Moon in a Dead Eye

Garnier (1949–2010) packs humor, insights into aging, and a darkly pessimistic assessment of mankind into this slender crime novel, his third to be published in the U.S. this year (after How’s the Pain? and The Panda Theory). Martial and Odette Sudre are the first residents to occupy a home in the new, extravagantly advertised retirement community Les Conviviales in southern France. Months go by before a second couple, Maxime and Marlène Node, arrive, and they are followed by Léa, a single woman. The only staff consists of gruff gardener/watchman Gérard Flesh and social director Nadine Touchard. The foibles and secrets of the mismatched residents and staff members begin to reveal themselves almost immediately, and the (mis)perceived threat posed by the arrival of nearby gypsy caravans turns folly into disaster. Garnier’s sly, cynical take on life after retirement will strike a chord with readers of every age. [em](Aug.) [/em]