I feel like there is a whole layer of witty humour to this book that I am missing because I'm not French. I didn't mind it that, I prefer a book to go over my head than speak down to me. The other thing is that it is heading into vintage territory. Apart from that it is a very engaging, slightly surreal and satisfying mystery. A good option to try for people who might be a little bored with US/UK/Scandi crime novels.