"Debout les morts" is a gripping crime novel by Fred Vargas that takes readers into the mysterious world of the cantatrice Sophia Siméonidis. One morning, Sophia discovers an unknown tree, a hornbeam, in her garden, the origin of which she cannot trace. This discovery awakens her curiosity and concern, while her husband Pierre remains indifferent. Driven by her unease, Sophia asks her eccentric neighbors to dig under the tree. However, the situation escalates when Sophia suddenly disappears and a burned corpse is found. The police and the neighbors are equally involved in the investigation as the mystery surrounding the hornbeam becomes increasingly enigmatic. Vargas skillfully combines elements of a thriller with a profound character study, creating a captivating narrative that keeps readers enthralled until the very last page.