The Three Evangelists
Fred Vargas Writes a Terrific Story With Interesting Characters
French murder mystery writer's background in history and archeology evident in her third novel, released by Vintage Canada in 2006.
The Three Evangelists (by Fred Vargas, Vintage Canada Edition, 2006), is a terrific read, well-written and intriguing, with a three-fold mystery.
The First Mystery
The first mystery is the beech tree that appears overnight in Sophia Simeonides’ garden. Sophia, a Greek opera singer living on a small Parisian street, is upset by the tree’s appearance. She is more upset though because she can’t convince her husband that there is something wrong with a tree appearing out of nowhere.
Because of her husband’s indifference, she asks for help from her new neighbours, an elderly ex-cop and three young historians.
Vandoosler, dismissed from the police force because he let a killer go free, is the godfather and uncle of Marc Vandoosler, one of the historians. Marc has assumed the role of caretaker to his uncle, but he bad at relationships. Like his fellow historians, Marc is more comfortable investigating distant times: for him, the Middle Ages; for Mathias Delamarre, prehistoric man; and for Lucien Devernois, World War One.
The historians, whom Vandoosler nicknames ‘The Three Evangelists’ have suffered personal and professional set-backs. They help their neighbour, Sophia, because they need the money she offers to dig a tunnel under the tree, and also because they, too, are curious about its appearance.
The Second and Third Mysteries
Nothing suspicious is found under the beech, but, days later, the second mystery occurs. Sophia disappears. Vandoosler and the historians decide to investigate. When Sophia’s body is found – the third mystery in the book - they decide to find her killer.
There is a problem, though. None of them, with the exception of the ex-cop, is qualified to catch a killer. Nevertheless, they continue on, finding a varied group of suspects.
Suspects Abound
Is the killer Sophia’s husband, Pierre? Her ex-lover who tried to kill himself when she left him? Or did her niece, Alexandra - a young mother who appears on a bench in front of Sophia’s house, with her son – kill Sophia?
Not Much Violence in This Novel
Unlike many murder mysteries, The Three Evangelists doesn’t have much violence. There is, however a lot of interesting conversations between characters. The reader can sense Vargas’ curiosity, intelligence, and humour in the discussions her characters engage in.
Crisp Pacing and Believable Characters
Vargas’ pacing is crisp. This book could be read in an afternoon, but it needs to be savoured for the strange but completely believable characters she has created, such as lumbering Mathias, who walks around his room naked, and makes people eat bread, to relax their jaws, when things get tense.
About The Author
Fred Vargas was born in Paris. She was educated as a historian, and an archaeologist. Her other books include: Have Mercy on Us All, and Seeking Whom He May Devour.
