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Serge Morel #2
Death in the Rainy Season
Phnom Penh, Cambodia; the rainy season. When a French man, Hugo Quercy, is found brutally murdered, Commandant Serge Morel finds his holiday drawn to an abrupt halt. Quercy - dynamic, well-connected - was the magnetic head of a humanitarian organisation which looked after the area's neglected youth.
Opening his investigation, the Parisian detective soon finds himself buried in one of his most challenging cases yet. Morel must navigate this complex and politically sensitive crime in a country with few forensic resources, and armed with little more than a series of perplexing questions: what was Quercy doing in a hotel room under a false name? What is the significance of his recent investigations into land grabs in the area? And who could have broken into his home the night of the murder?
Becoming increasingly drawn into Quercy's circle of family and friends - his adoring widow, his devoted friends and bereft colleagues - Commandant Morel will soon discover that in this lush land of great beauty and immense darkness, nothing is quite as it seems . . .
A deeply atmospheric crime novel that bristles with truth and deception, secrets and lies: Death in the Rainy Season is a compelling mystery that unravels an exquisitely wrought human tragedy.
Opening his investigation, the Parisian detective soon finds himself buried in one of his most challenging cases yet. Morel must navigate this complex and politically sensitive crime in a country with few forensic resources, and armed with little more than a series of perplexing questions: what was Quercy doing in a hotel room under a false name? What is the significance of his recent investigations into land grabs in the area? And who could have broken into his home the night of the murder?
Becoming increasingly drawn into Quercy's circle of family and friends - his adoring widow, his devoted friends and bereft colleagues - Commandant Morel will soon discover that in this lush land of great beauty and immense darkness, nothing is quite as it seems . . .
A deeply atmospheric crime novel that bristles with truth and deception, secrets and lies: Death in the Rainy Season is a compelling mystery that unravels an exquisitely wrought human tragedy.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2015
5 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Anna Jaquiery
5 books17 followersAnna Jaquiery was born in France 39 years ago and is of French-Indian descent. She has lived in many places, from Russia to New Zealand, due to personal and professional circumstances. She is currently based in Melbourne, Australia. Her stories and poems have appeared in places like Magma, Flashquake, Freefall and the Asia Literary Review. Her poetry collection Sailing Across Hemispheres was published by Flutter Press in June 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 3, 2018
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is a pretty decent murder mystery, with enough subplots, twists and red herrings to keep things interesting. I enjoyed the Cambodian setting and really liked the origami-enthusiast detective, Commandant Morel. I'm not sure this book will stick in my memory for long, but I enjoyed it while it lasted!
This is a pretty decent murder mystery, with enough subplots, twists and red herrings to keep things interesting. I enjoyed the Cambodian setting and really liked the origami-enthusiast detective, Commandant Morel. I'm not sure this book will stick in my memory for long, but I enjoyed it while it lasted!
May 7, 2019
The French detective Morel is enjoying a sort holiday in Cambodia when he is called to assist the local police to investigate the murder of a French ex-pat. Interesting backstories on paedophilia, land grabbing and the state of Cambodia in 2011. The ex-pats are the usual collection of do-gooders and can't-get-a-job-anywhere-else-where-you-can-live-like-royals. The detective seems a nice guy with an interest in origami and the Cambodian people. The setting makes this an above interest contemporary murder mystery.
April 24, 2015
Always a tense time to be reviewing a second book from an author whose debut you absolutely loved. Anna Jaquiery’s haunting debut The Lying Down Room was a joy to read and review, so much so that it was second in my Top Read of 2014, and is one of the books that I most consistently recommend in my day job as a bookseller, when people are looking for a new slice of Euro crime.
Death In The Rainy Season is the next book to feature Jaquiery’s charismatic and thoughtful French detective Commandant Serge Morel, and marks a change of location from France to the hot climes and unique atmosphere of Cambodia, where the modern socio-economic problems of this country are counterbalanced by its spiritual core. Morel is taking a well-earned sojourn after the vents of the previous book, a welcome break from caring for his father who has been diagnosed with Alzheimers, and a chance to further come to terms with a failed relationship. He finds himself unwillingly drawn into a local murder investigation, when the son of a prominent French minister is found murdered in a down-at-heel hotel room. The victim, Hugo Quercy, oversees a local NGO providing charitable support to street children, and is generally a well-regarded figure in the local community, and respected by his colleagues. However, as Morel under pressure from his boss back home, joins forces with local Police Chief Chey Sarit, also enlisting the help of grumpy local medical examiner Sok Pran, it quickly becomes clear that Quercy is not quite the man everyone had perceived him to be, and that the conspiracy behind his murder reaches further than Morel and his cohorts could possibly imagine…
Perhaps my first point of reference for my enjoyment of this book should be an appreciation of Jaquiery’s style of writing. Throughout the novel the sense of serene simplicity that her narrative style evokes in the reader is beautifully evinced not only in her evocation of location, but also through the character of her police protagonist Morel. The multi-dimensional facets of the Cambodian setting are sublimely juxtaposed, as Jaquiery carefully balances not only the deep spiritual core of this intriguing country, with the social ramifications of political corruption and misguided economic policies on the Cambodian populace. Where some authors blatantly crowbar in the depth of their research at the expense of the needs of the plot to keep the reader’s interest, Jaquiery intertwines her social detail simply, adding to the richness of the strong central plot, and I learnt much from the quality of this research.
