Maxime Chattam on writing through grief and helping French police solve cold cases

French thriller author Maxime Chattam, with over seven million books sold worldwide, discussed his new novel "L'Artiglio" at the Rozzano Mystery Festival near Milan. The book explores the parallel between love and death, both linked to the scientific measurement of 8.2 seconds. Chattam explained the novel emerged from personal grief following his best friend's death and separation from his children's mother. He uses two protagonists, Constance and May, to represent consciousness and the unconscious, while examining humanity's darker aspects through a serial killer character. The author, who studied criminology and forensic psychology, said French police consult him on cold cases for creative perspectives. He writes to process his own mourning and find reassurance from evil, citing Italian author Alessandro Baricco among his influences.