auf falsche Fährten führen können, und die Frage, ob die Taten bei Victor Lessard eine Triggerwirkung zeigen könnten, die ihn dienstunfähig machen würde.
Michauds dritter Band einer Serie von bisher 5 Titeln spielt, mit zahlreichen Handlungsfäden und Rückblenden, zum großen Teil im Montreal der Gegenwart. Die Ermittler stoßen auf Bezüge zu Ereignissen der 60er und 90er Jahre des vorigen Jahrhunderts (Im November 1963 wurde der US-amerikanische Präsident John F. Kennedy ermordet, 1995 fand ein zweites Referendum zur Unabhängigkeit der Provinz Québec statt). Ein zeitlich lange Zeit schwer einzuordnender Handlungsfaden erzählt von zwei Kindern, von denen eins geistig behindert gewesen sein muss. Interesse an den historischen Ereignissen kann das Vergnügen an einer komplexen wie originellen Handlung deshalb erheblich steigern.
Victor Lessard (als bereits einige Jahre trockener Alkoholiker und offensichtlich mit noch unbearbeiteten traumatischen Erlebnissen im Beruf) verkörpert den Typ des ausgebrannten, problembeladenen Ermittlers, den die Ermittlungen persönlich treffen und wieder aus der Bahn werfen könnten. Lessards erwachsener Sohn Martin, der schon immer ein schwieriges Kind war, erleichtert das Sorgenpaket seines Vaters nicht gerade, doch fehlt dem Ermittler gerade die Ruhe, sich mit Martin intensiver zu befassen. Einziger Lichtblick im Privatleben scheint Victors innige Beziehung zu seiner Kollegin Nadja zu sein, an die er nach schweren Zeiten noch immer nicht zu glauben wagt. In Lessards Team versammeln sich einige skurrile Gestalten und Michauds Leser können sich darüber hinaus auf weitere liebevoll gezeichnete Nebenfiguren freuen. Mehr als ein traumatisierter, beladener Ermittler, verschiedene Süchte im Team, die Quoten-Lesbe, die Figur eines begabten jungen Kollegen, dem mehr Beachtung zustehen würde, Schnee und Eis als Helfer und Widersacher, sowie ein pikanter historischer Hintergrund sind bewährte Krimi-Zutaten, die nicht neu sind. Preiswürdig bei Michaud finde ich allerdings, wie sorgfältig er im Laufe der Ermittlungen das Spezialwissen in die Köpfe seiner Ermittler leitet, ohne das ihre Vermutungen nicht denkbar wären. Die Auflösung der Zusammenhänge schließlich war für mich so originell wie überraschend.
Ärgerlich finde ich die Vermarktung des Buches mit ungeschicktem Klappentext und falscher Bandzählung, die manche Leser lieber zum Original greifen lassen wird. Obwohl der Plot absolut logisch und konsequent zu Ende geführt wird, habe ich mich ab und zu doch gefragt, ob ich aus den beiden ersten Bänden mehr über Victor Lessard wissen sollte.
Die Serie
nicht übersetzt
01. Il ne faut pas parler dans l'ascenseur (2010)
02. La Corale du Diable (2011)
dieser Band
03. Aus dem Schatten des Vergessens (2020) Je me souviens
angekündigt für 2021
04. Durch die Tore des Todes (2021) Violence à l'origine
05. In die Fluten der Dunkelheit (2021) Ghetto X
Michauds dritter Band einer Serie von bisher 5 Titeln spielt, mit zahlreichen Handlungsfäden und Rückblenden, zum großen Teil im Montreal der Gegenwart. Die Ermittler stoßen auf Bezüge zu Ereignissen der 60er und 90er Jahre des vorigen Jahrhunderts (Im November 1963 wurde der US-amerikanische Präsident John F. Kennedy ermordet, 1995 fand ein zweites Referendum zur Unabhängigkeit der Provinz Québec statt). Ein zeitlich lange Zeit schwer einzuordnender Handlungsfaden erzählt von zwei Kindern, von denen eins geistig behindert gewesen sein muss. Interesse an den historischen Ereignissen kann das Vergnügen an einer komplexen wie originellen Handlung deshalb erheblich steigern.