As Morel becomes immersed in the pulsating and bustling atmosphere of Phnom Penh after his initial calm retreat in Siem Reap with its ancient temples and traditional way of life, the sights and sounds of the city form a vital backdrop to his investigation. Likewise, the change of location impacts on Morel himself, as he wanders deeper into the underbelly of the city, and the pressure of the investigation and the demands of home, begin to unsettle his formerly peaceful equilibrium. He is a mesmerising character throughout and one cannot fail to find him empathetic, morally strong and entirely likeable. As he deals with the wife, friends, and colleagues of the victim, whilst slowly establishing a close working relationship with his Cambodian counterpart Sarit, the strength of his character always stands front and centre. Sarit too was instrumental in my enjoyment of the book, as his initial reticence and secrecy at the beginning of the investigation is slowly broken down by his interaction with Morel, and brings instead a sense of understanding and respect between the two men. We share in their frustrations as the investigation progresses, and I loved the slow reveal of the various dynamics of Quercy’s relationships with the possible suspects, and the gradual unfolding of Quercy’s true character as the man behind the myth.
I really cannot fault Death In The Rainy Season in any way, as it contains so many aspects of human interest, emotion, and intrigue along the way. Not only is it a intelligent and compelling tale of murder and corruption, but the quality of the writing and the evocation of its setting and characters make it a rich, multi-layered and totally rewarding piece of crime fiction. I am singularly impressed once again, as I was with The Lying Down Room, and have no hesitation in wholly recommending this one too.
Death In The Rainy Season is the next book to feature Jaquiery’s charismatic and thoughtful French detective Commandant Serge Morel, and marks a change of location from France to the hot climes and unique atmosphere of Cambodia, where the modern socio-economic problems of this country are counterbalanced by its spiritual core. Morel is taking a well-earned sojourn after the vents of the previous book, a welcome break from caring for his father who has been diagnosed with Alzheimers, and a chance to further come to terms with a failed relationship. He finds himself unwillingly drawn into a local murder investigation, when the son of a prominent French minister is found murdered in a down-at-heel hotel room. The victim, Hugo Quercy, oversees a local NGO providing charitable support to street children, and is generally a well-regarded figure in the local community, and respected by his colleagues. However, as Morel under pressure from his boss back home, joins forces with local Police Chief Chey Sarit, also enlisting the help of grumpy local medical examiner Sok Pran, it quickly becomes clear that Quercy is not quite the man everyone had perceived him to be, and that the conspiracy behind his murder reaches further than Morel and his cohorts could possibly imagine…
Perhaps my first point of reference for my enjoyment of this book should be an appreciation of Jaquiery’s style of writing. Throughout the novel the sense of serene simplicity that her narrative style evokes in the reader is beautifully evinced not only in her evocation of location, but also through the character of her police protagonist Morel. The multi-dimensional facets of the Cambodian setting are sublimely juxtaposed, as Jaquiery carefully balances not only the deep spiritual core of this intriguing country, with the social ramifications of political corruption and misguided economic policies on the Cambodian populace. Where some authors blatantly crowbar in the depth of their research at the expense of the needs of the plot to keep the reader’s interest, Jaquiery intertwines her social detail simply, adding to the richness of the strong central plot, and I learnt much from the quality of this research.
As Morel becomes immersed in the pulsating and bustling atmosphere of Phnom Penh after his initial calm retreat in Siem Reap with its ancient temples and traditional way of life, the sights and sounds of the city form a vital backdrop to his investigation. Likewise, the change of location impacts on Morel himself, as he wanders deeper into the underbelly of the city, and the pressure of the investigation and the demands of home, begin to unsettle his formerly peaceful equilibrium. He is a mesmerising character throughout and one cannot fail to find him empathetic, morally strong and entirely likeable. As he deals with the wife, friends, and colleagues of the victim, whilst slowly establishing a close working relationship with his Cambodian counterpart Sarit, the strength of his character always stands front and centre. Sarit too was instrumental in my enjoyment of the book, as his initial reticence and secrecy at the beginning of the investigation is slowly broken down by his interaction with Morel, and brings instead a sense of understanding and respect between the two men. We share in their frustrations as the investigation progresses, and I loved the slow reveal of the various dynamics of Quercy’s relationships with the possible suspects, and the gradual unfolding of Quercy’s true character as the man behind the myth.
I really cannot fault Death In The Rainy Season in any way, as it contains so many aspects of human interest, emotion, and intrigue along the way. Not only is it a intelligent and compelling tale of murder and corruption, but the quality of the writing and the evocation of its setting and characters make it a rich, multi-layered and totally rewarding piece of crime fiction. I am singularly impressed once again, as I was with The Lying Down Room, and have no hesitation in wholly recommending this one too.
January 17, 2015
So “The Lying Down Room” was one of my favourite debuts of its year, so I was very excited to revisit Serge Morel in the second book in the series – it was absolutely worth the wait, another beautifully written crime novel with a decidedly intriguing main protagonist at the heart of it all.
