This is the first in the Adamsberg series of books, although it has just been translated. Followers of the series might be mildly amused / confused at the opening of the book whilst Adamsberg muses on the impact of his recent transfer to Paris (in the later books he's almost a Parisian fixture!) but if you're new to the series, you are now in for a treat.
From the Blurb:
Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg is not like other policemen. His methods appear unorthodox in the extreme; he doesn't search for clues; he ignores obvious suspects; arrests people with cast-iron alibis and appears permanently distracted. In spite of all this, his colleagues are forced to admit that he is highly successful - a born cop.
When strange blue chalk circles start appearing overnight on the pavements of Paris, the press take up the story with amusement and psychiatrists trot out their theories. Adamsberg is alone in thinking this is not a game and far from amusing.
Opening Lines:
Mathilde took out her diary and wrote: 'The man sitting next to me has got one hell of a nerve.'
Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg is not like other policemen. His methods appear unorthodox in the extreme: he doesn't search for clues; he ignores obvious suspects and arrests people with cast-iron alibis; he appears permanently distracted.
When strange blue chalk circles start appearing overnight on the pavements of Paris, the press take up the story with amusement and psychiatrists trot out their theories.