Victor Lessard (als bereits einige Jahre trockener Alkoholiker und offensichtlich mit noch unbearbeiteten traumatischen Erlebnissen im Beruf) verkörpert den Typ des ausgebrannten, problembeladenen Ermittlers, den die Ermittlungen persönlich treffen und wieder aus der Bahn werfen könnten. Lessards erwachsener Sohn Martin, der schon immer ein schwieriges Kind war, erleichtert das Sorgenpaket seines Vaters nicht gerade, doch fehlt dem Ermittler gerade die Ruhe, sich mit Martin intensiver zu befassen. Einziger Lichtblick im Privatleben scheint Victors innige Beziehung zu seiner Kollegin Nadja zu sein, an die er nach schweren Zeiten noch immer nicht zu glauben wagt. In Lessards Team versammeln sich einige skurrile Gestalten und Michauds Leser können sich darüber hinaus auf weitere liebevoll gezeichnete Nebenfiguren freuen. Mehr als ein traumatisierter, beladener Ermittler, verschiedene Süchte im Team, die Quoten-Lesbe, die Figur eines begabten jungen Kollegen, dem mehr Beachtung zustehen würde, Schnee und Eis als Helfer und Widersacher, sowie ein pikanter historischer Hintergrund sind bewährte Krimi-Zutaten, die nicht neu sind. Preiswürdig bei Michaud finde ich allerdings, wie sorgfältig er im Laufe der Ermittlungen das Spezialwissen in die Köpfe seiner Ermittler leitet, ohne das ihre Vermutungen nicht denkbar wären. Die Auflösung der Zusammenhänge schließlich war für mich so originell wie überraschend.
Ärgerlich finde ich die Vermarktung des Buches mit ungeschicktem Klappentext und falscher Bandzählung, die manche Leser lieber zum Original greifen lassen wird. Obwohl der Plot absolut logisch und konsequent zu Ende geführt wird, habe ich mich ab und zu doch gefragt, ob ich aus den beiden ersten Bänden mehr über Victor Lessard wissen sollte.
Die Serie
nicht übersetzt
01. Il ne faut pas parler dans l'ascenseur (2010)
02. La Corale du Diable (2011)
dieser Band
03. Aus dem Schatten des Vergessens (2020) Je me souviens
angekündigt für 2021
04. Durch die Tore des Todes (2021) Violence à l'origine
05. In die Fluten der Dunkelheit (2021) Ghetto X
September 7, 2019
Review: Never Forget (A Victor Lessard Thriller) by Martin Michaud
My thanks to Dundurn Press via NetGalley for providing me an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
The reason that I requested this book was mainly due to the fact that Victor Lessard is a recurring character in Mr. Michaud’s novels. This is the first Victor Lessard Thriller translated into English. Considering all of the raves about these Victor Lessard Thrillers, I was excited about reading this book. My excitement quickly turned to disappointment. At first, I tried to blame the translation, but I came to realize that the translation was not to blame. Quite frankly, I spent the majority of my reading time confused. I was confused by two things...the characters and the story.
First, I will address the characters. There are lots and lots of characters. I could not keep track of them or how they impacted the story. Several times, I considered starting the book over or maybe just taking handwritten notes. Both options are annoying to me. Just be ready to categorize characters into these major groups: law enforcement, law firm, mental health facility, children, and random others. The law enforcement characters were the most confusing to me. This was a problem, since the book is really about how law enforcement proceeds through the story to solve the crimes. The main problem for me and these characters was how they are referred to throughout the book. Most law enforcement characters have three names...first, last, and a nickname. Once this is mentioned, I would prefer that ONE name was used going forward. I spent way too much time reading a name and stopping to stare at it and saying, “Who is that?” It took me about halfway through the book before I had a clue about who was who. Thinking back, I should have just taken notes.
Now to the story: do not get me wrong, it is a good story for the most part (the tie-in to the Kennedy assassination is just dumb). Due to the complexity of the story, it is hard to follow. I am not an ignorant reader, and I do like interesting and complex stories. I do not tolerate simple, fluffy stories. This story moves both forward and backward. The book begins with a death. That is always a positive start for me. More gruesome deaths follow as the story unfolds (also very good). At the same time, the detectives and other law enforcement are forced to try to solve the crimes by piecing together the facts by moving backwards. Although this is normal for a police drama, for some reason, I had an incredibly difficult time keeping it all straight. In fact, I never got it all straight. Just when I would be frustrated enough to think about putting the book down forever, I would get to a chapter that made enough sense to keep me going. This is not the way I prefer a book to move. I want it to be a page-turner. This one certainly was not for me.
The best part of the book for me was the end. No no...not because it was finally over but because the story was finally confessed by one of the killers in a nice, clear wrap-up. Thank goodness!
My star rating: 3 stars for the story
My thanks to Dundurn Press via NetGalley for providing me an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
The reason that I requested this book was mainly due to the fact that Victor Lessard is a recurring character in Mr. Michaud’s novels. This is the first Victor Lessard Thriller translated into English. Considering all of the raves about these Victor Lessard Thrillers, I was excited about reading this book. My excitement quickly turned to disappointment. At first, I tried to blame the translation, but I came to realize that the translation was not to blame. Quite frankly, I spent the majority of my reading time confused. I was confused by two things...the characters and the story.
