The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth

Why read the book?
In Frederick Forsyth’s epic thriller, The Day of the Jackal, a mysterious assassin known only as “The Jackal” is hired by the OAS, a French terrorist group, to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle in 1963. With incredible skill and cunning, The Jackal meticulously plans his mission, creating fake identities, smuggling weapons, and outsmarting authorities across Europe.
French detective Claude Lebel, a quiet but brilliant investigator, is assigned to stop him, racing against time as the assassin gets closer to his target. Set against the tense atmosphere of post-colonial France, Forsyth’s debut novel, based on real assassination attempts, delivers a masterclass in suspense, deception, and relentless pacing.
Favourite quote
In the world of the professional killer, there is no room for mistakes, only for perfection.
What I Loved
The Day of the Jackal is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. From the Jackal’s chillingly meticulous preparations to Lebel’s relentless pursuit, Forsyth’s journalistic eye for authenticity brings the story to life. The cat-and-mouse game between the icy, charismatic assassin and the unassuming yet determined detective is electrifying.
The settings—Paris’s bustling streets, London’s foggy alleys, and rural French hideouts—transport readers to a vivid 1960s Europe. Forsyth’s ability to maintain tension even though the outcome is known (de Gaulle’s survival) is a testament to his storytelling genius. This is a timeless, edge-of-your-seat thriller that you won’t want to miss.
Key Takeaway
In a deadly game of wits, precision and perseverance are the only tools to outmatch a perfect predator.
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