The Dying Minutes

I must have bought The Dying Minutes by Martin O’Brien three or four months or so ago quite excited to get into it as I had heard so much about it. Finally getting around to reading it - it most definitely didn’t disappoint. It is a beautifully, beautifully written novel.

This is the author's seventh book with the Chief Inspector Daniel Jacquot leading protagonist. If there is one criticism, it’s that there are numerous references to characters and details from the previous novels that I felt were left only partially explained for newer readers.

We learn how a gold bullion convoy is hijacked in Marseilles. The security trucks and hijackers are swiftly rounded up, but a ton of gold from one truck has disappeared. That was back in 1972 and the trail goes cold.

In August 1999 Chief Inspector Daniel Jacquot when on a four month enforced sick leave feels very alone finds, along with sometime friend and head of homicide Isabelle in a race against time with two of Marseille’s longstanding crime families to find long-lost gold bullion that was siphoned off back in 1972.  There are deadly consequences of course, and some old graves are dug up.

The 473 pages is a commitment, however, the story is quite a dramatic page-turner and despite its length rushes on to the gripping conclusion. The writing is rich, luscious even.  It’s generously peppered with French phrases which are charming but can annoy after a while.  Whilst it can be argued there is no direct translation for notaire, others such as c’est certain and c’est tout feel completely unnecessary.