Here we find Morel on holiday in Cambodia, hoping to reconnect with family, but the brutal murder of a French man finds him thrown into the centre of another mystery. Dealing with the rather eclectic ways of the Cambodian police, local politics and French politices with a distinct lack of resources, this will be a huge challenge.
There are a lot of things to love about this story – not the least of which is the absolutely evocative sense of place Anna Jaquiery brings to her stories. As a snapshot of real life in Cambodia, it is done with a practical eye and a real sense of authenticity that puts you right there with Serge as we see it through his eyes and that of others. There is a beauty and an emotion about it all that pops off the page and gives this a distinct edge when it comes to immersing the reader in the tale being told.
There are some beautifully drawn characters, the mystery itself is intelligent and evocative – this is not so much a rush to judgement or a thrill ride of a tale, but more of a gentle uncovering of the many layers hiding the truth. The lack of resources Morel faces works to give this a more psychological side, this will not be solved by a lucky fingerprint found but by talking to the people involved, knowing them, understanding their motives, feelings and actions. A Russian doll type tale where Morel unlocks one part of Hugo’s life which leads to another then another then eventually to a killer – It is all exquisitely achieved and absolutely addictive.
On top of all that we get some excellent insights into Morel himself as his own story continues, some small peeks back into what is going on in France, so as a book two it works so well, I loved every minute of it and cannot wait to find out what is next.
Overall then a most terrific read. Definitely highly recommended for fans of Literary Crime stories.
Here we find Morel on holiday in Cambodia, hoping to reconnect with family, but the brutal murder of a French man finds him thrown into the centre of another mystery. Dealing with the rather eclectic ways of the Cambodian police, local politics and French politices with a distinct lack of resources, this will be a huge challenge.
There are a lot of things to love about this story – not the least of which is the absolutely evocative sense of place Anna Jaquiery brings to her stories. As a snapshot of real life in Cambodia, it is done with a practical eye and a real sense of authenticity that puts you right there with Serge as we see it through his eyes and that of others. There is a beauty and an emotion about it all that pops off the page and gives this a distinct edge when it comes to immersing the reader in the tale being told.
There are some beautifully drawn characters, the mystery itself is intelligent and evocative – this is not so much a rush to judgement or a thrill ride of a tale, but more of a gentle uncovering of the many layers hiding the truth. The lack of resources Morel faces works to give this a more psychological side, this will not be solved by a lucky fingerprint found but by talking to the people involved, knowing them, understanding their motives, feelings and actions. A Russian doll type tale where Morel unlocks one part of Hugo’s life which leads to another then another then eventually to a killer – It is all exquisitely achieved and absolutely addictive.
On top of all that we get some excellent insights into Morel himself as his own story continues, some small peeks back into what is going on in France, so as a book two it works so well, I loved every minute of it and cannot wait to find out what is next.
Overall then a most terrific read. Definitely highly recommended for fans of Literary Crime stories.
January 17, 2015
The Lying Down Room was one of my favourite books of 2014 so I was really pleased when I received the follow up book to review.
Serge Morel is on holiday in Cambodia when a fellow countryman is found murdered in a hotel room. He is told to cut his holiday short and solve the murder as quickly as possible, with the victim being related to his employer.
He struggles, policing methods are very different in Cambodia than in Paris and he feels that he isn't being told everything by Savit, the policeman who is his contact in Cambodia.
Serge comes across as a loner. Parts of the novel show him trying to build a good relationship with his mother's surviving family. I'm hoping that more about his family are revealed in future novels.
When I read any novel I like to know something about where it takes place. I know nothing at all about Cambodia but it didn't matter. Anna Jaquiery describes it for me perfectly.
Thanks to the publisher for sending the novel for review.
Serge Morel is on holiday in Cambodia when a fellow countryman is found murdered in a hotel room. He is told to cut his holiday short and solve the murder as quickly as possible, with the victim being related to his employer.
He struggles, policing methods are very different in Cambodia than in Paris and he feels that he isn't being told everything by Savit, the policeman who is his contact in Cambodia.
Serge comes across as a loner. Parts of the novel show him trying to build a good relationship with his mother's surviving family. I'm hoping that more about his family are revealed in future novels.
When I read any novel I like to know something about where it takes place. I know nothing at all about Cambodia but it didn't matter. Anna Jaquiery describes it for me perfectly.
Thanks to the publisher for sending the novel for review.
April 22, 2018
This is the second appearance featuring Serge Morel and it sees him cutting short his vacation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to investigate the death of a fellow Frenchman.
His current predicament presents many challenges to say the least. His instructions arrive via telephone courtesy of his superior who wishes Morel to conduct a thorough investigation despite him being in a foreign country where...
a) He could tread on some very delicate toes.
b) Techniques are much slower and ‘relaxed’ than back home.
And finally
c) He is provided with very little assistance from the resident authorities and there are even fewer developments to convey to his boss.
Morel is an interesting character with plenty of hidden depths to explore and the distinctive setting undoubtedly piqued my interest. However, while both held my attention I found they didn’t quite captivate it.
