Artifice: An astonishing French thriller with a jaw-dropping twist

A spellbinding literary thriller set in contemporary Paris - full of mystery, dark humour and tragedy - about a police officer whose world begins to unravel when strange art installations appear overnight in Parisian museums.

''A breathtaking book confirming Claire Berest''s inexhaustible talent as a storyteller'' Elle

''An astonishing thriller'' Libération

Something strange is happening in museums across Paris.

A white horse appears in the library of the Pompidou Centre. Then stuffed wolves are displayed in a gallery, dressed in fine garments and drinking champagne.

The authorities are baffled - particularly when investigations lead to suspended police officer Abel Bac. Since being dismissed for unknown reasons, Abel has been wandering the streets of Paris, haunted by a recurring nightmare and hoping to lose himself in the city.

But following Abel leads to Mila, the mysterious artist at the heart of this enigma - and to a hidden darkness rising to the surface of the city.

As soon becomes clear, nothing about this chain of events has been a coincidence...

Translated by Sophie Lewis.

''Terrific! Set in modern Paris, this literary thriller invigoratingly combines questions of identity, shenanigans in the art world, love and murder'' MICHÈLE ROBERTS

''Deliciously unique and unpredictable ... this novel blossoms like a poisonous flower'' Le Journal du Dimanche

• | Author: Claire Berest, Sophie Lewis
• | Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
• | Publication Date: Aug 28, 2025
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9781035431151
• | ISBN-10: 1035431157