This first volume of the adventures of Arsene Lupin was a bit disappointed. Probably because I had read other novels of Maurice Leblanc, complete novels. Here the book is more like a collection of stories, although it is not well presented. Chapters therefore tell different stories, featuring the same hero, the famous Detective burglar. But the whole is disjointed. Arsène Lupin is obviously behind different identities to approach its prey, and the reader soon discovers the third line! Only the characters seem to be surprised! Some plots are most searched, most thrilling than others (the arrest and escape from prison), but the twists end up being systematic, predictable and convoluted. Especially when the author reveals the name of his hero, three lines before the end of a story, exclaiming: Arsene Lupin found the Countess of jewelry! It feels more like an independent narrative of Maurice Leblanc, on which is grafted the name of Lupin, in extremis, to expand the publication of the novel. Serialized in the genre, the adventures of FANTOMAS seem more exciting and incredible to me.
Subsequently, Maurice Leblanc will structure its heroes and its intrigues, write complete stories, much better controlled and exciting, like 813, NEEDLE HOLLOW, THE EIGHT COUPS CLOCK ... I urge you to read them Subsequently, without going through this square, a sort of dress rehearsal.