The plot pace and its development were not something I clicked with immediately, although the latter half quickly progressed to a satisfying conclusion. Glad I've tackled this one from my ancient TBR, but I can't see this being a series I will pursue in future.
His current predicament presents many challenges to say the least. His instructions arrive via telephone courtesy of his superior who wishes Morel to conduct a thorough investigation despite him being in a foreign country where...
a) He could tread on some very delicate toes.
b) Techniques are much slower and ‘relaxed’ than back home.
And finally
c) He is provided with very little assistance from the resident authorities and there are even fewer developments to convey to his boss.
Morel is an interesting character with plenty of hidden depths to explore and the distinctive setting undoubtedly piqued my interest. However, while both held my attention I found they didn’t quite captivate it.
The plot pace and its development were not something I clicked with immediately, although the latter half quickly progressed to a satisfying conclusion. Glad I've tackled this one from my ancient TBR, but I can't see this being a series I will pursue in future.
March 18, 2015
One of my most eagerly anticipated reads this year.
"Phnom Penh, Cambodia; the rainy season. When a French man, Hugo Quercy, is found brutally murdered, Commandant Serge Morel finds his holiday drawn to an abrupt halt...Opening his investigation, the Parisian detective soon finds himself buried in one of his most challenging cases yet...A deeply atmospheric crime novel that bristles with truth and deception, secrets and lies: Death in the Rainy Season is a compelling mystery that unravels an exquisitely wrought human tragedy."
I thoroughly enjoyed being reunited with Morel having loved Book 1 - The Lying-Down Room. As well as a superbly plotted story, this time we learn more about Morel's family history but I missed the close involvement and intrigues of his Parisian colleagues.
One of the things I appreciate most about the author's writing style is the way she slowly builds up background and atmosphere with all the characters and weaves them into an intricate plot. This makes her books irresistible and addictive (this is me trying to avoid the word unputdownable).
Death in the Rainy Season could easily be read as a standalone novel - this from a reader who is usually a stickler for reading series in order. I know I won't be the only reader impatiently awaiting the next instalment.
Thank you to the publisher, Mantle, for the advance review copy of the book.
"Phnom Penh, Cambodia; the rainy season. When a French man, Hugo Quercy, is found brutally murdered, Commandant Serge Morel finds his holiday drawn to an abrupt halt...Opening his investigation, the Parisian detective soon finds himself buried in one of his most challenging cases yet...A deeply atmospheric crime novel that bristles with truth and deception, secrets and lies: Death in the Rainy Season is a compelling mystery that unravels an exquisitely wrought human tragedy."
I thoroughly enjoyed being reunited with Morel having loved Book 1 - The Lying-Down Room. As well as a superbly plotted story, this time we learn more about Morel's family history but I missed the close involvement and intrigues of his Parisian colleagues.
One of the things I appreciate most about the author's writing style is the way she slowly builds up background and atmosphere with all the characters and weaves them into an intricate plot. This makes her books irresistible and addictive (this is me trying to avoid the word unputdownable).
Death in the Rainy Season could easily be read as a standalone novel - this from a reader who is usually a stickler for reading series in order. I know I won't be the only reader impatiently awaiting the next instalment.
Thank you to the publisher, Mantle, for the advance review copy of the book.
August 5, 2019
A 3.5 rating that I've rounded up to 4. A decent murder mystery for a rainy day. I liked the Cambodia setting and snippets of history and culture thrown into the storyline. The origami-enthusiast protagonist was also a treat amidst all the gloom of the monsoon-murder narrative. A good one time read, the story doesn't stay with you long after reading, but it's engrossing while you're in it.
May 26, 2015
For the booktrail of the literary locations in the book - link: Booktrail of Death in the Rainy Season
Maybe the setting of Phnom Penh and the rain and the humidity was the reason we wanted to read this, but the crime story and mystery soon took over and threw us into the dark murky waters and alleyways and underbelly of the country. It is monsoon season – the rainy season of the title – so the country is being deluged, homes destroyed and the Mekong River turning into a great flood.
Morel moves from Siem Reap to solve the crime in the city , a murder of a French national, the nephew of a Minister no less, with political implications for all. Cultural differences are important as although Morel is half Khmer himself, in Phnom Penh he is “ .. a tourist, a passing observer, being asked to help solve a murder in a country that remained a mystery to him”.
France meets Cambodia as the two police forces have to work together. Police Chief Sarit is a mystery and he has very different ways of working and thinking than the French. The very different approaches and facilities they have to solve the crime are fascinating as they are hard to accept.
As far as he was concerned this was a straightforward business. It was personal – a settling of accounts between Harang – Westerners.
The sights and sounds of the city buzz vividly in the background as the investigation takes place. As he wanders into the deluge of the city and the underbelly of its darkest corners (the victim was working for an NGO which campaigned in some vital yet controversial areas in the country), Morel and Sarit form a lasting relationship full of frustrations yet also respect despite their obvious differences and the nature of the investigation
Against a backdrop of heavy rains, monsoon downpours, the sights, alley ways, and tuk tuk rides this is a crime which unravels like a Russian doll – one layer pealed back reveals another part of the victim’s life and the role of the NGO but each layer is an issue in itself and reveals more about the country and police and political workings of Phnom Penh, and France.
