Nabadhate akher al-leil - Nassima Bouloufa (Heartbeats in the dead of the night) (2015, Vescera edition, Algeria) -2014- Shifra min sarab (Code from a mirage) - Ismael Ben Saada (Chihab eds, Algeria, 2014) Description here.

Crime fiction has been part of the literary production in Algeria for over 60 years. Records show that initially, crime fiction writers published serialised stories in newspapers. A prime example of this is the journalist Ahmed Chenouf-Boudi who wrote detective and spy stories serialised weekly in El-Nasr newspaper between 20 September 1967 and 7 October 1967, and from 1968 in Algérie-Actualités. But in 1970, SNED editions, the acronym of the National Publishing and Broadcasting Company, took an editorial decision that opened new opportunities for writers. In that year, the SNED published four crime novels written by Youcef Kader, the pen name of Roger Vilatimo, a novelist of Catalan origin and an author who would continue writing for years under many a pseudonym. It seems that it is from the publication of these four spy/crime novels that the door fully welcomed crime fiction as books. In that year, the Algerian detective novel was born.

Since then, imaginary Algerian detectives have taken readers all over the country to investigate crime: in Wahran, Tamanrasset, Kabyle villages, and of course in the capital, Algiers. There is often much humour in these novels, with fast-paced narratives or slower “cinema noir” motion. In over 50 years of making and enriching the genre, authors have shared the same passion beyond storytelling: exploring how to make the truth of a crime emerge out of chaos (in essence how to reclaim the truth in an environment that seeks to bury it), not to be virtuous but to remain sane.

From state crimes and political murders to family feuds and petty crime, with investigations conducted by professionals or the uninitiated, Algerian crime writers have produced some the most entertaining detective stories I have read — and represent a vibrant group of books in the Algerian literary corpus. 

The booklist

The list shared here is not exhaustive and suggestions for additions are most welcome. It will quickly become obvious to the reader that this list mostly features books written in French. This should not be interpreted to mean that Algerian novelists who write in Arabic do not produce crime novels. This situation is purely the result of my not having found many works in Arabic (book distribution is a real handicap in Algeria, and many books disappear almost immediately after publication without having been read). There are also no works in Tamazight here. This should also only be understood as an absence on the list, not an absence on the literary scene.

The present list records crime novels that I define as having been written by Algerian writers living in Algeria or abroad, published in Algeria or abroad. The definition of who and what is “Algerian” in the context of literary production is troublesome, so I have followed the Western approach to literature (and pretty much to everything else): appropriation. That is to say, everything remotely linked to Algeria is regarded as our own, from non-Algerians who published abroad and in Algeria to core authors who are Algerian by origin. Hence the books of Youcef Kader and of Francis Zamponi are listed as Algerian because of their influence and content. I have also kept a category for books I call “peripherals”. A separate section also includes crime fiction written by non-Algerian writers whose books were not distributed in Algeria and did not reach Algerian readers, but which are set in Algeria (see A Moustache-Less Kiss, for example). It also included stories that are heavily inspired by Algerian historical events.

The list is organised by year of publication and novels translated to English are noted (these are basically the result of Yasmina Khadra’s and Amara Lakhous’ literary production).

When I began my exploration of Algerian crime writing, I discovered three academics whose work guided my hunt. Their research is available online on open-access:

– Dr Miloud Benhaimouda’s research paper (2008): Mythologies du roman policier algérien (Mythologies of the Algerian detective novel)

– Miloud Benhaimouda’s doctoral thesis (2004-2005): Formation du Roman Policier Algerien 1962-2002 (The development of the Algerian detective novel between 1962 and 2002)

– Beate Bechter-Burtscher’s doctoral thesis (1998) : The development of the Algerian detective novel written in French (between 1970 to 1998)

 

In June 2021, I was contacted by the researchers Issam Boulksibat and Saïd Saïdi who worked from this blog's original list to find many more written in French and Arabic. As a result, my former list was updated on 31 July 2021, and is now substantially enriched by the titles found by Dr Boulksibat (Oum El Bouaghi University) and Saïd Saïdi (Batna University). Their study is available as a PDF on open access here:

