Artifice

An astonishing French thriller with a jaw-dropping twist

By: Claire Berest

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Paperback | 28 August 2025 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
352 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
19.7 x 13.8 x 2.6

Paperback

$34.75

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

'An astonishing thriller' Liberation

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' MICHELE ROBERTS

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

Industry Reviews

A glowing, cinematic thriller, propelled throughout by zippy, electric writing, which builds in pace and intensity until reaching an ingenious, twisting finale - Buzz Magazine

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

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

An astonishing thriller ... full of mystery and dark humour - Liberation

The writing is skilful, the narrative propels us forward ... a scintillating fire of many colours - Page

A cleverly crafted novel made up of trompe l'oeil, red herrings, and mistaken identities. Dreamlike and dark ... unique - Le Figaro

An intense thriller where performance art intersects with tragedy ... brilliant and captivating - Le Pelerin

Spellbinding - Notre Temps

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