In a prehistoric underwater cavern off the coast of Marseilles are the first human engravings known to man. Among them is a crude drawing of a three-fingered hand, which has long puzzled archaeologists. Is it a hunting signal? A mystic sign invoking the spirits? Or is it, as many believe, evidence of ritual amputation in a Shamanistic world? The one who names himself 'The Hunter' apparently believes the latter. Driven by strange voices to kill and mutilate, he severs the body parts of his victims - and always signs his horrific crimes with a drawing of a three-fingered hand. The identity of this brutal killer is unfathomable, but Michel de Palma, of the Marseilles murder squad, has never lost a case, and he is not going to start now.De Palma heads to the University to investigate, but the clique of pre-history professors he encounters are as secretive as the cave-drawing itself. Slowly and alone, de Palma unravels a mystery that dates back to the Ice Age - and comes closer to discovering the killer's identity. But the academic community protect their own, and de Palma is no longer welcome in their circle...
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
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the main characters are well-drawn and the sights, smells and atmosphere of the city are vividly evoked - Mail on Sunday.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
Xavier-Marie Bonnot has a PhD in History and Sociology, and two Masters degrees in History and French Literature. The First Fingerprint is the first of a quartet of De Palma novels and has won two literary awards in France.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful new detective in the mystery ranks,
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This review is from: First Fingerprint (Hardcover)
THE FIRST FINGERPRINT (Pol. Proc-Michael De Palma-Marseille, France-Cont) - VG
Bonnot, Xavier-Marie (Ian Monk, translator) - 1st in series Quercus, 2008, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9781847243522 First sentence: For some time, there had been only a diffuse glow in the sky, a faint light whose source was presumably somewhere behind the jagged row of black rocks, high up there, far above the tiny form now hurrying along, guided by the narrow beam of a torch pointing at the ground. Commandant Michael De Palma, of the Marseilles Murder Squad, is the best; he always gets his man. That determination comes into play with the discovery of a brutal murder and a killer who leaves behind a negative impression of a three-fingered hand. The second body found near a recently discovered underwater cave with pre-historic images, is that of Christine Autran, a professor of the pre-historic era. De Palma feels there will be more killings, all somehow linked to this period. Because the book was written in French and translated by a Brit into English, there was some occasional awkwardness, particularly with the dialogue, but never to where I found the book difficult to read. The descriptions and sense of place were wonderfully done. Having the story set in Marseilles was a nice change, although I have read the Martin O'Brian books set there as well. I really enjoyed the characters. Bonnot provides their history, as the story progresses, and creates wonderful interaction between them. De Palma is detective reminiscent of Rankin's Rebus. He is nearing retirement, loves opera, but other music as well, is not an alcoholic, but his dedication to his job, which comes through in a very visceral way, may be costing him his marriage. There is some graphic violence, but it is infrequent and offset with excellent suspense, and a hint of romance. I so enjoyed this book and hope to see the other three books in the series available soon.
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