– Dr Boulksibat and Dr Saïd Saïdi's research paper (2021): Le roman policier algérien francophone, une mise à jour) for the Revue des sciences humaines de l'université Oum El Bouaghi, Vol 8, no. 1, March 2021

 

Notable names in Dr Boulksibat and Dr Saïdi's list are Mohamed Balhi, Mohamed Mehafdi, Ame Amour, Frédéric Valmain, Assia Dridi, Albert Kantof, Jacques Syreigeol, André Allemand, Dey Bendifallah, Kamal Oumalek, Mohamed Arhab, Barouk Salamé, Lilian Bathelot, Frédéric Paulin, and Georges Salinas, all authors new to me. Footnote xxiii of Dr Boulksibat's and Dr Saïdi's study references six detective novels written in Arabic, one by Omar Bencheriet, and five by Mourad Boukerzaza. Dr Boulksibat and Dr Saïdi's study considerably enriches Algerian crime fiction studies, and should be used and cited as a work of reference. I am grateful to them for having shared their research with me.

In early 2021, Jolanda Guardia published an essay on Algerian Crime fiction in the Arabic language to discuss Nassima Bouloufa's detective story, Nabadhat akhir el-leil, in 'Arabic Crime Fiction / Le récit criminel arabe', a book edited by Katia Ghosn and Benoît Tadié.

 

ALGERIAN CRIME FICTION – THE BOOKLIST

2021. Duvallier's Mystery (لغز ديفالي) by Abdel Basset Manaa (El-Muthaqqaf, Algeria)

 

2020. The crime of the locked room (جريمة الغرفة المغلقة) by Abdel Basset Manaa (El-Muthaqqaf, Algeria) 

 

2020. Adieu Oran by Ahmed Tiab (Editions de L'Aube serie Noire, France)

 

2019. The night bird (طير الليل ) by Amara Lakhous (co-edited by Hibr and El-Moutawassit, Algeria and Italy).

 

2019. La dernière enquête by Daho Tabti (Casbah editions, Algeria). [Here's a discussion with the author about the book, AUDIO] Daho Tabti lost his sight in 1985 and has been writing his novels while blind for decades.

 

2019. Mortelles fratries by Ahmed Tiab (Editions de L'Aube serie Noire, France)

 

2019. Les tribulations de Karim à Alger by Ame Amour (Hamza Ammour) (ENAG editions, Algeria)

 

2019. Mère des cités by Mustapha Bouchareb (Chihab editions, Algeria)

 

2018. Legacy of Grudges ( ميراث الاحقاد) by Mourad Boukerzaza (El Watan El Youm editions, Algeria)

 

2018. The Killer Rings (الخواتم القاتلة) by Mourad Boukerzaza (El Watan El Youm editions, Algeria)

 

2018. The Amputated Song (الأغنية المبتورة) by Mourad Boukerzaza (El Watan El Youm editions, Algeria)

 

2018. Black Hands (السوداء الأيادي) by Mourad Boukerzaza (Numidia editions, Algeria) 

2018. Dark Tunnels (أنفاق مظلمة) by Mourad Boukerzaza (Numidia editions, Algeria)

 

2018. Pour tapez la mort, tapez 1 by Ahmed Tiab (a series based in Marseille, France) (Edition de L'Aube, France)

2017. 1994 by Adlene Meddi (Barzakh editions, Algeria, also released in France by Rivage editions in 2018).

