Pars vite et reviens tard

French novelist Fred Vargas (female) is adapted for film here.

In this case, the flaws of the film are a reflection of the film maker rather than the source material.

The lead playing Adamsberg is a fine actor, but miscast here. Not enough ragged edges to do justice to the character in the novel. Camille is slighted in the script, and cast as an Asian woman -- not at all how I pictured her.

The cast of potential villains works well, as do most the supporting characters. The action direction is merely competent, not masterful.

Vargas's books are great. Look them up if you can.