Meet the author Jérôme Chantreau

French novelist Jérôme Chantreau will present his latest novel, L’Affaire de la rue Transnonain, winner of the Grand Prix des Lectrices ELLE 2025.

Born in Paris, he spent his childhood between the capital and the forests of Mayenne. After studying literature at the Sorbonne, he created an equestrian centre, trained in forestry and later taught French for twenty years. He now devotes himself fully to writing. His work brings together history, mystery and a profound interest in the lives of those who are often left behind by history.

His latest novel, L’Affaire de la rue Transnonain, takes readers back to Paris in 1834, to one of the darkest episodes of the July Monarchy. On the night of 14 April, soldiers opened fire on the inhabitants of a building at 12 rue Transnonain. Two centuries later, Chantreau reopens the case, reconstructing the lives of the victims and the investigation surrounding a mysterious missing woman.

The result is a gripping historical investigation, a story of violence, power, memory and the search for truth.