First, I will address the characters. There are lots and lots of characters. I could not keep track of them or how they impacted the story. Several times, I considered starting the book over or maybe just taking handwritten notes. Both options are annoying to me. Just be ready to categorize characters into these major groups: law enforcement, law firm, mental health facility, children, and random others. The law enforcement characters were the most confusing to me. This was a problem, since the book is really about how law enforcement proceeds through the story to solve the crimes. The main problem for me and these characters was how they are referred to throughout the book. Most law enforcement characters have three names...first, last, and a nickname. Once this is mentioned, I would prefer that ONE name was used going forward. I spent way too much time reading a name and stopping to stare at it and saying, “Who is that?” It took me about halfway through the book before I had a clue about who was who. Thinking back, I should have just taken notes.
Now to the story: do not get me wrong, it is a good story for the most part (the tie-in to the Kennedy assassination is just dumb). Due to the complexity of the story, it is hard to follow. I am not an ignorant reader, and I do like interesting and complex stories. I do not tolerate simple, fluffy stories. This story moves both forward and backward. The book begins with a death. That is always a positive start for me. More gruesome deaths follow as the story unfolds (also very good). At the same time, the detectives and other law enforcement are forced to try to solve the crimes by piecing together the facts by moving backwards. Although this is normal for a police drama, for some reason, I had an incredibly difficult time keeping it all straight. In fact, I never got it all straight. Just when I would be frustrated enough to think about putting the book down forever, I would get to a chapter that made enough sense to keep me going. This is not the way I prefer a book to move. I want it to be a page-turner. This one certainly was not for me.
The best part of the book for me was the end. No no...not because it was finally over but because the story was finally confessed by one of the killers in a nice, clear wrap-up. Thank goodness!
My star rating: 3 stars for the story
December 3, 2020
Inhalt:
Montreal, heute: Am Tag vor Weihnachten wird Judith Harper, eine renommierte Psychologin, auf grausame Weise umgebracht. Zur gleichen Zeit verschwindet Nathan Lawson, ein angesehener Anwalt, nachdem er in Panik Dokumente auf einem Friedhof vergraben hat. Wenig später stürzt sich ein Obdachloser von einem Wolkenkratzer. Im Mantel des Obdachlosen: die Brieftaschen von Harper und Lawson. Als Sergent-Détective Victor Lessard, der selbst ein Getriebener ist, gemeinsam mit seiner Partnerin Jacinthe Taillon die Ermittlungen aufnimmt, wird den beiden eine verstörende Aufnahme zugespielt, auf der die Stimme von Lee Harvey Oswald zu hören ist, dem Mann, der einst J. F. Kennedy erschoss und der jetzt aus dem Grab zu ihnen spricht. Lessard und Taillon stehen vor einem Fall, der sie in die dunkelsten Abgründe sowohl der menschlichen Seele als auch der amerikanischen Geschichte führt.
Meine Meinung:
Der Autor Martin Michaud hat einen flüssigen Schreibstil, der, obgleich er hin und wieder ein wenig langatmig erscheint, trotzdem viel Spannung aufbaut und den Leser somit bei der Stange hält. Die nicht allzu langen Kapitel tragen dazu bei, den Spannungsbogen immer weiter aufzubauen und zum Ende fast jeden Kapitels (zumindest während des letzten Drittels der Geschichte) den Atem anzuhalten. Man möchte unbedingt wissen, wie es weitergeht und kann das Buch deshalb nicht mehr aus der Hand legen!
Der Stil und das Setting der Geschichte erinnerten mich während des Lesens stark an skandinavische Krimi/Thriller – was mir gut gefallen hat.
Das Ermittlerduo Lessard und Taillon ist ein eingespieltes Team, obgleich sie sich aufgrund ihrer gegensätzlichen Charaktere des Öfteren in den Haaren haben. Dieser Umstand ließ mich etwas schmunzeln, da die beiden mir trotz oder besser gesagt aufgrund ihrer Ecken und Kanten sehr ans Herz gewachsen sind.
Vor allem das Privateben von Victor Lessard wird in diesem Buch öfter thematisiert und so lernen wir ihn und seine Lieben näher kennen. Aber auch seine inneren Dämonen und Ängste werden uns als Leser nähergebracht. Und gerade hier wurde Lessard mir immer sympathischer, da der Mensch durchkam und nicht nur der harte Polizist. Victor Lessard ist nämlich beides.
Die verschiedenen spannenden Handlungsstränge, die sich am Ende vereinen und ein großes Ganzes ergeben, sowie die Auflösung der Geschichte haben mich fasziniert zurückgelassen und ich kann nur sagen, der Autor hat hier einen super Job gemacht. Ich werde mir den Folgeband, sobald er in Deutschland erscheint, auf jeden Fall kaufen.
