... extraordinary ... The build-up of paranoia is exquisite as Moreau must wrestle with his conflicting feelings in light of the evidence he uncovers, even as he strives to fulfill the competing burdens of trust placed upon him by the people he loves and/or respects. Add to this the high-pressure stakes of the Tour de France, and you have a brilliant suspense novel that will please both mystery and cycling enthusiasts alike ... I consider myself both, but even casual fans will be impressed with the way the author draws the reader into the world of competitive cycling. I knew it was a life of ascetic athleticism and dedication, but Mr. Zepeda Patterson shines a light too on the sacrifices, ambitions, and chivalry of the people you rarely read featured in the sports pages. His knowledge of cycling blends so well with his skill at writing a murder mystery that this feels like a book you shouldn’t miss if you have any interest at all in sports or in crime fiction.
Readers looking for fast-paced, page-turning suspense and intrigue need look no farther ... Patterson, whose work is aptly translated by award-winning writer Achy Obejas, mixes edge-of-your-seat racing action with dark suspense, all leading up to a surprising finale. Race out to get this one.
It’s a bit of a stretch for a professional racer like Moreau to compete for 23 days covering 2,000 miles at the top level while expending energy on the investigation (and spending nights with his lover, Fiona Crowley, a mechanic and International Cycling Union, but the fast pace and numerous plot twists will keep readers in suspense until the end, when the cyclists cross the finish line at the Champs-Élysées.
... a winner of a novel that’s all about winning—and the cost of losing ... engages us in the psychological factors crucial for the sport and thus the story ... In several ways, as other reviewers have noted, Marc and the story set in bicycle racing resemble Dick Francis’s heroes in their tales about horse racing ... Chances are good that Francis fans will enjoy this novel to the same degree. So will adventure and mystery fans of many stripes. Cycling fans, of course, will appreciate it best because they’ll understand the nuances and know some of the hardships personally. And anyone who just likes a good story with solid characters and intense human drama will enjoy it, too ... This ability to satisfy multiple audiences while presenting something fresh makes The Black Jersey a definite winner.
... thrilling ... boasts as many twists and turns as the treacherous bicycle race that winds through the Alps and the Pyrenees ... This meticulously plotted novel about riders willing to die—and possibly kill—to win cycling’s biggest race will have readers guessing until the very last page. Patterson should win a wider American audience with this outing.