Bookish musings
I just love the way Anna Jaquiery not only throws you into a thrilling and complex mystery but does it with such panache and vividly evoked settings and cultural nuances. If you though the Lying Down Room was good (which it certainly was) this is going to be another fantastic literary treat to get your teeth into.
The change of location – from the serene temples to the bustling chaos of Phomn Penh brought the mystery of the crime to the fore as the city takes over and swamps Morel in a troubling and complex investigation. Cambodia society and politics are characters in their own right but now Jaquiery weaves this in and out of the narrative is fascinating to see – never does it overtake the plot but enhances it at every step of the way.
This really is a guide to the country in so many ways, an insight into its people and workings. Cambodia is a fascinating place here and its spiritual core and belief system also help to form the bigger picture.
And I have to mention the intriguing character of Morel himself – mesmerising and endlessly fascinating. The developing relationship and understanding between himself and his Cambodian colleague Sarit was intriguing and Sarit’s change from a rather secret man to a more open one as he and Morel investigate the case further. The role and he behind the scenes look into a fictional NGO also provided another level of interest to an already meaty plot
Roll on book three – where will Morel go to and get involved with next? Can. Not. Wait.
November 27, 2019
To me this was an interesting mystery because I know next to nothing about the French colonial presence in Southeast Asia. I've spent time in Thailand early in 1990, but, with regrets, I didn't make it to Cambodia or Vietnam. I am interested in learning more about these beautiful places.
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April 9, 2015Crime mystery set in Phnom Penh
All through September, the rains cause “havoc along the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap Lake, ruining rice crops and destroying houses…”
It is the end of September 2011 and the monsoons are in full swing, the rain blasts across the country, the deluges are regular and insistent. Commandant Serge Morel is taking a well-earned break up in Siem Reap where he is enjoying the wonders of Ta Prohm. Meanwhile, down in Phnom Penh a French national is found brutally murdered, his face unrecognisable, it was a vicious and frenzied attack that left his body slumped against the wall in a hotel.
Morel is summoned to investigate and join forces with local investigating officer, Chey Sarit. He finds himself in an unenviable position, as the Cambodians are pushing for the murderer to be identified within the Western community, they do not want to see one of their own tarnished with the murder of a Westerner. Back in France there is pressure from Morel’s boss to bring the case to a swift conclusion, as the dead man, Hugo Quercy is the nephew of a Minister. Morel is half Khmer yet here he is in Phnom Penh “ .. a tourist, a passing observer, being asked to help solve a murder in a country that remained a mystery to him”.
As Morel delves deeper into Quercy’s life and gets to know his family, friends and work colleagues, he finds a rather murky world on the periphery, in which Quercy seemed to be involved through the NGO he was running – fighting underage child sex, and a personal mission to research the evils of land-grabs/illegal logging. The author is clearly passionate about the iniquitous nature of both, and highlights that over the past 15 years the government has leased nearly half the country’s land to private investors, and that the logging is to make way for rubber and sugar. (She cites: “the casual indifference to people’s rights that I encountered in Cambodia seemed at first extraordinary. But soon it began to appear routine.” Fred Pearce, The Land Grabbers).
With thought and contemplation, Morel cleaves his way through the detection process, and with the odd glass of Otard Cognac to hand, he reflects on individual motives and the broader panoply of life, always mindful of the vagaries of detection by the locals.
Setting is a big character in this book. I could imagine myself sloshing through the monsoon downpours with Commandant Morel, sharing his Tuk Tuk down Sisowath Quay, visiting the Foreign Correspondents Club and observing the local customs. It is hot, it is energy sapping and it is Phnom Penh! Enjoy.
This review first appeared on our blog, together with a great author interview: http://www.tripfiction.com/crime-myst...
All through September, the rains cause “havoc along the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap Lake, ruining rice crops and destroying houses…”
It is the end of September 2011 and the monsoons are in full swing, the rain blasts across the country, the deluges are regular and insistent. Commandant Serge Morel is taking a well-earned break up in Siem Reap where he is enjoying the wonders of Ta Prohm. Meanwhile, down in Phnom Penh a French national is found brutally murdered, his face unrecognisable, it was a vicious and frenzied attack that left his body slumped against the wall in a hotel.
Morel is summoned to investigate and join forces with local investigating officer, Chey Sarit. He finds himself in an unenviable position, as the Cambodians are pushing for the murderer to be identified within the Western community, they do not want to see one of their own tarnished with the murder of a Westerner. Back in France there is pressure from Morel’s boss to bring the case to a swift conclusion, as the dead man, Hugo Quercy is the nephew of a Minister. Morel is half Khmer yet here he is in Phnom Penh “ .. a tourist, a passing observer, being asked to help solve a murder in a country that remained a mystery to him”.
As Morel delves deeper into Quercy’s life and gets to know his family, friends and work colleagues, he finds a rather murky world on the periphery, in which Quercy seemed to be involved through the NGO he was running – fighting underage child sex, and a personal mission to research the evils of land-grabs/illegal logging. The author is clearly passionate about the iniquitous nature of both, and highlights that over the past 15 years the government has leased nearly half the country’s land to private investors, and that the logging is to make way for rubber and sugar. (She cites: “the casual indifference to people’s rights that I encountered in Cambodia seemed at first extraordinary. But soon it began to appear routine.” Fred Pearce, The Land Grabbers).
