Monsieur Lecoq
US publication: 1868
Author: Emile Gaboriau
Detective:
Genre: Novel
Plot
summary and comments: After a fight in a seedy bar leaves three men dead, the police arrest a man who claims to be a circus performer. But a young detective named Lecoq suspects the man isn't who he claims to be, and that there is more at stake than meets the eye... Written in 1869, Monsieur Lecoq is not only a thrilling battle of wits between sleuth and suspect, but also the dramatic tale of three powerful families trapped in a web of political intrigue and murder during the troubled times that followed the fall of Napoleon and the restoration of the French Monarchy. Emile Gaboriau, Paul Féval's former secretary, penned here a masterpiece, a novel that is both the suspenseful story of the French Sûreté detective's first case, but also a moving tragedy of greed and revenge. Nina Cooper holds a Ph. D. in contemporary French literature from the University of Texas at Austin. She has done work on the plays of Gabriel Marcel and Jean-Paul Sartre, as well as on the short stories of Julien Green. This book also includes a biography of Lecoq by popular literature scholar Rick Lai.
::READERS REVIEWS::
::AMAZON REVIEWS::
An excellent read...I found Gaboriau to be actually superior to Conan Doyle in many ways. He develops characters more deeply and his world comprehensively spans the different social levels of the city of Paris and the French police, prison and court systems in a way the insular Holmes never experienced. The reader can't help but suffer along with the rather manic/depressive ups and downs of fortune of the brilliant Lecoq. This book includes the real first' consulting detective, whom Lecoq goes to for aid toward the end of the novel. And it's not really the end, because, though I haven't read it yet, the novel is continued in the next book, "The Honor Of The Name", which if you can't buy, you can read at gutenberg.com. Incidentally, although Lecoq reminds me of a young Napoleon, the character is said to be based on the story of a real life criminal turned policeman, Francois Vidocq. He wrote an autobiography which would be most interesting, "Les Vrais Mémoires de Vidocq". Once you read "Monsieur Lecoq" you will undoubtedly become entangled in a heated 'Holmes/Lecoq is better' discussion with every bibliophile you meet.
Sherlock Holmes read itMonsieur Lecoq stumbles upon the case that will make his career, if he is able to expose the identity of a murderer whose intelligence and savoir faire exceeds that of his pursuers. A fledgling police officer with high aspirations, Lecoq struggles with rivalry and jealously within the police force as well as his own inexperience. Unlike much early detective fiction, this novel shows its sleuth in his humble beginnings, dramatizing the making of the detective. Lecoq's criminal past and status as policeman make him an interesting detective figure. Although the novel is a little lengthy, the pace is energetic. The twists and turns of the plot and the foibles of Lecoq and his assistant keep the reader engaged. Those who enjoy classic detective fiction and a good plot (and don't mind a lengthy read without closure), and who are interested in the stories that influenced writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle, will appreciate this early work.