Lots of love and some ashes

Lucia, a four-month pregnant student, Hortense, a forty-something dealing with a blackmailer, Josephine and Arsène, an eccentric retired couple, and Max, who has the strange job of "scattering the ashes" of the deceased, should never have met.

But they all received the same invitation, as exciting as it was unexpected, for a mysterious treasure hunt across California.

All five find themselves on the tarmac of San Francisco airport, where Jim, their guide, welcomes them. Very quickly, details start to go wrong. And this journey, which was supposed to be a dream getaway, turns out to be much more unsettling than expected.

A new novel of great intensity, with a poignant ending.

✨ Review from the Librairie du Grimoire Ancien

Julien Sandrel delivers here a polyphonic novel of rare narrative mastery. The author brilliantly orchestrates the improbable encounter of five wounded souls, weaving their destinies into a plot that skillfully oscillates between an initiatory road trip and a psychological thriller. The strength of this narrative lies in its ability to explore the intricacies of guilt and forgiveness without ever falling into pathos. Sandrel employs a sensitive and precise writing style, where each character gradually reveals their flaws with touching authenticity. The Californian setting, far from being a mere backdrop, becomes the stage for an existential quest where suspense is fueled as much by past secrets as by future revelations. A profoundly human novel that questions our relationship with redemption and second chances, carried by a narrative structure as ingenious as it is moving. A captivating read that confirms Sandrel's talent for stories that resonate long after the last page.

Suspense, emotion, in-depth portraits, there's no denying it: Julien Sandrel knows his craft and keeps us on the edge of our seats! Biba.

The author delves with his sensitive style into the theme of guilt and resilience. Marie France.