With thought and contemplation, Morel cleaves his way through the detection process, and with the odd glass of Otard Cognac to hand, he reflects on individual motives and the broader panoply of life, always mindful of the vagaries of detection by the locals.
Setting is a big character in this book. I could imagine myself sloshing through the monsoon downpours with Commandant Morel, sharing his Tuk Tuk down Sisowath Quay, visiting the Foreign Correspondents Club and observing the local customs. It is hot, it is energy sapping and it is Phnom Penh! Enjoy.
This review first appeared on our blog, together with a great author interview: http://www.tripfiction.com/crime-myst...
January 16, 2015
Death in the Rainy Season is the second novel in the Commandant Serge Morel series but true to form I haven't yet read the first book, The Lying-Down room. It's always a concern when reading subsequent books in a series without having read the first, do I need prior knowledge of the characters for this book to make sense? Thankfully in the case of Death in the Rainy Season the answer is no and while I intend to read the first book now I felt this one can be read and enjoyed as a standalone book as well as part of a series.
Set in Cambodia, the story begins with a break-in and we almost immediately learn there has been a murder, the house-breaker knew the victim but at this point we don't know if he was responsible for his death. We soon find out the victim was Hugo Quercy, a Frenchman working for a NGO, Kids at Risk. Crucially he was the nephew of the French Interior Minister who is concerned there may be a political scandal and so Commandant Morel, currently holidaying in the country his mother was born in, is reluctantly brought in to assist on the case.
Death in the Rainy Season isn't a heart-racing thriller, instead what we're given is a novel superbly crafted to slowly remove the layers as secrets and lies are gradually revealed. Often dark and with an uncompromising look at the seedier side of life it's a deeper and ultimately more fulfilling book, one to immerse yourself in, with its vivid descriptions of Cambodia and in particular Phnom Penh. It's more than just a crime novel, exploring as it does the effects of Pol Pot's brutal regime, both on families who lived through it and those who managed to flee. If I have any criticism it would be that perhaps the subplot was tied up a little too easily, I'd have liked a little more tension there first. However, this is only a minor gripe and this is a compelling novel I thoroughly enjoyed.
With many thanks to Sam Eades and Mantle, an imprint of Pan Macmillan for my ARC, Death in the Rainy Season will be published in the UK on 9th April 2015.
Set in Cambodia, the story begins with a break-in and we almost immediately learn there has been a murder, the house-breaker knew the victim but at this point we don't know if he was responsible for his death. We soon find out the victim was Hugo Quercy, a Frenchman working for a NGO, Kids at Risk. Crucially he was the nephew of the French Interior Minister who is concerned there may be a political scandal and so Commandant Morel, currently holidaying in the country his mother was born in, is reluctantly brought in to assist on the case.
Death in the Rainy Season isn't a heart-racing thriller, instead what we're given is a novel superbly crafted to slowly remove the layers as secrets and lies are gradually revealed. Often dark and with an uncompromising look at the seedier side of life it's a deeper and ultimately more fulfilling book, one to immerse yourself in, with its vivid descriptions of Cambodia and in particular Phnom Penh. It's more than just a crime novel, exploring as it does the effects of Pol Pot's brutal regime, both on families who lived through it and those who managed to flee. If I have any criticism it would be that perhaps the subplot was tied up a little too easily, I'd have liked a little more tension there first. However, this is only a minor gripe and this is a compelling novel I thoroughly enjoyed.
With many thanks to Sam Eades and Mantle, an imprint of Pan Macmillan for my ARC, Death in the Rainy Season will be published in the UK on 9th April 2015.
July 21, 2015
What an outstanding book. After reading her first novel - The Lying Down Room, I was looking forward so much for more. This book delivered in many levels. The atmosphere, the descriptive writing and the plot was outstanding. Not just a great crime book, this also delves into fantastic literary fiction. For her second novel, Anna is a talent to look out for. Highly recommend.
January 3, 2018
I can't praise this novel enough. Everything about it is finely done, from the intriguing and complex main character to the steamy, atmospheric backdrop of Cambodia as well as the satisfying mystery itself. Outstanding.
January 19, 2020
I had some problems when I read the first Commandant Morel mystery, The Lying Down Room, but I'm happy to say that this second book didn't have them. Well, her, to be precise. I strongly disliked the character of Lila Markov, so I was thrilled that she stayed behind in Paris. With Miss High and Mighty out of the way, I could settle down to enjoy the book.
I liked the depiction of Phnom Penh during its monsoon season, and I learned a bit about the Khmer Rouge as I tried to solve the mystery. Morel, in the homeland of his deceased mother, is much more relaxed here and doesn't resort to his hobby of origami nearly as often as he did in the first book.
In Death in the Rainy Season, the whodunit is rather easy to solve. At least it was for me. It's the eternal "Why?" that kept my little grey cells confused. All in all, the setting and the mystery are strong reasons to read this second Morel book. I wonder if there will be a third?
