The Frozen Dead (Commandant Martin Servaz, 1)

Minier, Bernard

ISBN 10: 162923883X ISBN 13: 9781629238838

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, 2014

Synopsis

The first victim is a horse: its headless, flayed body hangs suspended from the edge of a frozen cliff. On the same day as the gruesome discovery takes place, Diane Berg, a young psychiatrist starts her first job at a high security asylum for the criminally insane, just a few miles away She is baffled by the slightly unorthodox methods the asylums's director uses, and then greatly alarmed when she realizes that drugs are disappearing. Commandant Martin Servaz can't believe he has been called out over the death of an animal. But there is something disturbing about this crime that he cannot ignore. Then DNA from one of the most notorious inmates of the asylum is found on the corpse...and a few days later the first human murder takes place.

About this title

About the Author:

Bernard Minier grew up in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. He had a career as a customs official before publishing his first novel, The Frozen Dead, in 2011. The novel has been translated into a dozen languages and has garnered critical acclaim as well as several literary prizes in France. Minier lives in the Essonne, south of Paris.

Review:

“Bernard Minier's The Frozen Dead is a terrific thriller that will keep you up long past your bedtime. The French Pyrenees make a wonderfully atmospheric setting for this complex story of past crimes, madness and revenge. Servaz and Ziegler are a fascinating cop duo, and I hope to see more of them in the future. Excellent.” ―Peter Robinson, author of Children of the Revolution and Watching the Dark

“The pervasiveness of evil in this tense and disturbing novel makes for very compelling reading,with the suspense bordering on horror.” ―Booklist (starred review)

“Minier's assured debut adroitly combines a genuinely creepy series of crimes, a literally chilling atmosphere, and a dogged detective. Minier's execution equals his considerable cleverness.” ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Minier...exploits the unusual setting exceptionally well...an absorbing effort.... A high-altitude thriller, this novel is a great summer read for more than the usual reasons.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Complex, fast-paced, and completely absorbing, Minier's wickedly plotted mystery has already been published in numerous languages and found a place on international best sellers lists.” ―Library Journal

“A publishing sensation in France, where it's rushed up the bestseller lists, this is Minier's first crime novel and this translation justifies its vast French reputation....With a villain possessing the intelligence of Thomas Harris's immortal Hannibal Lecter, this is great story-telling, with a creeping sense of dread that would not disgrace Stephen King at his best.” ―Daily Mail

“This densely written and very atmospheric thriller is Minier's first novel. It has been a bestseller in France and, in this well-translated English edition, deserves to be one here.” ―Literary Review

“Revenge is at the heart of this clever mystery, which involves a plot as cold-blooded as the slaying of the horse” ―Sunday Times

“An enjoyable and fast-paced thriller.” ―Sunday Business Post

“The writing is razor sharp and nothing goes to waste. Enough to make other authors jealous.” ―Femme Actuelle

“Remember the name Bernard Minier... he might well take his place among the masters of French thriller writers.” ―Le Figaro

“The Frozen Dead is a boiling-hot success.” ―Le Point

“Chilling.” ―Elle

About this edition

• Publisher: Dreamscape Media
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 162923883X
• ISBN 13: 9781629238838
• Binding: Audio CD