Mein Fazit:
Absolute Buchempfehlung für Krimifans, die einen ausschweifenden Schreibstil zu würdigen wissen :-)
Meine Bewertung:
4/5 Sterne
Montreal, heute: Am Tag vor Weihnachten wird Judith Harper, eine renommierte Psychologin, auf grausame Weise umgebracht. Zur gleichen Zeit verschwindet Nathan Lawson, ein angesehener Anwalt, nachdem er in Panik Dokumente auf einem Friedhof vergraben hat. Wenig später stürzt sich ein Obdachloser von einem Wolkenkratzer. Im Mantel des Obdachlosen: die Brieftaschen von Harper und Lawson. Als Sergent-Détective Victor Lessard, der selbst ein Getriebener ist, gemeinsam mit seiner Partnerin Jacinthe Taillon die Ermittlungen aufnimmt, wird den beiden eine verstörende Aufnahme zugespielt, auf der die Stimme von Lee Harvey Oswald zu hören ist, dem Mann, der einst J. F. Kennedy erschoss und der jetzt aus dem Grab zu ihnen spricht. Lessard und Taillon stehen vor einem Fall, der sie in die dunkelsten Abgründe sowohl der menschlichen Seele als auch der amerikanischen Geschichte führt.
Meine Meinung:
Der Autor Martin Michaud hat einen flüssigen Schreibstil, der, obgleich er hin und wieder ein wenig langatmig erscheint, trotzdem viel Spannung aufbaut und den Leser somit bei der Stange hält. Die nicht allzu langen Kapitel tragen dazu bei, den Spannungsbogen immer weiter aufzubauen und zum Ende fast jeden Kapitels (zumindest während des letzten Drittels der Geschichte) den Atem anzuhalten. Man möchte unbedingt wissen, wie es weitergeht und kann das Buch deshalb nicht mehr aus der Hand legen!
Der Stil und das Setting der Geschichte erinnerten mich während des Lesens stark an skandinavische Krimi/Thriller – was mir gut gefallen hat.
Das Ermittlerduo Lessard und Taillon ist ein eingespieltes Team, obgleich sie sich aufgrund ihrer gegensätzlichen Charaktere des Öfteren in den Haaren haben. Dieser Umstand ließ mich etwas schmunzeln, da die beiden mir trotz oder besser gesagt aufgrund ihrer Ecken und Kanten sehr ans Herz gewachsen sind.
Vor allem das Privateben von Victor Lessard wird in diesem Buch öfter thematisiert und so lernen wir ihn und seine Lieben näher kennen. Aber auch seine inneren Dämonen und Ängste werden uns als Leser nähergebracht. Und gerade hier wurde Lessard mir immer sympathischer, da der Mensch durchkam und nicht nur der harte Polizist. Victor Lessard ist nämlich beides.
Die verschiedenen spannenden Handlungsstränge, die sich am Ende vereinen und ein großes Ganzes ergeben, sowie die Auflösung der Geschichte haben mich fasziniert zurückgelassen und ich kann nur sagen, der Autor hat hier einen super Job gemacht. Ich werde mir den Folgeband, sobald er in Deutschland erscheint, auf jeden Fall kaufen.
Mein Fazit:
Absolute Buchempfehlung für Krimifans, die einen ausschweifenden Schreibstil zu würdigen wissen :-)
Meine Bewertung:
4/5 Sterne
August 21, 2019
I seem to be in the minority’s on this one, but I was hugely disappointed by Never Forget. As you’ll see by the description, this is the third book in a popular Canadian series, and the first to be translated into English. It stars police detective Victor Lessard as a troubled, struggling alcoholic with a girlfriend and two children. The story starts with a homeless man who commits suicide and is found in possession of two wallets. The two wallets belong to individuals who turn up dead, killed by arrows after being bound in a bizarre antique torture device.
If this had been a more straightforward quest to find a fiendish killer, I think I would have enjoyed the book. I liked the police characters, but I think it would have helped if I had been introduced to them in the first and second novels in the series. The story stands alone, but I felt I was missing some deeper character understanding by starting with book three. So the bones of the story were there, and I liked many of the central characters, why didn’t I enjoy this book? I think with Never Forget we have a talented author with a very weak editor. The book was overly long (560 pages) and the plot so convoluted that reading it felt more like work than pleasure. For example, there was a subplot involving Lessard’s son that was completely unnecessary and, frankly, boring. Also, there were passages about Quebec governance in the ‘70s that were intermittent, short, unedifying, and obscure to any non-Québécois reader. Third, there were too many central characters to grasp, worsened by constant switches between use of first name, last name, and/or nicknames. And finally, the plot was too convoluted with secret medical trials and even conspiracy theories about JFK’s assassination. It was all just too much, and unnecessary as it could have been so good with a stronger editor.
