Conventional writing wisdom has a lot to say about guns and dogs. Apparently, Nicolas Mathieu only skimmed the memo when it came to writing this slickly noirish psychological thriller because, by the end of the first chapter, its titular character, Rose, has purchased a gun and shot a dog. That’s certainly one way to kick off a love affair.
Middle aged and all but given up on love, Rose is in her favourite bar when Luc stumbles in carrying his injured pet. The poor thing can’t be saved so Rose does the humane thing. The two then settle into a comfortable arrangement that may or may not be a relationship.
However, something is amiss. Luc, for all his charm, is controlling; subtly at first then with increasing force. For the most part Rose submits, even comforting him for his lack of performance in bed. Impotence is one hell of a motivator, though, and Luc becomes outright abusive. A war of sorts simmers. It’s only a matter of time. Mathieu deftly controls the tension, with an eye on Chekov’s dictum.
When the final gunshot comes, it will genuinely blow you away. Brilliant.
Rose Royal by Nicolas Mathieu (Tr. Sam Taylor)
Other Press, 2022
84 pages