In this crime novel where a 94-year-old man is found encased in concrete at Place du Pin in Nice. An emblematic location of the homosexual community, Rue Bonaparte has become a trendy neighborhood. Commander Farkas is in charge of the investigation in this case.
The author takes us through the popular neighborhoods of Nice, Riquier, the small bars, the workshops, where the city’s local fabric resides. Who was this old man to be murdered? This novel full of twists and turns leads us to discover the victim’s life, his past where, as we will see, lies the key to the mystery: why kill a man at the twilight of his life?
Béton Fatal is also a guide to discover or rediscover these neighborhoods where tourists don’t go, where the Nice fabric is profound. One speaks Niçois and eats Niçois there. Then, there are the nostalgics of a not very glamorous past, small groups where Commander Farkas will find one of the keys to his investigation.
This detective novel is also a journey into the hinterland, into the valleys; it could be a valuable guide for a Sunday walk, for example to Ilonse, but let’s not say more, let’s leave the reader the pleasure of reading.
Béton Fatal, a captivating book. You don’t close it until the last page because it’s impossible to set it down without knowing: who, why did they kill this old man? That’s where you recognize a good crime novel.
Thierry Jan
