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The Black Jersey: A Novel
A fast-paced mystery where Murder on the Orient Express meets the Tour de France—someone’s killing off cyclists one by one.
There are cyclists willing to die to win a single stage of the Tour, taking suicidal descents at more than 90 kilometers per hour, but now I know there are cyclists willing to kill to win.
Marc Moreau, a professional cyclist with a military past, is part of a top Tour de France team led by his best friend, an American star favored to win this year’s Tour. But the competition takes a dark turn when racers begin to drop out in a series of violent accidents: a mugging that ends in an ankle being crushed, a nasty bout of food poisoning, and a crash caused by two spectators standing where they shouldn’t. The teams and their entourages retreat into paranoid lockdown even as they must continue racing each day. The mountain inclines grow steeper and the accidents turn deadlier: a suspicious suicide, an exploded trailer, a loose wheel at the edge of a cliff. Marc agrees to help the French police with their investigations from the inside and becomes convinced that the culprit is a cyclist who wants to win at any cost. But as the victim count rises, the number of potential murderers—and potential champions—dwindles.
Marc begins to have the sickening realization that his own team has been most favored by the murderer’s actions, and in the final stages of the race Mark himself emerges as the only cyclist left who could possibly beat his best friend and win the Tour. Whom can Marc trust? Whom should he protect? What decision will he make if he’s asked to choose between justice, loyalty, and glory?
Praise for The Black Jersey
“Men, mountains, machines, speed, greed, and murder . . . Making a tour de force of the Tour de France, Jorge Zepeda Patterson does for cycling what Dick Francis did for horse racing. Warning! Strap on your helmets! This is no tale for wimps.”—Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series
“The world of competitive cycling is stressful enough without adding suspicious accidents to the mixture. But that is exactly what happens in this thrilling and intrigue-filled novel. The Black Jersey has the pace and excitement of a world-class race.”—Alexander McCall Smith, author of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series
“The Black Jersey is a joy from start to hair-raising finish line, even for someone like me who prefers a good meal to any kind of competitive sport. Bravo!”—M. L. Longworth, author of the Provençal Mystery series
There are cyclists willing to die to win a single stage of the Tour, taking suicidal descents at more than 90 kilometers per hour, but now I know there are cyclists willing to kill to win.
Marc Moreau, a professional cyclist with a military past, is part of a top Tour de France team led by his best friend, an American star favored to win this year’s Tour. But the competition takes a dark turn when racers begin to drop out in a series of violent accidents: a mugging that ends in an ankle being crushed, a nasty bout of food poisoning, and a crash caused by two spectators standing where they shouldn’t. The teams and their entourages retreat into paranoid lockdown even as they must continue racing each day. The mountain inclines grow steeper and the accidents turn deadlier: a suspicious suicide, an exploded trailer, a loose wheel at the edge of a cliff. Marc agrees to help the French police with their investigations from the inside and becomes convinced that the culprit is a cyclist who wants to win at any cost. But as the victim count rises, the number of potential murderers—and potential champions—dwindles.
Marc begins to have the sickening realization that his own team has been most favored by the murderer’s actions, and in the final stages of the race Mark himself emerges as the only cyclist left who could possibly beat his best friend and win the Tour. Whom can Marc trust? Whom should he protect? What decision will he make if he’s asked to choose between justice, loyalty, and glory?
Praise for The Black Jersey
“Men, mountains, machines, speed, greed, and murder . . . Making a tour de force of the Tour de France, Jorge Zepeda Patterson does for cycling what Dick Francis did for horse racing. Warning! Strap on your helmets! This is no tale for wimps.”—Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series
“The world of competitive cycling is stressful enough without adding suspicious accidents to the mixture. But that is exactly what happens in this thrilling and intrigue-filled novel. The Black Jersey has the pace and excitement of a world-class race.”—Alexander McCall Smith, author of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series
“The Black Jersey is a joy from start to hair-raising finish line, even for someone like me who prefers a good meal to any kind of competitive sport. Bravo!”—M. L. Longworth, author of the Provençal Mystery series
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2018
101 people are currently reading
3633 people want to read
About the author
Jorge Zepeda Patterson
28 books142 followersEconomista por la Universidad de Guadalajara, Maestro en Ciencias Sociales por Flacso, UNESCO. Estudios de Doctorado en ciencias políticas en la Sorbona, París.
Formado periodísticamente en El País de Madrid, España, fundó y dirigió el periódico Siglo 21, de Guadalajara en 1991. En 1997 fundó y dirigió el periódico Público, en Guadalajara. De 2008 a 2010 fue director del periódico El Universal en la Ciudad de México. De 1999 a 2002 había sido subdirector de ese diario. Fundó y dirigió la revista semanal Día Siete, suplemento dominical de una veintena de diarios en el país.
Su columna dominical se publica en 15 diarios.
Actualmente dirige el sitio de internet www.sinembargo.mx
Los Corruptores es su primera novela.
Formado periodísticamente en El País de Madrid, España, fundó y dirigió el periódico Siglo 21, de Guadalajara en 1991. En 1997 fundó y dirigió el periódico Público, en Guadalajara. De 2008 a 2010 fue director del periódico El Universal en la Ciudad de México. De 1999 a 2002 había sido subdirector de ese diario. Fundó y dirigió la revista semanal Día Siete, suplemento dominical de una veintena de diarios en el país.
Su columna dominical se publica en 15 diarios.
Actualmente dirige el sitio de internet www.sinembargo.mx
Los Corruptores es su primera novela.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
January 7, 2019
¡Me encantó! El complicado mundo del ciclismo, ambición, traición, sacrificio, amistad son sólo algunos de los ingredientes de esta extraordinaria historia.
Pronto reseña en el canal ;)
Pronto reseña en el canal ;)
October 11, 2019
The world of cycling might not be something I follow closely, but somehow in the last year I have managed to read two fiction books that explore the cutthroat side of the sport. And while I didn't really enjoy the mystery aspect of this story, it was kinda fascinating learning more about the sport itself. The chances are pretty slim I will strap on a helmet and take up the sport anytime soon, but I am feeling motivated to sit on the couch and watch it on tv during the next Summer Olympics.
What I enjoyed about this book was I feel like the author did a good job explaining the ins and outs of the sport. For me it's always been slightly confusing how the whole racing thing works because it's like a weird combo of being an individual and team sport. From the beginning the author outlines how there are different roles on a team and how each cyclist contributes to the team. And throughout this fiction book I didn't find it all that difficult to understand the racing aspects of the story, in fact for me that was the strength and what I enjoyed the most.
Marc Moreau is part of a Tour de France team and his best friend and teammate is favored to win this year. But racers are dropping out due to some unfortunate events, and French police believe these aren't random coincidences. They think someone is rigging the tournament and have enlisted Marc to investigate from the inside. But soon it becomes apparent everyone is a suspect. Who can he trust?
One of the reasons this was only an okay read was I just never was into the characters. Marc wasn't as much of a problem for me as was the supporting cast of characters. And therefore I just wasn't as invested in the mystery parts of the story as I would have hoped. However, I did like the ending, but when I am referring to the ending I am literally talking about the last page or so as I felt like the author left it on an interesting note.
Since I am not what you would call a big fan of the sport, I honestly don't know if this book would appeal to die-hard fans. However, even though I had some problems with the story, it was decent read for me. It's always fun to learn a bit about a subject, in this case cycling, so I'm definitely glad I read it.
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was not obligated to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
What I enjoyed about this book was I feel like the author did a good job explaining the ins and outs of the sport. For me it's always been slightly confusing how the whole racing thing works because it's like a weird combo of being an individual and team sport. From the beginning the author outlines how there are different roles on a team and how each cyclist contributes to the team. And throughout this fiction book I didn't find it all that difficult to understand the racing aspects of the story, in fact for me that was the strength and what I enjoyed the most.
Marc Moreau is part of a Tour de France team and his best friend and teammate is favored to win this year. But racers are dropping out due to some unfortunate events, and French police believe these aren't random coincidences. They think someone is rigging the tournament and have enlisted Marc to investigate from the inside. But soon it becomes apparent everyone is a suspect. Who can he trust?
