Syndrome E
Betty Webb

Paris may be the City of Light, but not in this dark mystery, which pits a schizophrenic criminal profiler against a serial killer whose crimes range from France to Egypt. When five mutilated corpses are unearthed during a construction project on the outskirts of Paris, Inspector Franck “Shark” Sharko and Detective Lucie Henebelle are assigned to find out why the men had the top of their skulls cut off and their eyes removed—possibly while still alive. They soon discover that similar mutilations occurred a decade earlier in Egypt, where three young girls were murdered in Cairo. At first, the mutilations appear to be the earmarks of a particularly violent sadist, but Sharko, drawing on his own illness, suspects otherwise.

Following clues hidden in a pornographic film that falls into their hands, Sharko and his partner eventually uncover the killer’s true motive, a motive which turns out to be every bit as shocking as the murders themselves. Sharko is one of the most intriguing protagonists to come along in years. His own wife and child are dead, but he’s never lonely: his hallucinations keep him company. Among them is the bratty nine-year-old Eugenie, who taunts him as Sharko goes about his grim, body-finding business. But Detective Henebelle is intriguing, too. The single mother of two daughters, she is torn between spending time with them and the demands of the case. Henebelle’s mother—who disapproves of her work—is quick to find fault with her daughter’s parenting.

Although there is gore aplenty in Syndrome E (readers with delicate stomaches might want to pass this one by), the emotional difficulties suffered by both detectives turn what could have been a run-of-the-mill snuff book into a masterful psychological suspense novel. Pair beautifully layered characters with strong scenic writing, and author Franck Thilliez delivers one of the most exciting American debuts in years. The French have known for years how good Thilliez is. Now it’s our turn.

Teri Duerr
2014-05-21 17:02:27

Paris may be the City of Light, but not in this dark mystery, which pits a schizophrenic criminal profiler against a serial killer whose crimes range from France to Egypt. When five mutilated corpses are unearthed during a construction project on the outskirts of Paris, Inspector Franck “Shark” Sharko and Detective Lucie Henebelle are assigned to find out why the men had the top of their skulls cut off and their eyes removed—possibly while still alive. They soon discover that similar mutilations occurred a decade earlier in Egypt, where three young girls were murdered in Cairo. At first, the mutilations appear to be the earmarks of a particularly violent sadist, but Sharko, drawing on his own illness, suspects otherwise.

Following clues hidden in a pornographic film that falls into their hands, Sharko and his partner eventually uncover the killer’s true motive, a motive which turns out to be every bit as shocking as the murders themselves. Sharko is one of the most intriguing protagonists to come along in years. His own wife and child are dead, but he’s never lonely: his hallucinations keep him company. Among them is the bratty nine-year-old Eugenie, who taunts him as Sharko goes about his grim, body-finding business. But Detective Henebelle is intriguing, too. The single mother of two daughters, she is torn between spending time with them and the demands of the case. Henebelle’s mother—who disapproves of her work—is quick to find fault with her daughter’s parenting.

Although there is gore aplenty in Syndrome E (readers with delicate stomaches might want to pass this one by), the emotional difficulties suffered by both detectives turn what could have been a run-of-the-mill snuff book into a masterful psychological suspense novel. Pair beautifully layered characters with strong scenic writing, and author Franck Thilliez delivers one of the most exciting American debuts in years. The French have known for years how good Thilliez is. Now it’s our turn.