'The Day of the Jackal' (1971) by Frederick Forsyth

'The Day of the Jackal' is a gripping political thriller centered around an audacious assassination plot. The novel, known for its meticulous attention to detail and suspenseful storytelling, explores the efforts of a secretive assassin, code-named 'The Jackal', hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle.

Plot Summary: The story is set in the early 1960s. After multiple failed attempts to assassinate de Gaulle, the far-right paramilitary group Organisation de l'Armée Secrète (OAS) hires an anonymous professional assassin. This man, who takes the code name "The Jackal," is highly skilled, coldly efficient, and unknown to the authorities. He plans a meticulously detailed operation, including the crafting of false identities, acquiring a custom sniper rifle, and devising elaborate schemes to evade detection.

Meanwhile, French authorities become aware of the assassination plot and launch a desperate investigation to stop the Jackal. Commissioner Claude Lebel, a seasoned and resourceful detective, leads the investigation. Lebel methodically unravels the Jackal’s trail, piecing together his plans through interviews, surveillance, and international collaboration.

As the Jackal closes in on his target, the tension builds. His final attempt to assassinate de Gaulle during a public ceremony is thwarted by Lebel at the last moment. De Gaulle, famously stoic, remains unharmed, while the Jackal is killed in a climactic confrontation.

Themes: The novel explores themes of professionalism, obsession, and the limits of human precision. The Jackal and Lebel are intellectual equals, each embodying the highest standards of their respective professions. The story also delves into the political unrest of post-colonial France and the existential challenges faced by de Gaulle’s government.

Style and Legacy: Forsyth's meticulous research and attention to detail make the novel feel realistic, blending fact with fiction seamlessly. The book is notable for its procedural narrative style, presenting both the assassin’s planning and the detective's investigation in parallel, which heightens the suspense. It remains a classic in the thriller genre, lauded for its intricate plotting and authenticity.