The disappearance of Adèle Bedeau

Author: Grame Macrae Burnet

This book is classified as historical fiction and is set in an Alsace town in France. It’s very clever in its setup and I don’t want to divulge too much here lest I spoil the surprise. I have to say that Graeme Macrae Burnet completely sucked me in and it’s only now, as I write this review that I realize the ploy. On reading several amazon reviews, I can see that many a reader is completely unaware of the duplicity.

The main story is a classic a thriller set in a sleepy old French Town, Saint Louis.  It excels in painting the idiosyncrasies of the main character, Manfred Baumann who as a Bank employee, is as unexciting as ever. The plot meanders slowly between his youth and current times. The detective Georges Gorski is a Poirot-like character. Mr. Burnet moves the plot slowly along and the pleasure is not so much in uncovering the next moves, as it is in discovering the foibles of the characters and their friends and family. There’s always some sexual tension in the air to keep you riveted and eager to turn the page. You kind of guess the end, but are still eager to connect the dots and see how Burnet is going to lead you there.  

It’s a quick and entertaining read.