One of the reasons this was only an okay read was I just never was into the characters. Marc wasn't as much of a problem for me as was the supporting cast of characters. And therefore I just wasn't as invested in the mystery parts of the story as I would have hoped. However, I did like the ending, but when I am referring to the ending I am literally talking about the last page or so as I felt like the author left it on an interesting note.
Since I am not what you would call a big fan of the sport, I honestly don't know if this book would appeal to die-hard fans. However, even though I had some problems with the story, it was decent read for me. It's always fun to learn a bit about a subject, in this case cycling, so I'm definitely glad I read it.
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was not obligated to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
November 29, 2020
This is kind of weird book, genre wise... I was expecting more of a mystery that happened to be set on the Tour de France, but really it feels more like a book about the Tour de France that happens to have a mystery plot engine. Not my favorite, but something that felt different than my usual fare, so I appreciated that. I do think the characterization was pretty weak, which made the book suffer overall
July 22, 2019
(read earlier)
http://www.crimesegments.com/2019/07/...
The narrator of this account, Marc Moreau, says close to its beginning that
"We understood that every so often there would be an annus horribilus, a cursed year, for the Tour de France. By the time we finished the first four stages of the tour, we would start to suspect that this could be the worst of all."
He's not joking -- the mystery within this novel centers around the attempts to discover who is responsible for a string of horrific incidents, some deadly, among the cyclists competing in that year's Tour. Moreau, a domestique for Team Fonar, is asked by French police Commissioner Favre to assist him in trying to solve the case, since Favre believes that "the killer or killers belong to the circuit." As he notes, those responsible have "struck with surgical precision to maximize their effect on the results of the race." He's come to Marc not only because of his background in the military police, but because he's on the inside. The executive director of the Tour is also hopeful that Marc will help since these accidents, as he puts it, are "the most serious threat to the Tour de France in all its history."
Had the author left it there, the mystery and its solution would have been satisfying enough, but this is definitely not your average crime novel, not by any stretch.
The Washington Post featured this book in June as one of "9 Picks for Your Beach Bag," but I would consider this novel as way more than just a fun summer read. The author's intense focus on the people here made this a very human story I won't soon forget.
recommended
http://www.crimesegments.com/2019/07/...
The narrator of this account, Marc Moreau, says close to its beginning that
"We understood that every so often there would be an annus horribilus, a cursed year, for the Tour de France. By the time we finished the first four stages of the tour, we would start to suspect that this could be the worst of all."
He's not joking -- the mystery within this novel centers around the attempts to discover who is responsible for a string of horrific incidents, some deadly, among the cyclists competing in that year's Tour. Moreau, a domestique for Team Fonar, is asked by French police Commissioner Favre to assist him in trying to solve the case, since Favre believes that "the killer or killers belong to the circuit." As he notes, those responsible have "struck with surgical precision to maximize their effect on the results of the race." He's come to Marc not only because of his background in the military police, but because he's on the inside. The executive director of the Tour is also hopeful that Marc will help since these accidents, as he puts it, are "the most serious threat to the Tour de France in all its history."
Had the author left it there, the mystery and its solution would have been satisfying enough, but this is definitely not your average crime novel, not by any stretch.
The Washington Post featured this book in June as one of "9 Picks for Your Beach Bag," but I would consider this novel as way more than just a fun summer read. The author's intense focus on the people here made this a very human story I won't soon forget.
recommended
dnf
November 19, 2019I won this via goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own.
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I may be the wrong audience for this one. It had an interesting premise but I found myself bored for long stretches. I can be a patient reader if the book has my attention but with this one I found myself reluctant to get back to it.
I appreciate winning and being sent the book but this was a dud for me unfortunately.
----
I may be the wrong audience for this one. It had an interesting premise but I found myself bored for long stretches. I can be a patient reader if the book has my attention but with this one I found myself reluctant to get back to it.
I appreciate winning and being sent the book but this was a dud for me unfortunately.
May 1, 2022
One twist after another. A book where nothing really is what it seems to be. For me, who love both crime books and cycling, this is a perfect, four-star book. A book that could also be called "The unbearable dilemma of the gregarious", given that Marc, the protagonist, is precisely the wingman of Steve, his team leader at Fonar, during a Tour de France in which truly infinite things happen, including a murder. The 21 stages of the Tour mark the chapters of the book and from the very beginning we understand that there is something wrong, given that very suspicious episodes follow one another, as if someone wanted to cause damage to the teams to make someone in particular win. Here then we are witnessing episodes of tampering with bicycle wheels, explosions of gas cylinders, beatings of cyclists and even the drowning of one of them. The investigations are really complicated and Commissioner Favre plans to use Marc as well, since he looks more like a victim than a culprit and also given that he has a past in the French army. Marc is very good on the climbs, he is unbeatable, and his role in the Tour would be to pull Steve, his team leader in the Pyrenees and the Alps to make him win in Paris. However, things will not go this way (I don't say anything so as not to spoil) also because Fiona, Marc's girlfriend, and Lombard, an old mentor of him, will work out everything to make sure to awaken Marc's pride to get him out from the mentality of the gregarious and make him enter that of the champion. The book is written with a very pleasant style and the last pages are beautiful, those where the author, as in a TV commentary, describes the last phases of the last stage, the one that culminates with Alpe d'Huez: chills, just as if you were in front of the TV. The investigation then ends with the discovery of the true culprits, but the conclusion of the book will reveal another surprise. A really good book, I'm glad I read it.
October 25, 2018
Me entretuvo muchísimo más de lo que esperaba.
Este libro se sale mucho de lo que es la serie de Los corruptores. Deja por completo la intriga política y este es más bien un libro sobre las maquinaciones deportivas.
El mundo de las traciones y pasiones del ciclismo son completamente nuevas para mí. Fue muy interesante y divertido leer un poco sobre como funciona la cosa en las competencias que llevan al Tour de Francia. El libro se lee fácil, el protagonista cae re-bien, todo el embrollo del equipo y lo que cada ciclista hace me picaron por completo.
En fin, me la pasé encantada con todo. Me adentré en leer lo que había sucedido con Lance Armstrong y lo que significó para el futuro del Tour como nunca antes. También tuve que buscar lo que varios términos en cuestión deportiva significaban y la verdad es que hacía un buen rato que no me entretenía tanto un libro.
Lamentablemente, en lo único en lo que "Muerte Contrarreloj" se le parece a "Los Corruptores" es que tiene unas fallas grandísimas en el mero meollo del asunto: el misterio. Afortunadamente para mi no fue detrimento a la hora de disfrutar el libro. Pero sí se debe de mencionar que la manera en la que tanto el Tour como las autoridades trataron el asesinato y los demás instantes de sabotaje fueron de risa. Por otro lado me parece inverosímil que nadie de prensa hubiera sacado absolutamente todo a luz; todo lo sucedido sería noticia de primera internacionalmente.
Mi única decepción con el libro es el final. No por el ligero final abierto a interpretación. Si no más bien por la falta de resolución en cuanto a asuntos como el resto de los competidores y lo que hicieron por Marc, el protagonista. Me hizo una enorme falta ver una conversación entre ellos sobre los acontecimientos. Tambiénn, hacia falta un encontronazo con Steve, al menos para mi.
Pocas veces pienso que sería bueno tener una serie o película de un libro, para mi casi siempre son malas las adaptaciones. Pero en este caso, creo que una serie quedaría perfecta.
Este libro se sale mucho de lo que es la serie de Los corruptores. Deja por completo la intriga política y este es más bien un libro sobre las maquinaciones deportivas.
El mundo de las traciones y pasiones del ciclismo son completamente nuevas para mí. Fue muy interesante y divertido leer un poco sobre como funciona la cosa en las competencias que llevan al Tour de Francia. El libro se lee fácil, el protagonista cae re-bien, todo el embrollo del equipo y lo que cada ciclista hace me picaron por completo.
En fin, me la pasé encantada con todo. Me adentré en leer lo que había sucedido con Lance Armstrong y lo que significó para el futuro del Tour como nunca antes. También tuve que buscar lo que varios términos en cuestión deportiva significaban y la verdad es que hacía un buen rato que no me entretenía tanto un libro.
