There are two things that bothered with this book.First of all, I thought I would read a mystery/thriller with a serial killer on the loose and I found myself uncovering a historical spy thriller. Interesting but not what I wanted to read. The worst thing was that it tried to pretend to explore both genres, alternating the points of view but it just led the reader to feel invested in none.Then, I found it really looooong and tedious to read. I do not think the plot required almost 700 pages to unfold. For a thriller, it is a bit excessive, I think. The first part, you do not know where the story is heading so it is intriguing but the investigation is so slow to progress that it is frustrating. And the italics supposed killer's point of view just keeps interrupting its progress at this point. Further in the story, when we have a clue on what it is all about (well, far more than the detectives at least !), then it seems that it is the ivestigation which seems tedious and even slower in its progress as the italics point of view gives us a tremendous head start on the investigation. All in all, the big problem is that we learn too soon the reason behind it all so it is extremely boring to have to wait for the hero to figure it on his own. I will not even talk about the pages and pages that are devoted to how the hero goes back to his home, what are said during pointless meetings, what the protagonists do at a precise time and all the parasiting details that hinder the progress of the story but bring nothing to the story.The best moment, really, is the outcome, which is greatly satisfying and does justify the reading of the entire book. In comparison to the apathy of the whole story, it is liberating and intense. Pity the whole book was not that thrilling. Nonetheless, it was still good for the built-up, the historical insight and the psychological aspects. And I suppose the slowness of the investigation gives it a touch of realism too !EDIT : So I think this is a book which grows on you because, after much thinking, it is a memorable book. I did not like the writing, nor the narrative but it was both clever and really enlightening. So I yield : four stars ! I picked up this booked because I loved A Quiet Believe In Angels so much. Or rather I thought that I did. What I remember from that book was how I loved the author's style of writing and how I was captured by the story. What I had forgotten was how parts of it were slow going and tough to get through, and there was certainly lots of that in this title.The thriller element of the book had me hooked in places, but then the under lying story of the history of the CIA was a long, drawn out process.You can't help feel sympathy and empathy to the lead character and his struggles, and there should have been more of this.My recommendation is if you like crime thrillers then read it, but be prepared for the investment.
What do You think about Les Anonymes (2008)?
plot was scary but confusing. too wordy. wouldn't seek out anything else by him
—bgdobbie
Intriguing....a mystery wrapped around an enigma
—kevincrook
