The sixth of Fred Vargas’ Commissaire Adamsberg novels translated into English, The Chalk Circle Man is actually the first in the series.

Adamsberg has recently arrived in Paris to be greeted by colleagues who find him baffling, strange and unapproachable. He infuriates them further with his obsessive collection of newspaper clippings about a weirdo drawing blue chalk circles around seemingly random objects on the streets of Paris. While most police think of the stranger as little more than a nuisance, Adamsberg is sure of something far more sinister behind his actions.

Going out on a limb, I would nominate Vargas as the best crime writer working today. Her plots are intricate and involving, her characters beautifully written, and her attention to details and behaviours astounding. There is not much more to say – just read them.