Lamentablemente, en lo único en lo que "Muerte Contrarreloj" se le parece a "Los Corruptores" es que tiene unas fallas grandísimas en el mero meollo del asunto: el misterio. Afortunadamente para mi no fue detrimento a la hora de disfrutar el libro. Pero sí se debe de mencionar que la manera en la que tanto el Tour como las autoridades trataron el asesinato y los demás instantes de sabotaje fueron de risa. Por otro lado me parece inverosímil que nadie de prensa hubiera sacado absolutamente todo a luz; todo lo sucedido sería noticia de primera internacionalmente.
Mi única decepción con el libro es el final. No por el ligero final abierto a interpretación. Si no más bien por la falta de resolución en cuanto a asuntos como el resto de los competidores y lo que hicieron por Marc, el protagonista. Me hizo una enorme falta ver una conversación entre ellos sobre los acontecimientos. Tambiénn, hacia falta un encontronazo con Steve, al menos para mi.
Pocas veces pienso que sería bueno tener una serie o película de un libro, para mi casi siempre son malas las adaptaciones. Pero en este caso, creo que una serie quedaría perfecta.
March 25, 2019
I was hesitant to read this at first, but once I started I got really into it! I had no idea about cycling or the Tour de France before reading it. The author weaved the murder story with the intrigue of the race, leading to the highest peak(climax) of the novel. I couldn't put it down. The main character, Marc and the secondary characters are fully fleshed out and everyone has motives. The twists and turns of the story, especially towards the end make the book hard to put down. I highly recommend this novel to sports fans and fans of mysteries. The author (and translator) have done a great job of bringing the story to English speaking audiences.
December 13, 2023
It takes until page 280 for the main character to say, “I am an imbecile,” which is the truest thing in the book.
Oh boy. So many feelings. That are conflicted. Is this a book about cycling? Yes. Do I love cycling? Yes. Do I love books about cycling? Do I love the book this wanted to be? Yes and yes. Did the plot get so wacky that I’m still scratching my head over what the author intended? Yes.
Was I still entertained? … Yes.
I’ve said before, what a cycling fan wants is to be entertained and to nitpick. I nitpicked. The team names. The rankings. What would and would not happen during the course of a race. (There’s more of the latter.) But the biggest glitch comes down to: this is not how people behave. It’s like a noir pot-boiler satire amped up to eleven. As written by @ukcyclingexpert. Except not funny. Except kinda funny.
(Also weirdly xenophobic? The Polish suspect is suspected literally because he’s Polish. The Italian suspects are obviously guilty because they’re Italian. The American is obviously innocent because he’s American. Wtf?)
And did I somehow enjoy it anyway? It’s cycling. Heck yes I did. If it inspires multiple rants over “rebel escapeaways” that could never happen, if the team leader is somehow Chris Froome but less likable and also somehow Captain America, if the Pinarello-riding team we’re meant to root for (not Team Sky *cough*) is so awful the only good guys are the “bad guys,” well, then, yes, I enjoyed myself thoroughly in this bizarro world of pro cycling. If I can protest a stage race’s outcome for hours, however fictional, then I’m happy; if I can provide further evidence that cycling and its fans are nuts, then I’m game.
Which might just be the most grievous part: the real sport is crazy! All that pot-boiler drama, you don’t need to invent.
NB: I owe this book to a team effort. @gwayle alerted me (she knows I love cycling), I alerted @rivkabelle (who doesn’t love cycling [yet] but works at the library with Matt who loves cycling), and next thing you know it appeared at the library with a hold under my name. If this is the first group read of the Greater Archdale Cycling Fan Club Book Club, I’m good with that. Librarian love, you guys. Librarian love.
June 16, 2018
El escenario es el tour de Francia, donde empiezan a suceder "accidentes" a los competidores hasta que uno de ellos termina muerto y se resuelve que ha sido asesinado. A partir de ahí comienza dos carreras, la de establecer quien esta detrás de los ataques y la misma competencia.
Por un lado esta la parte del thriller, que si bien es interesante y que en todo momento me la pase saltando entre un sospechoso y otro, se trata de un suspenso ligero y de fórmula sencilla, bastante clásico, interesante y atrapante, pero nada que me hiciera saltar del asiento, es ligero, pero entretenido.
Por otro lado esta toda la adrenalina de la competencia, la manera en que se va recorriendo etapa por etapa, los avances de los otros equipos, las escapadas, los accidentes, las jugadas de poca ética de rivales y la lealtad y conducta deportiva de otros rivales.
No soy seguidora de este deporte y tal vez por eso me ha sorprendido mucho la manera en que funciona un equipo y la forma en que se sacrifican mucho en pos de que uno solo tenga la corona, la fama, la gloria y el podio.
Marc Moreau, es el gregario del actual campeón, esta resignado a que ese es su papel y aún y cuando se sabe buen ciclista y con mucha capacidad y oportunidades de ganar siempre se ha sacrificado en pos de Steve Panata, su mejor amigo y campeón gracias a su capacidad de ciclista, si, pero también gracias al excelente trabajo que Moreau ha hecho siempre cuidando sus espaldas en las carreras.
Así Moreau se ve enfrentado a su propia conciencia, a no defraudar a su novia, a no ser desleal con su equipo y a su mejor amigo a pesar de los pesares.
Me ha encantado la adrenalina de toda la carrera y me ha gustado mucho la parte del thriller, me ha gustado muchísimo la manera de escribir de Zepeda Patterson, pero el final me ha dejado algo descolocada, tal vez porque esperaba algo completamente diferente, pero sin ser un final abierto, me deja pensando en si habrá una segunda parte de este libro.
Por lo demás es un libro que recomiendo ampliamente, me ha gustado muchísimo.
Por un lado esta la parte del thriller, que si bien es interesante y que en todo momento me la pase saltando entre un sospechoso y otro, se trata de un suspenso ligero y de fórmula sencilla, bastante clásico, interesante y atrapante, pero nada que me hiciera saltar del asiento, es ligero, pero entretenido.
Por otro lado esta toda la adrenalina de la competencia, la manera en que se va recorriendo etapa por etapa, los avances de los otros equipos, las escapadas, los accidentes, las jugadas de poca ética de rivales y la lealtad y conducta deportiva de otros rivales.
No soy seguidora de este deporte y tal vez por eso me ha sorprendido mucho la manera en que funciona un equipo y la forma en que se sacrifican mucho en pos de que uno solo tenga la corona, la fama, la gloria y el podio.
Marc Moreau, es el gregario del actual campeón, esta resignado a que ese es su papel y aún y cuando se sabe buen ciclista y con mucha capacidad y oportunidades de ganar siempre se ha sacrificado en pos de Steve Panata, su mejor amigo y campeón gracias a su capacidad de ciclista, si, pero también gracias al excelente trabajo que Moreau ha hecho siempre cuidando sus espaldas en las carreras.
Así Moreau se ve enfrentado a su propia conciencia, a no defraudar a su novia, a no ser desleal con su equipo y a su mejor amigo a pesar de los pesares.
Me ha encantado la adrenalina de toda la carrera y me ha gustado mucho la parte del thriller, me ha gustado muchísimo la manera de escribir de Zepeda Patterson, pero el final me ha dejado algo descolocada, tal vez porque esperaba algo completamente diferente, pero sin ser un final abierto, me deja pensando en si habrá una segunda parte de este libro.
Por lo demás es un libro que recomiendo ampliamente, me ha gustado muchísimo.
July 4, 2019
Un mystery din care am aflat mai multe informații despre Turul Franței decât dacă aș fi urmărit câțiva ani la rând această competiție sportivă la a cărei câștigare visează orice ciclist.
Cred că e primul roman serios și extrem de bine documentat pe care îl citesc și a cărui acțiune se petrece în lumea sporturilor de performanță: ciclismul în cazul acesta, un sport care nu mă pasionează, dar pe care am ajuns să-l privesc cu alți ochi după ce am citit excelentul roman al mexicanului Jorge Zepeda Patterson. Și pică de minune, chiar înainte de începerea Turului Franței, deci trebuie să scriu despre el cât mai repede.
Suspans cât cuprinde, personaje foarte bine schițate, creionate atent și cu migală, diverse și complexe, suspans bine dozat, adică din acela care te face, la un moment dat, să vrei să dai până la ultima pagină ca să afli mai repede cine e criminalul. Formula: Agatha Christie, categoric, un whodunit atent pus în scenă, mai ales că se petrece în cadrul unei competiții în care oricine ar putea fi suspect. Adevăr, foarte mult adevăr, din păcate.