 

2017. White Crime (الجريمة البيضاء) by Omar Bencheriet (El Moutakkaf editions, Algeria)

2017. Le Général K by Mustapha Yalaoui (L'Harmattan editions, France) 

2017. Gymnopédie pour une disparue by Ahmed Tiab (éditions de L’Aube, France) 

2017. On ne pardonne pas aux Algériens by Mohamed Mehafdi (AFEC editions, Algeria) 

2016. Out of control (خارج السيطرة) by Abdelatif Ould Abdellah (El-Ikhtilef editions, Algeria)

 

2016. Le désert ou la mer by Ahmed Tiab (éditions de l’Aube, France)

 

2016. Le français de Roseville by Ahmed Tiab (éditions de L’Aube, France)

 

2015. Sakarat Nedjma (سكرات نجمة) by Amel Bouchareb (Chihab editions, Algeria).

 

2015. Nabadhat akher al-leilby Nassima Bouloufa(Vescera editions, Algeria)

 

2014.  Shifra min sarab (شيفرة من سراب) – Ismael Ben Saada (Chihab eds, Algeria)

 

2014. Qu’attendent les singes ? by Yasmina Khadra (Julliard editions, France)

 

2014. Dispute Over a Very Italian Piglet by Amara Lakhous (date of the translated version released in 2014. by Europa editions,transl. from the Italian by Ann Goldstein. The original Italian was published in 2010).

 

2014. Ombre 67 by Ahmed Gasmia (Casbah editions, Algeria). 

2012. L'impasse du Maltais by Djamel Eddine Merdaci (Casbah, Algeria) 

2012. Intrigue à Sidi Fredj by Khaled Mandi (Mazola Communication Editions, Algeria).

 

2012. Alger la noire by Maurice Attia (Barzakh editions, Algeria. It was published in France by Actes Sud in 2006).

 

2010. Le roman noir d’Ali by Abdelkader Ferchiche (Alpha Editions, France)

 

2010. L’étrangleur d’Alger by Azdine (published by Apic editions in their Apic Noirseries, Algeria).

 

2009. Le Pouvoir de l’Ombre by Mohamed Benayat (Mille Feuilles editions, Algeria)

 

2009. Accointance de chacals by Kamal Oumalek (Editions du Polar) 

2008. Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous (transl. by Ann Goldstein from the Italian, published by Europa editions, UK).

 

2008. La prière du Maure by Adlene Meddi  (Barzakh editions, Algeria).

 

2008. Commissaire Krim by Y.B. (aka Yassir Benmiloud) (Grasset editions, France)

 

2007. La mort de l'entomologiste by Mohamed Balhi (Barzakh, Algeria) 

2006. Complot à Alger by Ahmed Gasmia (Casbah editions, Algeria).

 

2004. La Part du Mort by Yasmina Khadra (Julliard editions, France, in 2004). Translated to English by Aubrey Botsford and released by Toby Crime as Dead Man’s Share.

 

2002. Meurtres en Sérail by Charaf Abdessemed (Métropolis editions, France).

 

2002. A la mémoire du commandant Larbi by Nabil Benali (Barzakh editions, Algeria)

 

2002. Le meurtre de Sonia Zaïd by Rahima Karim (Marsa editions, Algeria/France)

 

2002. Takfir Sentinelle by Lakhdar Belaïd (Gallimard editions, France).

 

2002. Le casse-tête turc by Adlene Meddi (Barzakh editions, Algeria).

 

2001. Le serment des barbares by Boualem Sansal (Gallimard editions, France).

 

2000. Sérail killer by Lakhdar Belaïd (Gallimard editions, France)

 

2000. L’homme de la première phrase by Salah Guemriche (Rivages editions, France)

 

1999. Mon Colonel by Francis Zamponi (Actes Sud editions, France, reprinted in 2006. The movie version was released in 2006).

 

1999. Les ardoises de la mémoire by Mouloud Akkouche (Gallimard editions, France. Akkouche is French of Algerian origins).

 

1998. Double Blanc by Yasmina Khadra (an Inspector Llob Mystery, transl. to English by Aubrey Botsford and released as Double Blank in 2005 by Toby Crime. The original French was published by Baleine eds in 1998, also available with Folio).

 

1998. L’automne des chimères by Yasmina Khadra (an Inspector Llob Mystery, transl. to English by Aubrey Botsford and released in 2006 by Toby Crime as Autumn of the Phantoms. The original French was published by Baleine editions).

