The Black Jersey

April 8, 2019
Set during the Tour de France, this thrilling mystery from Mexican author Patterson (Milena) boasts as many twists and turns as the treacherous bicycle race that winds through the Alps and the Pyrenees. When a series of tragic events begins forcing participants out of the grueling 23-day race—such as the brutal assault on a cyclist while on a practice run and another’s apparent suicide—the detective in charge of investigating the incidents enlists the help of Marc Moreau, a French cyclist with military police training. But as Moreau—who is on a top team led by former champion Steve Panata—investigates the increasingly desperate attacks on riders, he must also deal with his own pressing issues, which includes a girlfriend and mentor who believe Moreau can, and should, step out of his longtime supporting role to Panata and win the yellow jersey for himself. This meticulously plotted novel about riders willing to die—and possibly kill—to win cycling’s biggest race will have readers guessing until the very last page. Patterson should win a wider American audience with this outing. Agent: Marina Penalva, Casanovas & Lynch (Spain).

Henry Leyva gives this unusual mystery a gritty, deep-voiced narration that mimics the grueling nature of the Tour de France itself. He brings listeners the action-packed race, including the increasingly violent events that are preventing riders like ex-serviceman Marc Moreau from completing it. Leyva has to deliver a long list of cycling definitions before the story begins. This is slightly jarring for listeners, who are not able to flip back and forth throughout the narrative when necessary, as would be the case with a print volume. The rest of his performance works well for this imaginative and suspenseful depiction of the world's most famous bike race. M.R. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine