In London, thirty-year-old Leonard Spitz has gone missing, prompting concern from his worried mother, resigned father, and coldly proud sister, Deborah. They suspect his return to drugs, but detective Xavier Lombard uncovers Leonard's involvement with child traffickers before his disappearance. Meanwhile, various characters navigate their lives: Bill, a pet shop owner, gets a puppy; Perkins, a butcher-landlord, raises rent; and three bored teenage girls in Los Angeles spend time in a playground. On Hampstead Heath, a struggling filmmaker attempts to shoot a scene. This debut novel by Eric Leclere introduces Xavier Lombard, a classic hero whose complexities resonate deeply. It blends crime and detective elements with a gripping narrative, evoking both fear and pride in humanity through dark, poetic moments. While a film adaptation featuring Daniel Auteuil and Nastassja Kinski was released, Leclere disowned it, viewing it as a misrepresentation of his work. Critics praise the novel for its compelling character and engaging plot, likening Lombard to Chandler's Marlowe and heralding Leclere as a talented new voice in crime fiction. The story promises to captivate readers with its twists and emotional depth.
