If Guernsey and Jersey exist, so why not Mornesey? Michel Bussi sets the scene in this imaginary island but certainly described with such precision and realism that almost sees on the horizon. This channel island inhabited by convicts seems to have usurped in any case its nickname of "island of robbers." An orphaned teenager beset by doubt enjoys a holiday camp to go on pilgrimage to the ruins of the abbey where his parents once conducted excavations before disappearing one after another. In search of its origins, the adventure quickly turns into a dangerous investigation with a mysterious and ancient treasure, "La Folie Mazarin," and a real juicy scandal. Besides his stubbornness, the young hero can happily rely on some outside help on the spot: camp comrades, a young job lot of thrills, the local journalist ... The action takes place over a few days and is detailed hourly real-time alternating viewpoints, so it is hard not to be struck by the pace.
"Blood Family" is not the novel I prefer Michel Bussi although I have found a few recipes in my view of the author's success: an original use of the geographical setting a steady pace and fairly searched characters . The plot is well put together but least resonated with me as those of "A plane without it" or "Black Water Lilies". The view of a teenager is not uninteresting but I was not particularly charmed. The characters have sometimes seemed to me to lack subtlety in their attitudes or their words. But not the best for my taste, this thriller taking rest and enjoyable to read.