Once translated, I think I would read book one in the series because I’m sure I’ve missed something given its popularity, but I was unimpressed by this outing. Two and a half stars rounded up to three. My thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn for providing me an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If this had been a more straightforward quest to find a fiendish killer, I think I would have enjoyed the book. I liked the police characters, but I think it would have helped if I had been introduced to them in the first and second novels in the series. The story stands alone, but I felt I was missing some deeper character understanding by starting with book three. So the bones of the story were there, and I liked many of the central characters, why didn’t I enjoy this book? I think with Never Forget we have a talented author with a very weak editor. The book was overly long (560 pages) and the plot so convoluted that reading it felt more like work than pleasure. For example, there was a subplot involving Lessard’s son that was completely unnecessary and, frankly, boring. Also, there were passages about Quebec governance in the ‘70s that were intermittent, short, unedifying, and obscure to any non-Québécois reader. Third, there were too many central characters to grasp, worsened by constant switches between use of first name, last name, and/or nicknames. And finally, the plot was too convoluted with secret medical trials and even conspiracy theories about JFK’s assassination. It was all just too much, and unnecessary as it could have been so good with a stronger editor.
Once translated, I think I would read book one in the series because I’m sure I’ve missed something given its popularity, but I was unimpressed by this outing. Two and a half stars rounded up to three. My thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn for providing me an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
This is an intense, absorbing novel; intricate and so well translated, it left me breathless. I'm not a fan of car chases, but the one in this book is awsome!
Detectives Lessard and Taillion are looking into the probable suicide of a homeless man, not realizing the intense manhunt they're about to start for a serial killer who is killing notable and respected members of Montreal's upper classes in strange and horrifying ways. But this is so much more than the usual serial killer genre. It involves old cases such as the kidnappings by the Quebec terrorist group FLQ, the deaths of 3 seemingly ordinary people, the CIA and even the Kennedy assassination. Lessard and Taillion are flawed and even though Taillion can be rude and annoying, I liked her and the two detectives have an interesting relationship...I laughed out loud at times.
It was lovely visiting Montreal, although just on the page. I lived there for two years and love the city, so am thrilled that this series will continue to be translated into English. Mr. Michaud has been added to my TBR list as an author I'm going to be following and reading in the future. Highly recommended!
This is an intense, absorbing novel; intricate and so well translated, it left me breathless. I'm not a fan of car chases, but the one in this book is awsome!
Detectives Lessard and Taillion are looking into the probable suicide of a homeless man, not realizing the intense manhunt they're about to start for a serial killer who is killing notable and respected members of Montreal's upper classes in strange and horrifying ways. But this is so much more than the usual serial killer genre. It involves old cases such as the kidnappings by the Quebec terrorist group FLQ, the deaths of 3 seemingly ordinary people, the CIA and even the Kennedy assassination. Lessard and Taillion are flawed and even though Taillion can be rude and annoying, I liked her and the two detectives have an interesting relationship...I laughed out loud at times.
It was lovely visiting Montreal, although just on the page. I lived there for two years and love the city, so am thrilled that this series will continue to be translated into English. Mr. Michaud has been added to my TBR list as an author I'm going to be following and reading in the future. Highly recommended!
November 19, 2019
What an interesting read and story overall!
I want to think that this will be made a tv show/ series if it's not already as I have read it somewhere but can't certify if It’s true or not.We all know the story and so many twists and turns that Kennedy's assassination went through and all the conspiracies theories about it as well. This story is based on one of them and it goes for a long period of time as much as 30 years.
In these years there are so many things happening in the professional and personal life of the main characters and we can see how they grew and changed.
It's a fast-paced read through and keeps you engaged in the story, it has small clues and twists but it all adds for the big scene at the end.
I want to think that this will be made a tv show/ series if it's not already as I have read it somewhere but can't certify if It’s true or not.We all know the story and so many twists and turns that Kennedy's assassination went through and all the conspiracies theories about it as well. This story is based on one of them and it goes for a long period of time as much as 30 years.
In these years there are so many things happening in the professional and personal life of the main characters and we can see how they grew and changed.
It's a fast-paced read through and keeps you engaged in the story, it has small clues and twists but it all adds for the big scene at the end.
February 20, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Never Forget is the third Lessard procedural thriller by Martin Michaud. Originally published in French in 2012, this is the first of the series to be translated into English. Released 18th Jan 2020 by Dundurn, it's 576 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a well written but often disturbing procedural thriller. The narrative is choppy and jagged for the first third of the book, switching abruptly between disparate elements both current and retrospective which circle and interweave ever more tightly until they become a single story including shadow politics, shockingly unethical medical research, cover-ups at the very highest level, corruption, dirty money and torture. It's a fairly hefty book (nearly 600 pages) and the author makes good use of the word count to develop the characters and move the story to its inevitable denouement.
The protagonist is flawed: depressed, a recovering alcoholic, physically and emotionally wrecked, suffering from PTSD and trying to have some semblance of a normal relationship with his adult kids (also troubled) and his lover (much younger, but a sane spot of happiness in his very messed up orbit).
The author writes convincingly and very well. This book is quite gritty and includes graphic depictions of torture/murder, rape/involuntary BDSM, graphic consensual sex, rough language, suicide, mental torture, domestic violence. Also, almost everyone smokes. Despite this, it's an engaging and intriguing read.