 

1998. 31, rue de l’aigle by Abdelkader Djemaï (1998, Michalon editions, France)

 

1998. Avis d’échéance by Mouloud Akkouche (Gallimard editions, France).

 

1997. Morituri by Yasmina Khadra (Baleine editions, France. Inspector Llob Mystery, released by Tobi Crime editions in 2004, translated to English by David Herman).

 

1993. La foire des enfoirés by Yasmina Khadra (Laphomic editions, Algeria) 

1991. Fredy La Rafale by Mohamed Benayat (ENAL editions, Algeria)

 

1990. Le dingue au bistouri by Yasmina Khadra (the first Inspector Llob mystery, released by Laphomic editions, Algeria)

 

1990. L’empire des démons by Saïd Smaïl (SNED, Algeria)

 

1990. Une mort dans le djebel by Jacques Syreigeol (Gallimard, France)

1989. Les barons de la pénurie by Saïd Smaïl (SNED, Algeria).

 

1989. L’achipel du Stalag by Djamel Dib (ENAL, Algeria)

 

1988. Adel s’emmele by Salim Aissa (ENAL editions, Algeria)

 

1988 Double Djo pour une muette by Rabah Zeghouda(ENAL, Algeria)

 

1987. Mimouna by Salim Aissa (Laphomic editions, Algeria)

 

1986 La Saga des Djinns by Djamel Dib (ENAL, Algeria)

 

1986. La résurrection d’Antar by Djamel Dib (ENAL, Algeria)

 

1986. Les Pirates du Desert by Zehira Houfani (ENAL, Algeria).

 

1986. Le Portrait du disparu by Zehira Houfani Berfas (ENAL, Algeria).

 

1984. Le possible de l'inimaginable by Ame Amour (Hamza Ammour) (ENAG editions, Algeria) 

 

1981. Banderilles et muleta by Abahri Larbi (SNED, Algeria)

 

1980 Piège à Tel-Aviv by Abdelaziz Lamrani (SNED, Algeria)

 

1980. Karim, inspecteur malgré lui by Ame Amour (Hamza Ammour) (Poésie Vivante editions, Switzerland) 

1973. God et la trinité by Assia (Dridi) (S.E.F. Philioppe Daudy, France)

1973. D. contre-attaque by Abdelaziz Lamrani (SNED, Algeria) 

1972. Les Bourreaux meurent aussi...by Youcef Khader (SNED, Algeria)

 

1972. Quand les “Panthères ” attaquent…by Youcef Khader (SNED, Algeria)

 

1970. La Vengeance passe par Ghaza by Youcef Khader (SNED, Algeria)

 

1970. Délivrez la Fidayia! by Youcef Khader (SNED, Algeria)

 

1970. Halte au plan « terreur » by Youcef Khader (SNED, 1970, Algeria)

 

1970. Pas de « Phantoms » pour Tel-Aviv by Youcef Khader (SNED, Algeria)

 

 ---

1967-1968. 'Le fellah, l'ex-tirailleur et le commissaire politique' (The Fellah, the ex-skirmisher, and the political commander) by Ahmed Chenouf Boudi, published as a series in An-Nasr newspaper, from 20 Sep 1967 to 7 Octobre 1967 (see a list of Chenouf-Boudi's other serialised newspaper stories here)

 

The peripherals

Crime fiction set in Algeria and/or with Algeria in the background by non-Algerian writers (this is only a sample, an exhaustive list would need a separate study)

2019. Le Chat d'Oran by Georges Salinas (Mareuil editions)

2018. La guerre est une ruse by Frédéric Paulin (Agullo Noir editions)

2009. Le Mur, le Kabyle et le Marin by Antonin Varenne (Viviane Hamy editions, France. A novel with strong elements of detective fiction, set partly in Algeria)

 

2004. Un baiser sans moustache by Catherine Simon (Gallimard editions, France. Simon was one of the last correspondents of the French newspaper Le Monde posted posted in Algeria, she was recalled during the 90s. This murder investigation is set in Algeria)

 

2003. Du pain et des roses. Meurtres à la Croix-Rousse by Catherine Simon (L'Aube editions, France) (an investigation led by the Algerian archaeologist and private detective Emna Aït Saada)

 

2002. Le pied rouge by François Muratet (Actes Sud editions, France. Muratet is French writer born in Morocco. His story is inspired by the Algerian war of independence)

 

1984 Meurtres pour mémoire by Didier Daeninckx (Gallimard editions, France. Novel inspired by the massacre of Algerian demonstrators in Paris on 17 October 1961).

