Blood-Red Rivers

by Jean-Christophe Grangé

Book Overview

A corpse is discovered wedged in an isolated crevice. It has been horribly mutilated. The brilliant but violent ex-commando Pierre Niemans is sent from Paris to the French Alps to lead the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1860466591
• ISBN13: 9781860466595
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Harvill Press
• Length: 327 Pages
• Weight: 1.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

les rivieres pourpres (french edition)

This item was listed as second hand in good condition available from Chapitres in France. I received the book within a week, and it was in excellent condition - I would have said 'almost new.' As for the story itself, I'm a beginner level french speaker, and this is to 'push' my skill level; but the film based on the book, I really enjoyed, and so far I'm enjoying reading the book itself.

Action Thriller Set in French Alps

Despite the tough guy language and enough gratuitous violence to satisfy the likes of any Jean-Claude Van Damme or Steven Seagal fan, this police procedural set in a university town in the French Alps has a lot going for itself in terms of storyline and interesting plot twists.The author entwines two separate stories revolving around two police officers--the first showcases veteran police superintendant Pierre Neimans sent to investigate a gruesome mutilation at the famed Guernon University. In a town but a few hours away,renegade police officer, Lt. Karim Abdouf looks into a bizarre desecration of a child's tomb. Grange expertly plaits the information gleaned by the simultaneous investigations and creates an engaging panorama nearly as spectacular as the Alps that look down on this seemingly innocuous example of college life. Sadly, I don't believe the English translation does this book justice, especially when read by an American audience, as the slang seems to be geared towards a UK market. Nevertheless, this detracts only slightly to Grange's intriguing storyline where he pulls out all the stops, throwing in almost every au courant red herring except for the proverbial butler and kitchen sink. Recommended to all those who enjoy a good psychological thriller set in a different terrain where the players make use of the exceptional environment and play by a different set of rules.

French Alps Crime Thriller

Blood Red Rivers is a first rate crime thriller set in and around a college campus in the French Alps. The story takes place over a 24 hour period as a tired and on the edge police lieutenant, Pierre Niemans, tries to piece together the clues left behind by a gruesome serial killer. The book is basically two stories which slowly merge into one, becoming an absolutely rivetting read along the way. The characters and locations are superb and the story is plotted in such a manner that it's almost impossible to put down as the two policeman reach their conclusion. Some people have criticised the ending however at no time did I feel let down by this novel, ending included. If you like action packed, and at times violent, police procedurals then this is truly the book for you.

The ups & downs of French specificity

It is very refreshing to read a modern detective story that uses its French setting so well. The story sends the characters from modern Paris to small villages and from glacial mountains to the coast. The parallel enquiries being carried out by Niemans and Abdouf give the book a good pace and manage to keep the reader inquisitive. In addition, the dark, unsettling atmosphere that prevails adds to the reader's apprehension. Having read the book both in French and in English, it is fair to say that the translation does not do justice to the dialogues, leading to some conversations sounding clichéd (this is always a risk when translating modern, more coarse French). However, this should not spoil the overall pleasure of the book. The film, directed by the talented Mathieu Kassovitz (la Haine)stars Jean Reno in the role of Niemans. If it manages to reproduce the atmosphere and the momentum of the book, it will be a big success.

A good write, and a good read.

Blood-red Rivers is a well written thriller. Not just a storytellers exercise, it is the product of a good writer. If youy did not know the author you would say it is more likely to have come from the pen of a James Lee Bourke than the word processor of John Grisham.As a thriller it works. Half way through I was unable to see where it was going, and I was still interested and intrigued enough to want to read on and not put it down.With most books of this type, it is better to travel than to arrive. Often they do not have as satisfactory and consistent an ending as the start and middle. If I have a reservation with the book it is that there is a slightly "deus ex machina" quality to the conclusion. However, this does not take away from the enjoyment of the book.Would I read it again? I probably would, and that it is not common with many detective novels. I will watch out for M. Grange's works in the future. I do not buy novels on the attractions of the cover. I buy on the quality of the authors and Jean-Christophe Grange is a quality author.