The translation work is seamless. It doesn't read like a book in translation. I hope Dundurn go back and release the earlier books in English.
Four stars. Worth a read for fans of gritty procedurals.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Never Forget is the third Lessard procedural thriller by Martin Michaud. Originally published in French in 2012, this is the first of the series to be translated into English. Released 18th Jan 2020 by Dundurn, it's 576 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a well written but often disturbing procedural thriller. The narrative is choppy and jagged for the first third of the book, switching abruptly between disparate elements both current and retrospective which circle and interweave ever more tightly until they become a single story including shadow politics, shockingly unethical medical research, cover-ups at the very highest level, corruption, dirty money and torture. It's a fairly hefty book (nearly 600 pages) and the author makes good use of the word count to develop the characters and move the story to its inevitable denouement.
The protagonist is flawed: depressed, a recovering alcoholic, physically and emotionally wrecked, suffering from PTSD and trying to have some semblance of a normal relationship with his adult kids (also troubled) and his lover (much younger, but a sane spot of happiness in his very messed up orbit).
The author writes convincingly and very well. This book is quite gritty and includes graphic depictions of torture/murder, rape/involuntary BDSM, graphic consensual sex, rough language, suicide, mental torture, domestic violence. Also, almost everyone smokes. Despite this, it's an engaging and intriguing read.
The translation work is seamless. It doesn't read like a book in translation. I hope Dundurn go back and release the earlier books in English.
Four stars. Worth a read for fans of gritty procedurals.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
February 10, 2020
I cannot imagine for the life of me why Martin Michaud, a Quebec mystery author who writes in French has not been translated into English before now. "Never Forget," the third in the Victor Lessard series, is a fabulous book, and made me wish I had heard of him before. I understand that some others in the series are also being translated, and I look forward to them.
This is a long, convoluted book, and it demands concentrated attention while reading it. It is totally worth it. The book is set in Montreal, a police procedural with the Homicide detectives. Victor Lessard is the Detective-Sergeant, and the protagonist. He is joined by his partner, Jacinthe Taillon, and other members of the squad.
The story starts with a murder and a suicide, and Lessard is called in to investigate. Soon there are other murders, the investigation and linkage of which are complicated by the snowy winter and the Christmas season and its festivities. I don't like spoilers so I don't want to say anything more about the plot save that it holds together, even though it posits something very unlikely.
If you like police procedurals, mysteries, or books set in other countries, I heartily recommend that you try this one. It is very satisfying and fun to read. Michaud obviously knows his business, and you will be glad he does.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions are my own.
This is a long, convoluted book, and it demands concentrated attention while reading it. It is totally worth it. The book is set in Montreal, a police procedural with the Homicide detectives. Victor Lessard is the Detective-Sergeant, and the protagonist. He is joined by his partner, Jacinthe Taillon, and other members of the squad.
The story starts with a murder and a suicide, and Lessard is called in to investigate. Soon there are other murders, the investigation and linkage of which are complicated by the snowy winter and the Christmas season and its festivities. I don't like spoilers so I don't want to say anything more about the plot save that it holds together, even though it posits something very unlikely.
If you like police procedurals, mysteries, or books set in other countries, I heartily recommend that you try this one. It is very satisfying and fun to read. Michaud obviously knows his business, and you will be glad he does.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions are my own.
September 7, 2019
Review: Never Forget (A Victor Lessard Thriller) by Martin Michaud
My thanks to Dundurn Press via NetGalley for providing me an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
The reason that I requested this book was mainly due to the fact that Victor Lessard is a recurring character in Mr. Michaud’s novels. This is the first Victor Lessard Thriller translated into English. Considering all of the raves about these Victor Lessard Thrillers, I was excited about reading this book. My excitement quickly turned to disappointment. At first, I tried to blame the translation, but I came to realize that the translation was not to blame. Quite frankly, I spent the majority of my reading time confused. I was confused by two things...the characters and the story.
First, I will address the characters. There are lots and lots of characters. I could not keep track of them or how they impacted the story. Several times, I considered starting the book over or maybe just taking handwritten notes. Both options are annoying to me. Just be ready to categorize characters into these major groups: law enforcement, law firm, mental health facility, children, and random others. The law enforcement characters were the most confusing to me. This was a problem, since the book is really about how law enforcement proceeds through the story to solve the crimes. The main problem for me and these characters was how they are referred to throughout the book. Most law enforcement characters have three names...first, last, and a nickname. Once this is mentioned, I would prefer that ONE name was used going forward. I spent way too much time reading a name and stopping to stare at it and saying, “Who is that?” It took me about halfway through the book before I had a clue about who was who. Thinking back, I should have just taken notes.