Să mai spun că am citit pe nerăsuflate paginile penultimei etape, când este câștigată competiția, urmărind și eu, alături de spectatori, cursa, mai ceva ca un meci de fotbal în care se decide campioana?
Mai multe, pe FanSF: https://wp.me/pz4D9-2YJ.
Cred că e primul roman serios și extrem de bine documentat pe care îl citesc și a cărui acțiune se petrece în lumea sporturilor de performanță: ciclismul în cazul acesta, un sport care nu mă pasionează, dar pe care am ajuns să-l privesc cu alți ochi după ce am citit excelentul roman al mexicanului Jorge Zepeda Patterson. Și pică de minune, chiar înainte de începerea Turului Franței, deci trebuie să scriu despre el cât mai repede.
Suspans cât cuprinde, personaje foarte bine schițate, creionate atent și cu migală, diverse și complexe, suspans bine dozat, adică din acela care te face, la un moment dat, să vrei să dai până la ultima pagină ca să afli mai repede cine e criminalul. Formula: Agatha Christie, categoric, un whodunit atent pus în scenă, mai ales că se petrece în cadrul unei competiții în care oricine ar putea fi suspect. Adevăr, foarte mult adevăr, din păcate.
Să mai spun că am citit pe nerăsuflate paginile penultimei etape, când este câștigată competiția, urmărind și eu, alături de spectatori, cursa, mai ceva ca un meci de fotbal în care se decide campioana?
Mai multe, pe FanSF: https://wp.me/pz4D9-2YJ.
June 27, 2019
With more than a little intrigue added to the stress of riding in the Tour de France, this book might give you some joy if you follow this competition. Who is behind the threatening atmosphere with a murder or two thrown in? It's a page turner.
January 25, 2019
Zepeda nos mete de lleno en el Tour de Francia, y nos cuenta en primera persona, el "marrón" en el que se ve involucrado un ciclista, Marc Moreau, principal gregario del líder del equipo para el que trabaja, y del que se considera su hermano.
Ya desde el principio de la historia, ocurren una serie de "desgracias" a algunos deportistas de esta competición reina del ciclismo; entre estos "accidentes", uno de los ciclistas aparece muerto; se ha suicidado; ¿o lo han suicidado? Aprovechando que nuestro gregario trabajó en el ejército antes que dedicarse profesionalmente a la bicicleta, qué mejor opción, que la policía francesa se ponga en contacto con él, para que ayude en la investigación desde dentro de la competición, ya que parece que el responsable, está entre los ciclistas. Que esto, digo yo, no es muy normal; que un tipo que tiene que tener la cabeza fría y estar concentrado en hacer ganar el maillot a su "bro", se vea involucrado en semejante pastelón. Y menos normal me parece, que no se suspenda tal competición después de ir viendo que la vida de los corredores está en peligro.
En cualquier caso, la investigación pasa a un último plano; más bien, brilla por su ausencia.
El libro se dedica a mostrarnos los entresijos de una competición deportiva del calibre del Tour de Francia: estrategias, maquinaciones, acuerdos, ambición, traición, amistad, envidia, euforia, rabia...
Nos hace partícipe de los preparativos de cada etapa, lo que ocurre durante la misma, de cómo es el masaje que reciben después de cada carrera, lo que comen, dónde se sientan en la mesa del comedor. En fin, que sudamos la camiseta con los protagonistas. He terminado con agujetas y mareada de tanta curva después de coronar el Tourmalet entre otros.... Agotaíta estoy.
Si fuera un libro sobre deporte, le hubiera dado por lo menos 4 estrellas. Pero con esa sinopsis, pensé que la carrera quedaría relegada a un segundo plano y no al revés, y aquí ha sido donde me he llevado el chasco.
Ya desde el principio de la historia, ocurren una serie de "desgracias" a algunos deportistas de esta competición reina del ciclismo; entre estos "accidentes", uno de los ciclistas aparece muerto; se ha suicidado; ¿o lo han suicidado? Aprovechando que nuestro gregario trabajó en el ejército antes que dedicarse profesionalmente a la bicicleta, qué mejor opción, que la policía francesa se ponga en contacto con él, para que ayude en la investigación desde dentro de la competición, ya que parece que el responsable, está entre los ciclistas. Que esto, digo yo, no es muy normal; que un tipo que tiene que tener la cabeza fría y estar concentrado en hacer ganar el maillot a su "bro", se vea involucrado en semejante pastelón. Y menos normal me parece, que no se suspenda tal competición después de ir viendo que la vida de los corredores está en peligro.
En cualquier caso, la investigación pasa a un último plano; más bien, brilla por su ausencia.
El libro se dedica a mostrarnos los entresijos de una competición deportiva del calibre del Tour de Francia: estrategias, maquinaciones, acuerdos, ambición, traición, amistad, envidia, euforia, rabia...
Nos hace partícipe de los preparativos de cada etapa, lo que ocurre durante la misma, de cómo es el masaje que reciben después de cada carrera, lo que comen, dónde se sientan en la mesa del comedor. En fin, que sudamos la camiseta con los protagonistas. He terminado con agujetas y mareada de tanta curva después de coronar el Tourmalet entre otros.... Agotaíta estoy.
Si fuera un libro sobre deporte, le hubiera dado por lo menos 4 estrellas. Pero con esa sinopsis, pensé que la carrera quedaría relegada a un segundo plano y no al revés, y aquí ha sido donde me he llevado el chasco.
June 24, 2018
Que grata sorpresa me he llevado con este libro!!! Lo vi de casualidad, eché un vistazo a la sinopsis, me llamó la atención y, además, me cuadraba para varios retos. Por otra parte, también me chocó que el autor fuera mexicano y escribiera sobre el Tour de Francia.
Me ha gustado. La novela se divide en tantos capítulos como etapas tiene el Tour. El narrador en primera persona es Marc, un ciclista completo, pero siempre superditado a cubrir al líder del equipo, Steve, tanto por exigencias del equipo como de los patrocinadores; y al que nunca le han permitido ganar una prueba. Marc y Steve son amigos desde sus inicios en ese deporte; y ambos han aceptado dicho rol.
En esta competición empiezan a suceder accidentes, que parecen deberse a algo más que la casualidad.
En cada capítulo, Marc nos narra tanto la parte física y real de la prueba (acuerdos, estrategias, preparación, dolor, esfuerzo...); como la parte de la investigación policial, en la que piden ayuda a Marc, como antiguo policía militar. Además, también rememora situaciones de su pasado con Steve mientras intentaban hacerse un nombre en el mundo del ciclismo.
El personaje de Marc es el más completo (ya que es el narrador); y a través de él, se perfilan perfectamente el resto; tanto dentro como fuera del Tour.
Os lo recomiendo!!!
Me ha gustado. La novela se divide en tantos capítulos como etapas tiene el Tour. El narrador en primera persona es Marc, un ciclista completo, pero siempre superditado a cubrir al líder del equipo, Steve, tanto por exigencias del equipo como de los patrocinadores; y al que nunca le han permitido ganar una prueba. Marc y Steve son amigos desde sus inicios en ese deporte; y ambos han aceptado dicho rol.
En esta competición empiezan a suceder accidentes, que parecen deberse a algo más que la casualidad.
En cada capítulo, Marc nos narra tanto la parte física y real de la prueba (acuerdos, estrategias, preparación, dolor, esfuerzo...); como la parte de la investigación policial, en la que piden ayuda a Marc, como antiguo policía militar. Además, también rememora situaciones de su pasado con Steve mientras intentaban hacerse un nombre en el mundo del ciclismo.
El personaje de Marc es el más completo (ya que es el narrador); y a través de él, se perfilan perfectamente el resto; tanto dentro como fuera del Tour.
Os lo recomiendo!!!
August 9, 2019
A Whodunnit On The Tour de France!
