He who fights with monsters must take care lest he thereby becomes a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

-Friedrich Nietzsche

Seven Days was written by Quebec author Patrick Senecal. I read the English translation by Howard Scott and Phyllis Arnoff. It is the story of a man, Bruno, whose seven-year-old daughter is raped and murdered. Her killer is quickly found and freely admits his guilt. He shows no remorse, even seems smug about it. Bruno decides that there can be no justice through the courts that is severe enough for this monster and sets out to get his own revenge. But as he enacts his own form of justice on the monster, he finds himself also becoming one.

Okay, I have to say I really found this a hard book to get through, never mind review. This is my first book by Senecal and I wish I had been more prepared for what to expect. Don't get me wrong, it is well-written and a compelling tale plus I always like finding new Canadian authors. But... there are parts of the story that are very (and I mean VERY) graphic. The story is divided between Bruno's actions and the police detective who tries to find him and it was really this second character that kept me reading. I found myself putting the book down frequently and eventually just skipping over large chunks of Bruno's tale. This is definitely not a book for everyone but I would recommend it with this one strong caveat - if you do decide to read it, be prepared for some extremely graphic and disturbing scenes of torture.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the opportunity to rad this book in exchange for an honest review ( )

Patrick Senécal is a bestselling French-Canadian author whose novel Seven Days, first published in the early 2000s, has been translated to English by Howard Scott and Phyllis Aronoff for publication Jan. 1/19. His writing style has been compared to Stephen King's. The book deals with a tragedy that happens to Dr. Bruno Hamel and his partner Sylvie: their young daughter Jasmine is brutally murdered. Dr. Hamel's overwhelming grief takes over and leads him to kidnapping the man responsible in order to avenge Jasmine's murder. The chase is now on with the police lead by Detective Mercure. The plot is difficult for the reader who must decide which man is the real criminal. It is a tense and often gory read but it is one heck of a ride. It is hoped that more of Patrick Senécal's novels will be translated. He is an author to be discovered by an English audience. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Original title: “Sept Jours du Talion”

This new acquisition by Simon & Schuster was recently translated into English the original French version came out in 2002 and in 2010 was adapted for cinema by Podz. Why I am mentioning this? Simple… I have a soft spot for Canadian authors and even more for those living in my Province (Québec) and near my city. I haven’t read any books from Mr. Senécal before and I am grateful for the publisher as well as Netgalleys for introducing me to a wonderful writer. Thank you for the ARC.

Stephen King may be the king of horror in the USA but in Québec Patrick Senécal is the local master of horror and has had the opportunity on many occasions to prove that he had earned his nobility. It is great time that the English audience have a chance to read his novels. Mr. Senécal has won my heart and is now on my watch list.

A warning: this story is extremely graphic and not for the faint of heart.

In a few words:

“Seven Days" tells the story of the kidnapping and torture of a sexual predator by the father of one of his victims. It also follows the police investigation to bring the criminal to justice which also raises several ethical questions, especially since the father's gesture is applauded by the public.

This story is about revenge, which takes place over ten days, including the seven days during which the main character, Bruno Hamel, a surgeon by profession, takes revenge without mercy on the one who annihilated the existence of his daughter and, by extension, his. It doesn’t take long before this story takes fantasies of a horror novel. The plot imagined by Mr. Senécal is of a rare intensity, and the detailed descriptions make some bloody scenes very difficult to read. It is impossible to accuse the author of displaying gratuitous violence, because each of the gestures of Bruno Hamel, we feel, is provoked by the intense madness that has seized him. Being in his shoes, I imagine we would wish having the guts to do the same.

Furthermore this novel touches two very sensitive issues: child safety and the right of victims to fight back. Regardless of our opinion on the subject, it is impossible to remain indifferent to the drama unfolding before our eyes. This story is still strong in my mind and will be there for some time…..

“Seven Days” is very well-written and is played by a cast of strong characters. Excellent read and an outstanding page-turner. ( )

Il s'appelle Bruno Hamel, il a trente-huit ans et il est chirurgien. Avec sa petite famille - Sylvie, sa conjointe, et Jasmine, sa fille de sept ans -, il habite Drummondville et, comme tous les gens heureux, il n'a pas vraiment d'histoire. Jusqu'à ce que Jasmine, par un bel après-midi d'automne, soit violée et assassinée. Dès lors, l'univers de la famille Hamel bascule. Mais lorsque la police arrête le meurtrier, un terrible projet germe dans l'esprit enténébré de Bruno : il va s'emparer du monstre et lui faire payer ce qu'il a fait à sa petite fille. Le jour de la comparution du meurtrier, Hamel, qui a minutieusement préparé son coup, kidnappe le monstre, puis transmet aux autorités policières un message laconique : celui qui a violé et tué sa petite tille va souffrir pendant sept jours, après quoi il sera exécuté. Ensuite seulement, lui-même se rendra. Les Sept Jours du talion : un suspense d'une rare intensité dont personne - et surtout pas le lecteur ! - ne sort indemne.

C'est un livre qui est difficile à mettre de côté une fois qu'on a entrepris sa lecture.
Dans le monde où l'on vit présentement il relativement facile de s'identifier au personnage principal de ce livre (le père) et de comprendre ses sentiments.
N'est pas à conseiller si vous avez le coeur sensible. ( )