Les nouveaux mysteres de Paris (1954-1959), Leo Malet s fifteen-novel detective series inspired by Eugene Sue s nineteenth-century feuilleton, almost achieved the goal of setting a mystery in each of the twenty Parisian arrondissements, with Nestor Burma at the center of the action. In Burma, the detective de choc first introduced in 1943 s 120 rue de la gare, Malet, considered the father of the French roman noir, creates a cultural hybrid, bringing literary references and surrealist techniques to a criminal milieu. Michelle Emanuel s groundbreaking study is particularly insightful in its treatment of Malet as a pioneer within the literary genre of the French roman noir while making sure to also focus on his surrealist roots. Against the archetypes of Simenon s Maigret and Christie s Poirot, Burma is brash and streetwise, peppering his speech with colorful and evocative slang. As the reader s tour guide, Burma highlights Paris s forgotten past while providing insight to the Paris of (his) present, referencing both popular culture and contemporary issues. Malet s innovation of setting a noir narrative in France serves as a catalyst for further change in the policier genre in France, including his contemporary Jean Amila, the neo-polar of Jean-Patrick Manchette, and the historical roman noir of Didier Daeninckx."