I picked this up because of the author since I have zero interest in professional cycling and the Tour de France. I tell you this because if, like me, you don’t care about cycling this novel is still thoroughly enjoyable–including the interesting parts about the Tour de France and cycling. It’s kind of like Agatha Christie meets a sports memoir in a novel which turned out to be very entertaining. Marc, and his best friend, are racing on an elite Tour de France team when accidents start to happen. Accidents that sure could be construed as eliminating the competition. But whose competition? Asked by an investigator, because of his military background, Marc decides to secretly help the police investigate who may be committing these crimes… A good read if you’re looking for a whodunnit in a setting you haven’t read before, as the main character takes you into his current race, relationships (romantic and not), the investigation, and how his life led him into racing.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
I picked this up because of the author since I have zero interest in professional cycling and the Tour de France. I tell you this because if, like me, you don’t care about cycling this novel is still thoroughly enjoyable–including the interesting parts about the Tour de France and cycling. It’s kind of like Agatha Christie meets a sports memoir in a novel which turned out to be very entertaining. Marc, and his best friend, are racing on an elite Tour de France team when accidents start to happen. Accidents that sure could be construed as eliminating the competition. But whose competition? Asked by an investigator, because of his military background, Marc decides to secretly help the police investigate who may be committing these crimes… A good read if you’re looking for a whodunnit in a setting you haven’t read before, as the main character takes you into his current race, relationships (romantic and not), the investigation, and how his life led him into racing.
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
August 26, 2018
Esta obra nos mete de lleno en el mundo del Tour de Francia, un gran desconocido para mí, porque hay mucho detrás de lo que podemos ver en nuestras casas de una etapa. Ya sé que es una obra de ficción pero también habla de los entresijos normales que hay y de todo el movimiento de equipos y personal que trae semejante Tour. Me ha gustado mucho la historia, el ritmo es trepidante, dudas de todo el mundo, se van descartando sospechosos, añadiendo nuevos y, al final, no sabes quién puede ser el culpable. Me ha gustado mucho el protagonista, una persona que no sabe qué creer y a quién, no me gustaría estar en su pellejo porque está en medio de una gran contienda. No os cuento más, solamente que lo leáis, que es muy bueno y el final es de infarto.
October 26, 2020
I really stepped out of my comfort zone when I picked up this novel. Sports fiction is pretty low on my interest level but I really enjoyed this vivid and captivating book. First of all, it was refreshing to learn so much about the tour de France. The author pulls the reader tightly into the machinations of those participating in the sport, and also reveals the psychological and physical strength and endurance it takes to complete one of these races. Throw in a murderer of two and away I was fully committed.
There was one issue I had. What did Steve mean with his final comment to Mark? Feel free to post a spoiler and explain it to me. My brain has gone off the rails on this one!
There was one issue I had. What did Steve mean with his final comment to Mark? Feel free to post a spoiler and explain it to me. My brain has gone off the rails on this one!
August 15, 2022
Ak by to nebola kniha o Tour de France, ale iba bežná detektívka z bežného mesta a bežného života, asi by som dal 3 hviezdičky. Ale Tour de France! Atmosféra, zákulisie, boj nielen s vrahmi ale aj s bicyklom v kompcoch, taktizovanie počas pretekov aj mimo nich. Hoci záver bol zvláštny a trocha narýchlo, celá kniha ma bavila tak, že jej to prepáčim. Ale chcel by som druhý diel. Alebo nejaký spinoff. Proste... ak vás baví Tour de France, toto vás bude baviť tiež.
January 31, 2023
Le se tudtam tenni ezt a könyvet, pedig gyakorlatilag be vagyok oltva sport ellen, és még biciklizni se tudok. Egyszerűen elvarázsolt a Tour de France és a versenykerékpározás csapatversenyének a világa, ráadásul a krimiszál is izgalmas volt. Még családregényként is működött, szóval nagyon örülök, hogy kiléptem a komfortzónámból.
March 25, 2019
Someone is killing off professional cyclists during the Tour de France. Bicycling themed fiction is usually best left to fanatics, but this is far better than most and could appeal to a broader spectrum of general whodunnit readers.
August 2, 2019
http://thrillernord.it/omicidio-al-to...
Il Tour de France è uno dei più seguiti spettacoli sportivi al mondo e scatena sempre tanti sentimenti contrastanti e totalizzanti, in chi partecipa alla gara e in chi la segue come spettatore oppure come addetto ai lavori.
Durante le tre settimane di luglio in cui si corre la Grande Boucle (il grande ricciolo, dalla forma che il percorso spesso assume) come viene chiamato il Tour dagli appassionati, la Francia si ferma per assistere alla lotta senza tregua dei ciclisti che si contendono la maglia gialla di primo in classifica e ogni mezzo è buono per riuscire a conquistare il primato.
Nel gruppo ci sono scafati mestieranti, giovani promesse, campioni al tramonto, gregari di lungo corso, principianti ambiziosi e tanti pedalatori che cercano l'occasione della vita.
Questo è l'ambiente della corsa e anche del giallo “Omicidio al Tour de France” del giornalista messicano Jorge Zepeda Patterson che dimostra di conoscere bene il ciclismo e il Tour in particolare, in quanto rende molto realistico l'intreccio di sentimenti, di passioni, di interessi economici che accompagna uno sport così popolare.
Marc Moreau è un ciclista francese di origini colombiane che ha sempre lavorato per il campione americano Steve Panata, che in molti aspetti ricorda il plurivincitore Lance Armstrong (le cui vittorie furono poi revocate per doping).
Panata ha già vinto tre volte il Tour e sembra destinato a rivincerlo quando strani incidenti turbano la carovana dei ciclisti. Pian piano la paura si sparge nel gruppo e raggiunge il parossismo quando uno dei più forti atleti di una squadra inglese viene trovato morto nella vasca da bagno.
Moreau viene contattato dalla polizia in quanto in gioventù faceva parte della polizia militare e conosce certe pratiche d'indagine.
L'inchiesta del ciclista francese si svolge durante la corsa, con domande poste ai colleghi, deduzioni sulle modalità della corsa e con l'aiuto della bella funzionaria di gara Fiona e di Ray Lumiére, il re del giornalismo sportivo francese, cerca di intuire chi c'è dietro tali attentati.
Il caso però non è facile perché i moventi sono tanti quanti sono gli interessi in gioco e i sospettati crescono con l'avvicinarsi del traguardo finale. Tutti i primi in classifica vengono indagati perché “tutti avevano un motivo per uccidere e morire” e “ogni corridore è impegnato in una guerra personale e quasi tutti sono disposti a dare la vita pur di vincerla. (…) Non si gioca nel ciclismo: nel ciclismo, si lotta, si combatte”.
La struttura di questo romanzo ricorda da vicino i gialli all'inglese dove in un ambiente chiuso ci sono tanti presunti colpevoli, con molte prove che poi si rivelano false e anche se tutta l'inchiesta si svolge all'aperto, il colpevole può essere solo un componente della carovana ma sarà difficile scoprirne l'identità e si dovrà attendere solo la fine della corsa per mettere la parola fine all'indagine che riserva anche una sorpresa finale.
La ricerca del colpevole è affiancata dalla suspense per la conclusione della Grande Boucle che vede lottare sino all'ultimo metro Steve Panata e il suo gregario Marc Moreau che viene sospinto dal tifo compatto di tutta la Francia in attesa della vittoria di un atleta di casa dal lontano 1985.
“Omicidio al Tour de France” è un giallo originale che soddisfa in pieno le attese degli amanti del giallo e degli esigentissimi appassionati di ciclismo.
Il Tour de France è uno dei più seguiti spettacoli sportivi al mondo e scatena sempre tanti sentimenti contrastanti e totalizzanti, in chi partecipa alla gara e in chi la segue come spettatore oppure come addetto ai lavori.
Durante le tre settimane di luglio in cui si corre la Grande Boucle (il grande ricciolo, dalla forma che il percorso spesso assume) come viene chiamato il Tour dagli appassionati, la Francia si ferma per assistere alla lotta senza tregua dei ciclisti che si contendono la maglia gialla di primo in classifica e ogni mezzo è buono per riuscire a conquistare il primato.
Nel gruppo ci sono scafati mestieranti, giovani promesse, campioni al tramonto, gregari di lungo corso, principianti ambiziosi e tanti pedalatori che cercano l'occasione della vita.
Questo è l'ambiente della corsa e anche del giallo “Omicidio al Tour de France” del giornalista messicano Jorge Zepeda Patterson che dimostra di conoscere bene il ciclismo e il Tour in particolare, in quanto rende molto realistico l'intreccio di sentimenti, di passioni, di interessi economici che accompagna uno sport così popolare.
