[Book review] Fauves - Eric Mercier

December 20, 2021 Marion M.

Features

Art historian and exhibition curator, Eric Mercier turned to the writing of novels a few years ago.His first work, in the skin of Buffet, appeared at the end of 2019.This year has released his third book, Fauves, Éditions de la Martinière.With an intrigue that always concerns the world of art, Eric Mercier takes us into a confusing investigation in which the twists and turns are not lacking.

Fauves of all kinds

The commander Vicaux is called for a somewhat special investigation: a man's body was found on a farm near Paris, devoured by pigs.Difficult to imagine such a violent end, but the commander is not at the end of his sorrows: the body in question is that of a wealthy collector of masters of masters, essentially of the current of fauvism.

He will then turn to his ex-partner who, for his part, also needs his help: one of his young colleagues has disappeared and she fears the worst.Will then start a double survey with drawers, during which each new element at stake triggers more questions than answers ...

A colorful intrigue

The novel begins in a dazzling way with the discovery of the corpse.Above all, the method used immediately announces that the investigation will be as rare as violent.Built like the "old -fashioned" thrillers, wild beasts follows a rather slow course, which makes it possible to introduce many details, whether they are relevant for the future or not.

Eric Mercier is a very big connoisseur of the backgrounds of painting and galleries and it really feels.Where others could have appeared haughty or appear to spread their culture, Eric Mercier has the talent for writing and the finesse necessary for this type of novel mixing fiction and erudition.Painting data is of course very present, but without weighing down an already rich story due to its double survey and all the adventures that result from it.

Low impact characters

Although the action takes place over a certain time and in multiple places, we meet few characters.The vican commander, the main protagonist, is unfortunately a little caricatured: policeman so invested in his work that it destroyed his romantic relationships, kind under a little rustic tunes ... The other characters are approached quite superficially, which is a shame: they cannot gain momentum and it is therefore difficult to get attached or to identify with them.

In general, Fauves is a good detective novel, pleasant to read despite one or two digressions which the author could have happened.In addition, this book is of interest in the uninitiated to discover the cultural universe of painting, and more particularly of fauvism.As such, it may be interesting to take a few breaks and go watch the paintings of masters like Dufy or Matisse to have a visual approach in parallel with reading.

Article written by Marion M..