DZ novels with a criminal investigation in the background

2014 La Mission by Mohammed Benchicou (Koukou editions, Algeria/France. An entertaining investigation of the Tinguentourine hostage events led by a professor from King’s college).

 

2005 Le Chien de Titanic by Ali Malek (Barzakh editions, Algeria. The story chronicles how the murder of a police captain’s dog in a Kabyle village called Titanic teases tensions between police and villagers).

 

2003. Le Minaret ensenglanté by Dey Bendifallah (Edite editions)  

1999 Au nom du fils by Abed Charef (Aube editions, France. The story follows a father whose son has been kidnapped).

Thrillers

2011 Abduction by Anouar Benmalek (transl. from the French by Simon Pare and published by Arabia books. The original French Le Rapt was published by Fayard editions and released in 2009).

 

2011. Les aumônières de Dieu by Mohamed Arhab (L'Harmattan editions)  

*An earlier version of this article appeared on ArabLit.org*

ALGERIAN CRIME FICTION IN PICTURES

 

 

Duvallier's Mystery (لغز ديفالي) by Abdel Basset Manaa (El-Muthaqqaf)

 

 

-2021-

 

 

The crime of the locked room (جريمة الغرفة المغلقة) by Abdel Basset Manaa (El-Muthaqqaf) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 -2020-

 

Adieu Oran by Ahmed Tiab (editions de L'Aube serie Noire)

 

-2019-

2019. The night bird (طير الليل ) by Amara Lakhous (co-edited by Hibr and El-Moutawassit)

 

 

 

 Mortelles fratries by Ahmed Tiab (editions de L'Aube serie Noire)

 

 

 

 

 

 La dernière enquête - Daho Tabti (Casbah editions, October 2019)

-2017-

1994 - Adlene Meddi
(Barzakh editions, Algeria, 2017)
(also Rivage editions, France, 2018)

 





-2016-

Out of control (خارج السيطرة) - Abdelatif Ould Abdellah

(El-Ikhtilef editions, 2016)

 Le désert ou la mer - Ahmed Tiab

(éditions de l'aube, 2016)

 Le français de Roseville - Ahmed Tiab

(éditions de l'aube, France, 2016)

 




-2015-

Sakarat Nedjma (Flickers of a star) - Amel Bouchareb
(Chihab eds, 2015)

See here for a review.

 
Nabadhate akher al-leil - Nassima Bouloufa (Heartbeats in the dead of the night)
(2015, Vescera edition, Algeria)

-2014-

Shifra min sarab (Code from a mirage) - Ismael Ben Saada

(Chihab eds, Algeria, 2014)

Description here.

Qu'attendent les singes ? - Yasmina Khadra 
(What are monkeys waiting for?)
(2014, Juliard, France) 

Available here.

 

Dispute Over a Very Italian Piglet - Amara Lakhous 
transl. from Italian into EN by Ann Goldstein
2014, Europa eds, UK

Original Italian published in 2010.
Available here.

-2012-

Intrigue à Sidi Fredj - Khaled Mandi (Intrigue at Sidi Fredj)

(2012, Mazola Communication Eda, Algeria)


Available in Algiers' Librairie du Tiers Monde.

Alger la noire - Maurice Attia [Alger, the black city]
(2012, Barzakh, Algeria) 


Available with Barzakh here and with Actes Sud here.


 

-2010-

Ali's Noir Novel (Le roman noir d'Ali) - Abdelkader Ferchiche

(Alpha Editions, France, 2010)

The Strangler of Algiers (L’étrangleur d’Alger) - Azdine 

(Apic editions in their Apic Noir series, Algeria, 2010)

See description here. Still available in Algiers' bookshops.

