Frederick Forsyth is a wonderful British author whose honors include three Edgars and the Crime Writers’ Association’s Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement. As you might have guessed, he’s been around for a while—The Day of the Jackal, his first novel, was published back in 1971, before many of his current readers were even born.
The plot is detailed but uncomplicated in its arc: After a couple of botched attempts to kill French President Charles de Gaulle in 1962 (which actually happened in real life), a terrorist organization decides the best way to assassinate the French president is to hire a pro instead.
Enter The Jackal, who charges half a million dollars for the job, demanding half be paid upfront. This prompts the terrorists to perpetrate a string of robberies to gather the funds.
We get a glimpse at the assassin’s methodical preparations—acquiring false identifications, designing a weapon suitable for the job, and looking for an opening to take his best shot.
When word of the hired hitman reaches the authorities, a cat-and-mouse chase ensues. Two top detectives are assigned to the case: Deputy Commissioner Claude Lebel from the French police and Superintendent Bryn Thomas from a special branch of Scotland Yard. They pull information from different sources, rooting out moles, and even resorting to more extreme methods to extricate information from uncooperative felons. (Alas, those scenes are a product of the period, dating the book even more than the setting.)
The investigation leads to Paris on August 25, 1963. This date has special significance, commemorating the liberation of Paris during World War II. President de Gaulle is set to make a public appearance to honor war veterans. The thrill of the chase encourages the reader to suspend disbelief and, for a brief moment, even root for the eponymous Jackal to complete his job. He’s done his job masterfully and meticulously; doesn’t his plan deserve to be successful?
The book has been adapted to film twice. The first production in 1973 was quite faithful to the book, while the second one in 1997, simply titled The Jackal, was a show of star power with Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, and Sidney Poitier in the lead. Willis, at the top of his game, exudes sophistication in his part as the assassin. However, the latest film revises the plot considerably, including making the target an American politician.
This timeless tale still appeals to readers today, even though the action is set in the swinging 60s—just like the Austin Powers films and, more recently, the hugely underrated The Man from U.N.C.L.E. A more daring columnist might even propose the 60s could be the new “fad” period, and we should have more books set in the era.
This novel is the perfect yarn for a summer read by the beach, by the pool, or on a bench at the park. We’re not here to judge reading habits. The Day of the Jackal is available in print, e-book, and audiobook formats for all generations to enjoy.
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