Marc Moreau è un ciclista francese di origini colombiane che ha sempre lavorato per il campione americano Steve Panata, che in molti aspetti ricorda il plurivincitore Lance Armstrong (le cui vittorie furono poi revocate per doping).
Panata ha già vinto tre volte il Tour e sembra destinato a rivincerlo quando strani incidenti turbano la carovana dei ciclisti. Pian piano la paura si sparge nel gruppo e raggiunge il parossismo quando uno dei più forti atleti di una squadra inglese viene trovato morto nella vasca da bagno.
Moreau viene contattato dalla polizia in quanto in gioventù faceva parte della polizia militare e conosce certe pratiche d'indagine.
L'inchiesta del ciclista francese si svolge durante la corsa, con domande poste ai colleghi, deduzioni sulle modalità della corsa e con l'aiuto della bella funzionaria di gara Fiona e di Ray Lumiére, il re del giornalismo sportivo francese, cerca di intuire chi c'è dietro tali attentati.
Il caso però non è facile perché i moventi sono tanti quanti sono gli interessi in gioco e i sospettati crescono con l'avvicinarsi del traguardo finale. Tutti i primi in classifica vengono indagati perché “tutti avevano un motivo per uccidere e morire” e “ogni corridore è impegnato in una guerra personale e quasi tutti sono disposti a dare la vita pur di vincerla. (…) Non si gioca nel ciclismo: nel ciclismo, si lotta, si combatte”.
La struttura di questo romanzo ricorda da vicino i gialli all'inglese dove in un ambiente chiuso ci sono tanti presunti colpevoli, con molte prove che poi si rivelano false e anche se tutta l'inchiesta si svolge all'aperto, il colpevole può essere solo un componente della carovana ma sarà difficile scoprirne l'identità e si dovrà attendere solo la fine della corsa per mettere la parola fine all'indagine che riserva anche una sorpresa finale.
La ricerca del colpevole è affiancata dalla suspense per la conclusione della Grande Boucle che vede lottare sino all'ultimo metro Steve Panata e il suo gregario Marc Moreau che viene sospinto dal tifo compatto di tutta la Francia in attesa della vittoria di un atleta di casa dal lontano 1985.
“Omicidio al Tour de France” è un giallo originale che soddisfa in pieno le attese degli amanti del giallo e degli esigentissimi appassionati di ciclismo.
February 23, 2019
The Tour is a killer of a race, but in this exciting novel participants are falling in numbers beyond comprehension. What’s happening to them? Why? As the race reaches its final stages, Marc, a racer with a military past, looks to see if there’s a target on him too.
August 15, 2019
Avvincente fino all’ultima riga. Un romanzo originalissimo che racconta un’indagine nel pieno svolgimento di un Tour de France ricca di colpi di scena!
June 10, 2023
The last chapter open ended “twist” annoyed me and made it lose a star.
August 11, 2019
Thanks to Random House for the free copy!
Sometime in my young reading life, I realized that as long as an author wrote well and compellingly, I'd read and enjoy their book. This has led me to books on the ocean, fishing, hotels, the history of science - things I never gave much thought to until a writer made me see it through their eyes. Now I can add professional cycling to this list!
Before I read this, my understanding of the Tour de France was this: People race on bikes in France. Something about Lance Armstrong. The End. But now I learned all about how there's a team leader, and support riders (domestiques), and that most of the riders stay in a group called the peloton, and how riders conserve energy by taking turns at the front. I have zero interest in any kind of sport but this was just thrilling and fascinating - a glimpse into another world.
All this to say - what a fun, immersive thriller! One cyclist in the Tour de France a murderer, another cyclist enlisted to play detective. There's intrigue among the racers, personal histories that go deep, all playing out during each stage of the competition and after hours. A fresh and exciting (as in I forgot to breathe during the last 30 pages) addition to the genre. Bonus points for no unreliable wispy female narrators or violence against women.
Sometime in my young reading life, I realized that as long as an author wrote well and compellingly, I'd read and enjoy their book. This has led me to books on the ocean, fishing, hotels, the history of science - things I never gave much thought to until a writer made me see it through their eyes. Now I can add professional cycling to this list!
Before I read this, my understanding of the Tour de France was this: People race on bikes in France. Something about Lance Armstrong. The End. But now I learned all about how there's a team leader, and support riders (domestiques), and that most of the riders stay in a group called the peloton, and how riders conserve energy by taking turns at the front. I have zero interest in any kind of sport but this was just thrilling and fascinating - a glimpse into another world.
All this to say - what a fun, immersive thriller! One cyclist in the Tour de France a murderer, another cyclist enlisted to play detective. There's intrigue among the racers, personal histories that go deep, all playing out during each stage of the competition and after hours. A fresh and exciting (as in I forgot to breathe during the last 30 pages) addition to the genre. Bonus points for no unreliable wispy female narrators or violence against women.
September 14, 2021
Hace mucho tiempo había visto esta recomendación de Lucero Solorzano en el espacio que tiene en cierto noticiero en la TV, lo compré casi de inmediato porque sí, me llamaron la atención los buenos comentarios que hizo acerca del autor y el libro en si y por fin pude leerlo.
La portada tiene un no sé qué que me causa escalofríos e intriga. Entre la sangre roja salpicada, el fondo donde se distingue París, el espectro de un cráneo desvanecido y el primer plano de un ciclista con maillot amarillo. Está cortito, 307 páginas que a veces pasaban lentas y otras las devoraba.
Y es que sí, en ocasiones no podía avanzar muy rápido debido a que juega con saltos entre el presente y el pasado, y la verdad lo que siempre captaba mi atención eran las narraciones de la misma competencia y no otra cosa.
Algo muy raro me ocurrió con este libro. Y es que en temas del que todo el mundo ha escuchado hablar como El Tour de Francia, pero en realidad no se tiene el conocimiento profundo, esta novela me gustó desde el principio. Aprendí muchas cosas nuevas del mundo del ciclismo. Muchos tecnicismos, reglas, papeles y siento que es como en cualquier industria millonaria. Hay muchos intereses en juego y eso toma más peso aún si la máxima competencia del ciclismo se ve amenazada por esos incidentes que a primera vista parecen aislados pero resulta que no lo son.
Tal vez fue porque no he leído muchos libros de detectives y/o misterios (solo he leído cuatro, creo) pero me intrigó y gustó mucho la historia, a pesar de que sentí un poco lenta la narración que nunca cambia del punto de vista del protagonista Marc Moreau.
Como resultado no podemos saber más que él mientras lo acompañamos durante El Tour de Francia. Él mismo comienza a levantar una lista de sospechosos y mientras más pasa el tiempo la lista se vuelve más grande incluyendo a las personas más cercanas. El mismo Steve Panata, amigo de toda la vida de Marc, Fiona su novia y el coronel Lombard una de las personas que más ha impulsado a Marc en su carrera.
Esta narración te avienta cada impresión de un golpe, y eso sucedía entre dos temas que me llevaron a cuestionarme incluso el resultado de mis decisiones.
La participación de Marc como miembro de un equipo francés, como principal gregario solo por detrás de Steve, el corredor líder. Las preguntas que plantea acerca de este dilema con el que pelea a lo largo de toda la historia son buenas para plantearlas a cada uno de nosotros. Sobre las ambiciones, aspiraciones, lo que sacrificamos o lo que estamos dispuestos a tomar sin escrúpulos. ¿Cuál es la línea entre el respeto e impulso de hacer las cosas de diferente manera? ¿Cuál es tu verdadera integridad moral?
Cada que avanzaba el libro gustan menos las mezquindades de Steve, la insistencia de Fiona y la lealtad del mismo Marc. Entonces no podemos más que seguir como en una mesa de ping pong, los pensamientos del mismo Marc. Y ahí también nos damos cuenta cuales serían nuestras acciones como resultado de todo lo que vive. Pueden coincidir o pueden diferir.
Y el tema de Los asesinatos:
Llegué a dudar de absolutamente todos.
Lo mismo del ping pong pasa con tantos sospechosos, porque son miles de personas las que tienen mucho que ganar o perder en esta competencia que nos presenta Jorge Zepeda. Al grado de que como Marc, llegas a sospechar de todos como resultado de solo contar con su narración.
