Chastity Riley, a silent thriller heroine who speaks to us so much
Invented by the German Simone Buchholz, she is one of the most beautiful characters in noir novels that we have come across recently. The tender heart under the bark, raw formwork, the German prosecutor skims the bars of Hamburg, while observing the world with her sharp eye.
We do not immediately guess that we are going to love her very much, Chastity Riley. At first glance, it is more of the sea urchin type, in a circle on itself, all prickles outside. Her voice is hoarse, a competitive smoker's voice, the growl always in ambush, the verb with a knife. And then very quickly we are seduced by the look so lively behind the scowling mask, her skin-deep sensitivity, her desperate lucidity that she wears like a cross. Prosecutor Chastity Riley is one of the most beautiful characters that we have come across in recent times in the thriller. Its creator, the German Simone Buchholz, has already published, in her country, a dozen of her increasingly successful investigations. Only three have been translated into French but they are enough to make us look forward to the next episode. Because they are good thrillers, of course, but above all to hear from Chastity.
Like her author, she lives in Hamburg, precisely in Sankt Pauli, the red light district, that of partygoers, bars and nightclubs. Chastity is a nocturnal bird, she is at home in the dark streets, she feels safe there, less alone and stronger. And then, “at night, in the streets, the nearest bar is never far away”. Bars are like beacons in Chastity's life, landmarks and refuges. “She drinks like a guy,” says her friend Carla, not afraid to drink alone, even if she does not refuse, on occasion, “drink partners” like others dance partners. And if one of them asks her if she has a good reason to get drunk, she will cut it short with a "no more than usual" swung around like a slap.
This article is for subscribers only
1€ the first month
Included in the subscription:
Already a subscriber?Sign in
Discover all our offers