Now to the story: do not get me wrong, it is a good story for the most part (the tie-in to the Kennedy assassination is just dumb). Due to the complexity of the story, it is hard to follow. I am not an ignorant reader, and I do like interesting and complex stories. I do not tolerate simple, fluffy stories. This story moves both forward and backward. The book begins with a death. That is always a positive start for me. More gruesome deaths follow as the story unfolds (also very good). At the same time, the detectives and other law enforcement are forced to try to solve the crimes by piecing together the facts by moving backwards. Although this is normal for a police drama, for some reason, I had an incredibly difficult time keeping it all straight. In fact, I never got it all straight. Just when I would be frustrated enough to think about putting the book down forever, I would get to a chapter that made enough sense to keep me going. This is not the way I prefer a book to move. I want it to be a page-turner. This one certainly was not for me.
The best part of the book for me was the end. No no...not because it was finally over but because the story was finally confessed by one of the killers in a nice, clear wrap-up. Thank goodness!
My star rating: 3 stars for the story
My thanks to Dundurn Press via NetGalley for providing me an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
The reason that I requested this book was mainly due to the fact that Victor Lessard is a recurring character in Mr. Michaud’s novels. This is the first Victor Lessard Thriller translated into English. Considering all of the raves about these Victor Lessard Thrillers, I was excited about reading this book. My excitement quickly turned to disappointment. At first, I tried to blame the translation, but I came to realize that the translation was not to blame. Quite frankly, I spent the majority of my reading time confused. I was confused by two things...the characters and the story.
First, I will address the characters. There are lots and lots of characters. I could not keep track of them or how they impacted the story. Several times, I considered starting the book over or maybe just taking handwritten notes. Both options are annoying to me. Just be ready to categorize characters into these major groups: law enforcement, law firm, mental health facility, children, and random others. The law enforcement characters were the most confusing to me. This was a problem, since the book is really about how law enforcement proceeds through the story to solve the crimes. The main problem for me and these characters was how they are referred to throughout the book. Most law enforcement characters have three names...first, last, and a nickname. Once this is mentioned, I would prefer that ONE name was used going forward. I spent way too much time reading a name and stopping to stare at it and saying, “Who is that?” It took me about halfway through the book before I had a clue about who was who. Thinking back, I should have just taken notes.
Now to the story: do not get me wrong, it is a good story for the most part (the tie-in to the Kennedy assassination is just dumb). Due to the complexity of the story, it is hard to follow. I am not an ignorant reader, and I do like interesting and complex stories. I do not tolerate simple, fluffy stories. This story moves both forward and backward. The book begins with a death. That is always a positive start for me. More gruesome deaths follow as the story unfolds (also very good). At the same time, the detectives and other law enforcement are forced to try to solve the crimes by piecing together the facts by moving backwards. Although this is normal for a police drama, for some reason, I had an incredibly difficult time keeping it all straight. In fact, I never got it all straight. Just when I would be frustrated enough to think about putting the book down forever, I would get to a chapter that made enough sense to keep me going. This is not the way I prefer a book to move. I want it to be a page-turner. This one certainly was not for me.
The best part of the book for me was the end. No no...not because it was finally over but because the story was finally confessed by one of the killers in a nice, clear wrap-up. Thank goodness!
My star rating: 3 stars for the story
September 20, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Dundurn Press for an advance copy of Never Forget, the third, but first published in English, novel to feature Montreal based Detective Sergeant Victor Lessard and his parter Detective Jacinthe Taillon.
When a homeless man commits suicide he is found to have left two wallets behind, one belonging to a lawyer and one to a psychiatrist. When the psychiatrist is found murdered in a ritualistic manner and the lawyer to be missing Lessard and Taillot are unsure what to do but painstakingly investigate.
I thoroughly enjoyed Never Forget although it is not what I thought it would be. Having read that it has been turned into a French language television series based on the character of Victor Lessard I assumed it would be a fairly straightforward police procedural but early mentions of Lee Harvey Oswald soon hinted that I might be voyaging into conspiracy theory territory. To be fair the solution is a hit parade of U.S. conspiracy theories from the sixties and while it is ingenious and neatly done this reader’s jaw did drop at the audacity of it, especially as we’re in Canada. The journey to this point is, however, more of a procedural which I found addictive and interesting. I enjoyed the contentious relationship between Lessard and Taillot where they agree on nothing, especially not the direction of the investigation, but still have a strong bond, often leavened with sly humour, and a high degree of trust and caring. I liked the investigation which is full of hard work, determination and the occasional piece of luck. It seems realistic and compelling.
I like trying new series and characters so I was happy to be offered the chance to read Never Forget. I struggled a bit at the beginning, not just with foreboding about the Lee Harvey Oswald mentions but also because it constantly switches point of view and timeline. I found it difficult to identify the characters and their relevance to the plot but I soon settled in and would have finished it in one sitting if I hadn’t had to sleep. I came to find it gripping and compulsive.