Llegó un momento que mi mente no dio más, no sabía que concluir con los avances en las investigaciones y las cosas de las que Marc se iba enterando, e incluso de las actitudes y acciones de los principales sospechosos. Al final todo se me salió de control. Y esto solo me había pasado con los libros de Dan Brown.
Algo que también se me quedó mucho es que a partir de este libro me doy cuenta de que puedes tomarle cariño a la competencia y a tus mismos contrincantes. Como Messi vs Ronaldo en el fútbol; Ravens vs Steelers en la NFL; Federer vs Nadal en el Tenis; etc. La rivalidad siempre estará, pero en el momento en el que por una u otra cosa falte alguna de las dos partes la extrañaras. Se genera el suficiente respeto para echar en falta esa motivación para seguir luchando por ser el mejor.
El final…… aaaaaa para mí es algo que me deja muy intranquila… y así como ya repetí varias veces, solo tenemos la narración de Marc… Solo tenemos sus pensamientos, sentimientos, y conocimientos y así como suele pasarnos a nosotros mismos, puedes creer que tienes la verdad o estar completamente equivocado, puedes confiar en la gente que más te quiere y puedes llegar a desconfiar también.
Para mí este libro deja un final completamente abierto a las interpretaciones que cada uno le da a los últimos pensamientos y acciones de cada personaje.
Léelo y comparte cuál es tu conclusión, quien es realmente culpable de los resultados. Se los recomiendo mucho.
¡Hasta la próxima!
https://anchor.fm/librosen5/episodes/...
La portada tiene un no sé qué que me causa escalofríos e intriga. Entre la sangre roja salpicada, el fondo donde se distingue París, el espectro de un cráneo desvanecido y el primer plano de un ciclista con maillot amarillo. Está cortito, 307 páginas que a veces pasaban lentas y otras las devoraba.
Y es que sí, en ocasiones no podía avanzar muy rápido debido a que juega con saltos entre el presente y el pasado, y la verdad lo que siempre captaba mi atención eran las narraciones de la misma competencia y no otra cosa.
Algo muy raro me ocurrió con este libro. Y es que en temas del que todo el mundo ha escuchado hablar como El Tour de Francia, pero en realidad no se tiene el conocimiento profundo, esta novela me gustó desde el principio. Aprendí muchas cosas nuevas del mundo del ciclismo. Muchos tecnicismos, reglas, papeles y siento que es como en cualquier industria millonaria. Hay muchos intereses en juego y eso toma más peso aún si la máxima competencia del ciclismo se ve amenazada por esos incidentes que a primera vista parecen aislados pero resulta que no lo son.
Tal vez fue porque no he leído muchos libros de detectives y/o misterios (solo he leído cuatro, creo) pero me intrigó y gustó mucho la historia, a pesar de que sentí un poco lenta la narración que nunca cambia del punto de vista del protagonista Marc Moreau.
Como resultado no podemos saber más que él mientras lo acompañamos durante El Tour de Francia. Él mismo comienza a levantar una lista de sospechosos y mientras más pasa el tiempo la lista se vuelve más grande incluyendo a las personas más cercanas. El mismo Steve Panata, amigo de toda la vida de Marc, Fiona su novia y el coronel Lombard una de las personas que más ha impulsado a Marc en su carrera.
Esta narración te avienta cada impresión de un golpe, y eso sucedía entre dos temas que me llevaron a cuestionarme incluso el resultado de mis decisiones.
La participación de Marc como miembro de un equipo francés, como principal gregario solo por detrás de Steve, el corredor líder. Las preguntas que plantea acerca de este dilema con el que pelea a lo largo de toda la historia son buenas para plantearlas a cada uno de nosotros. Sobre las ambiciones, aspiraciones, lo que sacrificamos o lo que estamos dispuestos a tomar sin escrúpulos. ¿Cuál es la línea entre el respeto e impulso de hacer las cosas de diferente manera? ¿Cuál es tu verdadera integridad moral?
Cada que avanzaba el libro gustan menos las mezquindades de Steve, la insistencia de Fiona y la lealtad del mismo Marc. Entonces no podemos más que seguir como en una mesa de ping pong, los pensamientos del mismo Marc. Y ahí también nos damos cuenta cuales serían nuestras acciones como resultado de todo lo que vive. Pueden coincidir o pueden diferir.
Y el tema de Los asesinatos:
Llegué a dudar de absolutamente todos.
Lo mismo del ping pong pasa con tantos sospechosos, porque son miles de personas las que tienen mucho que ganar o perder en esta competencia que nos presenta Jorge Zepeda. Al grado de que como Marc, llegas a sospechar de todos como resultado de solo contar con su narración.
Llegó un momento que mi mente no dio más, no sabía que concluir con los avances en las investigaciones y las cosas de las que Marc se iba enterando, e incluso de las actitudes y acciones de los principales sospechosos. Al final todo se me salió de control. Y esto solo me había pasado con los libros de Dan Brown.
Algo que también se me quedó mucho es que a partir de este libro me doy cuenta de que puedes tomarle cariño a la competencia y a tus mismos contrincantes. Como Messi vs Ronaldo en el fútbol; Ravens vs Steelers en la NFL; Federer vs Nadal en el Tenis; etc. La rivalidad siempre estará, pero en el momento en el que por una u otra cosa falte alguna de las dos partes la extrañaras. Se genera el suficiente respeto para echar en falta esa motivación para seguir luchando por ser el mejor.
El final…… aaaaaa para mí es algo que me deja muy intranquila… y así como ya repetí varias veces, solo tenemos la narración de Marc… Solo tenemos sus pensamientos, sentimientos, y conocimientos y así como suele pasarnos a nosotros mismos, puedes creer que tienes la verdad o estar completamente equivocado, puedes confiar en la gente que más te quiere y puedes llegar a desconfiar también.
Para mí este libro deja un final completamente abierto a las interpretaciones que cada uno le da a los últimos pensamientos y acciones de cada personaje.
Léelo y comparte cuál es tu conclusión, quien es realmente culpable de los resultados. Se los recomiendo mucho.
¡Hasta la próxima!
https://anchor.fm/librosen5/episodes/...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2019
‘There’s a killer among us, and the police have tasked me with finding out who it is.’
Even if you don’t know much about cycling, you will have heard of the Tour de France, possibly the toughest gig in any sport. This murder-mystery is set during those torrid 3 weeks as strange accidents befall some of the competitors, and as events take on a more murderous intent the web of intrigue and fear widens. At the start of the race our main character and narrator, Marc Moreau – a French-Colombian domestique to the great Steve Panata from the US in team Fonar – is approached by Inspector Favre of the French police and is asked to investigate the events from within the peloton, his reason being that before becoming a professional cyclist Moreau worked in a police unit during his time in the military.
The book progresses over the three-week period of le Tour, but also skips back in time to show the background of the main friendship between Moreau and Panata, and the developing relationship between Moreau and his girlfriend Fiona, who works for the sport’s governing body, the UCI. As the race goes on various individuals are targeted, including Moreau himself, and he and others have to try and solve the case before the race reaches Paris. Moreau works his way through several theories, and the list of suspects is slowly whittled down – but will he or Favre solve it before a final act of violence? And just who will win the biggest prize of all?
For fans of cycling this will tickle your fancy. But for general fans of a whodunnit/mystery this should also appeal. It has a feel of a locked-room mystery; there are only so many suspects, and the hotels are closely guarded. The clues are there – it all gets a little complicated, however – and the ending has a nice twist to it that leaves the book dangling.
I enjoyed this, but I’m a huge cycling fan so I was probably always going to like it. This is very much a book about people living in a bubble, devoting their entire efforts on just one thing. What you don’t get are long descriptions of towns and scenery as the race works its way around France – and in some ways this is fine, because that’s exactly the point of view of the cyclist. The main characters have enough background story to them to flesh them out, while the lesser characters are just two-dimensional and play a bit-part. So, all in all, a fun take on a murder-mystery that probably ticks enough boxes for me to award it the green points jersey: 3.5 stars, which I’ll round up to 4 cos, what the heck, its about le Tour.
