Alex by Pierre Lemaitre

Alex is a psychological thriller novel by Pierre Lemaitre. The story follows the abduction of a young woman named Alex Prévost, who is held captive by a sadistic kidnapper. The novel alternates between the perspectives of Alex and her captor as the police race against time to locate her before it’s too late.

Published in 2011, Alex was a critical and commercial success in France and later won the prestigious CWA International Dagger Award for Best Translated Crime Novel in 2013. The novel is known for its intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and twist ending that has been described as both shocking and emotionally impactful. The book is the first in a series featuring the character of Commandant Camille Verhoeven, a police detective who plays a key role in Alex’s rescue.