Customer Reviews

Jacquot and the Waterman

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This debut crime novel from longtime magazine writer O'Brien introduces the reader to Chief Inspector Jacquot, a ruggedly handsome, ponytailed ex-rugby player turned policeman in his native Marseilles. The story revolves around serial killer dubbed "The Waterman" due to his signature M.O. of drugging, raping, and then drowning young women. However, this main plotline has to compete with another more complicated one involving shady public officials, crooked developers, sexual blackmail, drug-running, and all kinds of nasty business. Indeed, the first 150 pages or so of the book are a bit of slog, as the very short chapters bounce between various characters, perspectives, and plotlines in rapid succession, introducing the large cast and setting everything up. The pacing leaves quite a bit to be desired as we are never with each character long enough to develop a strong sense of them, and it takes a while to sort out all the relationships and agendas.

Fortunately, we do at least get a sense of Jacquot, who is smarting from having just been dumped by his live-in girlfriend, and whose regular partner is laid up in the hospital with a broken leg. O'Brien is perhaps writing to the traditional mystery reader audience, as Jacquot is somewhat of a fantasy figure for the ladies in terms of physique, intelligence, instinct, and even soulfulness. Still, he is interesting enough to capture one's attention and drive the story forward. Naturally, his investigation of the serial killer ends up overlapping with elements of the other storyline, and while the reader must accept a certain number of coincidences, O'Brien manages to keep one guessing as to whether there's a direct connection or not. The unveiling of the serial killer, while possibly more realistic than one may be used to in a crime story, is nonetheless anticlimactic, and most readers will probably find the villain's capture and identity to be wholly unsatisfying after 390 pages of buildup.

Although the book is reasonably entertaining, it has to be said that in addition to the slow start and weak finish, there are plenty of other imperfections. Rather surprisingly, considering O'Brien's extensive background as a travel writer, he never manages to generate a real sense of place for Marseilles. Scenes certainly take place in all the right locations (docks, alleys, dim bars, restaurants, fancy villas, boats, etc.), but the city never really comes alive as a vibrant setting, as it does in, for example, Jean-Claude Izzo's book "Total Chaos." Another problem is a certain amount of fat in the prose. For example, each victim of the serial killer is introduced via a chapter in which an innocent bystander's day is described up until they find the body (in particularly lame case, we are given the thoughts of a seagull). None of these are necessary or add much to the proceedings. Still, on the whole, Jacquot is an appealing enough character that it's a promising start to a series which I will look forward to continuing.

Although it seemed promising, the book tries to be both a thriller and a mystery. Sadly failing in both. The plot's convulated and there are far too many walk in characters. Poorly organised and messy.

More than just a police procedural, this is one of the best mysteries I have read in a long time. The characters are well developed, the mystery is not contrived, and although the author is British, he knows Marselles like a native. I couldn't wait to read the sequel, ordered it from England.

Marseilles kindly remembers the rugby player Daniel Jacquot, though they now know him as Chief Inspector Jacquot, homicide. It does come in handy to have the people of his home town feel that they own him and his sporting achievements of more than twenty years before. He must deliver into the hands of the public the killer that the press have dubbed "The Waterman". It is not that clever a moniker - the Waterman, after having his way with the victims, leaves the bodies in water. Forensically, a nightmare, but a challenge for the French homicide team to face.

Paired off with a transfer in from the vice department, Jacquot is keen as always to follow his own instincts and investigate alone. His very young girlfriend has left him and his apartment, complete with nosey land lady, holds no appeal for him. Marseilles has its own court of the rich and successful who manipulate the authorities to further their own ventures and it is into this world that Jacquot strays in order to find a connection for his clients, the victims. A local gym was used by two of the girls and it may be more than just lucky co-incidence that the name of one elite company and its untouchable owners keeps surfacing wherever he looks. Is it sport, or are these young girls murdered to protect someone or something?