I liked the depiction of Phnom Penh during its monsoon season, and I learned a bit about the Khmer Rouge as I tried to solve the mystery. Morel, in the homeland of his deceased mother, is much more relaxed here and doesn't resort to his hobby of origami nearly as often as he did in the first book.
In Death in the Rainy Season, the whodunit is rather easy to solve. At least it was for me. It's the eternal "Why?" that kept my little grey cells confused. All in all, the setting and the mystery are strong reasons to read this second Morel book. I wonder if there will be a third?
September 16, 2019
I loved this book. Mainly for its setting in Phnom Penh, a rainy, sultry, moist place in daylight and drippingly hard to penetrate at night. I loved Commandant Serge Morel, a detective sent from Paris to investigate the death of a French national. Serge has a Cambodian mother, French father. He’s highly skilled in origami, folding paper without effort in a way reminiscent of Poirot using his little grey cells. The plot is interesting although it runs a little bit out of puff just before the end. The author is of French/Malaysian descent, has lived and worked all over the world but now she lives in Melbourne. That was the icing on the cake of my appreciation of this book.
September 30, 2023
I really like Death in the Rainy Season!
I didn't give it 5 stars because the plot felt very rushed in the last couple chapters and the reveals of the mystery seemed wrapped up too quick but it was so interesting otherwise!
The thing i most liked about it was the setting and the style of writing. The book seemed to almost lull me into the city it was set in and i really enjoyed all of the descriptions of both the people and the places. The writing style as well was good because it didn't try too hard to be to fancy. I think murder mysteries are always best when they are presented closer to the style of a case than too flowery and this had the perfect presentation.
I didn't give it 5 stars because the plot felt very rushed in the last couple chapters and the reveals of the mystery seemed wrapped up too quick but it was so interesting otherwise!
The thing i most liked about it was the setting and the style of writing. The book seemed to almost lull me into the city it was set in and i really enjoyed all of the descriptions of both the people and the places. The writing style as well was good because it didn't try too hard to be to fancy. I think murder mysteries are always best when they are presented closer to the style of a case than too flowery and this had the perfect presentation.
February 20, 2018
Interesting book set in a city completely foreign to me, Phnom Penh. With different approaches to solving crime, it is a French detective on holiday who speaks French and Khmer who is requisitioned to discovering why a french subject was murdered.
March 24, 2019
I’d give a 3.5 stars .... a good solid read with a brooding lead character .. plenty of twists and paths to lead the reader in various directions ... will be interesting to see how book three in the series develops
February 5, 2021
It’s a good book. Well drawn characters, a real feeling for place (Cambodia, this time), and a nice little mystery with enough red herrings to keep things interesting. But. It is a rather depressing read. Sad people leading sad and complicated lives.
February 27, 2025
Serge Morel is on holiday in Cambodia (his mother’s birthplace). He is ordered to Phnom Penh to investigate the death of Hugo Quercy. Head of an aid organisation there are a lot of suspects. The past and the present, both for the country and the characters are intertwined.
December 17, 2018
I absolutely loved it and am currently reading the author's first novel!
February 5, 2020
Another good one from Anna. I liked the continuity of Sergeant Morel, but in a different environment. The background and history of Cambodia is an interesting addition to the mystery. I liked it.
March 1, 2021
An excellent page turning slow burner. Full of carefully illustrated characters and locales.
May 16, 2021
Excellent crime novel with interesting quirky characters, set in atmospherically wet and hectic Cambodia where memories of genocide linger.
September 12, 2021
I don’t like it
February 26, 2022
Cool and scary
March 10, 2025
Wonderful
October 27, 2025
A straightforward, fast-paced thriller. Fun.
April 20, 2015
Thanks to Anna Jaquiery, Sophie Orme, Sam Eades & PanMacmillan for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m normally really boring when it comes to the books I tend to choose. I like books set in a few choice locations (boring alert: England, USA) and I have a horrible habit of sticking pretty rigidly to that. But I really am trying to be better, so when I saw Death in the Rainy Season (would you look at the awesome colours on that cover??) I figured this would be the perfect chance for me to try something new.
Death in the Rainy Season follows Parisian detective Commandant Serge Morel, beginning when his holiday is cut short, as he investigates the murder of the well-connected and well-meaning Hugo Quercy. Anna Jaquiery does a fantastic job of capturing the atmosphere of Phnom Penh, of Cambodia, of some place more colourful and interesting than I have ever been to, which was an excellent introduction to novels not set in countries I’ve visited. This plot of the novel is carefully laid out, with an ending that is not surprising yet still satisfying, and with characters that seem sturdy and consistent – always something I look for in a novel.
What I liked:
1. Setting
Yep, you got me on this one! I loved the setting. It was so oppressive and beautiful at the same time; the endlessly heavy rains make everything seem closed in and at once more vibrant, and we get a real sense of Cambodia through Morel as a sort of outsider. Jaquiery gives readers a glimpse into the secret lives of her characters through these heavy rains – we see some people love the weather and some can’t stand it, and I’m always one for pathetic fallacy so this was something I loved.
