After Five Burnt Cards, author Sophie Loubière returns with Of Ashes and Tears, a pressing thriller set in the Bercy cemetery. Sure to give readers a scare!
Madeline, Christian, and their three children live in a small apartment where privacy is a thing of the past. So when Christian gets the opportunity to change jobs and obtain lodging with the job—a 180m² house—he doesn’t hesitate much. The Mara family moves into this old but spacious house in the heart of the Bercy cemetery, as Christian becomes its new custodian.
Everyone starts to settle in, but the weight of Madeline’s job, as a corporal-chief firefighter at the Paris Brigade, and Christian’s role weighs heavily on the family. Christian finds refuge in drawing and painting as a way to exorcise his growing unease… Meanwhile, the house seems to awaken and reject its new inhabitants.
With anxiety and talent, Sophie Loubière takes us into a particular place, the Bercy cemetery and more specifically, its official lodging, an old and gloomy building amidst the graves. Bordering on the fantastic, the author creates a chilling atmosphere that seems to close in on the characters. As the thriller progresses, a weight of lead seems to press down on them even more.
Her very charismatic heroine, Madeline, a corporal-chief firefighter, takes center stage during the Notre-Dame fire; and the first chapter is a true adrenaline rush, reminding everyone of that terrible event. She is a very strong character, central to this thriller not only due to her profession but also her strong personality; her need to save people is challenged by the job’s pressure and lack of recognition, causing her to lose a bit of faith. The novel, through this aspect, is grounded in the real social context of 2019.
The couple’s children—Michael from a previous marriage, Eliot, and Anna—are also endearing. Sophie Loubière breathes life into her characters, infusing the story with vibrant energy and presents us with a gripping psychological thriller that touches on several societal issues (the role of women in a male-dominated profession, lack of state recognition, school bullying, grief, etc.).
Of Ashes and Tears is a dark novel but also very human, thanks to its characters.
