Fred Vargas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frédérique Audoin-Rouzeau
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Fred Vargas, 2009
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| Born | 7 June 1957 Paris, France |
| Pen name | Fred Vargas |
| Occupation | Medieval historian and archaeologist; writer |
| Genre | Crime fiction |
Fred Vargas is the pen name of Frédérique Audoin-Rouzeau. She was born on June 7, 1957, in Paris, France. She is a talented French historian, archaeologist, and a very popular novelist.
As a historian and archaeologist, she is well-known for her studies on the Black Death. Her mystery novels, often called "policiers," have won many awards. She has won three International Dagger Awards from the Crime Writers' Association. She won these awards for three books in a row: in 2006, 2008, and 2009. She is the first writer to ever achieve this! Her English translator, Siân Reynolds, also received recognition for her work.
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Fred Vargas's Work as an Archaeologist
Frédérique Audoin-Rouzeau worked at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). She joined this important research center in 1988. Later, she moved to the Institut Pasteur. There, she worked as an archaeologist who studied tiny living things called eukaryotes.
She worked on a big project about the epidemiology of the Black Death. This was a terrible disease that caused the bubonic plague. Her research led to a very important book called Les chemins de la peste (Routes of the Plague) in 2003. This book is considered a key work in that field of study.
Fred Vargas's Work as a Novelist
Vargas mostly writes exciting police thrillers. She likes to call them "puzzles" herself. She found that writing was a great way to combine her interests. It also helped her relax from her demanding job as an academic.
Her novels are usually set in Paris, France. They follow the exciting adventures of Chief Inspector Adamsberg and his special team. Vargas's interest in the Middle Ages often appears in her books. This is especially true through a character named Marc Vandoosler. He is a young expert in medieval history.
Awards for Her Novels
Her book Seeking Whom He May Devour was nominated for the Gold Dagger award in 2005. This award is for the best crime novel of the year in Britain. In 2006, her next novel, The Three Evangelists, won the very first Duncan Lawrie International Dagger award.
She won this award again in 2008 with her book Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand. She was the first author to be nominated for three novels in a row. In 2009, Vargas won the International Dagger once more. This made her the first author to receive it for three books in a row. Her translator, Siân Reynolds, also shared in these awards.
In 2018, Vargas received the Princess of Asturias Prize for letters. This is a very important award for writers.
Main Characters in Her Books
Fred Vargas has created many memorable characters in her novels. They often work together to solve mysteries.
Three Evangelists Series Characters
- Marc Vandoosler, also known as "Saint Mark": He is a historian who specializes in life during the Middle Ages.
- Lucien Devernois, also known as "Saint Luke": He is a historian who studies World War I. This character was inspired by Vargas's own brother, Stéphane Audoin-Rouzeau.
- Matthias Delamarre, also known as "Saint Matthew": He is a historian who focuses on prehistory.
- These three characters are called "the Evangelists." They all live together in the same house, which they call The Dosshouse.
- Armand Vandoosler: He is Marc's godfather and a former police chief. He enjoys life and is a bit quirky.
- Ludwig Kehlweiler: He is a former policeman who has a wide network of people who give him information. He also has a pet toad named Bufo.
Adamsberg Series Characters
- Commissaire Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg: He is a police chief who often travels. He has a calm and thoughtful way of solving crimes, almost like Zen meditation.
- Adrien Danglard: He is a very organized police inspector and Adamsberg's assistant. He is divorced, has five children, and enjoys drinking white wine.
- Camille Forestier: She is a musician and a plumber. She has a complicated relationship with Adamsberg.
Books Made into Movies and TV Shows
Several of Fred Vargas's Adamsberg novels have been made into films and television series.
- Have Mercy on Us All: This was a film released in 2007. It starred José Garcia.
- Collection Fred Vargas: This is a series of TV movies. They were produced from 2008 to 2019 and starred Jean-Hugues Anglade.
- Beyond the Grave: A New Adamsberg Case: This was a two-part TV special. It was based on her book Sur la Dalle and starred Yvan Attal.
See also
In Spanish: Fred Vargas para niños