-2009-

 Le Pouvoir de l'Ombre - Mohamed Benayat
(2009, Mille Feuilles eds, Algeria)
 
Available in Algiers at La Librarie des Mots.

-2008-

Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio - Amara Lakhous 

(2008, Europa eds)

transl. by Ann Goldstein from Italian

Available here.

Adlene Meddi - La prière du Maure [The Moor's prayer]
(2008, Barzakh eds, Algeria)



Available here.

Commissaire Krim - Y.B. (Yassir Benmiloud)

(2008, Grasset eds, France)

(A Superintendent Krim mystery)

 -2007-

Ombre 67 (Shadow 67) - Ahmed Gasmi
(2007, Casbah eds, Algeria)


Available in Algiers' Librarie du Tiers Monde.

-2006- 

Complot à Alger - Ahmed Gasmia [Conspiracy in Algiers]
(2006, Casbah eds, Algeria)



Available at Casbah editions.

-2004-

Dead Man's Share - Yasmina Khadra 

(transl. in EN by Aubrey Botsford)

(Toby Crime, 2004)

French version La Part du Mort (2004, Julliard editions, France) available here.










-2002-

Meurtres en Sérail (Murders in the purdah) - Charaf Abdessemed 

(2002, Métropolis eds,)

Available here.

A la mémoire du commandant Larbi - Nabil Benali [In memory of Commandant Larbi]

(2002, Barzakh eds, Algeria)














Le meurtre de Sonia Zaïd (The murder of Sonia Zaïd) - Rahima Karim
(2002, MARSA eds, Algeria/France)

Takfir Sentinelle - Lakhdar Belaïd
(2002, Gallimard eds, France)

Available here

Le casse-tête turc - Adlene Meddi
[The Turkish Puzzle]
(2002, Barzakh ed.)

Available here.

 -2001-

Le serment des barbares - Boualem Sansal [The Barbarians' oath]
(2001, Gallimard, France)


Available here.

-2000-

Sérail killer - Lakhdar Belaïd
(2000, Gallimard eds, France)

L'homme de la première phrase - Salah Guemriche
[The Man with the First Sentence]
(2000, Éd. Rivages, France)

Available here and here.

-1999- 

Mon Colonel - Francis Zamponi
(2002, Broché eds, France)

(Zamponi is the first novelsit to have spoken of the Guelma and Setif massacres. This novel was made into a movie in 2009)

available here

Les ardoises de la mémoire - Mouloud Akkouche
(1999, Gallimard, France)

(Akkouche is a French citizen of Algerian origins).
Available here

-1998- 

Double blank - Yasmina Khadra
An Inspector Llob Mystery
transl. in EN in 2005
English version available here.
(2005, Toby Crime)

The original French is published by Folio eds

French version, Double Blanc, by Baleine eds, 1998, available here.

L'automne des chimères - Yasmina Khadra
(Autumn of the Phatoms) - an Inspector Llob Mystery

transl. in EN by Aubrey Botsford
 (2006, Toby Crime editions)


English version available here

Original French version (1998, Baleine eds) here.

31, rue de l'aigle - Abdelkader Djemaï
(1998, Broché eds, France)

available here

Avis d'échéance - Mouloud Akkouche
(1998, Gallimard, France)

(French novelist of Algerian origin)

 Available here

-1997-

Morituri - Inspector Llob Mystery - Yasmina Khadra
(1997, Baleine eds, France)

French version available here.

-1991-

Fredy La Rafale - Mohamed Benayat 

(1991, ENAL eds, Algeria)

-1990-

Le dingue au bistouri - Yasmina Khadra
[The madman with a scalpel]
The first Inspector Llob mystery

(1990, Laphomic eds, France)

Available here.

L'empire des démons - Saïd Smaïl
(1990, SNED, Algeria)

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

-1989-

Les barons de la pénurie - Saïd Smaïl
(1989, SNED, Algeria)

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.














