Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
"A great romp." -- San Francisco Chronicle. A noblewoman is murdered in her chateau, a Russian princess robbed in a posh hotel, and a lord's corpse found inside a trunk -- all clearly the foul deeds of Fant mas, the diabolical master of disguise whose depravities paralyze Parisians with terror. Praised by The Village Voice as "a legendary crime novel," Fant mas was the first in a series of wildly popular French thrillers.
Synopsis
"Years after his first appearance, Fant mas is still scary." -- The Washington Post
"A brilliant criminal ... a great romp." -- San Francisco Chronicle
A noblewoman is hacked to death in her chateau, a Russian princess is boldly robbed in a posh hotel, and a lord's lifeless body is found stuffed inside a trunk. Everyone recognizes the deeds of Fant mas, a master of disguise whose daring and diabolical crimes paralyze Parisians with terror. One man has sworn to bring the phantom killer to justice: Inspector Juve, who ventures from dark alleys to brilliant salons in his relentless pursuit of the evil genius.
The first in a series of wildly popular French thrillers, Fant mas created a sensation in pre-WWI Europe. The original pulp fiction, its appeal transcended every level of society. Cocteau, Colette, and Picasso were avid readers, and subsequent generations of artists, writers, and musicians have drawn inspiration from this enduringly stylish and suspenseful novel.