Bird in a Cage

“A tense and yearning tale set in a Paris suburb during the 1960s. . . . In “Bird in a Cage” , nobody is quite as they seem to be . . . Dard is a consummate hoodwinker: As you read along, there are apparent incongruities of plot and characterization. But like the waiter who magically whips the tablecloth from beneath a heavily laden table without disturbing any cutlery, all things are left
accounted for.” — The Wall Street Journal

“With their tight plots, the stories are particularly cinematic, and film-makers are already showing interest. Dard also wrote screenplays and plays. Their revival could be just around the corner.” — The Observer 

“Melancholy and atmospheric, with a twist worthy of Agatha Christie at her devious best, this brief tale has the hallmark of classic French noir” – The Guardian

“A snappy and inherently clever little thriller.” — Bookbag (one of Top Ten Crime Novels 2016)

“His language is cutting, his point-of-view original and his verdict uncompromising… One of the few twentieth-century authors to win both critical acclaim and great popularity” - Solidarité Militaire

“The literary descendant of Simenon and Celine” – Le Figaro

“France’s most popular post-war author.” - L’Express


“Hugely atmospheric.” – The Times

“Alongside the Maigret novels of Georges Simenon there is a rich vein of period French crime still to be tapped. Frédéric Dard is a case in point.” – Daily Mail

“Disturbing from the outset with strong echoes of Dard’s hero Simenon.” – Sunday Times Crime Club

“This short, sly novel of the night has more than enough sibstance and mystery to keep readers awake and engrossed.” – The National