L'achipel du Stalag - Djamel Dib
(1989, ENAL eds, Algeria)

 Not found.

-1988-

Adel s'emmele - Salim Aissa
(1988, ENAL eds, Algeria)
[Adel gets entangled]

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here. Available at SOAS Library, London.








 
Double Djo pour une muette - Rabah Zeghouda

(1988, ENAL, Algeria)

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

-1987-

Mimouna - Salim Aissa

(1987, Laphomic eds, Algeria) 

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

-1986-

La Saga des Djinns - Djamel Dib
[The Djinns' Saga]

(1986, ENAL, Algeria)









La résurection d'Antar - Djamel Dib
(1986, ENAL eds, Algeria)

Les Pirates du Desert  - Zehira Houfani
[Pirates of the Desert]

(1986, ENAL, Algeria)
Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.









 
Le Portrait du disparu - Zehira Houfani Berfas
[Portrait of a missing-person]

(1986, ENAL, Algeria)
Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

-1981-

Banderilles et muleta - Abahri Larbi 
[Bullfighting darts and red capes]

(1981, SNED eds, Algeria)

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

-1980-

 
Piège à Tel-Aviv - Abdelaziz Lamrani
[Trap in Tel-Aviv]

(1980, SNED eds, Algeria)

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

-1973-

   D. contre-attaque- Abdelaziz Lamrani 

(1973, SNED eds, Algeria)

[D. counter-attacks]

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

-1972-

  
 Les Bourreaux meurent aussi..- Youcef Khader
Executioners die also]
(1972, SNED, Algeria)
 [

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

 






 
Quand les "Panthères " attaquent... - Youcef Khader
 [When "Panthers" attack...]
(1972, SNED, Algeria)

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

-1970-

La Vengeance passe par Ghaza - Youcef Khader
[Vengeance will pass through Gaza]

(1970, SNED, Algeria)
Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

 
Délivrez la Fidayia! - Youcef Khader 

(SNED, 1970, Algeria). 

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.









 
Halte au plan «terreur» - Youcef Khader
[Halt to the "terror" mission]


(SNED, 1970, Algeria)

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

 






 
 Pas de «Phantoms» pour Tel-Aviv - Youcef Khader
[No "Phantoms" for Tel-Aviv]

(SNED, 1970, Algeria)

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliotheque du centre diocesain des Glycines here.

The peripherals

The below books are very enjoyable novels that I categorised as 'peripherals' because they either contain strong elements of crime/detective fiction, or because they are crime fiction set in Algeria but written by non-Algerian writers.

Non-Algerian writers

Le Mur, le Kabyle et le Marin - Antonin Varenne  [The Wall, the Kabyle and the Sailor]

(2009, Viviane Hamy Eds)

(French writer, a novel with strong elements of detective fiction, set partly in Algeria)

Available here.

Un baiser sans moustache - Catherine Simon (A moustache-less kiss)

(2004, Gallimard, France)

(French writer, one of the last correspondents of the French newspaper Le Monde posted in Algeria and was recalled during the 90s. The novel is set in Algeria)

Description here. Available here

Le pied rouge - François Muratet
(2002, Actes Sud eds, France)
(Moroccan writer, inspired by Algerian events)

available here

Meurtres pour mémoire - Didier Daeninckx

(1984, Gallimard eds, France)

(inspired by events of 17 October 1961 in Paris)

Criminal investigation in the background

La Mission (2014, Koukou eds) - Mohammed Benchicou

[The Mission] (strong elements of crime fiction)

Available here.

Le Chien de Titanic - Ali Malek [Titanic's dog]
(2006, Barzakh eds, Algeria)



Available here.


 



Au nom du fils - Abed Charef

 [In the name of the son]

(1999, Aube ed) More of a thriller.

Available in Algiers, at La Bibliothèque du centre diocésain des Glycines here.

Thrillers

Abduction - Anouar Benmalek (transl. from French)
(2011, Arabia books)

More of a thriller than a strict crime/detective fiction novel.

(Le Rapt in the original French, published by Fayard eds, 2011)