Even if you don’t know much about cycling, you will have heard of the Tour de France, possibly the toughest gig in any sport. This murder-mystery is set during those torrid 3 weeks as strange accidents befall some of the competitors, and as events take on a more murderous intent the web of intrigue and fear widens. At the start of the race our main character and narrator, Marc Moreau – a French-Colombian domestique to the great Steve Panata from the US in team Fonar – is approached by Inspector Favre of the French police and is asked to investigate the events from within the peloton, his reason being that before becoming a professional cyclist Moreau worked in a police unit during his time in the military.
The book progresses over the three-week period of le Tour, but also skips back in time to show the background of the main friendship between Moreau and Panata, and the developing relationship between Moreau and his girlfriend Fiona, who works for the sport’s governing body, the UCI. As the race goes on various individuals are targeted, including Moreau himself, and he and others have to try and solve the case before the race reaches Paris. Moreau works his way through several theories, and the list of suspects is slowly whittled down – but will he or Favre solve it before a final act of violence? And just who will win the biggest prize of all?
For fans of cycling this will tickle your fancy. But for general fans of a whodunnit/mystery this should also appeal. It has a feel of a locked-room mystery; there are only so many suspects, and the hotels are closely guarded. The clues are there – it all gets a little complicated, however – and the ending has a nice twist to it that leaves the book dangling.
I enjoyed this, but I’m a huge cycling fan so I was probably always going to like it. This is very much a book about people living in a bubble, devoting their entire efforts on just one thing. What you don’t get are long descriptions of towns and scenery as the race works its way around France – and in some ways this is fine, because that’s exactly the point of view of the cyclist. The main characters have enough background story to them to flesh them out, while the lesser characters are just two-dimensional and play a bit-part. So, all in all, a fun take on a murder-mystery that probably ticks enough boxes for me to award it the green points jersey: 3.5 stars, which I’ll round up to 4 cos, what the heck, its about le Tour.
July 26, 2019
The first tour I watched, I developed a - let’s say - enthusiastic protective feeling for great domestique George Hincapie.
And I annoyed my then-boyfriend (now-husband) with repeated queries about WHY George didn’t just say “fuck this” and go for the win himself.
Reader, I tried so hard to understand why great riders take subservient roles in the Tour (beyond the money and steady reliability of work)...and I got there in my understanding...but, like, three tours later, tbh.
This book is like what I’d write having watched the Tour after Froomie broke away from Wiggo and everyone was like “Oh, damn, son!”...you know, if that had been preceded by poisonings, a murder, and a bomb.
Makes the year of the serial thumbtack saboteur seem weak, no?
I loved the idea of this one, but I do feel like something was lost in translation. I had two suspects at about ten pages in...and thought, “I want it to be X, but Y is less obvious so it’s Y.”
Reader, it was Y.
The drama of the Tour could have been enough, I didn’t need all the murder and sabotage and mafia and police and whathaveyou.
I really didn’t need stereotypical Irish Fiona and her sultry and earthy femininity (she’s buxom and broad hipped and apparently more sexually charged than Myrtle Wilson on her way to her NYC love nest with Tom). Or Marc’s labored similes. Or whatever the end was. But I know some things were lost in translation and I wish I could read in its original to get the real cadence of the writing.
But, in terms of story? It wasn’t my favorite mystery, despite some exciting scenes.
2.5 stars - awesome idea but overworked, like a punished domestique on stage 18 of the Tour, in the Alps, sent to the car for snacks.
And I annoyed my then-boyfriend (now-husband) with repeated queries about WHY George didn’t just say “fuck this” and go for the win himself.
Reader, I tried so hard to understand why great riders take subservient roles in the Tour (beyond the money and steady reliability of work)...and I got there in my understanding...but, like, three tours later, tbh.
This book is like what I’d write having watched the Tour after Froomie broke away from Wiggo and everyone was like “Oh, damn, son!”...you know, if that had been preceded by poisonings, a murder, and a bomb.
Makes the year of the serial thumbtack saboteur seem weak, no?
I loved the idea of this one, but I do feel like something was lost in translation. I had two suspects at about ten pages in...and thought, “I want it to be X, but Y is less obvious so it’s Y.”
Reader, it was Y.
The drama of the Tour could have been enough, I didn’t need all the murder and sabotage and mafia and police and whathaveyou.
I really didn’t need stereotypical Irish Fiona and her sultry and earthy femininity (she’s buxom and broad hipped and apparently more sexually charged than Myrtle Wilson on her way to her NYC love nest with Tom). Or Marc’s labored similes. Or whatever the end was. But I know some things were lost in translation and I wish I could read in its original to get the real cadence of the writing.
But, in terms of story? It wasn’t my favorite mystery, despite some exciting scenes.
2.5 stars - awesome idea but overworked, like a punished domestique on stage 18 of the Tour, in the Alps, sent to the car for snacks.
April 25, 2020
Cât de cât interesant doar pentru pasionaţii ciclismului, un amestec de realitate şi ficţiune, roman poliţist, cică, dar cu o intrigă extrem de firavă, puţin credibilă. Un criminal (sau mai mulţi) încearcă să scape rând pe rând de pretendenţii la câştigarea Turului Franţei, iar personajul principal, el însuşi participant la cursă, este solicitat de autorităţile franceze să participe la elucidarea cazului. Asta mi se pare o mare prostie, după 5-6 ore de pedalat în condiţii infernale, în loc să se refacă pentru ziua următoare, eroul nostru face pe detectivul. Personaje schematice (italieni mafioţi, estici care vorbesc o limbă ciudată şi sunt urâţi, pe deasupra, în contrast cu americani frumoşi care pot face reclamă la orice pastă de dinţi etc), nedezvoltate suficient pentru a-i păsa cititorului prea mult de ele. În plus, poate traducerea din mexicană (sic!) a fost mai dificilă, dar de (prea) multe ori am avut senzaţia că citesc un Rocambole al secolului 19, mai ales când era vorba de viaţa eroului înainte de ciclism. Sau poate aşa e textul în original...
Per total, unele detalii din bucătăria internă a ciclismului sunt interesante, dar intriga poliţistă lasă prea mult de dorit, iar finalul aiurea pune capac unui ghiveci care putea fi mult mai săţios.
Per total, unele detalii din bucătăria internă a ciclismului sunt interesante, dar intriga poliţistă lasă prea mult de dorit, iar finalul aiurea pune capac unui ghiveci care putea fi mult mai săţios.
July 23, 2018
La mezcla de novela de detectives y ciclismo parecía interesante. Desgraciadamente ambas partes me han decepcionado.
La parte criminal cuenta con un planteamiento muy manido y en ningún momento he sido capaz de creerme ni la trama ni como es llevada a cabo la investigación por las autoridades. Además el autor utiliza por lo menos 3 o 4 veces el recurso de "todo hacía pensar que sería un día muy tranquilo, no sabía lo equivocado que estaba.." Lo expresa con otras palabras, pero básicamente para anticipar la tensión usa esto varias veces. Me parece cutre.
Todo lo relacionado con el ciclismo y con las vivencias de un gregario de este deporte resulta más interesante. La verdadera emoción en el libro está por ver que pasa en las etapas. Pienso sinceramente que la parte de novela negra lastra lo que podría haber sido un libro decente sobre las emociones y vivencias de un ciclista. De todos modos alguna de las cuestiones relacionadas con el deporte no resultarán tampoco 100% creíbles para un aficionado al ciclismo.
El único momento en el que el libro ha brillado para mí es el inicio cuando el protagonista narra que le llevó a ser un ciclista.
La parte criminal cuenta con un planteamiento muy manido y en ningún momento he sido capaz de creerme ni la trama ni como es llevada a cabo la investigación por las autoridades. Además el autor utiliza por lo menos 3 o 4 veces el recurso de "todo hacía pensar que sería un día muy tranquilo, no sabía lo equivocado que estaba.." Lo expresa con otras palabras, pero básicamente para anticipar la tensión usa esto varias veces. Me parece cutre.
Todo lo relacionado con el ciclismo y con las vivencias de un gregario de este deporte resulta más interesante. La verdadera emoción en el libro está por ver que pasa en las etapas. Pienso sinceramente que la parte de novela negra lastra lo que podría haber sido un libro decente sobre las emociones y vivencias de un ciclista. De todos modos alguna de las cuestiones relacionadas con el deporte no resultarán tampoco 100% creíbles para un aficionado al ciclismo.
El único momento en el que el libro ha brillado para mí es el inicio cuando el protagonista narra que le llevó a ser un ciclista.
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