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A review by stephaniereads
The Black Jersey by Jorge Zepeda Patterson
4.0
Thanks to Random House for the free copy!
Sometime in my young reading life, I realized that as long as an author wrote well and compellingly, I'd read and enjoy their book. This has led me to books on the ocean, fishing, hotels, the history of science - things I never gave much thought to until a writer made me see it through their eyes. Now I can add professional cycling to this list!
Before I read this, my understanding of the Tour de France was this: People race on bikes in France. Something about Lance Armstrong. The End. But now I learned all about how there's a team leader, and support riders (domestiques), and that most of the riders stay in a group called the peloton, and how riders conserve energy by taking turns at the front. I have zero interest in any kind of sport but this was just thrilling and fascinating - a glimpse into another world.
All this to say - what a fun, immersive thriller! One cyclist in the Tour de France a murderer, another cyclist enlisted to play detective. There's intrigue among the racers, personal histories that go deep, all playing out during each stage of the competition and after hours. A fresh and exciting (as in I forgot to breathe during the last 30 pages) addition to the genre. Bonus points for no unreliable wispy female narrators or violence against women.
Sometime in my young reading life, I realized that as long as an author wrote well and compellingly, I'd read and enjoy their book. This has led me to books on the ocean, fishing, hotels, the history of science - things I never gave much thought to until a writer made me see it through their eyes. Now I can add professional cycling to this list!
Before I read this, my understanding of the Tour de France was this: People race on bikes in France. Something about Lance Armstrong. The End. But now I learned all about how there's a team leader, and support riders (domestiques), and that most of the riders stay in a group called the peloton, and how riders conserve energy by taking turns at the front. I have zero interest in any kind of sport but this was just thrilling and fascinating - a glimpse into another world.
All this to say - what a fun, immersive thriller! One cyclist in the Tour de France a murderer, another cyclist enlisted to play detective. There's intrigue among the racers, personal histories that go deep, all playing out during each stage of the competition and after hours. A fresh and exciting (as in I forgot to breathe during the last 30 pages) addition to the genre. Bonus points for no unreliable wispy female narrators or violence against women.