The Enigmatic Journey Through "The Dead Realm": Unveiling the Intricacies of Grange's Novel

When Chief Homicide Officer Stephane Corso is assigned to investigate a series of stripper murders, he is unaware of the complex psyche of the killer or the dark world he is about to enter. The investigation leads him to a controversial past and a Goya enthusiast painter: Philippe Sobieski. The duel between the painter and Corso turns into a cat-and-mouse game in the labyrinth of the worlds of pornography and sadomasochism. The master of suspense, Grange, embarks on a journey to explore the hidden corners of human nature in the realm of the dead...

You are evil.

You are a killer.

You are a pervert.

Your blood is putrid, poisonous, and rotten, just like your nature.

Quotes from "The Dead Realm":

"There was no truth, only accepted lies."

"Bad ideas are like bad habits. Once a person falls for those ideas, they can't escape from them."

"Until you believe you are the owner of the universe, I will bring you colorful flowers from the mountains, bellflowers, hazelnut flowers. I want to do with you what spring does with cherry trees."

"As always, the police were witnessing justice slipping through their fingers—more like the urine that gushes out rather than sand slipping through the fingers."

"Immoral behavior is found in those who restrain themselves, introverted individuals. Morality, rather than immorality, forms evil."

"You can educate a psychopath. But in the end, you get a well-trained psychopath."

"The Death Realm" Review - Personal Comments:

When I saw that a new book was released in 2018, I sighed and thought, "Ah, here we go again, waiting for the translation." Even though we don't enjoy this waiting, we're obliged to, of course. (Those who know are aware that the announcement process for Grangé's books can be quite agonizing.) But once again, it was an excellent translation, and the wait was worth it. It didn't disappoint; it satisfied. Now, let's get to the plot of the book, of course, no spoilers! No to anything that will spoil surprises or ruin the enjoyment! Chief Corso and his team at the Homicide Bureau take on the task of investigating a series of stripper murders. The killer has targeted employees of a strip club and brutally murdered them using unconventional methods. Corso's investigation leads to intriguing results, and he crosses paths with a former convict turned artist, Sobieski. Sobieski's supposed paintings evoke the style of the famous artist Francisco Goya. What a resemblance! What is the connection between the murdered girls and the artist? Will Corso succeed in his duel with the artist? Will the secret of the victims, who encounter real, pure evil, be unraveled? The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, the author vividly describes the murders. As readers, we delve into the details of the murders and wonder where it will lead. The second part introduces us to the realm of evil and Goya. While reading, I found myself wanting to research the paintings. The third part, as usual with Grangé's novels, surprises us, leads us down unexpected paths, and provides the typical Grangé thrill. I also want to mention a similarity that caught my attention in the book. I believe that the author was influenced by the story of Walter Richard Sickert, a suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders. The paintings, the investigations somehow evoked that feeling in me. The murders of prostitutes, as in the case of Karíndeşen Jack, are presented here as stripper murders. I don't know, but Sickert was the first thing that came to my mind... I had another Grangé novel in my hands that I read with excitement and curiosity in every chapter. I was surprised, I flipped the pages with amazement. There was a moment of stillness, but I knew that the Land of the Dead would come alive again! Doubt never ended, the end of blood and death was endless. But the book had an ending, and what an ending it was! To all my fellow Grangé enthusiasts, you will read this with pleasure and delight!

Wishing You Enjoyable Reading in Advance.