Read Chourmo Folio Policier French Edition JeanClaud Izzo 9782070417193 Books

Product details Series Folio Policier (Book 195) Mass Market Paperback 365 pages Publisher Gallimard Education (February 1, 2001) Language French ISBN-10 9782070417193 ISBN-13 978-2070417193 ASIN 2070417190

Chourmo Folio Policier French Edition JeanClaud Izzo 9782070417193 Books Reviews

• I read Chourmo in the german edition on a friend's recommendation and I swallowed it within 48 hrs. It's a witty, fast-paced and quite grim detective story - but first of all it's a love declaration to one of the most thrilling cities in Europe Marseille.
  The story centers on ex-cop Fabio Montale, who's spent most of his service in the suburbs of Marseille, the dangerous boiling pots of the poorest of poors and unliked immigrants from Africa and other former french colonies. He's seen it all - organized crime, racial discrimination, the rise of racist organisation 'Front National' and most of all death and loss. And many of the dead have been friends of Fabio Montale. Yet he can't let loose from this city of poison and charmes and when his beloved cousin Gelou asks him to investigate the disappearance of her son, he doesnt hesitate - simply because he's still too much of a detective at heart.
  In the course of events, Montale gets mired in between the activities of religious fanatics, ambitious and corrupt police officers and dangerous mafia thugs as he stumbles rather coincidentally over several strings of crime that only get linked together due to his own interference. But Izzo doesnt disappoint his readers at this point, cuz he manages to fit all loose ends nicely together.
  But overshadowing all these plots are the spirit of southern France (for example you can almost grasp the taste of french wines and food - hmmm...yummy) and the omnipresent fascination of Marseille A city where "the exciled of the world are meeting" and in which the only achievement that counts is to survive. And that's the final resume also for Fabio Montale as he is just glad to survive all this mess along with a few friends who were simply luckier than many other peoples encountered...
  Two thumbs up for Jean-Claude Izzo, who himself died way too early, for this melancholic and exciting novel.