The novel is perhaps longer than many in the genre but not marathon long, just enough to allow the author to develop his characters as well as his plot. Each investigator (there are five) has their own story so the novel is as much about their dynamic as the plot. I always enjoy a novel about a close team so this added to my enjoyment. Lessard is the thinker, Taillot is the bull in the china shop and the others are the smart, hard working supporters. I’m looking forward to meeting them again.
Never Forget is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When a homeless man commits suicide he is found to have left two wallets behind, one belonging to a lawyer and one to a psychiatrist. When the psychiatrist is found murdered in a ritualistic manner and the lawyer to be missing Lessard and Taillot are unsure what to do but painstakingly investigate.
I thoroughly enjoyed Never Forget although it is not what I thought it would be. Having read that it has been turned into a French language television series based on the character of Victor Lessard I assumed it would be a fairly straightforward police procedural but early mentions of Lee Harvey Oswald soon hinted that I might be voyaging into conspiracy theory territory. To be fair the solution is a hit parade of U.S. conspiracy theories from the sixties and while it is ingenious and neatly done this reader’s jaw did drop at the audacity of it, especially as we’re in Canada. The journey to this point is, however, more of a procedural which I found addictive and interesting. I enjoyed the contentious relationship between Lessard and Taillot where they agree on nothing, especially not the direction of the investigation, but still have a strong bond, often leavened with sly humour, and a high degree of trust and caring. I liked the investigation which is full of hard work, determination and the occasional piece of luck. It seems realistic and compelling.
I like trying new series and characters so I was happy to be offered the chance to read Never Forget. I struggled a bit at the beginning, not just with foreboding about the Lee Harvey Oswald mentions but also because it constantly switches point of view and timeline. I found it difficult to identify the characters and their relevance to the plot but I soon settled in and would have finished it in one sitting if I hadn’t had to sleep. I came to find it gripping and compulsive.
The novel is perhaps longer than many in the genre but not marathon long, just enough to allow the author to develop his characters as well as his plot. Each investigator (there are five) has their own story so the novel is as much about their dynamic as the plot. I always enjoy a novel about a close team so this added to my enjoyment. Lessard is the thinker, Taillot is the bull in the china shop and the others are the smart, hard working supporters. I’m looking forward to meeting them again.
Never Forget is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
December 19, 2019
Never Forget by Martin Michaud is the third book in the Victor Lessard Series. It is the first one translated to English I believe. The series also forms the basis for a television series. Of course, when choosing thrillers on Netgalley I sometimes get a little excited and chose books I know nothing about, taking no notice If they are stand alone or in a series. This is one of those times and it was quite fortuitous for me, I really enjoyed this book.
Victor Lessard is a middle aged detective in the Montreal Major Crimes Squad. As with any main character he’s got a history of personal struggles and interpersonal relationship difficulties. Lessard is likeable though - tries hard to be a good cop, knows his own weaknesses, seems pretty loyal, and tries to make amends. He has an inquiring mind, might do things a little unorthodox, and is generally respected for getting results. He’s had his share of procedural drama and the reader expects it won’t be the last.
This book has a complex plot with a lot of moving parts. There are concurrent story lines that are detailed and time consuming, and not immediately apparent. On this occasion I found the book engrossing and stayed with it, wherever it was going to take me. Mental health, spies, torture, murder, intrigue it’s all here.
There were a couple of story lines including one in relation to Lessard’s son Martin that some readers may wonder what the point - for me it provided insight into Lessard, gave his character more depth, procedurally looked at what might occur in the circumstances, but I also believe it formed the basis of a challenge to Lessard’s relationship with his much younger girlfriend that was sailing along nicely (because it’s never all good, right?).
Thank you to Netgalley, Martin Michaud and Dundurn Publishing for an eARC of this book.
Pub date 11 February 2020.
Victor Lessard is a middle aged detective in the Montreal Major Crimes Squad. As with any main character he’s got a history of personal struggles and interpersonal relationship difficulties. Lessard is likeable though - tries hard to be a good cop, knows his own weaknesses, seems pretty loyal, and tries to make amends. He has an inquiring mind, might do things a little unorthodox, and is generally respected for getting results. He’s had his share of procedural drama and the reader expects it won’t be the last.
This book has a complex plot with a lot of moving parts. There are concurrent story lines that are detailed and time consuming, and not immediately apparent. On this occasion I found the book engrossing and stayed with it, wherever it was going to take me. Mental health, spies, torture, murder, intrigue it’s all here.
There were a couple of story lines including one in relation to Lessard’s son Martin that some readers may wonder what the point - for me it provided insight into Lessard, gave his character more depth, procedurally looked at what might occur in the circumstances, but I also believe it formed the basis of a challenge to Lessard’s relationship with his much younger girlfriend that was sailing along nicely (because it’s never all good, right?).
Thank you to Netgalley, Martin Michaud and Dundurn Publishing for an eARC of this book.
Pub date 11 February 2020.
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