Thriller · Classics
The Day of the Jackal
In 1963 a secret group of French extremists hires a British professional killer to assassinate President de Gaulle. French police race to identify him before he reaches Paris.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1971
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 358
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like procedural suspense where meticulous planning drives the tension, even though you know history.
Skip this if you want deep character studies, because this is told mostly through process.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about The Day of the Jackal
- What is The Day of the Jackal about?
- In 1963 a secret group of French extremists hires a British professional killer to assassinate President de Gaulle. French police race to identify him before he reaches Paris.
- Who should read The Day of the Jackal?
- Read it if you like procedural suspense where meticulous planning drives the tension, even though you know history. Skip it if you want deep character studies, because this is told mostly through process.
- How long and how fast is The Day of the Jackal?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 358 pages, first published in 1971.
- Does The Day of the Jackal have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow The Day of the Jackal for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Day of the Jackal; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Day of the Jackal?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Bourne Identity, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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