Artifice

'A breathtaking book confirming Claire Berest's inexhaustible talent as a storyteller' Elle

'An astonishing thriller' Libération

Something strange is happening in museums across Paris.

A white horse appears in the library of the Pompidou Centre. Then stuffed wolves are displayed in a gallery, dressed in fine garments and drinking champagne.

The authorities are baffled - particularly when investigations lead to suspended police officer Abel Bac. Since being dismissed for unknown reasons, Abel has been wandering the streets of Paris, haunted by a recurring nightmare and hoping to lose himself in the city.

But following Abel leads to Mila, the mysterious artist at the heart of this enigma - and to a hidden darkness rising to the surface of the city.

As soon becomes clear, nothing about this chain of events has been a coincidence...

Translated by Sophie Lewis.

'Terrific! Set in modern Paris, this literary thriller invigoratingly combines questions of identity, shenanigans in the art world, love and murder' MICH+LE ROBERTS

'Deliciously unique and unpredictable ... this novel blossoms like a poisonous flower' Le Journal du Dimanche