The science of genetic sequencing, digital ghosts, killer AI – Welcome to the lab of perils.
The theme chosen for Quais du polar for the 2026 edition is science, which is at the heart of many crime novels. Didn’t Rabelais say, “science without conscience is only the ruin of the soul”? And the painter Goya said, “the sleep of reason produces monsters,” didn’t he?
When science enters the ethical gray areas, evil gains a great playground. Mad scientists, climate disruption, the shadows of our digital identities that could harbor malevolent “doubles,” threats related to AI, issues surrounding DNA – all open doors to the disorder of the world. While we often talk about “scientific progress,” science can also fuel our panics and pave the way for major disasters. We have selected four novels blending progress and dangers.
So, which technology do you want to embody? Find out by taking our quiz.
If you stumbled upon…
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The Last Days of Harry Yuan:
If you are a lover of metaphysics, you will adore the story of this vanished tech magnate who resurfaces on a Greek island and recounts his life story. The tale of a genius, with his lies and downfall. The portrait of a man whose disappearance may have changed the course of the world. -
The DNA of chaos:
If genes fascinate you, then you may be drawn to this investigator who uncovers that a DNA testing campaign is hijacked by a secret organization with radical political aims, using the collected data for nefarious purposes. Meanwhile, the family tree of our heroine trembles… -
Criminal Intelligence:
If you are intrigued by conspiracies, picture an AI in the race to govern the world. Geoengineering, state lies, planetary conflict – in 2050, a wounded journalist exposes a climate crime that could tip the balance of the most significant election in history. -
Dying Twice:
If you are a digital medium, a serial killer whose symbol is an hourglass, destroys his victims twice: physically and symbolically, by erasing all their data. But what if these “ghosts” and their virtual memories have power over the living?
Source: Quais du polar (French crime fiction festival)
