The Chalk Circle Man

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The Chalk Circle Man
L'Homme aux cercles bleus.jpg
First edition (French)
Author Fred Vargas
Original titleL'Homme aux cercles bleus
TranslatorSian Reynolds
Country France
Language French
SeriesCommissaire Adamsberg
Genre Crime / Thriller
Publisher Hermé
Publication date
1991
ISBN 9780143115953
Followed by Seeking Whom He May Devour  

The Chalk Circle Man (French: L'Homme aux cercles bleus) is a novel by French crime-writer Fred Vargas. The first of her Commissaire Adamsberg series, it was published in 1991. An English translation by Sian Reynolds was published in 2009. [1] Vargas received the 2009 Crime Writers Association International Dagger for this work. [2]

The novel is the first in a series featuring French policeman Commissaire Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg. It describes the background of Adamsberg's move to Paris, the origins of his partnership with Inspector Adrien Danglard, and a glimpse at his elusive relationship with Camille. Much emphasis is placed on the theme of different ways of thinking - contrasting the two policemen's distinct approaches to investigations, and indeed life. There are also a number of typical Vargas elements in the story: a pedestrian's view of the geography of Paris, independent, eccentric but effective older women, a misdirection of the apparently abnormal drawn over the deliberate actions of a killer.

A telefilm of the novel (2009) starred Jean-Hugues Anglade as Adamsberg, Charlotte Rampling as Mathilde Forestier, Jacques Spiesser as Danglard and Jean-Pierre Léaud as Louis le Nermond, and was directed by Josée Dayan.

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References

  1. Wilson, Laura (2009-02-20). "The Chalk Circle Man". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  2. Flood, Alison (2009-07-16). "Fred Vargas holds off Scandinavians at Dagger awards". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-11-27.