ARC BOOK REVIEW: The Hanged Man's Tale (Inspector Mazarelle Mystery #2) by Gerald Jay

Publication Date: December 7, 2021 Format: kindle Genre:  International Mystery Crime

Publisher: Nan A. Talese Length: 320 pages Buy:  Kindle | Hardcover

Synopsis

A murdered man is discovered dangling inside the tunnels of a Paris canal--the only clue, the tarot card in his pockets: the Hanged Man. When an innocent suspect is railroaded into prison for the homicide, Mazarelle sets off on the hunt for the real killer.
 
For the charming, hot-tempered, impulsive Frenchman--now back from the provinces and leading his own homicide unit out of Paris’s famed Quai des Orfevres--it’s an investigation that takes him far from the comforts of Beaujolais and bouillabaisse, and plunges him into an underworld of ruthless white supremacists looking for scapegoats in Paris’s growing immigrant community, corrupt cops eager to cover up a shady side business, and a conspiracy of secrets that threaten his own life.
 
Meanwhile, Claire Girard, an irresistible and ambitious journalist at a popular tabloid, is wrapped up in the same story. On the trail of the Tarot Card killer, Mazarelle finds himself blindsided by their growing attraction. And when his team’s case collides with Girard's latest scoop, and the body count keeps rising, Mazarelle himself becomes a prime suspect who must clear his own name. Gerald Jay’s latest Mazarelle adventure is a riveting, fast-paced thriller about a classic French detective making his way through the dangerous streets of a very modern world.

Review: 

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. 

This is a great police procedural.  There are many suspects and many twists and turns.  I didn't read nor did I realize that this was the 2nd book in a series.  This can definitely be read as a stand alone.  Mazarelle is a good cop with great instincts.  He is a huge man with a large presence and some underestimate him.  This time he stumbles upon a conspiracy that has far reaching consequences that didn't completely resolve at the end so I'm sure it will carry over into another book.  The murder however is solved and doesn't leave you hanging, which I hate.  

Racism is a big theme running through this book.  Mazarelle's co-worker is of African descent and is constantly dealing with racism throughout the book but many different characters.  When a "gypsy" is arrested the powers that be are quick to pin the blame on him however Mazarelle doesn't work that way, he only wants the truth and he doesn't believe that man is the culprit.  White supremacy doesn't seem to only be an American issue as this book is quick to point out.  

I really enjoyed this book and will be definitely adding this series to my reading list. 

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