Crime Fiction Alphabet: V is Vargas

This week's Crime Fiction Alphabet is the letter V.

So much to choose from - but I have decided to feature reviews I've written of Fred Vargas novels.

Fred Vargas is a French crime fiction author. Her novels have been translated into English out of order (see the list from Euro Crime below) but if you've never read any then I really suggest you read them in order.

I've read and reviewed 4, and have just realised that I've still got one to go.

THE CHALK CIRCLE MAN (4.5)
SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR (4.9)
WASH THIS BLOOD CLEAN FROM MY HAND (4.8)
THIS NIGHT'S FOUL WORK (4.6)


List of titles from Euro Crime- the second date is that of an English translation:

• The Chalk Circle Man ( L'Homme aux Cercles Bleus 1996)	2009	1
• Seeking Whom He May Devour (L'homme a L'envers 1999)	2004	2
• Have Mercy on Us All (Paris Vite et Reviens Tard 2001)	2003	3
• Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand (Sous les Vents de Neptune 2004)	2007	5
• This Night's Foul Work ( Dans les Bois Éternels 2006)	2008	6

Her central character is Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg, Commissaire of the police headquarters in the 5th Arrondissement of Paris. He solves crimes by flashes of intuition rather than logic.

Vargas has garnered a number of awards including CWA Dagger shortlists, and the Duncan Lawrie International Award. Fred Vargas is the pseudonym of French historian, archaeologist and writer Frédérique Audoin-Rouzeau, born in 1957. There are 6 of her novels that have not been translated into English yet. She does not appear to have published anything since 2008.