Jaquiery does a fabulous job of instilling a sense of vibrancy throughout the whole novel, so when any of her characters is without this vibrancy, whether due to depression or grief etc., it becomes all the more obvious. It’s fantastic. I got a real buzz reading this novel, and I have to admit I may have been bitten by the travel bug…
2. Description
As I said about setting, Jaquiery really is an accomplished writer. Her descriptions are fabulous, really building the novel for me. To be honest, the plot could have been much less interesting and I think I would have still enjoyed the novel, all because a few choice words from our author had me drooling about the things you can do with the English language. Awesome!
3. Characters
All of these characters felt like complete people to me. They weren’t constructs to forward plot or provide conflict – they were real people. And this is something I feel like we writers always struggle with, so hats off to you Author! Good job with this one. I felt like I was peeking into peoples’ lives, which of course appealed to the voyeur in me (and all of you, too, I imagine). It really is wonderful to find a novelist who can truly make me believe in their characters. I know for a fact that Morel is out there right now, somewhere in the world, sipping coffee and thinking hard, and that’s kind of spooky.
What I didn’t like:
1. POV
One of the few things I had difficulty with in this novel was the point of view, and the number of characters who are given narrative space. This might just be because I was reading the second novel in the series without having read the first, but for me there was a lot of jumping around between different characters’ thoughts. It was all very well written, and definitely not a problem, it’s just that the novel became a bit disjointed because of this. I didn’t get enough of an introduction to Morel early on because we were busy hopping between the other characters for the sake of plot.
However I definitely appreciated this character insight as the novel progressed because it gave me, as a reader, a good chance to figure out the crime for myself, and I did enjoy seeing into the minds of all of these very different personalities. I’ll reserve judgement about this in its entirety until I’ve had a thumb through the first novel, but a bit more Morel earlier on would have cemented my love for him right away.
In any case, I enjoyed this novel a lot. I’m ready to return to my comfort zone of UK/US-centric books now, but the good experience has opened me up to more settings in the future, so that’s a WIN!
I’m normally really boring when it comes to the books I tend to choose. I like books set in a few choice locations (boring alert: England, USA) and I have a horrible habit of sticking pretty rigidly to that. But I really am trying to be better, so when I saw Death in the Rainy Season (would you look at the awesome colours on that cover??) I figured this would be the perfect chance for me to try something new.
Death in the Rainy Season follows Parisian detective Commandant Serge Morel, beginning when his holiday is cut short, as he investigates the murder of the well-connected and well-meaning Hugo Quercy. Anna Jaquiery does a fantastic job of capturing the atmosphere of Phnom Penh, of Cambodia, of some place more colourful and interesting than I have ever been to, which was an excellent introduction to novels not set in countries I’ve visited. This plot of the novel is carefully laid out, with an ending that is not surprising yet still satisfying, and with characters that seem sturdy and consistent – always something I look for in a novel.
What I liked:
1. Setting
Yep, you got me on this one! I loved the setting. It was so oppressive and beautiful at the same time; the endlessly heavy rains make everything seem closed in and at once more vibrant, and we get a real sense of Cambodia through Morel as a sort of outsider. Jaquiery gives readers a glimpse into the secret lives of her characters through these heavy rains – we see some people love the weather and some can’t stand it, and I’m always one for pathetic fallacy so this was something I loved.
Jaquiery does a fabulous job of instilling a sense of vibrancy throughout the whole novel, so when any of her characters is without this vibrancy, whether due to depression or grief etc., it becomes all the more obvious. It’s fantastic. I got a real buzz reading this novel, and I have to admit I may have been bitten by the travel bug…
2. Description
As I said about setting, Jaquiery really is an accomplished writer. Her descriptions are fabulous, really building the novel for me. To be honest, the plot could have been much less interesting and I think I would have still enjoyed the novel, all because a few choice words from our author had me drooling about the things you can do with the English language. Awesome!
3. Characters
All of these characters felt like complete people to me. They weren’t constructs to forward plot or provide conflict – they were real people. And this is something I feel like we writers always struggle with, so hats off to you Author! Good job with this one. I felt like I was peeking into peoples’ lives, which of course appealed to the voyeur in me (and all of you, too, I imagine). It really is wonderful to find a novelist who can truly make me believe in their characters. I know for a fact that Morel is out there right now, somewhere in the world, sipping coffee and thinking hard, and that’s kind of spooky.
What I didn’t like:
1. POV
One of the few things I had difficulty with in this novel was the point of view, and the number of characters who are given narrative space. This might just be because I was reading the second novel in the series without having read the first, but for me there was a lot of jumping around between different characters’ thoughts. It was all very well written, and definitely not a problem, it’s just that the novel became a bit disjointed because of this. I didn’t get enough of an introduction to Morel early on because we were busy hopping between the other characters for the sake of plot.
However I definitely appreciated this character insight as the novel progressed because it gave me, as a reader, a good chance to figure out the crime for myself, and I did enjoy seeing into the minds of all of these very different personalities. I’ll reserve judgement about this in its entirety until I’ve had a thumb through the first novel, but a bit more Morel earlier on would have cemented my love for him right away.
In any case, I enjoyed this novel a lot. I’m ready to return to my comfort zone of UK/US-centric books now, but the good experience has opened me up to more settings in the future, so that’s a WIN!
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