As I read Salazar I kept thinking "Raymond Chandler would like this book."
The detective story takes place between the two world wars. Paris in the 1930's is the backdrop for English ex-soldier and new private detective Salazar. And Lynch's writing makes this Paris very real to the reader.
Salazar has come a long way. He suffers from PTSD, an unknown condition at this time, is avoiding his past and even his future. He lives in a seedy apartment above his office and has agreed to find Gustave Marty for Marie Poncelet. She's not very likable and he's not very good at detecting. It's one of his first cases and what little life he has is often distracting in self destructive ways.
Besides, Gustave Marty does not want to be found. It seems he has gone to great lengths to remain lost.
The arrival of an old friend, Megan Fitzwilliam, puts some romance and a reason to live into the story. And just when life begins to look good, the danger becomes very real. The ending twist is unexpected.
Salazar's wit made me smile often. Great dry humor and amusing characters.
An excellent piece of noir with a moody, flawed - but endearing - detective, played on the screen inside my head by a young Humphrey Bogart.
Well . . . ?
The detective story takes place between the two world wars. Paris in the 1930's is the backdrop for English ex-soldier and new private detective Salazar. And Lynch's writing makes this Paris very real to the reader.
Salazar has come a long way. He suffers from PTSD, an unknown condition at this time, is avoiding his past and even his future. He lives in a seedy apartment above his office and has agreed to find Gustave Marty for Marie Poncelet. She's not very likable and he's not very good at detecting. It's one of his first cases and what little life he has is often distracting in self destructive ways.
Besides, Gustave Marty does not want to be found. It seems he has gone to great lengths to remain lost.
The arrival of an old friend, Megan Fitzwilliam, puts some romance and a reason to live into the story. And just when life begins to look good, the danger becomes very real. The ending twist is unexpected.
Salazar's wit made me smile often. Great dry humor and amusing characters.
An excellent piece of noir with a moody, flawed - but endearing - detective, played on the screen inside my head by a young Humphrey Bogart.
Well . . . ?
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