This is a sophisticated read set in a city well known to the author Martin O'Brien, a former travel writer. Sub plots and individual agendas abound in "Jacquot and the Waterman" which will take an organized mind to keep nailed down, as they read this fast moving thriller. The conclusion could feel like a major let down after this investment, forgiven perhaps for the fascinating characters with their glittery city that you have been fondly introduced to along the way. O'Brien has created in Jacquot a memorable hero in the form of a clever, moody loner, though the fawning descriptions from Jacquot's adoring French public are slapped on a little thick over the course of the book. This series shows huge promise with it's curiously well rounded homicide detective who doesn't seem to fit any accepted police procedural mould out on the market at present. A showy and well presented novel that would fall more into the category of thriller than crime novel with its cosmopolitan backdrop and flashy, well-heeled cast.

Travel writer O'Brien's debut introduces Marseilles police detective Daniel Jacquot, an intuitive, straight arrow who is still recognized on the street for his rugby exploits 20 years earlier.

Jacquot, his personal life on the skids, throws himself into the hunt for a serial killer who drugs, rapes and drowns young women. His search takes him into the neighborhoods, byways, docks, boardrooms and mansions of Marseilles and beyond, giving the reader a gritty, atmospheric tour.

The plot is intricate and at times confusing with a plethora of viewpoints, from the intrinsically evil genius of a disfigured mobster to the ambitious risk-taking of a morally ambiguous businessman, to the peculiar sexual proclivities of a wealthy city functionary. And more, from victims to journalists to wives, all of them contributing bits of the puzzle outside of Jacquot's view, while his adroit footwork slots the puzzle pieces into a coherent whole.

The ending is less than satisfying, particularly given the intricacy of a story filled with corruption and blackmail on a grand scale, but O'Brien's writing is so colorful and atmospheric and Jacquot such an engaging, well-rounded individual, that most readers will forgive the lapse and look forward to the Jacquot's next appearance.

--Portsmouth Herald

As his personal life is in the dumps since his relationship with his beloved Boni Mihaud teeters on the brink of extinction, Marseille Chief Inspector Daniel Jacquot buries himself in his work. He even left town to allegedly see the latest corpse, the third battered drowned victim in a month; he knows that he did not have to go to the crime scene, but did as a rationalization to escape domestic hostility.

When Boni finally leaves him, Jacquot feels the blues deeply finding only work as an escape from his depression. There are three brutalized beautiful young women drowned by what appears to be a serial killer in the Marseilles area. The media is going crazy, which makes the politicians on edge and even wackier. Marseille Police Judiciare Chief Yves Guimpier is grumpy and jumpier than usual as he tells Jacquot to catch the perpetrator immediately. As he continues to investigate while wondering what happened with Boni, Jacquot ironically thinks he has never worked harder on a case yet his superior says work even harder. Rugby was never this difficult.

JACQUOT AND THE WATERMAN is a terrific French police procedural starring a wonderful protagonist who finds his life falling apart on the personal and professional fronts. Jacquot cannot understand why his relationship with Boni collapsed and how he can do anything more than he is on the serial killer investigation. His troubles almost drown the likable detective, but in spite of the pressure and nothing and no one to help him relieve it, Jacquot keeps plugging away even as each clue makes the case spin further out of resolution. This is a fabulous tale with apparently other Jacquot stories already released in England.

Harriet Klausner

Good police procedurals are one of my favorite types of mysteries, and this was good! Jacquot is an interesting and memorable character who is tied to his city, his friends and his past. He may not be lucky at love, but he loves what he does. He is out to get the bad guys, but has a certain realistic viewpoint about it. There were a lot of characters, but I never felt confused. The suspense begins at the opening chapter and, while not nail biting, is maintained through the story. The dialogue is excellent. Not knowing Marsailles at all, I'd have liked a stronger sense of place, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment. There are very good twists along the way and even for the one bad guy who gets away you a sense it will catch up with them down the line. Book two of the series is already on my shelf and I'm anxious to read it.