Karine Giebel, France’s “Queen of Crime Fiction,” Marks Two Decades with New Short Story Collection
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A new collection of short stories, I Like Your Fear, arriving November 27, celebrates the 20-year career of Karine Giebel, a leading voice in French crime fiction. With over 2 million readers captivated by her 15 bestselling novels, Giebel continues to explore the complex intersections of tension, humanity, and darkness in her work.
From Lawyer to Literary Star
Giebel’s path to becoming a celebrated author was not a direct one. Prior to dedicating herself fully to literature in 2015, she practiced law within the Toulon Provence Méditerranée urban community, leading a double life as a writer by night. She explained to journalists that she waited until her book sales provided a stable income before making the leap. “I didn’t even think it would happen to me one day,” she stated. “I waited until my sales allowed me to eat every day.” This commitment to artistic integrity, refusing to be pressured into producing work solely for financial reasons, underscores her dedication to the craft.
A New Collection: I Like Your Fear
The upcoming release of I Like Your Fear offers both longtime fans and newcomers a compelling entry point into Giebel’s literary universe. The collection comprises 14 intense and profound short stories, allowing readers to quickly immerse themselves in her signature style. As the author explains, these stories span a range of genres, from “thrillers” to “committed stories” and “black social chronicles.”
These narratives delve into the lives of individuals grappling with despair, the darkest aspects of the human condition, and societal fractures. Readers can expect striking portrayals of resilience, bravery, and the powerful forces of love amidst challenging circumstances. One reader on Babelio described the stories as “Every story pierces you (revenge, harassment, humiliation, poverty, war, domestic violence, disability, seclusion, kidnapping, old age, etc.) and the falls are unpredictable and therefore explosive.” Another simply stated, “One of the only ones to give me shivers and make me forget where I am.”
Looking Ahead: The Novel Acid
In addition to the release of I Like Your Fear, Giebel has announced her next full-length novel, Acid. Originally slated for release in late 2025, the publication date has been moved to 2026 to allow the author the necessary time and focus to complete the project. This decision reflects Giebel’s unwavering commitment to delivering a high-quality work that meets her exacting standards and the expectations of her devoted readership.
