L'uomo a rovescio

Much like the first book in the Adamsberg series, this book is full of wacky characters in unlikely circumstances. The werewolf theme and the rustic settings in eastern France add to the charm of this book.

The book is slow in the middle, as the characters (and perhaps the author) thrash around looking for the villain. The book ends with a clever twist, which seems to be standard for Vargas.

I'm looking forward to reading more of her odd detective stories.

I assumed I would not like this book, since “monster” books don't appeal. But it was a good deal at Oxfam in Cambridge, and I wasn't finding anything else appealing, so I bought it (plus the author, a woman in fact, is a professor of archaeology, so I thought I might learn something). What a nice surprise! Well-rounded, interesting characters, intelligently and sympathetically drawn, and a great mystery. The book is very well-written. I'll definitely look for more of her books. I'd definitely recommend it for mystery lovers looking for something a bit different.